WO2021057768A1 - 制冷电器和用于选择性地锁定其中的子容器的方法 - Google Patents

制冷电器和用于选择性地锁定其中的子容器的方法 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021057768A1
WO2021057768A1 PCT/CN2020/117037 CN2020117037W WO2021057768A1 WO 2021057768 A1 WO2021057768 A1 WO 2021057768A1 CN 2020117037 W CN2020117037 W CN 2020117037W WO 2021057768 A1 WO2021057768 A1 WO 2021057768A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
purchase invoice
purchase
sub
refrigeration appliance
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CN2020/117037
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
柳春宰
施罗德·迈克尔·古德曼
凯里亚库·斯蒂芬诺斯
Original Assignee
青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司
海尔智家股份有限公司
海尔美国电器解决方案有限公司
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Application filed by 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司, 海尔智家股份有限公司, 海尔美国电器解决方案有限公司 filed Critical 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司
Publication of WO2021057768A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021057768A1/zh

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
    • G06Q10/087—Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00—General constructional features
    • F25D23/12—Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D29/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2500/00—Problems to be solved
    • F25D2500/06—Stock management
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
    • F25D2700/04—Sensors detecting the presence of a person
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
    • F25D2700/06—Sensors detecting the presence of a product

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to tracking and locking items in storage containers such as refrigeration appliances.
  • Storage containers such as refrigeration appliances and food storage cabinets generally provide closed chambers for receiving multiple items or objects.
  • a refrigerating appliance usually includes a box that defines a refrigerating compartment. The user can place certain items or objects in the refrigeration room to prevent the items from decay. Thus, the usable life of perishable items or objects can be increased.
  • Some attempts to solve these problems include systems that require users to manually separate items (for example, medicines or vitamins) and place them in dedicated containers, such as day boxes.
  • items for example, medicines or vitamins
  • these are often troublesome.
  • existing systems often require a lot of physical and mental power to ensure that the correct user takes the correct item.
  • the caregivers cannot always ensure that the medications are taken as directed.
  • the item is perishable, it may be difficult to ensure that the item is taken/consumed before it expires.
  • a refrigerating appliance having a feature for assisting users in tracking the contents of the refrigerating compartment of the refrigerating appliance will be useful.
  • a refrigerating appliance having a feature for fixing certain items such as medicine in the refrigerating compartment of the refrigerating appliance will be useful.
  • a refrigeration appliance may include a box body, a door body rotatably hinged to the box body, a user detection component installed to the box body, a sub-container, and a controller.
  • the sub-container can define the storage space and can be installed to the box.
  • the sub container may include an electric lock assembly that can be actuated between a locked state that restricts access to the storage space and an unlocked state that allows access to the storage space.
  • the controller may be operably coupled to the user detection component. The controller can be configured to initiate operating routines.
  • the operation routine may include: receiving a purchase invoice; receiving a marking signal from the user detection component; detecting a specific user based on the marking signal; determining that the specific user corresponds to the purchase invoice; and arranging the sub-container in response to determining that the specific user corresponds to the purchase invoice Boot to the unlocked state.
  • a method of operating a refrigeration appliance may include the following steps: receiving a purchase invoice; and receiving a marking signal from a user detection component of the refrigeration appliance.
  • the method may further include the steps of: detecting a specific user based on the marking signal; and determining that the specific user corresponds to the purchase invoice.
  • the method may still include the following steps: in response to determining that the specific user corresponds to the purchase invoice, guiding the sub-container to the unlocked state.
  • Fig. 1 provides a front elevation view of a refrigeration appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 provides a front elevation view of a refrigeration appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the refrigeration door is shown in an open position.
  • Fig. 3 provides a schematic diagram of a refrigeration appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 provides a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a refrigeration appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • the present invention provides methods to help secure certain items such as medicines and vitamins in storage containers such as refrigeration appliances or food storage cabinets.
  • the method may include one or more steps for determining what item (ie, medication) is added to or removed from the storage container.
  • Specific users can selectively lock and unlock sub-containers within the storage container, such as drawers or boxes, to keep the items safe and ensure that the items are properly identified/tracked.
  • FIG. 1 provides a front elevation view of a refrigerating appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the refrigerating door 128 of the refrigerating appliance 100 is shown in a closed position.
  • 2 provides a front elevation view of the refrigerating appliance 100, in which the refrigerating door 128 is shown in an open position to expose the food preservation compartment 122 of the refrigerating appliance 100.
  • the refrigerating appliance 100 includes a housing or box 120 that extends along the vertical direction V between the top 101 and the bottom 102.
  • the box body 120 defines a refrigerated compartment for receiving food for storage.
  • the box body 120 defines a food preservation compartment 122 arranged at or adjacent to the top 101 of the box 120 and a freezing compartment 124 arranged at or adjacent to the bottom 102 of the box 120.
  • the refrigerating appliance 100 is generally called a bottom-mounted refrigerator.
  • the benefits of the present invention are applicable to other types and styles of storage containers, such as overhead refrigeration appliances, side-by-side refrigeration appliances, or non-refrigerated food storage cabinets. Therefore, the description set forth herein is for illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to limit any specific storage container or refrigerator cavity configuration in any respect.
  • the refrigerating door 128 is rotatably hinged to the edge of the box 120 to selectively enter the fresh food compartment 122.
  • a freezing door 130 is arranged below the refrigerating door 128 to selectively enter the freezing compartment 124.
  • the freezer door body 130 is coupled to a freezer drawer 142 (not shown) slidably installed in the freezer compartment 124. As described above, the refrigerating door body 128 and the freezing door body 130 are shown in the closed position in FIG. 1, and the refrigerating door body 128 is shown in the open position in FIG. 2.
  • the storage components include a box 140 installed in the fresh food compartment 122 to the box 120 (for example, directly installed or indirectly installed via the door 128), a drawer 142, and a shelf 144.
  • the box 140, the drawer 142, and the shelf 144 are configured to receive stored items (for example, food, medicine, or vitamins), and can help organize these stored foods.
  • the drawer 142 may receive perishable items (for example, vegetables, fruits, cheese, or medicine) and increase the service life of these foods.
  • one or more boxes 140 or drawers 142 may be provided as a lockable sub-container 146 that defines a storage space and has an electrical locking assembly 148.
  • the locking assembly 148 may be any suitable structure for keeping the corresponding sub-container 146 closed and preventing entry into the storage space.
  • the locking assembly 148 can be actuated between a locked state that restricts access to the storage space and an unlocked state that allows access to the storage space.
  • the refrigerating appliance 100 may also include features for helping the user to identify the stored items in the food preservation compartment 122 or the freezer compartment 124.
  • the user can use these features, for example, to view the items stored in the food preservation compartment 122 or the freezer compartment 124, or to create an inventory list of such foods.
  • FIG. 3 provides a schematic diagram of the refrigeration appliance 100.
  • the refrigerating appliance 100 includes a controller 150 operatively coupled or communicating with components of a refrigerating system (not shown) of the refrigerating appliance 100 for cooling the food preservation compartment 122 or the freezing compartment 124.
  • the components include a compressor 170, an evaporator fan 172, and a condenser fan 174.
  • the controller 150 can selectively operate these components in order to cool the food preservation compartment 122 or the freezing compartment 124.
  • the controller 150 also communicates with a thermostat (e.g., a thermocouple or a thermistor).
  • the thermostat may be provided in the food preservation compartment 122 or the freezing compartment 124 (FIG. 2).
  • the controller 150 may receive a signal corresponding to the temperature of the food preservation compartment 122 or the freezing compartment 124 from the thermostat.
  • the controller 150 may also include an internal timer for calculating the elapsed time period.
  • the controller 150 may include a memory and one or more microprocessors, CPUs, etc., such as general-purpose or special-purpose microprocessors, which are operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control codes associated with the operation of the refrigeration appliance 100.
  • the memory may be expressed as a random access memory such as DRAM or a read-only memory such as ROM or FLASH.
  • the processor executes non-transitory programming instructions stored in memory.
  • the instructions include a software package that is configured to operate the appliance 100, or execute an operating routine (for example, see the exemplary method 400 described below with reference to FIG. 4).
  • the memory may be a separate component from the processor, or may be included in the processor.
  • the controller 150 can be constructed without using a microprocessor (for example, using a combination of discrete analog or digital logic circuits; such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, etc.) To perform control functions instead of relying on software.
  • a microprocessor for example, using a combination of discrete analog or digital logic circuits; such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, etc.
  • the controller 150 may be arranged in various positions in the entire refrigerating appliance 100. Input/output ("I/O") signals may be routed between the controller 150 and various operating components of the refrigeration appliance 100.
  • I/O Input/output
  • One or more components of the refrigeration appliance 100 may communicate (e.g., electrical communication) with the controller 150 via one or more conductive signal lines or a shared communication bus. Additionally or alternatively, one or more components of the refrigeration appliance 100 may communicate with the controller 150 via one or more wireless signal bands (for example, wireless communication).
  • the refrigerating appliance 100 further includes a camera or a camera module 160.
  • the camera 160 may be any type of device suitable for capturing two-dimensional photos or images.
  • the camera 160 may be a video camera or a digital camera with an electronic image sensor [for example, a charge coupled device (CCD) or CMOS sensor].
  • the camera 160 communicates with the controller 150 (for example, electrical communication or wireless communication) so that the controller 150 can receive a signal corresponding to the image captured by the camera 160 from the camera 160.
  • the controller 150 for example, electrical communication or wireless communication
  • the camera 160 is installed on the refrigerating appliance 100.
  • the camera 160 is installed at the top (for example, adjacent to the top 101) inside the fresh food compartment 122.
  • the camera 160 may be fixed to or guided through the top wall of the inner container defining the fresh food compartment 122. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the camera 160 may point downward.
  • the camera is pointed at one or more refrigerated compartments (e.g., food preservation compartment 122- Figure 2).
  • the camera 160 may be pointed at at least a part of any specific one or combination of the drawer 142 and the shelf 144 (FIG. 2).
  • the camera 160 can capture images of one of the drawers 142, all the drawers 142, one of the shelves 144, all the shelves 144, or any suitable combination thereof.
  • the camera 160 is exemplified as being installed in the food preservation compartment 122, it should be understood that additional or alternative embodiments include a camera assembly [e.g., a digital camera with an electronic image sensor [e.g., a charge coupled device (CCD) or CMOS sensor] ], the camera assembly is installed in another suitable part of the refrigeration appliance, such as the door 128.
  • a camera assembly can be pointed to the outside or front of the refrigerating appliance 100, so that an image of the user or area positioned forward from the refrigerating appliance 100 can be captured (for example, when the corresponding door is in the closed position).
  • the refrigeration appliance 100 includes an integrated display 180.
  • the integrated display 180 may be installed on the refrigerating door 128 (FIG. 1) or any other suitable position on the refrigerating appliance 100.
  • the integrated display 180 communicates with the controller 150 so that the integrated display 180 can receive a signal from the controller 150 (for example, corresponding to an image captured by the camera 160).
  • the integrated display 180 may receive such a signal from the controller 150 and visually present an image to the user.
  • the integrated display 180 may include, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), or any other suitable mechanism (such as a projector) for displaying images.
  • LCD liquid crystal display panel
  • PDP plasma display panel
  • the refrigeration appliance 100 may further include a communication component 184 that communicates with the controller 150.
  • the communication component 184 can be installed on any suitable part of the refrigeration appliance 100, such as the box 120 or the door 128.
  • the communication components include speakers (eg, dynamic speakers, electrostatic speakers, planar magnetic speakers, piezoelectric speakers, etc.).
  • the speaker may be configured to generate sound waves from one or more electrical signals (eg, digital sound signals received from the controller 150). In this way, the speaker can audibly convey information to the user.
  • the communication component includes a microphone (eg, dynamic microphone, ribbon microphone, fiber optic microphone, piezoelectric microphone, etc.).
  • the microphone may generate one or more electrical signals (e.g., to be received by the controller 150) from one or more received sound waves (e.g., from a user).
  • the microphone can receive voice prompts or commands that can be guided to the controller 150 from the user.
  • the camera 160 may capture one or more two-dimensional images (e.g., as a video feed or a series of continuous still images) that can be transmitted to the controller 150 (e.g., as a data signal) , As commonly understood.
  • the image capture sequence can be initiated by a predetermined user action, such as opening the door 128, detecting movement in the refrigerated compartment (for example, the food preservation compartment 122), occupying the user detection component 186, or detecting the user Moving within the range of the component 186, attesting to user input at the communication component 184 or the integrated display 180, etc.
  • the refrigeration appliance 100 includes a network interface (not shown) that connects the refrigeration appliance 100 (for example, the controller 150) to the network 190, so that the refrigeration appliance 100 can transmit and receive through the network 190 information.
  • the network 190 may be any wired or wireless network, such as WAN, LAN, or HAN.
  • the refrigeration appliance 100 includes a user detection component 186.
  • the user detection component 186 includes one or more sensors that are configured to detect biometric characteristics or personalized indicia corresponding to a specific individual user.
  • the user detection component 186 may include a front-facing camera configured to discern or recognize the user's face based on the captured two-dimensional image.
  • the user detection component 186 may include a fingerprint imaging sensor configured to visually detect a user's fingerprint.
  • the user detection component 186 may include a signal detection sensor configured to detect in the wireless communication frequency band (for example, the BLE frequency band using short-wavelength UHF radio waves in the ISM frequency band of 2.4 to 2.485 GHz) Device address.
  • the device address may be, for example, a programmed Bluetooth address of the mobile display 182.
  • the user detection component 186 can determine whether and when the mobile display 182 is close to the refrigeration appliance 100.
  • the camera 160 is included as part of the user detection component 186.
  • the user detection component 186 may be configured to recognize or recognize a user from a two-dimensional image captured at the camera 160.
  • the controller 150 is also configured to recognize one or more defining characteristics under the user's elbow, such as skin color, arm/hand size, jewelry, typical clothing, and so on. As understood, identification of such defined features can be achieved through edge matching, divide-and-conquer search, gray-scale matching, histogram of receptive field response, or another appropriate routine (e.g., based on one or more images captured from camera 160). Execute at the controller 150) to execute.
  • the electric lock assembly 148 is in operative communication with the controller 150.
  • the locking assembly 148 may include a plunger or bolt that extends from the electronic actuator to be selectively received in the corresponding recess (eg, in the locked state), and can be removed from the recess (For example, in the unlocked state), as understood.
  • the locking assembly 148 may include electromagnets and armature plates that are selectively mated to maintain the sub-container 146 in a locked state (e.g., when an active current is directed through the electromagnet) and an unlocked state (e.g., When no active current is directed through the electromagnet or otherwise interrupt the circuit to which the current is reached).
  • the controller 150 may be configured to selectively guide the locking assembly 148 to the locked and unlocked states.
  • the controller 150 can generally guide the locking assembly 148 to the locked state.
  • the controller 150 may request a release command (e.g., by the user).
  • the release command is provided, at least in part, by the specific user occupancy user detection component 186.
  • the specific user may be predetermined and have a certificate (for example, a token) stored in the controller 150.
  • the controller 150 may be required to detect a specific user based on the corresponding detected marker signal received from the user detection component 186.
  • one or more remote servers 192 are in operative communication with the controller 150.
  • the remote server 192 may be used to host the retailer's point of sale system.
  • the remote server 192 may be or may include a retailer point-of-sale server that tracks, for example, the identifier and quantity of the purchased item (for example, one or more drugs or vitamins), the time or date stamp of the purchased item, The price of the purchased item, the customer identifier (ie, the identifier of the purchasing customer), etc.
  • the remote server 192 may be used to host the retailer's inventory management system.
  • the remote server 192 may include or be provided as a retailer inventory management server that, for example, tracks inventory data (eg, expiration data, location data, cost data, etc.) related to items offered for sale by the retailer. And additionally or alternatively, the server can be used to host one or more information databases.
  • inventory data eg, expiration data, location data, cost data, etc.
  • the remote server 192 can be implemented using any suitable computing device.
  • the remote server 192 may include one or more processors and one or more storage devices (ie, memories).
  • the one or more processors may be any suitable processing device (eg, processor core, microprocessor, ASIC, FPGA, microcontroller, etc.), and may be one processor or multiple processors operably connected .
  • the storage device may include one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, EPROM, flash memory devices, magnetic disks, etc., and combinations thereof.
  • the storage device may store data and instructions executed by the processor to cause the remote server 192 to perform operations.
  • the instructions may be instructions for receiving/transmitting point-of-sale data signals, receiving/transmitting inventory management data signals, receiving/transmitting data signals related to stored items, and the like.
  • the storage device may also include data that can be retrieved, manipulated, created, or stored by the processor, such as point-of-sale data, customer identification data, inventory data, and the like.
  • the data can be stored in one or more databases.
  • One or more databases may be connected to the remote server 192 through a high-bandwidth LAN or WAN, or may also be connected to the remote server 192 through the network 502.
  • One or more databases can be split so that they are located in multiple locations.
  • the remote server 192 includes a network interface so that the remote server 192 can connect to one or more networks (for example, the network 190) and communicate with one or more network nodes through the network.
  • the remote server 192 can exchange data with one or more nodes via the network 190.
  • the remote server 192 can exchange data with the controller 150.
  • the remote server 192 can also exchange data with any number of client devices via the network 190 (for example, the mobile display 182).
  • FIG. 4 provides a method of operating the refrigerating appliance 100 (FIG. 1), which includes a camera 160, as described above.
  • the method 400 may be executed by the controller 150 (FIG. 3), for example.
  • the controller 150 may communicate with the camera 160, the integrated display 180 (FIG. 3), the mobile display 182 (FIG. 3), the communication component 184, the user detection component 186, or the remote server 192.
  • the controller 150 may send signals to and receive signals from the camera 160, the integrated display 180, the mobile display 182, the communication component 184, the user detection component 186, the locking component 148, or the remote server 192.
  • the controller 150 may also be operatively coupled to other suitable components of the electric appliance 100 to facilitate the operation of the electric appliance 100.
  • a purchase invoice may include data related to one or more items purchased from a retailer, such as a sales receipt.
  • the purchase invoice may include the item identifier of the purchased item (eg, medicine).
  • the item identifier may generally or specifically indicate the type or name of the purchased item (for example, the type of medicine).
  • the purchase invoice may include a unit count of the purchased item. The unit count purchased can be used to calibrate a large dose or discrete dose of the purchased item (e.g., the supply of a particular item).
  • the purchase invoice may also include a dosage regimen detailing when or by what rules the purchased items should be consumed.
  • the purchase invoice may include a time or date stamp for the purchase date of the purchased item.
  • the purchase invoice may include data indicating the time or date when the item was purchased.
  • the purchase invoice may include customer identification data. Such customer identification data can be included when the specific phone number, card, etc. of the corresponding user have been stored in the retailer's point-of-sale system and associated with a specific purchase.
  • the purchase invoice may include the following data: Customer A purchased the 30-day supply of MedicationX on July 17, where "MedicationX” is the item identifier, “30-day supply” is the unit count, and "Customer A” It is customer identification data, and "July 17" is a date stamp.
  • the purchase invoice is received directly from the retailer.
  • the purchase invoice can be transmitted from the retailer's point-of-sale server to the refrigeration appliance.
  • the retailer's point of sale server may be prompted to transmit the purchase invoice to the specific refrigerating appliance when the sale is completed.
  • the retailer's point-of-sale server may be prompted to transmit the purchase invoice.
  • the sales receipt can be scanned directly by the camera of the refrigeration appliance, and one or more character recognition sequences can be initiated to interpret the text of the sales receipt (for example, in the controller of the refrigeration appliance ). Thereby, the text of the sales receipt can be recognized and interpreted, so that the controller can record (e.g., temporarily) each item detailed in the sales receipt.
  • the inventory data of the items in the purchase invoice may be received from the inventory management server.
  • Inventory data may include, for example, expiration data (for example, expected expiration date, emergency recall information, etc.) or location data (for example, related to a manufacturer, supplier, or retailer).
  • the method 400 further includes the following steps: (e.g., in response to receiving a purchase invoice) initiating an external search for information related to one or more purchased items.
  • the item identifier from the purchase invoice can be used to initiate a search on one or more remote servers.
  • the search can be performed via the Internet or the World Wide Web (for example, using a known search engine).
  • the search can be limited to one or more predetermined URLs, websites, or servers.
  • a search may represent a request for information (such as descriptive information, processing information, or new items) about the purchased item (e.g., medication).
  • the method 400 includes the following steps: (e.g., after step 410) receiving a marker signal from a user detection component.
  • the user detection component may be configured to detect a biometric feature or a personalized mark corresponding to a specific single user.
  • the mark can be the face, fingerprint, arm, device address, etc. of a specific user.
  • the data from the component can be transmitted to, for example, a controller of a refrigeration appliance, as a marking signal.
  • the method 400 includes the following steps: detecting a specific user based on the marker signal.
  • the signal received from the user detection component can be determined to correspond to a specific user.
  • the detection of a specific user may include object recognition, identifying a device address, or any other appropriate determination that a specific mark corresponding to the specific user is received at step 420.
  • the detection at step 430 may indicate that a specific user has occupied the user detection component.
  • the method 400 includes the following steps: determining that the specific user detected at step 430 corresponds to the purchase invoice.
  • the tag of a particular user may be associated or matched with customer identification data in the purchase receipt.
  • the tag of a specific user may be associated or matched with an item identifier.
  • a specific user can correspond to all purchase invoices including a specific item (for example, medicine).
  • a similar association can be made based on the retailer who generated the purchase invoice.
  • the primary user may be stored in the controller so that the specific user corresponds to any received purchase invoice at steps 420 and 430.
  • the method 400 includes the following steps: guiding the sub-container to an unlocked state.
  • the sub-container for example, its locking component
  • the sub-container may be guided to unlock in response to determining that the specific user corresponds to the purchase invoice.
  • the sub-container is only unlocked (ie, moved to an unlocked state) when responding to step 440. Thereby, other individuals can be advantageously restricted from accessing items that they have not previously authorized to access, such as medicines.
  • the sub-container can remain in the unlocked state until one or more locking conditions are met.
  • the method 400 may include the steps of determining a locking condition after step 450, and in response to the determined locking condition, guiding the sub-container to the locked state.
  • the lock condition may include expiration of a predetermined time period (e.g., time span) after the unlocked state is started at step 450.
  • the locking condition may include detecting the closing of the door of the refrigerated compartment. In other words, the sub container may be locked in response to the door body being moved to the closed position.
  • the method 400 further includes the step of recording the descriptor of one or more items from the purchase invoice to the inventory in the refrigeration appliance (for example, after step 410).
  • the descriptor provides text or images related to the item (e.g., stored item) from the purchase invoice.
  • the descriptor may include inventory data (e.g., received from an inventory management server), such as expired data or location data.
  • inventory data e.g., received from an inventory management server
  • the user can selectively call up or view the inventory (including the descriptors of the stored items) on the integrated display or the mobile display to check which items are currently stored in the appliance.
  • the electrical appliance may update the inventory, such as automatically or in response to manual user input, to remove the descriptor from the inventory.
  • the appliance may be responsive to determining when the stored item expires (e.g., based on inventory data), when it is consumed (e.g., based on a dosage regimen or date of purchase), or when it should be refilled (e.g., , Based on the number of units, dosage regimen, date of purchase, etc.), an alarm (e.g., audio or visual alarm message) is automatically generated at the integrated display, mobile display, or communication component.
  • an alarm e.g., audio or visual alarm message

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Abstract

一种制冷电器，包括箱体（120）、可旋转地铰接到箱体的门体（128）、安装到箱体的用户检测组件（186）、子容器（146）以及控制器（150）。子容器（146）可以限定储存空间并可以安装到箱体（120）。子容器（146）包括电锁组件（148），电锁组件（148）可在限制进入储存空间的锁定状态与允许进入储存空间的解锁状态之间致动。控制器（150）可以可操作地联接到用户检测组件（186）。控制器（150）可以被配置为启动操作例程，操作例程包括：接收购买发票；从用户检测组件接收标记信号；基于标记信号检测特定用户；确定特定用户与所述购买发票相对应；以及响应于确定特定用户与购买发票相对应而将子容器引导至解锁状态。

Description

制冷电器和用于选择性地锁定其中的子容器的方法 技术领域
本发明总体涉及跟踪并锁定诸如制冷电器的储存容器内的物品。
背景技术
诸如制冷电器和食品储藏柜的储存容器通常提供用于接收多个物品或物体的封闭腔室。例如，制冷电器通常包括限定制冷间室的箱体。用户可以将某些物品或物体放置在制冷间室内，以便防止这些物品的腐烂。从而，可以增加易腐物品或物体的可用寿命。
随着时间的推移，大量的储存物品(例如，食品、药物、维生素等)可能累积在冰箱的制冷间室内。随着所储存的物品的累积，制冷电器的用户可能难以识别位于制冷电器内的物品。另外，用户还可能难以确定制冷电器内的某些物品的数量。在处理诸如药物的物品时，这些困难可能被放大并引起更大的忧虑。而且，如果多个用户向公共的制冷电器添加/从其取出物品，则这些困难可能被放大。因此，用户可能意外地取走或忘记及时取走某些物品。另外或可选地，一些用户可能不知道某些物品已经被取出或消耗。由此，用户可能无法更换或补充这种物品。
解决这些问题的一些尝试包括系统，这些系统要求用户手动分离物品(例如，药物或维生素)并将其放置在专用的容器内，诸如日用箱。不幸的是，这些经常很麻烦。比如，现有系统经常需要大量的体力和脑力来确保正确的用户取走正确的物品。例如，如果一个或多个照料者负责给受扶养者或患者用药，则照料者无法始终确保药物按照指示服用。而且，如果物品容易腐烂，则可能难以确保物品在过期之前取走/消耗。
除了确保物品被正确消耗外，重要的是确保某些物品不被不当方(例如，不是照料者或患者的人)接近。
因此，具有用于辅助用户跟踪制冷电器的制冷间室的内容物的特征的制冷电器将是有用的。特别地，具有用于将诸如药物的某些物品固定在制冷电器的制冷间室内的特征的制冷电器将是有用的。
发明内容
本发明的各个方面以及优点将会在下文的描述中进行阐述，或者是通过描述可 以显而易见的，或者是可以通过实施本发明而学到。
在本发明的一个示例性方面，提供了一种制冷电器。所述制冷电器可以包括箱体、可旋转地铰接到箱体的门体、安装到箱体的用户检测组件、子容器以及控制器。子容器可以限定储存空间并可以安装到箱体。子容器可以包括电锁组件，该电锁组件可在限制进入储存空间的锁定状态与允许进入储存空间的解锁状态之间致动。控制器可以可操作地联接到用户检测组件。该控制器可以被配置为启动操作例程。该操作例程可以包括：接收购买发票；从用户检测组件接收标记信号；基于标记信号检测特定用户；确定特定用户与购买发票相对应；以及响应于确定特定用户与购买发票相对应而将子容器引导至解锁状态。
在本发明的另一个示例性方面中，提供了一种操作制冷电器的方法。该方法可以包括以下步骤：接收购买发票；以及从制冷电器的用户检测组件接收标记信号。方法还可以包括以下步骤：基于标记信号检测特定用户；以及确定特定用户与购买发票相对应。方法仍然可以包括以下步骤：响应于确定特定用户与购买发票相对应而将子容器引导至解锁状态。
参照下文的描述以及所附的权利要求，本发明的这些和其它的特征、方面以及优点将变得更容易理解。结合在本说明书中并且构成本说明书一部分的附图显示了本发明的实施方式并且与描述一起用于对本发明的原理进行解释。
附图说明
参照附图，说明书中阐述了面向本领域普通技术人员的本发明的完整公开，这种公开使得本领域普通技术人员能够实现本发明，包括本发明的最佳实施例。
图1提供了根据本发明的示例性实施方式的制冷电器的前立面图。
图2提供了根据本发明的示例性实施方式的制冷电器的前立面图，其中，冷藏门体被示出为处于打开位置。
图3提供了根据本发明的示例性实施方式的制冷电器的示意图。
图4提供了例示了根据本发明的示例性实施方式的操作制冷电器的方法的流程图。
具体实施方式
现在将详细地参照本发明的实施方式，其中的一个或多个示例示于附图中。每个示例都以对发明进行解释的方式给出，并不对本发明构成限制。实际上，对于本 领域技术人员而言显而易见的是，能够在不偏离本发明的范围的前提下对本发明进行多种改型和变型。例如，作为一个实施方式的一部分示出或者进行描述的特征能够用于另一个实施方式，从而产生又一个实施方式。因此，期望的是，本发明覆盖落入所附权利要求及其等同形式的范围内的这些改型以及变型。
如本文所用的，术语“或”通常旨在是包括的(即，“A或B”旨在意指“A或B或两者”)。术语“第一”、“第二”和“第三”可以互换使用以将一个部件与另一个部件区分开，并且这些术语并不旨在表示各个部件的位置或重要性。
总体上，本发明提供了有助于将诸如药物和维生素的某些物品固定在诸如制冷电器或食品储藏柜之类的储存容器内的方法。方法可以包括用于确定什么物品(即，药物)被添加到储存容器或从其取出的一个或多个步骤。特定用户可以选择性地锁定和解锁储存容器内的子容器，诸如抽屉或盒，以保持物品安全并确保物品被适当地识别/跟踪。
现在转向附图，图1提供了根据本发明的示例性实施方式的制冷电器100的前立面图，其中制冷电器100的冷藏门体128被示出为处于关闭位置。图2提供了制冷电器100的前立面图，其中冷藏门体128被示出为处于打开位置，以露出制冷电器100的食物保鲜室122。
制冷电器100包括壳体或箱体120，该壳体或箱体沿着竖向V在顶部101与底部102之间延伸。箱体120限定用于接收食品以储存的制冷间室。特别地，箱体120限定设置在箱体120的顶部101处或与其相邻设置的食物保鲜室122和布置在箱体120的底部102处或与其相邻布置的冷冻室124。由此可见，制冷电器100通常被称为底置式冰箱。然而，应当认识到，本发明的益处适用于其他类型和样式的储存容器，诸如顶置式制冷电器、对开门式制冷电器或非冷藏的食品储藏柜。因此，本文阐述的描述仅出于例示性目的，而无意于在任何方面限制任何特定的储存容器或冰箱腔室构造。
冷藏门体128可旋转地铰接到箱体120的边缘，以便选择性地进入食物保鲜室122。另外，在冷藏门体128的下方布置冷冻门体130，以便选择性地进入冷冻室124。冷冻门体130联接至可滑动地安装在冷冻室124内的冷冻抽屉142(未示出)。如上所述，冷藏门体128和冷冻门体130在图1中被示出为处于关闭位置，并且冷藏门体128在图2中被示出为处于打开位置。
现在转向图2，如本领域技术人员将理解的，各种储存部件被安装在食物保鲜室122内，以方便食品在其中的储存。特别地，储存部件包括在食物保鲜室122内 安装到箱体120(例如，直接安装或经由门体128间接安装)的盒140、抽屉142以及搁板144。盒140、抽屉142以及搁板144被构造为接收储存的物品(例如，食品、药物或维生素)，并且可以帮助整理这些储存的食品。作为示例，抽屉142可以接收易腐物品(例如，蔬菜、水果、奶酪或药物)，并且增加这些食品的使用寿命。
如以下更详细描述的，一个或多个盒140或抽屉142可以被设置为可锁定的子容器146，该子容器146限定储存空间并具有电锁定组件148。通常，锁定组件148可以是用于保持相应的子容器146关闭并防止进入储存空间的任何合适的结构。由此，锁定组件148可在限制进入储存空间的锁定状态与允许进入储存空间的解锁状态之间致动。
制冷电器100还可以包括用于帮助用户识别位于食物保鲜室122或冷冻室124内的储存物品的特征。用户可以利用这些特征，例如，来查看储存在食物保鲜室122或冷冻室124内的物品，或创建此类食品的库存清单。
图3提供了制冷电器100的示意图。制冷电器100包括控制器150，该控制器150与制冷电器100的制冷系统(未示出)的部件可操作地联接或通信，该制冷系统用于冷却食物保鲜室122或冷冻室124。部件包括压缩机170、蒸发器风扇172以及冷凝器风扇174。控制器150可以选择性地操作这些部件，以便冷却食物保鲜室122或冷冻室124。控制器150还与温控器(例如，热电偶或热敏电阻)通信。温控器可以设置在食物保鲜室122或冷冻室124(图2)中。控制器150可以从温控器接收与食物保鲜室122或冷冻室124的温度对应的信号。控制器150还可以包括用于计算所经过的时间段的内部计时器。
控制器150可以包括存储器和一个或多个微处理器、CPU等，诸如通用或专用微处理器，该微处理器可操作以执行与制冷电器100的运行关联的编程指令或微控制代码。存储器可以表示为诸如DRAM的随机存取存储器或诸如ROM或FLASH的只读存储器。在一些实施方式中，处理器执行存储在存储器中的非暂时性编程指令。对于某些实施方式，指令包括软件包，该软件包被配置为操作电器100，或者执行操作例程(例如，下面参见图4描述的示例性方法400)。存储器可以是与处理器分开的部件，或者可以包含在处理器内。可选地，可以在不使用微处理器的情况下(例如，使用离散的模拟或数字逻辑电路的组合；诸如开关、放大器、积分器、比较器、触发器、与门等)构造控制器150以执行控制功能，而不是依靠软件。
控制器150可以设置在整个制冷电器100中的各种位置。输入/输出(“I/O”)信号可以在控制器150与制冷电器100的各种操作部件之间路由。制冷电器100的 一个或多个部件可以经由一条或多条传导信号线或共享的通信总线与控制器150通信(例如，电气通信)。另外或可选地，制冷电器100的一个或多个部件可以经由一个或多个无线信号带与控制器150通信(例如，无线通信)。
在一些实施方式中，制冷电器100还包括相机或相机模块160。相机160可以是适于捕获二维照片或图像的任意类型的装置。作为示例，相机160可以是具有电子图像传感器【例如，电荷耦合器件(CCD)或CMOS传感器】的摄像机或数字相机。当组装时，相机160与控制器150通信(例如，电通信或无线通信)，使得控制器150可以从相机160接收与相机160所捕获的图像相对应的信号。
通常，相机160设置在制冷电器100上。在一些实施方式中，相机160安装在食物保鲜室122内的顶部(例如，邻近顶部101)处。比如，相机160可以固定到或被引导穿过限定食物保鲜室122的内胆的顶壁。在这种实施方式中，如图2所示，相机160可以指向下方。
在某些实施方式中，相机指向一个或多个制冷间室(例如，食物保鲜室122-图2)。比如，相机160可以指向抽屉142和搁板144(图2)中的任何特定一个或组合的至少一部分。由此，相机160可以捕获抽屉142中的一个、所有抽屉142、搁板144中的一个、所有搁板144或其任何合适组合的图像。
虽然相机160被示例为安装在食物保鲜室122内，但是应当理解，另外或可选实施方式包括相机组件【例如，具有电子图像传感器【例如，电荷耦合器件(CCD)或CMOS传感器】的数字相机】，该相机组件安装在制冷电器的另一合适部分，诸如门体128。这种相机组件可以指向制冷电器100的外部或前面，由此可以捕获从制冷电器100向前定位的用户或区域的图像(例如，当对应的门体处于关闭位置时)。
在某些实施方式中，制冷电器100包括集成显示器180。集成显示器180可以安装在冷藏门体128(图1)上或制冷电器100上的任何其它合适位置处。集成显示器180与控制器150通信，使得集成显示器180可以从控制器150接收信号(例如，对应于由相机160捕获的图像)。集成显示器180可以从控制器150接收这种信号，并且向用户可视地呈现图像。集成显示器180可以包括例如液晶显示面板(LCD)、等离子显示面板(PDP)或用于显示图像的任何其他合适的机构(例如投影仪)。
与集成显示器180分开或除了集成显示器180之外，制冷电器100还可以包括与控制器150通信的通信组件184。通常，通信组件184可以安装在制冷电器100的任何合适的部分上，诸如箱体120或门体128内。在某些实施方式中，通信组件包括扬声器(例如，动态扬声器、静电扬声器、平面磁力扬声器、压电扬声器等)。 如所理解的，扬声器可以被配置为从一个或多个电信号(例如，从控制器150接收的数字声音信号)生成声波。由此，扬声器可以将信息听觉地传达给用户。在另外或可选实施方式中，通信组件包括麦克风(例如，动圈麦克风、带式麦克风、光纤麦克风、压电麦克风等)。如所理解的，麦克风可以从一个或多个接收的声波(例如，从用户)生成一个或多个电信号(例如，将由控制器150接收)。由此，麦克风可以从用户接收可被引导到控制器150的声音提示或命令。
在使用期间，诸如在图像捕获序列期间，相机160可以捕获可被传输到控制器150(例如，作为数据信号)的一个或多个二维图像(例如，作为视频馈送或一系列连续静态图像)，如通常理解的。可选地，可以通过预定的用户动作来发起图像捕获序列，该用户动作诸如打开门体128、制冷间室(例如，食物保鲜室122)内检测到移动、占用用户检测组件186或在用户检测组件186的范围内移动、在通信组件184或集成显示器180处证明用户输入等。
在示例性实施方式中，制冷电器100包括网络接口(未示出)，该网络接口将制冷电器100(例如，控制器150)联接到网络190，这样使得制冷电器100可以通过网络190传输和接收信息。网络190可以是任何有线或无线网络，诸如WAN、LAN或HAN。
在可选实施方式中，制冷电器100包括用户检测组件186。通常，用户检测组件186包括一个或多个传感器，这些传感器被配置为检测对应于特定单个用户的生物特征或个性化标记。作为示例，用户检测组件186可以包括前向相机，该前向相机被配置为基于捕获的二维图像来辨别或识别用户的面部。作为另一示例，用户检测组件186可以包括被配置为视觉地检测用户指纹的指纹成像传感器。作为又一示例，用户检测组件186可以包括信号检测传感器，该信号检测传感器被配置为检测在无线通信频带(例如，使用2.4至2.485GHz的ISM频带中的短波长UHF无线电波的BLE频带)中的设备地址。设备地址可以是比如移动显示器182的编程的蓝牙地址。由此，用户检测组件186可以确定移动显示器182是否以及何时接近制冷电器100。
在某些实施方式中，相机160被包括为用户检测组件186的一部分。作为示例，用户检测组件186可以被配置为从在相机160处捕获的二维图像辨别或识别用户。在一些这种实施方式中，控制器150还被配置为识别用户肘部下方的一个或多个定义特征，诸如肤色、手臂/手的大小、珠宝、典型的服装等。如所理解的，识别这种定义特征可以通过边缘匹配、分治搜索、灰度匹配、感受野响应的直方图或 另一适当的例程(例如，基于从相机160捕获的一个或多个图像在控制器150处执行)来执行。
在示例性实施方式中，电锁定组件148与控制器150可操作地通信。作为示例，锁定组件148可以包括柱塞或螺栓，该柱塞或螺栓从电子致动器延伸，以选择性地接收在对应的凹部内(例如，在锁定状态下)，并可从凹部移除(例如，在解锁状态下)，如所理解的。作为另一示例，锁定组件148可以包括选择性地配合的电磁体和电枢板，以将子容器146保持在锁定状态(例如，当有功电流被引导通过电磁体时)和解锁状态(例如，当没有有功电流被引导通过电磁体或以其他方式断开电流所到的电路时)。
控制器150可以被配置为选择性地将锁定组件148引导至锁定和解锁状态。比如，控制器150通常可以将锁定组件148引导至锁定状态。为了将锁定组件148引导到解锁状态，控制器150可以要求提供释放命令(例如，由用户)。在一些这种实施方式中，释放命令至少部分地通过特定用户占用用户检测组件186来提供。特定用户可以是预定的并且具有存储在控制器150内的证书(例如，标记)。当特定用户占用用户检测组件186时(例如，如上所述)，用户检测信号会被传输到控制器150。由此，可能需要控制器150基于从用户检测组件186接收到的相应检测到的标记信号来检测特定用户。
在一些实施方式中，一个或多个远程服务器192，诸如网络服务器，与控制器150可操作地通信。远程服务器192可用于托管零售商的销售点系统。换言之，远程服务器192可以是或者可以包括零售商销售点服务器，该服务器跟踪例如所购买物品的标识符和数量(例如，一种或多种药物或维生素)、所购买物品的时间或日期戳、所购买物品的价格、顾客标识符(即，购买顾客的标识符)等。另外或可选地，远程服务器192可以用于托管零售商的库存管理系统。换言之，远程服务器192可以包括或被提供为零售商库存管理服务器，该服务器例如跟踪与由零售商提供出售的物品有关的库存数据(例如，过期数据、位置数据、成本数据等)。以及另外或可选地，服务器可用于托管一个或多个信息数据库。
远程服务器192可以使用任何合适的计算装置来实施。远程服务器192可以包括一个或多个处理器和一个或多个存储装置(即，存储器)。一个或多个处理器可以是任何合适的处理装置(例如，处理器内核、微处理器、ASIC、FPGA、微控制器等)，并且可以是一个处理器或可操作地连接的多个处理器。存储装置可以包括一个或多个非瞬态计算机可读存储介质，诸如RAM、ROM、EEPROM、EPROM、闪存装 置、磁盘等及其组合。存储装置可以存储由处理器执行以使远程服务器192执行操作的数据和指令。例如，指令可以是用于接收/传输销售点数据信号、接收/传输库存管理数据信号、接收/传输与所储存物品有关的数据信号等的指令。
存储装置还可以包括可以由处理器检索、操作、创建或存储的数据，诸如销售点数据、顾客标识数据、库存数据等。数据可以存储在一个或多个数据库中。一个或多个数据库可以通过高带宽LAN或WAN连接到远程服务器192，或者也可以通过网络502连接到远程服务器192。一个或多个数据库可以被拆分，使得它们位于多个地点。
远程服务器192包括网络接口，使得远程服务器192可连接到一个或多个网络(例如，网络190)并通过该网络与一个或多个网络节点通信。远程服务器192又可通过网络190与一个或多个节点交换数据。特别地，远程服务器192可以与控制器150交换数据。虽然未示出，但可以理解，远程服务器192还可以通过网络190(例如，移动显示器182)与任意数量的客户端装置交换数据。
现在转向图4，提供了根据本发明的示例性实施方式的方法400的流程图。通常，图4提供了一种操作制冷电器100(图1)的方法，该制冷电器包括相机160，如上所述。方法400可以比如由控制器150(图3)执行。例如，如所讨论的，控制器150可以与相机160、集成显示器180(图3)、移动显示器182(图3)、通信组件184、用户检测组件186或远程服务器192通信。在操作期间，控制器150可以向相机160、集成显示器180、移动显示器182、通信组件184、用户检测组件186、锁定组件148或远程服务器192发送信号并从其接收信号。控制器150通常还可以可操作地联接到电器100的其他合适部件，以方便电器100的操作。
在步骤410处，方法400包括以下步骤：接收包括顾客标识符的购买发票。通常，购买发票可以包括与从零售商购买的一个或多个物品有关的数据，诸如销售收据。作为示例，购买发票可以包括所购买物品(例如药物)的物品标识符。物品标识符可以通常或具体地表明所购买物品的类型或名称(例如，药物的类型)。作为另一示例，购买发票可以包括所购买物品的单位计数。购买的单位计数可以标定所购买物品(例如，特定物品的供应)的大剂量或离散剂量。与购买计数分开或除购买计数之外，购买发票还可以包括详细说明应何时或以什么规律消耗所购买物品的剂量方案。作为又一示例，购买发票可以包括用于所购买物品的购买日期的时间或日期戳。由此，购买发票可以包括指示购买物品的时间或日期的数据。作为又一示例，购买发票可以包括顾客标识数据。这种顾客标识数据在对应用户的特定电话号 码、卡等已存储在零售商的销售点系统内并与特定购买关联的情况下可以被包括。
对于示例性示例，购买发票可以包括以下数据：顾客A在7月17日购买了MedicationX的30天供应，其中，“MedicationX”是物品标识符，“30天供应”是单位计数，“顾客A”是顾客标识数据，并且“7月17日”是日期戳。
在一些实施方式中，购买发票直接从零售商接收。比如，购买发票可以从零售商销售点服务器传输到制冷电器。可选地，比如，如果用户先前已经将他的顾客标识数据与零售商的销售点系统处的制冷电器关联，则可以提示零售商销售点服务器在完成销售时向特定的制冷电器传输购买发票。可选地，响应于用户在制冷电器的相机处扫描销售收据上的条形码，可以提示零售商销售点服务器传输购买发票。在可选实施方式中，如将理解的，可以由制冷电器的相机直接扫描销售收据，并且可以发起一个或多个字符识别序列，以便解释销售收据的文本(例如，在制冷电器的控制器内)。由此，销售收据的文本可以被识别和解释，使得控制器可以记录(例如，临时地)销售收据中详述的各个物品。
与购买发票分开或除了购买发票之外，还可以接收与购买发票中的物品有关的补充数据。在一些实施方式中，可以从库存管理服务器接收购买发票中的物品的库存数据。库存数据可以包括比如过期数据(例如，预期过期日期、紧急召回信息等)或位置数据(例如，与制造商、供应商或零售商有关)。
在可选实施方式中，方法400还包括以下步骤：(例如，响应于接收到购买发票)发起与一个或多个购买的物品有关的信息的外部搜索。比如，可以使用来自购买发票的物品标识符来发起一个或多个远程服务器的搜索。该搜索可以通过因特网或万维网来执行(例如，使用已知的搜索引擎)。可选地，搜索可以限于一个或多个预定的网址、网站或服务器。通常，搜索可以表示对关于所购买物品(例如，药物)的信息(诸如描述性信息、处理信息或新物品)的请求。
在步骤420处，方法400包括以下步骤：(例如，在步骤410之后)从用户检测组件接收标记信号。如上所述，用户检测组件可以被配置为检测与特定单个用户对应的生物特征或个性化标记。比如，标记可以是特定用户的面部、指纹、手臂、设备地址等。当用户检测组件处于活动状态时，来自该组件的数据可以传输至比如制冷电器的控制器，作为标记信号。
在步骤430处，方法400包括以下步骤：基于标记信号检测特定用户。换言之，从用户检测组件接收的信号可以被确定为对应于特定用户。如上所述，对特定用户的检测可以包括对象识别，识别设备地址，或在步骤420处接收到与特定用户 对应的特定标记的任何其他适当的确定。由此，在步骤430处的检测可以表示特定用户已经占用用户检测组件。
在步骤440处，方法400包括以下步骤：确定在步骤430处检测到的特定用户与购买发票相对应。作为示例，特定用户的标记可以与购买收据内的顾客标识数据关联或匹配。由此，如果标记指示了与顾客标识数据相同的个人(例如，特定用户)，则两者将对应。作为另一示例，特定用户的标记可以与物品标识符关联或匹配。由此，特定用户可以对应于包括特定物品(例如，药物)的所有购买发票。可以基于产生购买发票的零售商进行类似的关联。另外地或可选地，主用户可以被存储在控制器内，使得特定用户在步骤420和430处与任何接收到的购买发票相对应。
在步骤450处，方法400包括以下步骤：将子容器引导至解锁状态。具体地，可以响应于确定特定用户与购买发票相对应而引导子容器(例如，其锁定组件)解锁。在一些实施方式中，仅在响应于步骤440时将子容器解锁(即，移动到解锁状态)。由此，可以有利地限制其他个人接近他们先前未被授权接近的物品，诸如药物。
可选地，一旦解锁，子容器就可以保持在解锁状态，直到满足一个或多个锁定条件为止。换言之，方法400可以包括以下步骤：在步骤450之后确定锁定条件，并响应于所确定的锁定条件，将子容器引导至锁定状态。作为示例，锁定条件可以包括在步骤450处开始解锁状态之后的预定时间段(例如，时间跨度)到期。作为另一示例，锁定条件可以包括检测到制冷间室的门体的关闭。换言之，子容器可以响应于门体被移动到关闭位置而锁定。
在一些实施方式中，方法400还包括以下步骤：将来自购买发票的一个或多个物品的描述符记录到制冷电器内的库存(例如，在步骤410之后)。通常，描述符提供与来自购买发票的物品(例如，储存的物品)有关的文本或图像。可选地，描述符可以包括库存数据(例如，从库存管理服务器接收)，诸如过期数据或位置数据。一旦被记录，用户就可以在集成显示器或移动显示器处选择性地调出或查看库存(包括所储存物品的描述符)，以检查电器内当前储存了哪些物品。在从电器取出所储存的物品之后，电器可以比如自动地或响应于手动的用户输入来更新库存，以从库存去除描述符。另外地或可选地，电器可以响应于确定所储存的物品何时过期(例如，基于库存数据)、何时被消耗(例如，基于剂量方案或购买日期)、或何时应重新补充(例如，基于单位数量、剂量方案、购买日期等)而在集成显示器、 移动显示器或通信组件处自动生成警报(例如，音频或视觉警报消息)。
本书面描述使用示例对本发明进行了公开(其中包括最佳实施例)，并且还使本领域技术人员能够实施本发明(其中包括制造和使用任何装置或系统并且执行所包含的任何方法)。本发明的可专利范围通过权利要求进行限定，并且可以包括本领域技术人员能够想到的其它的示例。如果这种其它的示例包括与权利要求的字面语言没有区别的结构元件，或者如果这种其它的示例包括与权利要求的字面语言没有实质区别的等同结构元件，则期望这种其它的示例落入权利要求的范围中。

Claims (20)

  1. 一种制冷电器，其特征在于，所述制冷电器包括：
    箱体，限定制冷间室；
    门体，旋转地铰接到所述箱体，以便选择性地进入所述制冷间室；
    用户检测组件，安装到所述箱体，所述用户检测组件被配置为检测与特定单个用户对应的个性化标记；
    子容器，限定储存空间并安装到所述箱体，所述子容器包括电锁组件，所述电锁组件在限制进入所述储存空间的锁定状态与允许进入所述储存空间的解锁状态之间致动；以及
    控制器，可操作地联接到所述用户检测组件，所述控制器被配置为启动操作例程，所述操作例程包括：
    接收购买发票；
    从所述用户检测组件接收标记信号；
    基于所述标记信号检测特定用户；
    确定所述特定用户与所述购买发票相对应；以及
    响应于确定所述特定用户与所述购买发票相对应而将所述子容器引导至解锁状态。
  2. 根据权利要求1所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，所述购买发票包括所购买物品的单位计数。
  3. 根据权利要求1所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，所述购买发票包括所购买物品的剂量方案。
  4. 根据权利要求1所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，其还包括基于剂量方案在所述制冷电器处生成警报。
  5. 根据权利要求1所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，所述购买发票包括所购买物品的购买日期的日期戳。
  6. 根据权利要求1所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，所述购买发票从零售商销售点服务器接收。
  7. 根据权利要求1所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，所述操作例程还包括接收与所述一个或多个所购买物品有关的过期数据。
  8. 根据权利要求1所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，所述购买发票包括所购买物品的物品标识符。
  9. 根据权利要求8所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，接收所述购买发票以提示对与所述一个或多个所购买物品有关的信息的外部搜索。
  10. 根据权利要求1所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，所述操作例程还包括：
    在将所述子容器引导至解锁状态之后确定锁定条件；以及
    响应于确定锁定条件，将所述子容器引导至锁定状态。
  11. 一种操作制冷电器的方法，其特征在于，所述方法包括以下步骤：
    接收购买发票；
    从所述制冷电器的用户检测组件接收标记信号；
    基于所述标记信号检测特定用户；
    确定所述特定用户与所述购买发票相对应；以及
    响应于确定所述特定用户与所述购买发票相对应而将所述子容器引导至解锁状态。
  12. 根据权利要求11所述的方法，其特征在于，所述购买发票包括所购买物品的单位计数。
  13. 根据权利要求11所述的方法，其特征在于，所述购买发票包括所购买物品的剂量方案。
  14. 根据权利要求11所述的方法，其特征在于，其还包括基于剂量方案在所述制冷电器处生成警报。
  15. 根据权利要求11所述的方法，其特征在于，所述购买发票包括所购买物品的购买日期的日期戳。
  16. 根据权利要求11所述的方法，其特征在于，所述购买发票从零售商销售点服务器接收。
  17. 根据权利要求11所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括以下步骤：接收与所述一个或多个所购买物品有关的过期数据。
  18. 根据权利要求11所述的方法，其特征在于，所述购买发票包括所购买物品的物品标识符。
  19. 根据权利要求18所述的方法，其特征在于，接收所述购买发票提示对与所述一个或多个所购买物品有关的信息的外部搜索。
  20. 根据权利要求11所述的方法，其特征在于，其还包括以下步骤：
    在将所述子容器引导至解锁状态之后确定锁定条件；以及
    响应于确定锁定条件，将所述子容器引导至锁定状态。
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