Storage of goods with a limited shelf life

Abstract

Method (300) for storing a product (105) with a limited shelf life in a household, wherein the method (300) comprises the following steps: - Recording (305) the goods (105); - Transmitting (310) characteristic information about the goods (105) to a service; - Receiving (325) a response that includes a recommended storage type in machine-readable form; - Recording of storage facilities available in the household (160) and of storage types that are possible for the storage facilities (160); - Selecting one of the storage areas (160) suitable for receiving the goods (105) based on the storage type of the storage area (160) and the recommended storage type; and - Issuing (335) a reference to the warehouse (160), - wherein the specific bearing (160) can be controlled in at least one bearing parameter and the bearing parameter of the bearing (160) is controlled.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the storage of goods with a limited shelf life. In particular, the invention relates to storage under optimized storage conditions.

[0002] A product has a limited shelf life. The shelf life may be specified, for example, by a legal regulation, or it may refer to the product's suitability for a specific purpose. In both cases, the goal is to store the product in such a way that it exhibits optimal performance characteristics at the time of use. This can be more or less complex depending on the product. If several different products are to be stored, the effort required for proper storage may be even greater.

[0003] US 2012 / 0 101 876 A1 concerns the maintenance of an inventory of items kept in a household.

[0004] One object underlying the present invention is to provide an improved technology for storing goods with a limited shelf life. The invention achieves this object by means of the subject matter of the independent claims. Subclaims specify preferred embodiments.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention, a method for storing a product with a limited shelf life comprises the steps of detecting the product; transmitting characteristic information about the product to a service (e.g., to a cloud service on the Internet); receiving a response comprising a storage type in machine-readable form; and outputting an indication of the storage type. This allows a user, for example, in a household, to be assisted in storing goods with a limited shelf life. A product can be stored for longer without exceeding its shelf life. Spoiled or expired goods can occur less frequently.

[0006] The storage type can include at least one of storage temperature, storage lighting, and storage humidity. Other possible parameters include storage density, a combination of different goods in a warehouse, or even dynamic changes in storage conditions. This can provide better indication of which storage areas (e.g., in a refrigerator) are suitable for a particular product and which are not.

[0007] The goods may be perishable, and the storage method is determined to ensure that the goods remain intact for as long as possible. In particular, the goods may include food that may no longer be suitable for consumption after its shelf life has been exceeded. This can support a person's healthy diet with fresh food.

[0008] In different embodiments, the product or characteristic information about the product can be identified in different ways. Combinations for a product or a collection of products are also possible.

[0009] For example, the goods can be optically recorded, for example, using a photo or video camera or a scanner. The goods can be scanned, for example, in the store, during transport, or in a household where they are to be stored.

[0010] An order for the goods can also be recorded. The order can be in the form of an electronic document, which can be created either when the order is placed or as a confirmation from a dealer or supplier.

[0011] Furthermore, a procurement list for goods can be created. This allows storage capacity to be booked or made available in advance for goods to be procured.

[0012] Based on the response, a storage location or warehouse can be determined and displayed. The storage location could be, for example, a refrigerator, a pantry, a basement, or a place in a kitchen. This makes it even easier for the user to store the goods appropriately.

[0013] One of several available storage locations can be selected based on the specific storage type.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the invention, a device for controlling the storage of a product with a limited shelf life comprises a scanning device for determining characteristic information about the product; a communication device for transmitting the information to an external service and for receiving a recommended storage type in machine-readable form; and an output device for outputting an indication of the received storage type. The device can be configured to carry out the method described above. The device can in particular comprise a processing device, which is preferably embodied as a programmable microcomputer or microcontroller. The method can be in the form of a computer program product with program code means. Features or advantages of the method can be transferred to the device and vice versa.

[0015] The device can have an output device for providing immediate information about one of several available storage locations based on the recommended storage type. The information can be visual, acoustic, haptic, or a combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, dedicated output devices are assigned to several storage locations. In each case, the output device suitable for receiving a specific item can be activated. This can facilitate the stocking of goods that have been purchased, for example.

[0016] According to a third aspect of the invention, a further method comprises the steps of receiving characteristic information about a product with a limited shelf life; determining the product or a product group comprising the product; determining a recommended storage type for the product or product group; and returning the recommended storage type in machine-readable form. For example, this method can be executed on a server on the Internet to thus provide a recommended storage type.

[0017] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a further device comprises a communication device for receiving characteristic information about a product and returning a recommended storage type in machine-readable form; and a processing device configured to carry out the latter method. This device can be implemented, for example, by means of a server on the Internet.

[0018] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a system comprises both of the devices described above, wherein the communication devices of the devices are arranged for mutual information exchange.

[0019] The features and advantages disclosed with reference to one claim category are transferable analogously to all other claim categories, unless otherwise stated.

[0020] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Fig. 1 an exemplary system for storing goods; Fig. 2 an embodiment of a device for storing a product; and Fig. 3 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method for storing goods.

[0021] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary system 100 for storing a product 105. The product 105 has a limited shelf life. In particular, the product 105 may be a food that can spoil over time. An indication of a remaining shelf life may be affixed to the product, for example, in the form of a production date or a best-before date. Alternatively, an actual shelf life may also be affected, i.e., a point in time after which the use, in particular the consumption or enjoyment of the product 105, must be discouraged. For table salt, for example, the legal shelf life is approximately 2 years after bottling, whereas the actual shelf life of salt can be practically unlimited if stored in a cool, dry place.

[0022] The system 100 comprises a device 110, which preferably comprises a processing device 115, which can be embodied in particular as a programmable microcomputer or microcontroller. The processing device 115 is preferably configured to carry out a control method described in more detail below, in whole or in part. The device 110 is configured to provide a preferred storage type for a product 105. For this purpose, the device 110 preferably comprises a scanning device 120 for scanning characteristic information of the product 105, a communication device 125, and an output device 130. In various embodiments, the device 110 can comprise a smartphone, a personal computer, or a dedicated device.

[0023] Different scanning devices 120 can be used, also in combination, some of which are shown as examples in Fig. 1. An optical scanning device 120 can comprise a photo or video camera directed at the product 105. For example, the product 105 can be optically scanned during a shopping process, for example on a sales shelf, in a shopping cart, or at a cash register system. The product 105 can also be scanned in a refrigerator 135, in particular by a built-in interior camera 120. Furthermore, a reference to the product 105 can be taken from a shopping list 120 or a sales receipt 120, both of which can be optically scanned or analyzed as an electronic document. A smartphone 120 can be used for scanning, which can comprise a camera for optical scanning or can be configured to exchange electronic documents.

[0024] During optical scanning, an optical feature of the product 105 can be detected, for example, a size, a color, a shape, a surface, or a texture. Associated data can also be detected, for example, a marking, a manufacturer, a brand, a weight, or a price. The associated data can be in the form of a one- or two-dimensional code (e.g., a barcode or QR code). To resolve the encoded information, a corresponding service can be used, which can in particular be provided network-based, for example, as a cloud service. Alternatively, a local mapping table or database can also be provided.

[0025] The scanned information about the product 105 should be characteristic, meaning that the information can be used to identify either the specific product in its unit-marketed form or a product group. The product group may be particularly relevant for bulk-marketed products 105, such as meat, vegetables, or fruit. In this case, the information may encompass a product group as precisely as possible. Generalization may be possible as necessary. For example, a specific apple may be classified as a Granny Smith apple, more generally as an apple, or even more generally as fruit. The more precise the classification, the better the result of subsequent processing can be.

[0026] The characteristic information is preferably transmitted by means of the communication device 125 to a further device 140, which can be implemented in particular as a server, as a service, or otherwise. The device 140 comprises a communication device 145 for exchanging data with the communication device 125 of the device 110. The device 140 preferably comprises a processing device 150, which can be configured to initially perform object recognition on the basis of transmitted image or video information, as described above. Furthermore, the device 140 is configured to determine recommended storage for a specific product 105 or a comprehensive product group. For this purpose, the device 140 can comprise a database 155 in which characteristics of predetermined products 105 with respectively associated recommended storage types are stored.

[0027] A storage type can, in particular, include a storage temperature, a storage duration, storage lighting, storage humidity, or another storage parameter. Other possible storage parameters include, for example, solar radiation, mechanical movement, or the storage of a predetermined quantity of multiple goods 105, which can cause mechanical stress, particularly on the goods 105 located furthest down. The parameters can also be interdependent; for example, the storage duration can be longer or shorter depending on the storage temperature or storage humidity. Further information can include combined storage of different goods 105. For example, an apple can accelerate the ripening or spoilage process of vegetables stored together with the apple, thus reducing the storage duration of the vegetables.The storage duration can be determined depending on a parameter, information, or meta-information about a specific product 105. For example, a current ripeness or a packaging date can be taken into account. Furthermore, a desired use time can be taken into account, which can have been specified, for example, by a user of the device 110. For example, the storage type of meat, vegetables, or fruit requiring ripening can be determined in a targeted manner such that a degree of ripeness at a predetermined preparation or consumption time is at a predetermined, preferred point. In a further embodiment, a change in a storage parameter can also be determined. For example, thawing of a product or lighting with changing colors can be determined.

[0028] The device 140 is configured to express the recommended storage type in machine-readable form and to send it back to the device 110 via the communication device 150. The storage type can be provided, in particular, in the form of an XML document, wherein a corresponding definition of structural elements used therein can be provided in an XSLT document.

[0029] The device 110 receives the determined storage type and can output it directly to a user, for example, using the optical, acoustic, or haptic output device 130. The received storage type can also be related by the device 110 to a specific product 105, as described in more detail above. Furthermore, the device 110 can determine, based on the determined storage type, a storage location 160 in which the product can advantageously be stored. For this purpose, the device 110 can know which different storage locations 160 are available, for example, in a household. Example storage locations 160 can include a dry storage location (e.g., a kitchen cupboard), a refrigerator, a pantry, a freezer, an open storage location (e.g., a fruit bowl or on a work surface), a bread bin, or another storage location 160.The existing warehouses 160 can also be further subdivided; for example, a refrigerator can comprise compartments with different storage conditions, which can then be considered as individual, different warehouses 160. To select a suitable warehouse for a product 105 based on a recommended storage type, a storage type that is possible in a warehouse 160 can be stored in the device 110. The storage type of a warehouse 160 can therefore, in particular, include parameters that can be compared with those of the specific storage type (storage temperature, storage humidity, storage lighting, etc.).

[0030] Preferably, a warehouse 160 is determined whose storage parameters best match the storage parameters of the specific, preferred storage location. Different parameters can be weighted differently. In a further embodiment, it is also possible to consider which warehouse 160 is filled to what extent. A different warehouse 160 can be determined if an otherwise suitable warehouse 160 no longer has enough capacity. It can also be suggested to move a product 105 from the warehouse 160 to another warehouse 160 in order to accommodate a different product 105. This allows both products 105 to be stored well overall, instead of storing one product 105 very well and the other very poorly.

[0031] The output device 130 may also include an interface 165 that can be connected to a controllable device. For example, a storage parameter of a storage unit 160 such as the refrigerator shown can be actively controlled in this way, in particular with regard to a storage temperature, storage ventilation, or storage lighting.

[0032] Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a refrigerator 135 for storing a product 105. However, a different storage 160 can also be used instead of the refrigerator 135. In the present case, the refrigerator 135 is divided into several compartments, which can have different storage parameters, so that they are considered here as different storage 160.

[0033] A haptic, acoustic, or optical marking can be attached to a warehouse 160, which can in particular be designed as a controllable output device 130. The marking can have a distinctive shape and / or color to prevent misallocation. If a product 105 is to be stored in a warehouse 160, the corresponding output device 130 can be activated. For example, a green light can be selected for a recommended warehouse 160 and / or a red light for a non-recommended warehouse 160. A color shade can express the degree of a recommendation, so that several possible warehouses 160 can be selected based on their lighting color and, if necessary, other parameters.If none of the storage areas 160 is suitable or recommended for receiving a product 105, all output devices 130 can be activated in a special way that signals rejection, for example flashing instead of continuously lit or red instead of green.

[0034] Fig. 3 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method 300 for storing a product 105. The method can be implemented on the system 100 of Fig. 1 and in particular are partially or completely controlled by means of the processing device 115 of the device 110 and / or the processing device 150 of the device 140.

[0035] In a step 305, the goods 105 are recorded. This can be done in various ways, some of which are described herein, for example with reference to Fig.1, are described in more detail. In this process, characteristic information is determined that characterizes or defines the product 105. This information may be supplemented with further information, for example, metadata about the product 105 itself or data about a planned intended use or time of use, or the like. The determined information is transmitted from the device 110 to the device 140 in a step 310 and received there, for which purpose, in particular, a communications or data network such as the Internet or a mobile network may be used.

[0036] In a step 315, the product 105 or a comprehensive product group is determined. This step can also be performed before transmission by the device 110. In this case, the determination result is transmitted to the device 140 instead of or in addition to the aforementioned information. Based on the determined product 105 (or product group), a recommended storage type is determined in a step 320. For this purpose, properties or requirements of the determined product 105 can be mapped to associated storage parameters using the database 155. The result of the determination is preferably written in a machine-readable form and can be transmitted back in a step 325 and processed by the device 110.

[0037] In a step 330, a warehouse 160 in which the goods 105 can be stored can be determined based on the recommended storage type. The corresponding warehouse 160 can be displayed, or a designation or other reference to the warehouse 160 can be provided, in particular in textual or symbolic form. The display or reference can be output in a step 335. Additionally or alternatively, the received storage type can also be output directly in this step. The storage type can be expressed by one, several, or all storage parameters or other received information. Optionally, a storage parameter can also be controlled depending on the recommended storage type. Reference symbol 100 systems 105 goods 110 Device 115 Processing facility 120 scanning device 125 Communication device 130 Dispensing device 135 Refrigerator 140 device 145 Communication device 150 processing facilities 155 Database 160 warehouses 165 Interface 300 procedures 305 Recording goods 310 Transmit characteristic information 315 Determine product or product group 320 Determine storage type 325 Submit reply 330 Determine bearings 335 Spend

Claims

[1] A method (300) for storing a product (105) with a limited shelf life in a household, the method (300) comprising the following steps: - Recording (305) of the goods (105); - transmitting (310) characteristic information about the goods (105) to a service; - receiving (325) a response comprising a recommended storage type in machine-readable form; - Recording of stocks (160) available in the household and of the types of storage available to the stocks (160); - selecting one of the warehouses (160) suitable for receiving the goods (105) based on the type of storage of the warehouse (160) and the recommended type of storage; and - Issue (335) a reference to the camp (160), - wherein the specific bearing (160) can be controlled in at least one bearing parameter and the bearing parameter of the bearing (160) is controlled. [2] The method (300) of claim 1, wherein the storage type comprises at least one of a storage temperature, a storage lighting, a storage humidity, or another storage parameter. [3] Method (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the goods (105) are perishable and the storage type is determined such that the goods (105) remain unspoiled for as long as possible. [4] Method (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the goods (105) are optically detected. [5] Method (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an order for the goods (105) is recorded. [6] Method (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a procurement list for goods (105) is recorded. [7] Method (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a storage location (160) is determined and output (330) on the basis of the response. [8] The method (300) of claim 7, wherein one of a plurality of available storage locations (160) is selected based on the determined storage type. [9] Device (110) for controlling the storage of a product (105) with a limited shelf life in a household, the device comprising: - a scanning device (120) for determining characteristic information of the product (105); - a communication device (125) for transmitting the information to an external service (140) and for receiving a recommended storage type in machine-readable form; - an output device (130) for outputting an indication of a warehouse (160) and the received warehouse type; - an interface for connection to a device for controlling a storage parameter of a warehouse (160) and - a processing device (115) which is arranged to ◯ record the stocks (160) available in the household and the types of storage available to the stocks (160); ◯ to select one of the warehouses (160) suitable for receiving the goods (105) based on the type of storage of the warehouse (160) and the recommended storage type; and ◯ to control a storage parameter of the selected warehouse. [10] The apparatus (140) of claim 9, further comprising an output device for outputting an immediate indication of one of a plurality of available warehouses (160) based on the recommended warehouse type.

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