WO2023119778A1

WO2023119778A1 - Inventory management system and storage

Info

Publication number: WO2023119778A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/036293
Authority: WO
Inventors: 正二林; 哲栗山; 功一梅澤; 浩平京谷; 和規原
Original assignee: 日立グローバルライフソリューションズ株式会社
Priority date: 2021-12-23
Filing date: 2022-09-28
Publication date: 2023-06-29
Also published as: CN118339090A; JP2023093830A

Abstract

An inventory management system (100) comprises: a loading antenna (6A) provided so as to be capable of communicating with a wireless tag attached to an article to be stored in a storage (4); an unloading antenna (7A) provided so as to be capable of communicating with a wireless tag; an article information acquisition unit (tag reader/writer device (6, 7)) for communicating with a wireless tag through the loading antenna (6A) or the unloading antenna (7A) to acquire article information; and an inventory management device (1) for managing an article in the storage (4) on the basis of the acquired article information. The loading antenna (6A) and the unloading antenna (7A) are provided to the outer surface of the storage (4).

Description

Inventory management system and storage

The present invention relates to an inventory management system and storage.

　Recently, the technology to know the items stored in the vault without seeing the inside of the vault has begun to spread. Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator in which food stored in the refrigerator is attached with an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) tag that records food information, and is stored in the refrigerator or both inside the refrigerator and outside the refrigerator. It is described to have an RFID tag reader and to have a database storing the food information read by the RFID tag reader.

In the storage of Patent Literature 2, when the door of the storage is opened, the tag reader/writer device installed in the storage stores information recording carriers attached to the articles in the storage. Reading and writing data is described.

JP-A-2001-319043 Japanese Patent No. 3960093

In the refrigerator of Patent Document 1, when entering the refrigerator, the operator simply puts the package with the RFID tag inside the refrigerator, or if the RFID tag reader/writer is on the front door of the refrigerator, just hold it over the front of the refrigerator. there is The RFID tag reader in the refrigerator periodically and repeatedly transmits radio waves, which are the resonance frequency of the RFID tag, to the RFID tag and reads the response wave from the food with the corresponding RFID tag. If there is no response, the food is recorded in the database as having been consumed and is determined to be delivered.

The storage of Patent Document 2 includes a tag reader/writer device inside the storage. When the response from the RFID attached to the food is no longer detected, the control unit determines that the food has been taken out.

In general, when radio waves are irradiated to information recording carriers (tags) in storage, food containing moisture or metal obstacles may accidentally block the radio waves. In addition, when a tag is placed at a null point in the warehouse and radio waves are blocked, the tag cannot be read, and in the methods of

Patent Documents

1 and 2, it is often erroneously determined to be "out of the warehouse". rice field. A null point is a point at which radio waves radiated from respective antennas interfere with each other and cancel each other out.

Therefore, if the tag reader/writer device cannot read the information recording carrier, the problem is that the article is judged not to exist in the storage.

The present invention solves the conventional problems described above, and aims to provide an inventory management system and storage that can appropriately manage inventory in the storage.

In order to achieve the above object, the inventory management system of the present invention comprises a warehouse entry antenna provided to communicate with a wireless tag attached to an article stored in a warehouse, and an antenna capable of communicating with the wireless tag. and an article information acquiring unit for acquiring article information by communicating with the wireless tag via the antenna for leaving the warehouse or the antenna for leaving the warehouse, and the storage based on the acquired article information. and an inventory management device for managing articles in the warehouse, wherein the antenna for entering the warehouse and the antenna for exiting the warehouse are provided on the outer surface of the warehouse. Other aspects of the present invention are described in embodiments below.

According to the present invention, inventory management within the storage can be performed appropriately.

It is a figure explaining composition of an inventory management system concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a figure explaining the position of the antenna of a storage. It is a figure explaining the state of the radio wave from the antenna for warehousing. It is a figure explaining the state of the radio wave from the antenna for leaving a garage. It is an example of opening/closing information. It is an example of read information. It is an example of inventory information. It is an example of an antenna sensor setting screen. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of a processing procedure according to the first embodiment; It is a figure explaining the storage which has the antenna for storage. It is a figure explaining the stocker which has an antenna for an order. It is a figure explaining other composition etc. of an inventory control device. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an antenna of the storage according to the second embodiment; 9 is a flow chart showing an example of a processing procedure according to the second embodiment;

Hereinafter, a form for carrying out the present invention (referred to as "this embodiment") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an example of storing food in a storage such as a refrigerator in a kitchen. However, the present invention is generally applicable to examples of storing articles other than food in spaces other than kitchens, such as production sites.

<First Embodiment>
(Inventory management system)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an inventory management system 100 according to the first embodiment. The inventory management system 100 includes an inventory management device 1, a tag reader/writer device 6 and a tag reader/writer device 7 for reading and writing information on RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) tags (wireless tags). The tag reader/writer device 6 has a warehousing antenna 6A. Similarly, the tag reader/writer device 7 has an exit antenna 7A.

The inventory management device 1 is a general computer (server, PC, etc.). The inventory management device 1 includes a central control device 11 , an input device 12 such as a mouse, keyboard, or touch panel, an output device 13 such as a display, a main storage device 14 , an auxiliary storage device 15 and a communication device 16 . These are interconnected by a bus.

The auxiliary storage device 15 stores open/close information 31, read information 32, and inventory information 33 (details will be described later). The input/output processing unit 21 and the inventory management unit 22 in the main storage device 14 are programs. The central control unit 11 reads out these programs from the auxiliary storage device 15 and loads them into the main storage device 14, thereby realizing the functions of each program (details will be described later). The auxiliary storage device 15 may be configured independently from the inventory management device 1 .

There are one or more storage cabinets 4 in the kitchen 3. A refrigerator is assumed here as the storage 4, but the storage 4 may be a pantry or food shelf that does not have a cooling function. The storage 4 has the tag reader/writer device 6 and the tag reader/writer device 7 described above. The entering antenna 6A and the leaving antenna 7A are installed outside the storage 4, for example, on the outside surface of the door or drawer.

In this embodiment, the RFID tag 52 is attached to each food item 51, and the electronic chip in the RFID tag stores various data (code indicating information such as manufacturer name and item name) regarding the food item. there is The tag reader/writer device 6 radiates radio waves to the RFID tag 52 via the warehousing antenna 6A, and receives the reflected wave returned from the RFID tag 52, thereby reading the data. The tag reader/writer device 7 emits radio waves to the RFID tag 52 via the exit antenna 7A, and receives the reflected wave returned from the RFID tag 52, thereby reading the data. The warehousing antenna 6A and the warehousing antenna 7A may be connected to the tag reader/

writer devices

6 and 7 via a switch (not shown). The RFID tag 52 is assumed to be passive in this example. That is, the RFID tag itself does not have a signal source, and communicates by reflecting a carrier wave sent from the tag reader/writer device. The ID information of the RFID tag and the like are returned on the reflected wave.

The inventory management device 1 can communicate with the tag reader/writer device 6 and the tag reader/writer device 7 via the network 2, and sets the radio wave irradiation timing and irradiation power thereof based on the antenna/sensor setting screen 61 (see FIG. 8). to control. Furthermore, the inventory management device 1 can also communicate with door opening/closing sensors and drawer opening/closing sensors (not shown) via the network 2 . A human sensor (not shown) that detects the presence of a person in the kitchen 3 and an illuminance sensor (not shown) that detects the illuminance in the kitchen 3 are installed at arbitrary positions in the kitchen 3 . Inventory management device 1 can also communicate with these sensors via network 2 . Note that the inventory management device 1 may be integrated with the stocker 4 .

The inventory management device 1 can communicate with a terminal device 80 such as a smartphone, and the inventory management device 1 transmits inventory information 33 of the storage box 4 to the terminal device 80 based on a request for viewing an article from the terminal device 80. do. The inventory management device 1 can delete the information of the item from the inventory list based on the item deletion request from the terminal device 80 .

When the two-dimensional code is attached to the food 51 (item), the inventory management device 1 receives the information of the two-dimensional code read from the terminal device 80 from the terminal device 80, and the inventory management device 1 holds the information. The article based on the information of the two-dimensional code can be added to the inventory list based on the inventory information 33.

(Radio wave output method from antenna by automatic output method and manual output method)
The inventory management system 100 has an automatic output method without user's operation and a manual output method with user's operation as methods for outputting radio waves from the antenna.
(1) The automatic output method can be set on an antenna/sensor setting screen 61 shown in FIG. 8, which will be described later. Basically, radio waves are output from the antenna when a door/drawer is opened or the like.
(2) In the manual output method, a radio wave is output from the antenna when the user turns on an entry touch sensor 81 or an exit touch sensor 82 shown in FIG. 2, which will be described later.
The following description uses the terms automatic output method and manual output method.

FIG. 2 is a diagram explaining the position of the antenna of the storage box 4. FIG. The storehouse 4 in FIG. 2 is a general refrigerator. The stocker 4 has, for example, four storage chambers. An antenna for entering 6A and an antenna for leaving 7A are provided on the door of the uppermost storeroom. A warehousing touch sensor 81 is provided below (at a corresponding position) the warehousing antenna 6A, and a warehousing light emitting unit 91 is provided around the warehousing antenna 6A. Similarly, an exit touch sensor 82 is provided below (corresponding to) the exit antenna 7A, and an exit light emitting unit 92 is provided around the exit antenna 7A.

In the case of the manual output method, when the entry touch sensor 81 is touched and turned on by the user, radio waves are output from the entry antenna 6A, and when the RFID tag 52 can be read, the entry light emitting unit 91 emits green light. Similarly, when the leaving touch sensor 82 is turned on by being touched by the user, radio waves are output from the leaving antenna 7A, and when the RFID tag 52 can be read, the leaving light emitting unit 92 emits green light. The light-emitting unit lights up in green when reading is normally performed, and lights up in red otherwise. Stopping the output of radio waves from the entering antenna 6A and stopping the output of radio waves from the leaving antenna 7A will be described later with reference to FIG.

(Recognition of RFID tag when entering/exiting)
The radio wave intensity of the warehousing antenna 6A and the warehousing antenna 7A is reduced so that the RFID tag 52 cannot be detected unless the RFID tag 52 is touched (at a distance of about 0 to 5 cm) to the warehousing antenna 6A and the warehousing antenna 7A. As a result, erroneous determination of entering and leaving the warehouse at the time of entering and leaving the warehouse in the case of the automatic output method is prevented. The antenna-to-antenna distance D between the warehousing antenna 6A and the warehousing antenna 7A is preferably set to a distance that does not cause erroneous detection.

The warehousing antenna 6A can recognize the distribution RFID tag 52 (antenna size: about 22×44 mm) even if it is about 5 cm away from the antenna with an output of about 10 dBm. In the present embodiment, touch recognition means that the RFID tag 52 is recognized by the user by bringing the RFID tag 52 closer to the entrance antenna 6A or the exit antenna 7A within a distance of about 0 to 5 cm.

When food/ingredients with RFID tags (hereinafter also including items to be stored in storage 4) are stored, an antenna (recognition position) is placed at a position that can be touched when the door is closed, and RFID is placed in the storage antenna 6A. The radio wave intensity is reduced so that the RFID tag 52 can be detected by touching the tag 52, that is, the radio wave intensity can be detected only in the vicinity.

At the time of warehousing, the user touches the food/ingredient with the RFID tag 52 to the warehousing antenna 6A with the door closed, and then puts it in the warehousing. At this time, the warehousing light emitting unit 91 notifies that the RFID tag 52 has been recognized by the warehousing antenna 6A, so that the user can confirm that the inventory (warehousing) has been recognized. In the case of warehousing by the manual output method, for example, the user appropriately touches the warehousing touch sensor 81, then touches the RFID tag 52 to the warehousing antenna 6A, opens the door, and picks up the RFID-tagged food/ingredients. Stock up. When warehousing a plurality of ingredients, for example, this is repeated a plurality of times.

Compared to the case where there is an antenna in the refrigerator, in the present embodiment, the food/ingredient is placed in the refrigerator after the RFID tag 52 is recognized, so the null point of the reception antenna radio wave or the RFID tag 52 It is possible to prevent undetected entry due to the influence of metal objects. Since it is possible to prevent undetected warehousing at the time of warehousing, it is possible to prevent erroneous determination of ``out'' without the need to regularly update the stock list or in the steady state where the door is closed at the time of warehousing.

Similarly to the warehousing antenna 6A, the warehousing antenna 7A can also be recognized from the distribution RFID tag 52 (antenna size: about 22×44 mm) even if it is about 5 cm away from the antenna with an output of about 10 dBm. .

When delivering food with an RFID tag, an antenna (recognition position) is placed at a position where it can be touched when the door is closed, and the RFID tag 52 can be detected by touching the delivery antenna 7A. Decrease the radio field intensity so that detection is possible only in the vicinity. When leaving the warehouse, the user brings the food with the RFID tag 52 near the exit antenna 7A with the door closed, and reads the tag to detect the exit.

When leaving the garage, the antenna 7A for leaving the garage and the RFID tag 52 can be brought close to each other, and it is possible to prevent anything that obstructs radio waves from entering between them. In the case of delivery by the manual output method, for example, the user closes the door after opening the door and delivering the RFID-tagged food/ingredients, then appropriately touches the delivery touch sensor 82, and then touches the RFID tag 52. Touch the exit antenna 7A. When shipping a plurality of ingredients, for example, this is repeated multiple times.

When multiple foods/ingredients are taken out (before closing the refrigerator door), the food/ingredients once taken out are moved to the counter, and the next item may be taken out in succession. In this case, if an attempt is made to recognize the food by passing the RFID tag 52 with the food when leaving the warehouse, the time that the RFID-equipped food exists between the delivery antenna 7A and the user is short, the radio wave is blocked by the user's body, and the RFID tag is detected. 52 cannot be read by the exit antenna 7A installed in the refrigerator, the exit cannot be recognized, and there is a problem that the accuracy of inventory determination at the time of exit is lowered.

In the present embodiment, the RFID tag 52 can be moved between the shipping antenna 7A and the user, although it is one item at a time when the item is retrieved. , can reliably recognize the issue.

Also, when taking out more than one item, the number of items that can be picked up and taken out at one time is limited, so if the door is left open, it is difficult for the user to recognize that the item has been taken out. As a result, it is possible to suppress cold air from leaving the refrigerator and air around the refrigerator from flowing into the refrigerator due to the door being left open, thereby suppressing an increase in power consumption.

(Position of the entry/exit antenna (for manual touch): outer surface of storage)
Each antenna for entering/exiting is provided on the outer surface of the storage 4 . A glass material or a resin material, which is an exterior surface material that transmits radio waves, may be arranged on the front side of the antenna. One antenna may be used to share the incoming/outgoing of each storage room. Since no antenna for entering/leaving is provided in the storage 4, in the case of this embodiment, the number of antennas and reader/writers (R/W) can be reduced.

When the internal volume of the warehouse is large, that is, when the area of the entrance is large, or when the door of the storage room is double-sided, or the door is vertically long, one antenna 6A for entering the warehouse can be used. The number of antennas and reader/writers can be reduced because the storage room entry/exit antennas for each storage room are not required.

In addition, if the storage is a refrigerator, there is no need to touch the antenna for entry/exit with the doors and drawers open, and it is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption due to cold air flowing out of the refrigerator. . For example, the entrance antenna 6A and the exit antenna 7A may be provided on the front side of the refrigerator compartment door and the rotary door. As a result, wiring (including signal lines) can be routed around the rotating shaft of a rotary door, making installation easier.

The antennas for entering and exiting the warehouse 4 are provided on the outer surface of the warehouse 4. By touching the RFID tag 52 on the outer surface of the warehouse 4, the antenna for entering the warehouse 6A and the antenna for exiting the warehouse 7A can be detected. It suffices if the information on the RFID tag 52 can be read through the RFID tag 52 . That is, the antenna does not have to be literally provided on the outer surface of the storage 4 .

(direction of touch)
When the antenna is provided on the outer surface of the refrigerator of each antenna, that is, on the door of the refrigerator compartment, for example, the area to be touched is designed with a dotted line or a solid line so as to indicate the position/recognition range of the antenna. A user aims at this range and brings the RFID tag 52 of the ingredient/food closer to recognize it. In the present embodiment, in the case of the manual output method, the user touches the entry touch sensor 81 or exit touch sensor 82 with a finger or the like before touching the RFID tag 52 to the entry antenna 6A or the exit antenna 7A. I am going to touch it.

The direction in which the RFID tag 52 is approached may be from a direction substantially perpendicular to the touched area, or may be approached in parallel with the touched area. Furthermore, it may be approached from directions other than these directions as long as it can receive radio waves from each antenna for touch and transmit radio waves to the antenna for touch received from the antenna of the RFID tag 52 . As a result, the user can visually confirm the area to be touched with the RFID tag 52 and bring the RFID tag 52 closer, so that the touch can be easily recognized.

(Notification of recognition by the warehousing/leaving antenna)
Sound and LED flashing. As for touch recognition, different LEDs may be lit/flashing and notification sounds may be generated for entering and leaving. FIG. 2 shows a configuration in which a light emitting unit 91 for entering and a light emitting unit 92 for leaving are provided.

It is preferable to notify the terminal device 80 of the items that have been received/delivered (deleted), or to notify the terminal device 80 of the latest inventory list (update the receipt and delivery).

The lighting/blinking of an LED that is different from the recognition of an article, and the notification sound may be generated in accordance with the start and end of power supply to the touch antenna for entering/leaving. With this, it is possible to determine whether the user can recognize or cannot recognize due to an error. It is possible to confirm whether the goods were recognized by entering or leaving the warehouse.

(Automatic output antenna output timing)
In the case of the automatic output method, the output timings of the warehousing antenna 6A and the warehousing antenna 7A are shifted. In the case of the automatic output method, the radio wave irradiation period of the warehousing antenna 6A can be set on an antenna/sensor setting screen 61 shown in FIG. 8, which will be described later. Basically, the radio wave irradiation period from the warehousing antenna 6A is from when the door/drawer (door or drawer) is opened until the door/drawer is closed. It can be detected by using a door/drawer open/close sensor. As a result, with the door/drawer left open, it is possible to repeatedly touch the receiving antenna 6A to store food, and it is not necessary to close the door 41 or the drawer 42 each time.

The power is supplied to the exit antenna 7A after the door/drawer is closed, and the radio wave output time can be arbitrarily set on the antenna/sensor setting screen 61 in FIG. 8 to be described later. For example, it is about 30 seconds to 1 minute.

In addition to the door open/close sensor, a human sensor, an outside camera, and in the case of a manual output method, the touch sensor (capacitance type, pressure-sensitive type, etc.) shown in FIG. may be started.

In the case of the manual output method, as shown in Fig. 2, a touch switch or mechanical switch that activates each antenna may be provided near the antenna. In other words, even without opening the door, the antennas for entering and exiting the warehouse provided outside the warehouse can be turned on. As a result, erroneous recognition is less likely to occur when the vehicle enters the warehouse because it is less likely to be affected by the exit antenna 7A. Also, when leaving the warehouse, it is less likely to be affected by the antenna 6A for entering the warehouse, so erroneous recognition is less likely to occur (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the state of radio waves from the warehousing antenna 6A. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the state of radio waves from the exit antenna 7A. In Figures 2 and 3, the storage compartment door 41 and drawer 42 are closed. The warehousing antenna 6A can read the RFID tag 52 existing within its own radio wave irradiation area 6R. The warehousing antenna 6A has a low radio wave intensity so that the tag cannot be detected unless the tag is touched (at a distance of about 0 to 5 cm) (the touch is performed by the user).

The exit antenna 7A can also read the RFID tag 52 existing within its own radio wave irradiation area 9. The exit antenna 7A has a low radio wave intensity so that the tag cannot be detected unless the tag is touched (at a distance of about 0 to 5 cm) (touch is performed by the user).

The antenna does not need to output radio waves all the time, and by detecting the user's actions such as opening and closing the door with the automatic output method, the system operation start can be event-driven, thereby suppressing the increase in power consumption. Furthermore, even when a plurality of items are taken out, detection is possible for a certain period of time (predetermined time) after the door is closed so that it can be recognized (multiple times of touch recognition work can be performed).

When the shipping antenna 7A is activated by the shipping touch sensor 82 for activating the shipping antenna (in the case of the manual output method), the user opens the door/drawer and attaches the RFID tag 52 attached to the product to the shipping antenna 7A. Touch to perform exit detection. In this case, even when the door/drawer is open, the exit antenna 7A may continue to operate to take out a plurality of foods/ingredients and detect them one by one by the exit antenna. After that, after a certain period of time (set arbitrarily, use column 66f in FIG. 8) after the user closes the door/drawer, the radio wave from the exit antenna 7A stops. In this case (when the leaving touch sensor 82 is touched), the entering antenna 6A is not activated (does not output radio waves).

In the case of the automatic output method, the reception antenna 6A emits radio waves from when the door/drawer is once opened with the door/drawer closed until the time set after the door/drawer is closed. RFID tag 52 may be detectable. It can be set on the antenna/sensor setting screen 61 shown in FIG. 8, which will be described later. In this case, after that, the output of the warehousing antenna 6A is stopped, and radio waves are emitted from the warehousing antenna 7A so that the RFID tag 52 of the goods to be delivered can be detected.

(Distinction between warehousing and inventory when detected by the warehousing antenna)
If the article detected by the warehousing antenna 6A is in the inventory list, the inventory list is left as it is. If it is not in the inventory list, add it to the inventory list as a newly received item. As a result, the stock list can be managed correctly even if the leaving touch (detection) is omitted and the entering touch is made again at the time of warehousing.

(About omitting touch recognition when leaving the garage)
For items that are to be returned to the refrigerator after being used after being taken out of the refrigerator, the user does not need to recognize that the items have been taken out of the warehouse by the exit antenna 7A. Even if the user does not recognize the delivery, if the receipt is re-recognized, it can be regarded as the receipt or inventory. It is also possible to not recognize the delivery when the product is taken out of the refrigerator, but to recognize the delivery when the product is discarded because it has been used up after being taken out (like a dressing).

(Updating the inventory list when restocking the outbound goods)
If it is on the inventory list, the inventory list is left as is. If it is not in the inventory list, add it to the inventory list as a newly received item. As a result, the inventory list can be updated according to the user's intention, so that it is possible to provide an easy-to-use inventory list.

(If the vault is a storage vault)
Although a refrigerator has been described as the stocker 4, the same configuration may be used for stock detection of a container (storage) in the kitchen 3 as well as the refrigerator. For the storage room, furniture that can be rearranged, built-in furniture, or a system kitchen can be used as a storage room. A power source or the like may be connected by wiring a power cable from a commercial power source.

The sensor that detects the opening and closing of the door should activate the antenna. Alternatively, a touch sensor may be used to activate the antenna for the vault. A touch switch or a mechanical switch for activating each antenna may be provided near the antenna for storage. In other words, even if the doors and drawers of the storage compartment are not equipped with open/close sensors, it is possible to activate the respective antennas for entering and exiting the storage compartment provided outside the storage compartment.

(open/close information)
FIG. 5 is an example of the opening/closing information 31. As shown in FIG. In the open/close information 31, the door is stored in the door column 102, the open/close state is stored in the open/close state column 103, and the antenna irradiation power is stored in the antenna irradiation power column 104, in association with the date and time stored in the date and time column 101. ing.

The time in the date and time column 101 is the time when the warehousing antenna 6A and the warehousing antenna 7A emitted radio waves. Here, for the sake of simplification, an example in which radio waves are emitted at intervals of 2 seconds is shown, but the actual emission interval is much shorter than that, "several milliseconds." The door of the door column 102 is a number that uniquely identifies the door of the storage 4 . It should be noted that the door here is a concept that also includes a drawer. The open/close state in the open/close state column 103 is either "open" indicating that the door is open or "closed" indicating that the door is closed.

The antenna irradiation power in the antenna irradiation power column 104 is the irradiation power of the entering antenna 6A (column 104a) and the irradiation power of the leaving antenna 7A (column 104b). All units are "dBm". The user can set the irradiation power of the entrance antenna 6A and the irradiation power of the exit antenna 7A for each open/closed state of the door. The control can be performed based on the setting information on the antenna/sensor setting screen 61 of FIG. 8, which will be described later.

(reading information)
FIG. 6 is an example of read information 32 . In the read information 32, the date and time stored in the date and time column 111 are associated with the antenna in the antenna column 112, the antenna received power in the antenna received power column 113, and the manufacturer name (food product) in the manufacturer name column 114. name of the manufacturer/seller), the item name in the item name column 115, and the transfer flag in the transfer column 116.

The date and time in the date and time column 111 is the date and time when the receiving antenna 6A or the leaving antenna 7A received the radio wave from the RFID tag 52, that is, when the RFID tag 52 was read. Also, when data is received from the terminal device 80 (see FIG. 1), it is the date and time.

The antenna in the antenna column 112 is either "for warehousing", "for warehousing", or "terminal". "For warehousing" indicates that the antenna that read the RFID tag 52 is the warehousing antenna 6A. "For leaving" indicates that the antenna that read the RFID tag 52 is the leaving antenna 7A. "Terminal" indicates that data has been received from the terminal device 80 (see FIG. 1).

The antenna reception power in the antenna reception power column 113 is the power (strength) of the radio wave received by the warehousing antenna 6A or the warehousing antenna 7A from the RFID tag 52, and the unit is "dBm".

The manufacturer name in the manufacturer name column 114 is the food manufacturer name obtained by comparing the code read from the RFID tag 52 with the database. The item name in the item name column 115 is the food name (common noun) obtained by collating the code read from the RFID tag 52 with the database.

The movement flag in the movement column 116 indicates that the inventory management device 1 has detected movement of food from outside to inside, or that it has detected movement of food from inside to outside. It is any of the "outgoing" shown.

Looking at FIG. 6, for example, the following can be understood.
<10:00:02 on September 15, 2021>
At this time, the door was open (see Figure 5). The tag reader/writer device 6 reads "bottled beer" of "Company D" through the receiving antenna 6A. The inventory management device 1 compares it with the inventory information 33 and confirms that the "bottled beer" of "Company D" is a stock item.

<10:00:50 on September 15, 2021>
At this time the door was closed. The tag reader/writer device 7 reads "Yogurt" of "Company C" through the exit antenna 7A. The inventory management device 1 has confirmed that "Yogurt" of "Company C" is a delivery item.

<11:50:30 on September 15, 2021>
The inventory management device 1 accepts from the terminal device 80 (see FIG. 1) as an incoming item of "egg" of "E company". The RFID tag 52 is not attached to the “egg” of “E company”, and the information of the two-dimensional code is read by the terminal device 80 .

(Inventory information)
FIG. 7 is an example of the inventory information 33. As shown in FIG. In the inventory information 33, the date and time column 121 indicates the time, the inventory position column 122 indicates the inventory position, the manufacturer name column 123 indicates the manufacturer name, the item name column 124 indicates the item name, and the receipt date column 125 indicates the name of the manufacturer. The warehousing date and the summary are stored in the summary column 126 . Note that the warehousing date column 125 may be a warehousing date and time column.

The time in the date and time column 121 is the time when the inventory is fixed. The inventory position in the inventory position column 122 is the location of a plurality of storages. The manufacturer name in the manufacturer name column 123 is the same as the manufacturer name in FIG. Item names in the item name column 124 are the same as the item names in FIG. The warehousing date of the warehousing date column 125 is used when judging whether or not the goods have been staying in the stocker 4 for a long time. The summary of the summary column 126 is whether or not it is "stocking".

The example in FIG. 7 corresponds to the example in FIG. Looking at FIG. 7, for example, the following can be understood.
At <10:00:02 on September 15, 2021>, the tag reader/writer device 6 has read "bottled beer" of "Company D" via the receiving antenna 6A, and the stock information 33 is entered as the receiving. has been added to
As of <September 15, 2021, 10:00:50>, “Yogurt” from “Company C” has disappeared from the inventory information. The tag reader/writer device 7 reads “Yogurt” of “Company C” via the delivery antenna 7A, determines that it is delivered, and deletes it from the inventory information 33. FIG.
At <September 15, 2021, 11:50:30>, "Eggs" of "Company E" is added to the inventory information 33 as a receipt by input from the terminal.

(Antenna/sensor setting screen)
FIG. 8 is an example of the antenna/sensor setting screen 61 . The inventory management device 1 receives settings related to the antenna and the like on the antenna/sensor setting screen 61 from the user of the inventory management device 1 . The positional relationship between the entering antenna 6A, the leaving antenna 7A, and the door 41 in FIG. 8 is as shown in FIGS.

The user normally selects "use" in the entry antenna 6A column 62 and also selects "use" in the exit antenna 7A column 63. In FIG. 8, ▪ indicates selection and □ indicates non-selection. When the leaving procedure is performed only by the terminal device 80 (see FIG. 1), the leaving antenna 7A can be set to "not used".

When the user selects "use" for the entrance antenna 6A, the user can set the irradiation power when the door is opened in the column 62a and the irradiation power when the door is closed in the column 62b. When the user selects "use" for the exit antenna 7A, the user can set the irradiation power when the door is closed in the field 63a and the irradiation power when the door is closed in the field 63b.

As for irradiation of radio waves, as described with reference to FIG. 2, the doors are equipped with an entry touch sensor 81 and an exit touch sensor 82. In the case of the manual output method, the user does not need to open and close the door. Radio wave irradiation may be started.

The user selects either "use" or "do not use" in the kitchen human detection sensor column 64. For example, the user selects "use" if he/she wants to process warehousing while there are people in the kitchen. The user selects either “use” or “do not use” in the kitchen interior illuminance sensor field 65 . For example, the user selects "use" when wanting to perform a warehousing process when a person comes into the kitchen.

"Use" may be selected in at least one of the in-kitchen human sensor field 64 or the in-kitchen illuminance sensor field 65. In this case, the inventory management device 1 outputs the irradiation power of the warehousing antenna 6A when the human sensor detects a person or when the illuminance sensor detects illuminance equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

The user sets the radio wave irradiation period of the warehousing antenna 6A and the leaving antenna 7A in the antenna radio wave irradiation period column 66. Ordinarily, the user selects

fields

66b and 66f, enters, for example, "0" in "[]" of field 66b, and enters, for example, "90" in []" of field 66f. When the user selects "use" in the kitchen human sensor column 64, the user selects the column 66c and/or the column 66g and enters an appropriate value in "[ ]". When "use" is selected in the illuminance sensor column 65, select the column 66d and/or the column 66h and enter an appropriate value in "[]".

(Processing procedure)
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure according to the first embodiment; Here, a processing procedure for the manual output method will be described.
In step S101, the input/output processing unit 21 of the inventory management device 1 determines whether or not the warehousing touch sensor 81 is on. When the entry touch sensor 81 is ON (step S101, Yes), the tag reader/writer device 6 is caused to start outputting radio waves from the entry antenna 6A (step S102). Specifically, the input/output processing unit 21 emits radio waves from the warehousing antenna 6A and receives the reflected radio waves.

In step S<b>103 , the tag reader/writer device 6 transmits read information from the RFID tag 52 to the input/output processing unit 21 of the inventory management device 1 , and the input/output processing unit 21 stores it as read information 32 .

In step S104, the input/output processing unit 21 determines whether it is detected that the door/drawer (door or drawer) has been opened. If the door/drawer is not opened (step S104, No), step S111 If the door/drawer is opened (step S104, Yes), the process proceeds to step S105.

In step S105, the input/output processing unit 21 determines whether or not it is detected that the door/drawer is closed. If the drawer is closed (step S105, Yes), proceed to step S106.

In step S106, the inventory management unit 22 updates the inventory list of the storage room whose door 41 or drawer 42 was opened immediately before, based on the read information 32.

In step S107, the input/output processing unit 21 determines whether or not the set time has passed. If the set time has not passed (step S107, No), the process returns to step S103. Step S107, Yes), the tag reader/writer device 6 stops the radio wave output from the warehousing antenna 6A (step S108), and the process proceeds to step S133.

In step S111, the input/output processing unit 21 determines whether or not the set time has passed. If the set time has not passed (step S111, No), the process returns to step S103. Step S111, Yes), an alert is notified (step S112), and the process proceeds to step S108. As for the alert notification, it is preferable to issue an alert to the user's erroneous touch by the parking light emitting unit 91 around the parking antenna 6A or by voice. In the case where the light emitting unit 91 for warehousing is an LED, for example, the user can recognize that there has been an erroneous touch when the light is emitted in red.

In step S131, the input/output processing unit 21 determines whether or not the leaving touch sensor 82 is on. is on (step S131, Yes), the process proceeds to step S132.

In step S132, the inventory management unit 22 updates the inventory list of the storage room whose door/drawer was opened immediately before, based on the read information 32, and proceeds to step S108.

In step S133, the input/output processing unit 21 causes the tag reader/writer device 7 to start outputting radio waves from the warehousing antenna 6A, and proceeds to step S134. Specifically, the input/output processing unit 21 emits radio waves from the warehousing antenna 6A and receives the reflected radio waves.

In step S134, the tag reader/writer device 7 transmits the read information from the RFID tag 52 to the input/output processing unit 21 of the inventory management device 1, and the input/output processing unit 21 stores it as the read information 32.

In step S135, the input/output processing unit 21 determines whether or not the set time has passed. Step S135, Yes), the tag reader/writer device 7 stops the radio wave output from the warehousing antenna 6A (step S136), and the process proceeds to step S137.

At step 137, the inventory management unit 22 updates the inventory list of the storage room whose door/drawer was opened immediately before, based on the read information 32, and returns to step S101. An alert may be issued at the time of S137 in response to the leaving touch. As for the alert notification, it is preferable to issue an alert to the user's erroneous touch by the parking light emitting unit 91 around the parking antenna 6A or by voice. In the case where the light emitting unit 91 for warehousing is an LED, for example, the user can recognize that there has been an erroneous touch when the light is emitted in red.

(Inventory management for each storage room)
In the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, when the inventory management device 1 detects the open storage room after recognizing the communication with the RFID tag (wireless tag) via the storage antenna 6A, the open storage room The stock list is updated (steps S103, S104, S107). Thereby, when having a plurality of storage rooms, inventory management can be performed for each storage room.

Similarly, when the inventory management device 1 recognizes communication with the RFID tag (wireless tag) via the delivery antenna 7A after opening the door or drawer of the storage room, The list is updated (steps S104, S134, S137). Thereby, when having a plurality of storage rooms, inventory management can be performed for each storage room.

(Modification of FIG. 9)
As a modification of the processing procedure of FIG. 9, when an RFID tag is recognized via the receiving antenna 6A after detecting an open storage room, an inventory list corresponding to the open storage room can be created. good.

When the frozen foods A, B, and C are stored in the freezer, the process of FIG. 9 indicates that the door of the freezer is opened after the frozen foods A, B, and C are read by the storage antenna 6A with the door closed. rice field. However, it is not limited to this. After the frozen food A is read by the receiving antenna 6A with the door closed, the door of the freezer is opened and the frozen food A is put into the freezer. It is also possible to deal with the case where the frozen foods B and C are put into the freezer from the outside. In addition, a refrigerator compartment and a vegetable compartment are similarly applicable.

As described above, the inventory management system 100 can appropriately manage the entry and exit of the storage warehouse 4 .

(Storage Vault with Antenna for Storage Vault)
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a storage with an antenna for storage. Compared with FIG. 2 , FIG. 10 targets a plurality of different locations of the refrigerator 4A and the container 4B as the storage cabinet 4 . This is the case where the refrigerator 4A is provided with an entrance antenna 6A and an exit antenna 7A for each of the refrigerator 4A and the storage compartment 4B. That is, in the example of FIG. 10, the refrigerator 4A is also provided with an incoming antenna 6A and an outgoing antenna 7A for the storage 4B placed near the refrigerator 4A.

In addition to the entry antenna 6A and the exit antenna 7A of the refrigerator 4A, the entry antenna 6A and the exit antenna 7A of the storage compartment 4B (storage) in the kitchen 3 are also arranged on the outer surface of the refrigerator 4A. A power supply for driving the warehouse entry antenna 6A or the exit antenna 7A can be supplied from the power supply circuit for the refrigerator. Communicating via an open/close sensor on the door or drawer of the storage compartment 4B and a communication module provided in the refrigerator 4A may activate/deactivate the storage compartment entry antenna 6A or exit antenna 7A.

A touch switch or mechanical switch that activates each antenna may be installed near the antenna for the containment vault. In FIG. 10, an entry touch sensor 81 and an exit touch sensor 82 are provided for storage. In other words, even if the door or drawer of the container is not equipped with an open/close sensor, the antennas for entering and leaving the refrigerator provided outside the refrigerator can be turned on.

In this embodiment, the outer surface of the refrigerator 4A is provided with an incoming antenna 6A and an outgoing antenna 7A for the inventory management system targeting the storage 4B having a housing different from that of the refrigerator 4A. Ingredients that you want to store at room temperature / foods and daily necessities can be managed in a centralized manner together with refrigerator inventory management. It is possible to perform inventory management of foodstuffs/foods and daily necessities stored at room temperature in a container 4B (storage) far from the refrigerator 4A. Inventory management of the refrigerator 4A and the container 4B other than the refrigerator can be performed by the reader/writer antenna provided in the refrigerator 4A, so that the inventory management can be performed efficiently. Moreover, cost can be held down. Since there is no need to make settings for communication in multiple places, you can save time and effort. In a refrigerator inventory management system, it is possible to check the inventory list of the container (storage) either in conjunction with checking the inventory list or independently.

(When there are multiple objects in the storage room)
When inventory management is performed for a plurality of storage compartments as the storage compartment 4, the outer surface of the refrigerator 4A is provided with an incoming antenna 6A and an outgoing antenna 7A for each of the refrigerator 4A and storage compartment 4B, as shown in the figure. Inventory management of warehouse is managed by one inventory list. In order to cope with the case where it is desired to separately manage the inventory of multiple storage containers on the inventory list, display the inventory list of the storage containers on the terminal device 80 (for example, a smartphone), and enter, for example, "Storage X" in the storage location column. It is configured such that the storage location can be selected, such as "storage box Y". The storage location may be selected from a pull-down menu, or text may be entered. Since it is possible to filter/sort by storage location, it is possible to display and check by storage location. As a result, even when there are a plurality of objects to be stored, the inventory of the storage can be managed using one set of receiving/retrieving antennas, so the number of antennas and reader/writers can be reduced.

You may have two or more pairs of entering/leaving antennas for storage. For example, if you want to separately manage the inventory of food/ingredients that are stored at room temperature and emergency food, and the inventory of non-food items such as detergents and plastic wrap, or if you want to manage multiple storage containers for each location, you can sort them on the inventory list. Even if you do not, by bringing it closer to the target manageable antenna such as "food" / "daily necessities" or "storage box X" / "storage box Y" and recognizing the RFID tag 52, it will be automatically added to the inventory list. can be registered/delivered, so it is possible to manage inventory while minimizing the user's time and effort.

(Storage Vault with Ordering Antenna)
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a stocker having an ordering antenna 8A. FIG. 11 shows a case in which an ordering antenna 8A is provided in comparison with FIG. The ordering antenna 8A can read the RFID tag 52 existing within its own radio wave irradiation area. The radio wave intensity of the ordering antenna 8A is reduced so that the RFID tag 52 cannot be detected unless the RFID tag 52 is touched (at a distance of about 0 to 5 cm).

An ordering touch sensor 83 is provided below the ordering antenna 8A, and an ordering light emitting section 93 is provided around the ordering antenna 8A. When the ordering touch sensor 83 is touched and turned on, radio waves are output from the ordering antenna 8A, and when the RFID tag 52 can be read, the ordering light-emitting portion 93 emits green light. This indicates that the data was successfully read. Note that, as shown in FIG. 11, the warehousing/leaving antennas may be arranged with their positions shifted in the height direction. By arranging in this manner, it is possible to prevent accidental touching of the ordering antenna 8A.

(Inventory management device having an order management department)
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining another configuration of the inventory management device 1. As shown in FIG. 12, an order management unit 23 is added to the main storage device 14, and order information 35 is added to the auxiliary storage device 15, as compared with FIG.

When leaving the warehouse, if the RFID tag 52 is touched (recognized) by the antenna 7A for leaving the warehouse, it is deleted from the inventory list based on the inventory information 33. This processing is sufficient for items that are not regular supplies, items that do not need to be purchased immediately, or items that only need to know the history of use.

When the RFID tag 52 is touched (recognized) by the order antenna 8A when leaving the warehouse, it is registered in the order list based on the order information 35 and deleted from the inventory list. Since out-of-stock products are not registered in the inventory list, it is difficult to create an order list while remembering products that are likely to run out of stock at a later date. However, by using the above-described method, it is possible to avoid creating an order list while remembering products that are likely to run out of stock at a later date. For example, if you want to prevent regular supplies and shortages, you can place an order from the order list to avoid running out of regular supplies.

Also, when checking the inventory list and creating an order list, it may be necessary to check how much is left. For example, when creating an order list on the go and checking the order list, it is difficult to check the remaining amount of half-used dressing by yourself. It was difficult to make a list. In the case of regular items such as dressings, which are returned to the refrigerator after use (receiving half-used items) after use, touching the RFID tag 52 to the ordering antenna 8A when the remaining amount is low registers it in the order list. When the RFID tag 52 is finally used up and the user touches the exit antenna 7A, the RFID tag 52 may be deleted from the inventory list. Moreover, in the case of foods such as dressings that the user wants to use in a refrigerated state, the user may always store one or more dressings in the refrigerator. One dressing can be confirmed in the inventory list, but when the bottle is opened, by touching (recognizing) the RFID tag 52 to the ordering antenna 8A, it can be registered in the order list and before the dressing in the inventory is used up. , you can also check the order list and replenish. In this way, it is preferable to allow the confirmation and setting of the inventory list and the order list using the smartphone or the like of the terminal device 80 (see FIG. 1).

The ordering antenna 8A may be shared between the refrigerator 4A and storage shed 4B. This is because the shopping list and the ordering list may be combined into one. If the application of the terminal device 80 has a sorting/filtering function for the order list like foodstuffs and daily necessities, one of the ordering antennas 8A can easily manage orders for multiple storage/stockrooms. This can be used for shopping or for sorting purchasers when purchasing through EC (electronic commerce).

(Using an antenna for ordering when multiple people are using it)
An ordering antenna 8A makes it possible to recognize out of stock/out of stock items, prepare an order list, and set a person in charge of purchase and a date on the order list. In addition, the person in charge of purchasing can be set for multiple families and for multiple purchase locations. In addition, the person in charge of purchasing, the deadline, and the place of purchase may be set as necessary, or may be left unset as a memorandum at the time of shopping.

For an inventory system that manages inventory by communicating information on a plurality of different locations of the refrigerator 4A and the storage chamber 4B with a server via a network in one refrigerator, applications installed on the terminal device 80 by a plurality of users Enables confirmation and operation of information. An identifier/ID may be assigned to each information terminal so that each user can be identified.

It would be even better to use machine learning to classify purchasers in charge of order list data, non-distribution (shared, can be considered as weekend shopping), purchases on EC sites, etc., and make recommendations to users. For example, heavy items such as beverages may be automatically distributed to the EC site.

As a result, for example, when the user U1 is doing housework in the evening, if the stock of eggs, milk, etc., as ingredients/foods for dinner or breakfast the next day is running out or is about to run out, the user U1 can use the ordering antenna 8A. to recognize the RFID tag 52 attached to the egg or milk (or just remove the RFID tag if not returned to storage/refrigerator after use).

Information such as ingredients/foodstuffs linked to the recognized RFID is registered in the order list by the inventory management system 100. The user U1 starts an application on the terminal device 80 such as a smartphone, and in the order list, for the eggs and milk on the list, for example, the user U2 who is in charge of purchasing and is on the way home/coming home, and the deadline is 20:00 today. Set, enter. In addition, the communication/messages can also be entered as text. It is possible to add text, voice input, etc. even if it is not managed by . After that, when the radio button of "request"/"send" is clicked, the contents of the request and the message described in the text are confirmed by a push notification to the smartphone, which is the terminal device 80 of the user U2. The user U1 can also confirm that the user U2 has already read/confirmed the information on the smartphone of the user U1. This leads to division of housework and shopping (housework) in spare time.

(Creating an order list from the shipping list of goods to be shipped)
The inventory management device 1 may create an order list from the delivery list of delivered items, or place an order from the created order list. Foods and foodstuffs registered in the inventory list based on the inventory information 33 can be registered (flagged) as regular items in the inventory list, and can be automatically registered in the order list by recording delivery.

For example, the user can move to the order list from a delivery list for a week or an arbitrarily set (for example, 10) latest delivery list that is saved. The terminal device 80 may be notified of additions to the shopping list and the automatic order list/recommendations for additions to items deleted from the inventory list.

If you place an order to EC (electronic commerce), etc. from the order list, the ordered item will be deleted from the order list. The food/ingredients on the order list (shopping list) were recognized as new S/N food/ingredients by the RFID tag/QR code (registered trademark) EPC code (with serial number (S/N)). can be removed from the order list.

It is possible to recommend suppliers in order of specific EC sites or EC sites with the lowest total price on the order list. As a result, it is possible to prevent out-of-stock items such as regular supplies, reduce the trouble of creating a shopping list, and reduce the trouble/burden of shopping through automatic ordering. In addition, it is preferable to notify the terminal device 80 such as a smartphone of the deleted items or the latest inventory list (renewal of incoming and outgoing).

Next, the relationship between the terminal device 80 and the inventory management device 1 will be described.
In this embodiment, the camera of the terminal device 80 (see FIG. 1) such as a smart phone can read a two-dimensional barcode such as a QR code/JAN code and add it to the inventory list.
(a) Warehousing detection (a1) When the food 51 does not have the RFID tag 52, a two-dimensional bar code such as a QR code/JAN code is read from the camera of the terminal device 80 and added to the inventory list. The information read by the camera of the terminal device 80 is transferred to the inventory management device 1, and the inventory information is processed by the inventory management device 1. - 特許庁In response to an inventory list inquiry from the terminal device 80 to the inventory management device 1, the inventory information is displayed on the terminal device 80.例文帳に追加When the inventory quantity is corrected in the inventory information list on the application, it is transferred from the terminal device 80 to the inventory management device 1, and the inventory information is processed by the inventory management device 1. - 特許庁The number can be corrected from the inventory list display screen of the terminal device 80 .

In an inventory management system in which radio wave recognition RFID and image recognition QR code/JAN code are mixed, periodic inventory confirmation by RFID RW antenna is not required. Since it cannot be detected, it will not be mistakenly detected as leaving the warehouse. Updating of the inventory list other than at the time of warehousing can be performed at the timing of detecting warehousing/leaving (disposal) of the RFID tag 52 at the time of warehousing or operation of the list, and there is no need to update the inventory list frequently.

(a2) If a camera does not have a serial number (S/N) (the product is identifiable, but does not have all the RFID codes and does not conform to the EPC code), the number of copies read Assuming that the same number of items is stocked, it is possible to manage the number of items in the same manner as with RFID.
In addition, when a camera does not have a serial number (S/N) (the EPC code does not conform to the above), the quantity may be input on the inventory list.
The number may be entered as a numerical value, or the inventory list number may be corrected with symbols such as "+", "-", "<", and ">".
Also, if the camera does not have a serial number (S/N) (the same as the above, it does not conform to the EPC code), for items that are already displayed on the inventory list, enter the number of items on the inventory list Alternatively, the stock list quantity may be corrected with symbols such as "+", "-", "<", and ">".

(a3) In the case of a tag (hybrid tag) printed with an RFID and a QR code with a code similar to the RFID, even if the RFID tag is broken, the QR code can be read from the camera of the terminal device 80 and the inventory can be checked. Management is possible.

(b) Manual/Voice Recognition Deletion from Inventory List Display Interface When the terminal device 80 is a smart phone or a smart speaker (voice recognition device), manual/voice recognition is possible. In other words, it is possible to detect leaving the warehouse (in the case of entering, the detection of the RFID tag 52 or the image detection of the QR code/JAN code) by means other than the exit antenna 7A.
(b1) Items present in the inventory list may be manually deleted from the inventory list. It should be noted that in the case of a device equipped with voice recognition, deletion from the inventory list may be instructed by voice. For example, you can check the inventory list on your smartphone.
(b2) If a plurality of items without a serial number (S/N) (that does not comply with the EPC code) are shipped, the number of items can be similarly managed by deleting the number of items that have been shipped from the inventory list. In addition, the number of items shipped from the inventory list may be entered as a numerical value, or the inventory list may be corrected by increasing or decreasing with symbols such as "+", "-", "<", and ">".

Although the relationship between the terminal device 80 and the inventory management device 1 has been described, the storage 4 may be provided with a display device or the like to have the same functions as the terminal device 80. Specifically, the inventory list may be displayed on the display of the refrigerator. Inventory can be checked without opening and closing the door in front of the refrigerator.

<Second embodiment>
In FIG. 9 of the first embodiment, as an example of the manual output method, the radio wave output from the antenna of the storage 4 is controlled, but the method is not limited to this. In the second embodiment, an embodiment in which radio waves from the antenna are constantly output will be described. That is, as the automatic output method, fields 66a and 66e are selected in the antenna radio wave irradiation period field 66 of the antenna/sensor setting screen 61 of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the antenna of the storage 4 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 13, the entering touch sensor 81 and the leaving touch sensor 82 are omitted as compared with FIG. That is, the entrance antenna 6A and the exit antenna 7A are provided on the door of the uppermost storeroom. A warehousing light emitting unit 91 is provided around the warehousing antenna 6A. Similarly, the exit antenna 7A has a exit light-emitting portion 92 around the exit antenna 7A.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure according to the second embodiment; Here, a processing procedure for the automatic output method will be described.
In the second embodiment, since the radio wave from the antenna is always output, in step S201, the input/output processing unit 21 of the inventory management device 1 outputs the radio wave from the tag reader/writer device 6 antenna 6A for warehousing. let it start. Similarly, the input/output processing unit 21 causes the tag reader/writer device 7 to start outputting radio waves from the warehousing antenna 6A (step S202). Specifically, the input/output processing unit 21 emits radio waves from the warehousing antenna 6A and the warehousing antenna 7A, and receives the reflected radio waves.

In step S203, the input/output processing unit 21 determines whether or not the RFID tag 52 for warehousing has been detected. 52 is detected (step S203, Yes), the tag reader/writer device 6 transmits read information from the RFID tag 52 to the input/output processing unit 21 of the inventory management device 1, and the input/output processing unit 21 receives the read information 32 and proceeds to step S204.

In step S204, the input/output processing unit 21 determines whether or not it is detected that the door/drawer (door or drawer) has been opened. If the door/drawer is not opened (step S204, No), step S211 If the door/drawer is opened (step S204, Yes), the process proceeds to step S205.

In step S205, the input/output processing unit 21 determines whether or not it is detected that the door/drawer is closed. If the drawer is closed (step S205, Yes), proceed to step S206.

In step S206, the inventory management unit 22 updates the inventory list of the storage room whose door/drawer was opened immediately before, based on the read information 32, and returns to step S203.

In step S211, the input/output processing unit 21 determines whether or not the set time has passed. Step S211, Yes), an alert is notified (step S212), and the process proceeds to step S206. As for the alert notification, it is preferable to issue an alert to the user's erroneous touch by the parking light emitting unit 91 around the parking antenna 6A or by voice. In the case where the light emitting unit 91 for warehousing is an LED, for example, the user can recognize that there has been an erroneous touch when the light is emitted in red.

In step S231, the input/output processing unit 21 determines whether or not the delivery RFID tag 52 has been detected. 52 is detected (step S231, Yes), the tag reader/writer device 7 transmits read information from the RFID tag 52 to the input/output processing unit 21 of the inventory management device 1, and the input/output processing unit 21 receives the read information 32, and proceeds to step S241.

At step S241, the input/output processing unit 21 calls up the entire inventory list and updates the corresponding inventory list based on the read information 32 (step S242). As a result, the corresponding item can be deleted from the previously stocked items. Then, the process returns to step S203.

In step S232, the input/output processing unit 21 determines whether or not it is detected that the door/drawer has been opened. If the drawer has been opened (step S232, Yes), the process proceeds to step S233.

In step S233, the input/output processing unit 21 determines whether or not the delivery RFID tag 52 has been detected. 52 is detected (step S233, Yes), the tag reader/writer device 7 transmits the read information from the RFID tag 52 to the input/output processing unit 21 of the inventory management device 1, and the input/output processing unit 21 receives the read information 32 and proceeds to step S234.

In step S234, the input/output processing unit 21 determines whether or not it is detected that the door/drawer is closed. If the drawer is closed (step S234, Yes), proceed to step S235.

In step S235, the input/output processing unit 21 determines whether or not the set time has passed. If the set time has not passed (step S235, No), the process returns to step S233. Step S235, Yes), and proceeds to step S236.

In step 236, the inventory management unit 22 updates the inventory list of the storage room whose door/drawer was opened immediately before, based on the read information 32, and returns to step S203.

(Inventory management for each storage room)
In the flowchart shown in FIG. 14, when the inventory management device 1 detects an open storage room after recognizing communication with the RFID tag 52 via the storage antenna 6A, the inventory list of the open storage room is updated. (step S203, step S204, step S206). Thereby, when having a plurality of storage rooms, inventory management can be performed for each storage room.

Similarly, when the inventory management device 1 recognizes communication with the RFID tag 52 via the delivery antenna 7A after opening the door or drawer of the storage room, the inventory list of the opened storage room is updated. (step S232, step S233, step S236). Thereby, when having a plurality of storage rooms, inventory management can be performed for each storage room.

As described above, the inventory management system 100 according to the second embodiment can appropriately manage the entry and exit of the storage warehouse 4 .

The functions and features of inventory management system 100 are further described.
(Determining which storage room it is stored in, checking inventory)
As described above, after the RFID tag of the food/ingredient is read by the receiving antenna 6A (hereinafter referred to as receiving touch), the open storage room is detected by a door sensor or the like, and the storage room where the food/ingredient is stored is estimated. inventory list for each storage room can be created and updated. Users can filter/sort and call inventory lists by storage room to check inventory. It should be noted that the inventory can be confirmed by a terminal device 80 such as a smart phone or a monitor provided on the refrigerator door.

(If you open multiple storage room doors/drawers after touching multiple items)
Machine learning and other methods are used to analyze the inventory list to determine which storage room the user is storing ingredients/foods in. Read out each inventory list of each open storage room, and if the same or similar ingredients/foods are registered in the inventory list of a different storage room than before, a push notification is sent through a smartphone application, and the user is prompted to confirm, and the user can confirm and correct the inventory list. If there is not sufficient inventory data for machine learning, the user may check or modify the inventory list. A push notification may be sent through a smartphone application. Even if the inventory is managed by an inventory list of a storage room different from the stored storage room, the delivery can be recognized by the delivery antenna 7A at the time of delivery, and the contents of the inventory list can be correctly updated.

(Timing of turning on the exit antenna when multiple storage compartment doors/drawers are opened)
If multiple doors/drawers are opened and closed after the entry touch, or if multiple doors/drawers are opened and closed in sequence, the next entry touch will be detected after a certain amount of time has passed after the entry touch. If not, the event of closing the doors/drawers before and after it is regarded as the last entry of this time, and the exit antenna is turned ON (output of the exit antenna 7A is started).

(Distinguish from which storage room to issue / take out, check inventory)
Once the door or drawer of the storage room is opened, the closed storage room is detected by a door sensor or the like, and after touching the RFID of the food/ingredient (the RFID tag 52 is read by the delivery antenna 7A), the food/ingredient is Estimate the warehouses that have been shipped and update the inventory list for each warehouse. Users can filter/sort and call inventory lists by storage room to check inventory. It should be noted that the inventory can be confirmed by a terminal device 80 such as a smart phone or a monitor provided on the refrigerator door.

(Estimated storage room at storage location)
When the inventory management device 1 recognizes communication with the RFID tag 52 from the warehousing antenna 6A or the warehousing antenna 7A, it inquires the database about the article information to specify the food/ingredient, and from the storage temperature of the specified food/ingredient It is possible to estimate the storage room and update the inventory list of the storage room.

(Determining which storage room it was stored in/delivered, checking inventory)
The RFID tag 52 of the food/ingredient is touched to the warehousing/outgoing antenna, and the RFID tag 52 is detected and communicated with the database of the EPC code, which is the information of the RFID tag 52, through the tag reader/writer device that reads and writes the information of the tag. read whether is refrigerated/frozen/room temperature.

(a) For frozen products, update the inventory list in the freezer compartment.
(a) In the case of liquids of refrigerated goods, the inventory list of the refrigerator compartment or the vegetable compartment is read, and if the corresponding item is not in the inventory list, the user is notified/reported.
(c) In the case of refrigerated goods/room-temperature goods, the inventory list of the refrigerator compartment/vegetable compartment/freezer compartment is read, and if the corresponding item is not in the inventory list, the user is notified/reported.

　Non-liquid refrigerated/room-temperature products are not necessarily stored in the refrigerator/vegetable compartment, and may be frozen at home. If there is not sufficient inventory data for machine learning, the user may check or modify the inventory list. Users can filter/sort and call inventory lists by storage room to check inventory. It should be noted that the inventory can be confirmed by a terminal device 80 such as a smart phone or a monitor provided on the refrigerator door.

If multiple doors/drawers are opened after the entry touch, it is possible to correct the inventory list for frozen items. If the exit touch is recognized after opening multiple doors/drawers, it is possible to correct the inventory list for frozen items.

The inventory management system 100 of this embodiment described above has the following features.
(1) The inventory management system 100 includes an incoming antenna 6A provided to communicate with the wireless tags attached to the articles stored in the storage 4, and an outgoing antenna 6A provided to communicate with the wireless tags. An antenna 7A, an article information acquisition unit (for example, tag reader/writer devices 6 and 7) that acquires article information by communicating with the wireless tag via the warehousing antenna 6A or the warehousing antenna 7A, and the acquired article information Based on this, it is equipped with an inventory management device 1 for managing the articles in the warehouse, and the entrance antenna 6A and the exit antenna 7A are provided on the outer surface of the warehouse. As a result, inventory management in the storage can be appropriately performed.

(2) The refrigerator 4A and the storage compartment 4B are targeted at a plurality of different locations as the storage compartment 4, and an entry antenna 6A and an exit antenna 7A for each of the refrigerator 4A and storage compartment 4B are provided on the outer surface of the refrigerator 4A. ing. As a result, inventory management of storage can be managed on the refrigerator side.

(3) When the inventory management device 1 detects an open storage room in the storage room 4 after recognizing communication with the wireless tag via the storage antenna 6A, it updates the inventory list of the open storage room. This enables inventory management for each storage room.

(4) When the inventory management device 1 recognizes communication with the wireless tag via the exit antenna 7A after opening the door or drawer of the storage room of the storage room 4, the inventory list of the opened storage room is updated. do. As a result, delivery management can be performed for each storage room.

(5) When the inventory management device 1 recognizes communication with the wireless tag from the warehousing antenna 6A or the warehousing antenna 7A, it inquires the database about the article information to identify the food/ingredient, and stores the identified food/ingredient. It is possible to estimate the storage room to store from the temperature and update the inventory list of the storage room.

(6) A two-dimensional code is attached to the article, and when the inventory management device 1 receives the information of the two-dimensional code, the inventory list held by the inventory management device 1 is based on the information of the two-dimensional code. Items can be added (see Figures 6 and 7).

(7) The inventory management device 1 can communicate with the terminal device 80, and the inventory management device 1 can delete the information of the item from the inventory list based on the deletion request of the item from the terminal device 80. .

(8) The inventory management device 1 can create an order list from the delivery list of delivered items (see FIG. 12).

(9) The inventory management system 100 further has an ordering antenna that is arranged outside the storage and reads the wireless tag of the article to be ordered (see FIG. 11).

(10) In the inventory management system 100, the entering detection area (for example, the radio wave irradiation area 6R) corresponding to the entering antenna 6A and the leaving detection area (for example, the radio wave irradiation area 7R) corresponding to the leaving antenna 7A are outside the warehouse. An article information acquisition unit (for example, tag reader/writer devices 6 and 7) provided on the surface reads a wireless tag positioned near the entry detection area via the entry antenna 6A, and reads the tag in the vicinity of the exit detection area. The positioned wireless tag can be read via the exit antenna 7A.

(11) When the inventory management device 1 recognizes the communication with the wireless tag via the receiving antenna 6A after detecting the open storage room, the inventory list corresponding to the opened storage room is updated. do. This enables inventory management for each storage room.

(12) A warehouse 4 for storing articles, and an antenna 6A for entering the warehouse provided so as to be able to communicate with the wireless tags attached to the articles stored in the warehouse 4, and an antenna 6A so as to be able to communicate with the wireless tags. An article information acquisition unit (for example, tag reader/writer devices 6 and 7) that acquires article information by communicating with a wireless tag via an antenna 7A for leaving the warehouse provided in the warehousing antenna or an antenna for leaving the warehouse, and an acquired An inventory management device 1 for managing articles in a warehouse based on article information is provided, and a warehouse entry antenna 6A and a warehouse exit antenna 7A are provided on the outer surface of the warehouse. As a result, inventory management in the storage can be appropriately performed.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the described configurations. In addition, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Moreover, it is possible to add, delete, or replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration.

Further, each of the configurations, functions, processing units, processing means, etc. described above may be realized by hardware, for example, by designing a part or all of them using an integrated circuit. Moreover, each of the above configurations, functions, etc. may be realized by software by a processor interpreting and executing a program for realizing each function. Information such as programs, tables, and files that implement each function can be stored in recording devices such as memories, hard disks, SSDs (Solid State Drives), or recording media such as IC cards, SD cards, and DVDs.
In addition, the control lines and information lines indicate those considered necessary for explanation, and not all control lines and information lines are necessarily indicated on the product. In fact, it may be considered that almost all configurations are interconnected. Various information of the inventory management device 1 may exist on the cloud.

1 Inventory Management Device 2 Network 3 Kitchen 4 Storage 4A Refrigerator 4B Storage 6 Tag Reader/Writer Device (Goods Information Acquisition Unit)
6A Antenna for warehousing 6R Radio wave irradiation area 7 Tag reader/writer device (item information acquisition unit)
7A Departure antenna 7R Radio wave irradiation area 8A Ordering antenna 11 Central control device 12 Input device 13 Output device 14 Main storage device 15 Auxiliary storage device 16 Communication device 21 Input/output processing unit 22 Inventory management unit 23 Order management unit 31 Opening/closing information 32 Read information 33 Inventory information 34 Order information 41 Door 42 Drawer 51 Food 52 RFID tag (wireless tag)
61 antenna/sensor setting screen 80 terminal device 81 entry touch sensor 82 exit touch sensor 83 ordering touch sensor 91 entry light emitting unit 92 exit light emitting unit 93 ordering light emitting unit 100 inventory management system D distance between antennas

Claims

An antenna for entering the warehouse provided so as to be able to communicate with a wireless tag attached to an article to be stored in the storage;
An exit antenna provided for communication with the wireless tag;
an article information acquisition unit that acquires article information by communicating with the wireless tag via the warehousing antenna or the warehousing antenna;
an inventory management device that manages the items in the storage based on the acquired item information;
An inventory management system, wherein the antenna for entering the warehouse and the antenna for leaving the warehouse are provided on the outer surface of the storage.
In claim 1,
Targeting a plurality of different locations of the refrigerator and the storage as the storage,
An inventory management system, wherein the entrance antenna and the exit antenna are provided for the refrigerator and the storage, respectively, on an outer surface of the refrigerator.
In claim 1 or claim 2,
The inventory management device updates the inventory list of the open storage room when detecting the open storage room after recognizing the communication with the wireless tag through the entry antenna. and inventory management system.
In claim 1 or claim 2,
The inventory management device updates the inventory list of the opened storage room when it recognizes communication with the wireless tag through the delivery antenna after opening the door or drawer of the storage room. An inventory management system characterized by:
In any one of claims 1 to 4,
When the inventory management device recognizes communication with the wireless tag from the entering antenna or the leaving antenna, the inventory management device inquires the database of the article information to specify the food/ingredient, and determines the storage temperature of the specified food/ingredient. An inventory management system characterized by estimating a storage room to be stored from, and updating an inventory list of the storage room of the storage destination.
In any one of claims 1 to 5,
A two-dimensional code is attached to the article,
An inventory management system, wherein, when receiving the information of the two-dimensional code, the inventory management device adds an article based on the information of the two-dimensional code to an inventory list held by the inventory management device.
In any one of claims 3 to 6,
The inventory management device is capable of communicating with a terminal device,
The inventory management system, wherein the inventory management device deletes the information of the article from the inventory list based on the deletion request of the article from the terminal device.
In any one of claims 1 to 7,
The inventory control device creates an order list from a delivery list of delivered goods.
In any one of claims 1 to 8,
The inventory management system further comprises an ordering antenna arranged outside the storage and reading a wireless tag of an article to be ordered.
In any one of claims 1 to 9,
An entry detection area corresponding to the entry antenna and an exit detection area corresponding to the exit antenna are provided on the outer surface of the storage,
The article information acquisition unit reads the wireless tag positioned near the entering detection area via the entering antenna, and reads the wireless tag positioned near the leaving detection area via the exit antenna. An inventory management system characterized by:
In claim 3,
The inventory management device updates the inventory list corresponding to the opened storage room when it recognizes communication with the wireless tag through the receiving antenna after detecting the open storage room. An inventory management system characterized by:
A vault for storing goods,
a warehousing antenna provided so as to be able to communicate with a wireless tag attached to an article stored in the storage;
An exit antenna provided for communication with the wireless tag;
an article information acquisition unit that acquires article information by communicating with the wireless tag via the warehousing antenna or the warehousing antenna;
an inventory management device that manages the items in the storage based on the acquired item information;
A storage, wherein the antenna for entering and the antenna for leaving are provided on an outer surface of the storage.