Inventory management machine

Abstract

To provide an inventory control device that operates for a long period.SOLUTION: An inventory management equipment 1 comprises a detection part 11, a communication part 12, a supply part 13, and a supply control part 14. The detection part 11 detects a material 3 mounted on a mount table 10. The communication part 12 communicates with a communication device 23. The supply part 13 supplies electric power to the detection part 11 and the communication part 12. The supply control part 14 controls the supply part 13. When the communication part 14 communicates with the communication device 23, the supply control part 14 controls the supply part 13 to stop supplying the electric power to the detection part 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inventory management device.

Background Art

[0002] The inventory management device described in Patent Document 1 detects whether food is stored in a tray using a sensor. The detection result of the sensor is notified to the operator (user) of the inventory management device. Therefore, the user can grasp the inventory status of the food.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, Patent Document 1 discloses an inventory management device that operates using battery power. When the inventory management device shown in Patent Document 1 is operated, the battery is consumed. As the battery consumption progresses, the battery cannot output sufficient power to operate the inventory management device. When the battery cannot output sufficient power, the operation of the inventory management device stops.

[0005] The period during which the inventory management device can operate depends on the speed of battery consumption. The speed of battery consumption is determined by two factors: the maximum value of the amount of power instantaneously output by the battery to the inventory management device and the average amount of power output by the battery to the inventory management device. By setting at least one of the two factors, the maximum value of the amount of power instantaneously output by the battery to the inventory management device and the average amount of power output by the battery to the inventory management device, to a large value, the speed of battery consumption increases, and there arises a problem that the inventory management device cannot operate over a long period.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an inventory management device that operates over a long period of time.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an inventory management device includes a detection unit, a communication unit, a power supply unit, and a power supply control unit. The detection unit detects a material placed on a mounting table. The communication unit communicates with a communication device. The power supply unit supplies power to the detection unit and the communication unit. The power supply control unit controls the power supply unit. The power supply control unit controls the power supply unit so as to stop the supply of power to the detection unit when the communication unit communicates with the communication device.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the inventory management device of the present invention, the detection unit and the communication unit do not operate simultaneously, and the maximum value of the amount of power instantaneously output by the power supply unit is smaller than that in the case where the detection unit and the communication unit operate simultaneously. Therefore, the inventory management device of the present invention operates over a longer period of time than an inventory management device in which the detection unit and the communication unit operate simultaneously.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 5

Figure 6

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description will not be repeated.

[0011] First, the inventory management system 100 in the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the inventory management system 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the inventory management system 100 according to the embodiment.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inventory management system 100 includes an inventory management device 1, a storage vault 2, a communication terminal 4, and a cloud server 50. The storage vault 2 houses the inventory management device 1. The communication terminal 4 and the cloud server 50 are arranged outside the storage vault 2.

[0013] The inventory management device 1 has an inventory management function. The inventory management function is a function of detecting the presence or absence of the material 3 to be managed in inventory and notifying the user 9 of the inventory management device 1 of the detection result regarding the presence or absence of the material 3.

[0014] The material 3 to be managed in inventory is an article that can be placed on the inventory management device 1. Specifically, for example, the material 3 to be managed in inventory includes food ingredients such as eggs, or containers such as beverage containers in which beverages are stored. In FIG. 1, a beverage container is illustrated as the material 3.

[0015] The storage vault 2 includes, for example, a refrigerator for refrigerating food. The storage vault 2 is communicably connected to the cloud server 50 via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) router 51. The cloud server 50 is communicably connected to the communication terminal 4. The communication terminal 4 notifies the user 9 of various information.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage vault 2 includes a main control unit 21, a main storage unit 22, and a wireless communication unit 23.

[0017] The main control unit 21 includes a processor such as an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) and a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The main control unit 21 executes various information processes by the processor executing a control program stored in the ROM.

[0018] The main storage unit 22 includes a storage device such as a RAM or a flash memory, for example. The main storage unit 22 stores data generated by the execution of the control program by the main control unit 21 and the like.

[0019] The wireless communication unit 23 is a communication device that performs wireless communication. The wireless communication unit 23 performs short-range wireless communication, for example. The short-range wireless communication is communication conforming to a communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), Bluetooth Low Energy, ZigBee (registered trademark), or Wi-Fi (registered trademark), for example.

[0020] The wireless communication unit 23 communicates with the inventory management device 1. The wireless communication unit 23 also communicates with the cloud server 50 via the wireless LAN router 51. Note that the wireless communication unit 23 may be built into the main body of the storage vault 2, or may be provided in a communication adapter externally attached to the main body of the storage vault 2. The wireless communication unit 23 corresponds to an example of the "communication device" of the present invention.

[0021] The cloud server 50 is a server device that performs various information processes and various information communications. The cloud server 50 communicates with the communication terminal 4.

[0022] The communication terminal 4 includes, for example, a smartphone or other mobile information communication terminal. The communication terminal 4 includes a terminal control unit 41, a terminal storage unit 42, a terminal display unit 43, and a terminal communication unit 44. Note that the main configurations of the terminal control unit 41, the terminal storage unit 42, and the terminal communication unit 44 are the same as those of the main body control unit 21, the main body storage unit 22, and the wireless communication unit 23 of the storage vault 2, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0023] The communication terminal 4 receives, via the terminal communication unit 44, a signal transmitted by the cloud server 50. Information included in the signal received by the terminal communication unit 44 is displayed on the terminal display unit 43. The terminal display unit 43 is a screen that displays images. The terminal display unit 43 notifies the user 9 of the received information by displaying an image of the information included in the signal received by the terminal communication unit 44. Note that the terminal display unit 43 may have any configuration as long as it can notify the user 9 of the information received by the terminal communication unit 44. For example, the terminal display unit 43 may be a speaker that notifies the user 9 of the information by sound.

[0024] With reference to FIGS. 3 to 4B, the inventory management device 1 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the inventory management device 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 4A is a block diagram schematically showing the control unit 16 of the inventory management device 1 according to the embodiment controlling the first detection unit 111. FIG. 4B is a block diagram schematically showing the control unit 16 of the inventory management device 1 according to the embodiment controlling the second detection unit 112.

[0025] The inventory management device 1 shown in FIG. 3 detects the presence or absence of the material 3 to be inventory-managed. When the material 3 is placed, the inventory management device 1 detects that the material 3 is present. On the other hand, when the material 3 to be inventory-managed is not placed on the inventory management device 1, the inventory management device 1 does not detect the material 3.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the inventory management device 1 includes a tray 10, a detection unit 11, a communication unit 12, a supply unit 13, a supply control unit 14, a storage unit 15, a control unit 16, and a timing unit 17. The tray 10 is a box having a space inside 10A. Inside the tray 10 at 10A, the detection unit 11, the communication unit 12, the supply unit 13, the supply control unit 14, the storage unit 15, the control unit 16, and the timing unit 17 are accommodated. The supply unit 13 supplies power to the detection unit 11 via the supply control unit 14. Also, the supply unit 13 supplies power to the communication unit 12 and the control unit 16. The supply control unit 14 controls the supply unit 13. The control unit 16 controls the detection unit 11, the communication unit 12, the supply control unit 14, and the storage unit 15. The communication unit 12 wirelessly transmits the information stored in the storage unit 15 to the wireless communication unit 23. The timing unit 17 outputs the passage of time to the control unit 16.

[0027] The tray 10 has a top wall 101. In the top wall 101, a through hole 10B that communicates the inside 10A of the tray 10 with the outside is provided. The top wall 101 has a top surface 102 that contacts the outside. On the top surface 102, a material 3 is placed so as to block the through hole 10B from the outside. The tray 10 corresponds to an example of the "mounting table" of the present invention.

[0028] The detection unit 11 is a sensor that detects whether or not the material 3 is placed on the top surface 102 of the tray 10. The detection unit 11 includes a proximity sensor or a distance measuring sensor. The detection unit 11 illustrated in FIG. 1 is an example of an optical distance measuring sensor. The detection unit 11 has a light emitting unit 11A that emits light and a light receiving unit 11B that receives light. The light emitted by the light emitting unit 11A passes through the through hole 10B of the tray 10 and exits to the outside of the tray 10. When the material 3 is placed on the top surface 102, the light that has passed through the through hole 10B hits the material 3 and is reflected. The light reflected by the material 3 passes through the through hole 10B again and reaches the light receiving unit 11B. The detection unit 11 detects the presence of the material 3 when the light receiving unit 11B receives the light emitted by the light emitting unit 11A. Note that the proximity sensor and the distance measuring sensor are not limited to the optical type.

[0029] In addition, as long as the detection unit 11 can detect whether or not the material 3 is placed on the top surface 102 of the tray 10, any sensor that detects a physical quantity may be used. For example, since the material 3 has weight, a weight sensor that detects weight or a pressure-sensitive sensor that detects pressure may be used as the detection unit 11. And, for example, since the material 3 has a color that varies depending on the type of the material 3, an optical sensor that discriminates colors may be used as the detection unit 11.

[0030] Furthermore, when the material 3 is placed on the top surface 102 so as to cover the through-hole 10B, the interior 10A of the tray 10 becomes dark. Therefore, an illuminance sensor that detects the brightness or darkness of the environment inside the tray 10A may be used as the detection unit 11. Also, when an illuminance sensor is used as the detection unit 11, there is an advantage that the inventory management device 1 can be used for purposes other than the detection of the material 3 when used in a dark environment such as inside a refrigerator, for example. Specifically, the environment inside a closed refrigerator door is dark, but by detecting that the user 9 has opened the refrigerator and the environment inside the refrigerator has become bright, it can also be used as a trigger for causing the detection unit 11 to perform the detection of the material 3.

[0031] The detection unit 11 is activated when power is supplied. The activated detection unit 11 enters a standby state. The standby state indicates a state in which the detection unit 11 does not perform the detection of the material 3. When the control unit 16 controls the detection unit 11 to perform the detection of the material 3, the detection unit 11 in the standby state switches from the standby state to the detection state. The detection state indicates a state in which the detection unit 11 performs the detection of the material 3. The detection unit 11 in the detection state consumes a larger amount of power than in the standby state in order to perform the detection of the material 3. Therefore, by shortening the time during which the detection unit 11 is in the detection state, the amount of power consumed by the detection unit 11 is reduced by the amount by which the time during which the detection unit 11 is in the detection state is shortened.

[0032] The communication unit 12 communicates with the wireless communication unit 23. The communication unit 12 transmits a signal including at least one of the detection result of the detection unit 11 and information indicating the remaining power amount in the supply unit 13 to the wireless communication unit 23. The remaining power amount in the supply unit 13 will be described later. Since the main configuration of the communication unit 12 is the same as that of the wireless communication unit 23, the description thereof is omitted.

[0033] The wireless communication unit 23 transmits the signal received from the communication unit 12 to the communication terminal 4 via the wireless LAN router 51 and the cloud server 50 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The terminal display unit 43 of the communication terminal 4 can display the result of the detection unit 11 and the information indicating the remaining power amount in the supply unit 13 by receiving the signal transmitted by the communication unit 12. As a result, the detection result of the detection unit 11 and the information indicating the remaining power amount in the supply unit 13 are notified to the user 9. Therefore, the user 9 can determine whether or not the material 3 needs to be replenished by referring to the detection result of the detection unit 11. Also, the user 9 can determine whether or not the supply unit 13 needs to be replaced by referring to the information indicating the remaining power amount in the supply unit 13.

[0034] The supply unit 13 outputs power. The supply unit 13 is, for example, a battery. The detection unit 11, the communication unit 12, and the control unit 16 are activated by being supplied with the power output by the supply unit 13.

[0035] On the other hand, the supply unit 13 is consumed by outputting power. The consumed supply unit 13 has the output power amount of the supply unit 13 become smaller than before outputting power. When the output power amount of the supply unit 13 becomes smaller, the power amount that the supply unit 13 can output becomes smaller than the power amount necessary to operate the detection unit 11, the communication unit 12, and the control unit 16. When the power amount supplied by the supply unit 13 is smaller than the power amount necessary to activate the detection unit 11, the communication unit 12, and the control unit 16, the control unit 16 stops, the detection unit 11 cannot be activated, and the communication unit 12 cannot communicate with the wireless communication unit 23. Therefore, the user 9 needs to take measures such as replacing the supply unit 13 before the supply unit 13 cannot output a sufficient power amount.

[0036] Whether to perform a replacement or other treatment on the supply unit 13 can be determined by monitoring the remaining power amount in the supply unit 13. When the remaining power amount in the supply unit 13 is smaller than the power amount necessary to start the control unit 16, the remaining power amount in the supply unit 13 can be estimated based on the number of times the control unit 16 has stopped.

[0037] The remaining power amount in the supply unit 13 can be estimated, for example, as a first estimated value. The first estimated value is the power amount that is estimated to remain in the supply unit 13 when a new supply unit 13 is being used and the control unit 16 stops for the first time. The power amount of the supply unit 13 recovers as time passes while the control unit 16 is stopped. Therefore, when a certain period of time has elapsed after the control unit 16 has stopped and the power amount supplied from the supply unit 13 to the control unit 16 is greater than the power amount necessary to start the control unit 16, the control unit 16 starts up.

[0038] After the control unit 16 stops and then starts up, if the power amount supplied from the supply unit 13 to the control unit 16 is smaller than the power amount necessary to start the control unit 16, the control unit 16 stops again. When the control unit 16 stops again, the remaining power amount in the supply unit 13 can be estimated as a second estimated value that is smaller than the first estimated value. The second estimated value is the power amount that is estimated to remain in the supply unit 13 when the control unit 16 that has stopped and started up stops again. Note that the first estimated value and the second estimated value may be expressed as "low remaining power amount" and "no remaining power amount" respectively, instead of numerical values.

[0039] Even when the control unit 16 that has stopped and started up stops again, the power amount of the supply unit 13 recovers as time passes while the control unit 16 is stopped. Therefore, when a certain period of time has elapsed after the control unit 16 that has stopped and started up stops again and the power amount supplied from the supply unit 13 to the control unit 16 is greater than the power amount necessary to start the control unit 16, the control unit 16 starts up.

[0040] In order to lead the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13, it is necessary to use a certain amount of the power output by the supply unit 13, including the case where the control unit 16 guides based on the number of stops. Generally, the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13 is derived by measuring the voltage of the power output by the supply unit 13. However, it is possible to derive the power remaining in the supply unit 13 from the presence or absence of the stop of the control unit 16 with less power consumption.

[0041] Specifically, the derivation of the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13 will be described. Generally, the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13 is derived by using an analog-digital conversion circuit or the like to convert the power output by the supply unit 13. The analog-digital conversion circuit converts the power output by the supply unit 13 from analog information to digital information. Then, based on the digital information of the power output by the supply unit 13, the voltage of the power output by the supply unit 13 is measured. The amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13 is derived based on the measured value of the voltage. Therefore, the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13 can be derived with less power consumption from the presence or absence of the stop of the control unit 16 without using an analog-digital conversion circuit or the like, compared to the case of deriving from the power output by the supply unit 13. As a result, the consumption of the supply unit 13 can be suppressed by deriving the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13 from the presence or absence of the stop of the control unit 16. Note that the inventory management device 1 may include a part for measuring the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13, such as an analog-digital conversion circuit.

[0042] The supply control unit 14 controls the supply unit 13. The supply control unit 14 exhibits a switching function for switching the supply and stop of power from the supply unit 13 to the detection unit 11. The supply control unit 14 includes a relay that exhibits the switching function. The relay includes a transistor such as a MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor). The supply control unit 14 exhibits the switching function based on an instruction from the control unit 16. For example, when the supply control unit 14 is a MOSFET, the supply control unit 14 receives an instruction from the control unit 16 to supply power from the supply unit 13 to the detection unit 11, thereby causing the supply unit 13 to supply power to the detection unit 11. On the other hand, when there is no instruction from the control unit 16, the supply control unit 14 stops the supply unit 13 from supplying power to the detection unit 11.

[0043] The storage unit 15 stores the detection result of the detection unit 11, information indicating the remaining power amount in the supply unit 13, and the history of the control unit 16 controlling the communication unit 12. Here, the history of the control unit 16 controlling the communication unit 12 includes information such as, for example, the number of times the control unit 16 has controlled the communication unit 12, the information that the control unit 16 has tried to transmit to the communication unit 12, or a combination thereof. And the remaining power amount in the supply unit 13 includes a first estimated value and a second estimated value. For convenience of explanation, in the following description, the history of the control unit 16 controlling the communication unit 12 is referred to as the "communication history". Also, since the main configuration of the storage unit 15 is the same as that of the main body storage unit 22, the description thereof is omitted.

[0044] The control unit 16 controls the detection unit 11, the communication unit 12, and the supply control unit 14. Since the main configuration of the control unit 16 is the same as that of the main body control unit 21, the description thereof is omitted. When the control unit 16 starts up, the inventory management device 1 exhibits the inventory management function.

[0045] The control unit 16 controls the supply control unit 14 so that the supply unit 13 supplies power to the detection unit 11 first in order for the inventory management device 1 to exhibit the inventory management function. The detection unit 11 that has been supplied with power enters the standby state. The detection unit 11 in the standby state can enter the detection state. After the detection unit 11 executes the detection of the material 3, the detection unit 11 outputs the detection result of the material 3 to the control unit 16. The control unit 16 that has received the detection result of the material 3 controls the storage unit 15 to store the detection result of the material 3 input to the control unit 16.

[0046] After the storage unit 15 stores the detection result of the detection unit 11, the control unit 16 controls the storage unit 15 and the communication unit 12 to transmit the information including the detection result of the detection unit 11 to the wireless communication unit 23. When the control unit 16 controls the communication unit 12, it controls the storage unit 15 to store the communication history. Also, when the communication unit 12 communicates with the wireless communication unit 23, the control unit 16 controls the supply control unit 14 to stop the power supply to the detection unit 11. As a result, the supply control unit 14 controls the supply unit 13 to stop the power supply to the detection unit 11 when the communication unit 12 communicates with the wireless communication unit 23. Therefore, the maximum value of the amount of power instantaneously output by the supply unit 13 is smaller than when the detection of the detection unit 11 and the communication of the communication unit 12 are performed simultaneously. As a result, the inventory management device 1 can operate for a longer period than when the detection of the detection unit 11 and the communication of the communication unit 12 are performed simultaneously.

[0047] The control unit 16 switches the state of the detection unit 11. The control unit 16 controls the detection unit 11 to switch the state of the detection unit 11 from the standby state to the detection state. After the detection unit 11 executes the detection of the material 3, the control unit 16 controls the detection unit 11 to switch the state of the detection unit 11 from the detection state to the standby state. Therefore, the time during which the detection unit 11 is in the detection state is controlled by the control unit 16. As a result, the time during which the detection unit 11 is in the detection state can be shortened compared to the case where the control unit 16 cannot control the time during which the detection unit 11 is in the detection state. Thus, the average power consumption of the detection unit 11 is reduced by the amount of time during which the detection unit 11 is in the detection state is shortened.

[0048] Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the detection unit 11 in the inventory management device 1 is composed of a plurality of detection units. FIGS. 4A and 4B schematically show that the supply unit 13 supplies power to the plurality of detection units in a lump. When the inventory management device 1 includes a plurality of detection units, the control unit 16 controls each of the plurality of detection units so that one of the plurality of detection units is in a detection state and the other detection units among the plurality of detection units are in a standby state.

[0049] The case where the detection unit 11 in the inventory management device 1 includes a plurality of detection units will be specifically described. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, one detection unit 11 may be described as the "first detection unit 111", another detection unit 11 may be described as the "Nth detection unit 11N (N is an integer of 2 or more)", and the plurality of detection units may be collectively described as the detection unit 11.

[0050] First, as shown in FIG. 4A, the control unit 16 controls the first detection unit 111 so as to switch the state of the first detection unit 111 among the detection units 11 from the standby state to the detection state. When the first detection unit 111 is in the detection state, the other Nth detection units 11N are in the standby state. After the first detection unit 111 executes the detection of the material 3, the control unit 16 controls the first detection unit 111 so that the first detection unit 111 switches from the detection state to the standby state.

[0051] Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the control unit 16 controls the second detection unit 112 so as to switch the state of the second detection unit 112 among the detection units 11 from the standby state to the detection state. After the second detection unit 112 executes the detection of the material 3, the control unit 16 controls the second detection unit 112 so that the second detection unit 112 switches from the detection state to the standby state. Further, although not shown, hereinafter as well, the control unit 16 performs control to switch the state of the first detection unit 111 or the Nth detection unit 11N from the standby state to the detection state. At this time, when the Nth detection unit 11N is in the detection state, the control unit 16 sets the units other than the Nth detection unit 11N in the detection state to the standby state. Therefore, the maximum value of the amount of power instantaneously output by the supply unit 13 and the average amount of power output by the supply unit 13 are smaller than when the control unit 16 controls the detection unit 11 so that two or more of the first detection unit 111 and the Nth detection unit 11N are simultaneously in the detection state. As a result, the control unit 16 switching the states of the detection units constituting the detection unit 11 one by one can reduce the consumption of the supply unit 13 compared to the case where a plurality of the detection units constituting the detection unit 11 are simultaneously in the detection state.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 3, after the communication unit 12 transmits information including the detection result, the control unit 16 controls the storage unit 15 to delete the communication history. That is, if the control unit 16 stops before the communication unit 12 completes the transmission of the information, the communication history is not deleted from the storage unit 15. Therefore, it can be used for determining whether the control unit 16 has stopped and for determining the number of times the control unit 16 has stopped. Note that if it is possible to determine whether the control unit 16 has stopped and the number of times the control unit 16 has stopped, the control unit 16 does not necessarily need to control the storage unit 15 to store and delete the communication history. For example, when the control unit 16 stops, the control unit 16 may control the storage unit 15 so that the storage unit 15 stores the history of the control unit 16 having stopped. In such a case, the control unit 16 may store the history of the control unit 16 having stopped in a memory that is part of the control unit 16.

[0053] When the control unit 16 stops and then starts up, the control unit 16 controls the communication unit 12 to transmit to the wireless communication unit 23 the detection result of the detection unit 11 and the information indicating the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13. The detection result of the detection unit 11 transmitted by the communication unit 12 is the latest detection result among the detection results of the detection unit 11 stored in the storage unit 15. Also, the information indicating the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13 transmitted by the communication unit 12 is the first estimated value.

[0054] When the control unit 16 stops and then starts up, the control unit 16 transmits to the wireless communication unit 23 the detection result of the detection unit 11 and the information indicating the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13 without activating components other than the storage unit 15 and the communication unit 12. Therefore, when the control unit 16 stops and then starts up, the inventory management device 1 does not activate the detection unit 11 and the components for measuring the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13. As a result, before the communication unit 12 finishes transmitting the information indicating the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13 to the wireless communication unit 23, the control unit 16 can be prevented from stopping by consuming the power of the supply unit 13 to activate the detection unit 11 and the components for measuring the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13. Thus, the information indicating the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13 is notified to the user 9. As a result, the user 9 can determine whether it is necessary to replace the supply unit 13. When the user 9 determines to replace the supply unit 13, the inventory management device 1 can operate for a longer period.

[0055] When the control unit 16 that has stopped and then started up stops and then starts up again, the control unit 16 controls the storage unit 15 and the communication unit 12 to transmit to the wireless communication unit 23 the detection result of the detection unit 11 and the information indicating the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13. When the control unit 16 that has stopped and then started up stops and then starts up again, the detection result of the detection unit 11 transmitted by the communication unit 12 is the latest detection result among the detection results of the detection unit 11 stored in the storage unit 15. Also, the information indicating the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13 transmitted by the communication unit 12 is the second estimated value.

[0056] When the control unit 16 that has stopped and restarted stops and restarts again, the control unit 16 controls the communication unit 12 to transmit information indicating the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13 to the wireless communication unit 23 at a second transmission output that is smaller than the first transmission output, which is the output when transmitting information indicating the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13. Therefore, the communication unit 12 transmits information indicating the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13 to the wireless communication unit 23 with a smaller amount of power than when transmitting at the first transmission output. As a result, even when the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13 is small to the extent that the control unit 16 that has stopped and restarted stops again, it is possible to avoid the control unit 16 from stopping before the wireless communication unit 23 completes transmitting the information indicating the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13 by the communication unit 12. Thus, the information indicating the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13 is notified to the user 9. As a result, the user 9 can determine whether it is necessary to replace the supply unit 13. When the user 9 determines to replace the supply unit 13, the inventory management device 1 can operate for a longer period.

[0057] The timing unit 17 measures time.

[0058] When the timing unit 17 measures the first predetermined time, the control unit 16 controls the power supply control unit 14 so that the supply unit 13 supplies power to the detection unit 11. The first predetermined time is the time from when the supply of power from the supply unit 13 to the detection unit 11 is stopped until the supply of power from the supply unit 13 to the detection unit 11 is restarted. Therefore, the longer the first predetermined time, the longer the time for which the supply unit 13 stops supplying power to the detection unit 11, and the smaller the amount of power supplied by the supply unit 13 can be.

[0059] Next, after the detection unit 11 supplied with power from the supply unit 13 executes the detection of the material 3, the control unit 16 controls the power supply control unit 14 to stop the supply of power from the supply unit 13 to the detection unit 11. Further, when the supply unit 13 stops supplying power to the detection unit 11, the control unit 16 controls the communication unit 12 so that the communication unit 12 transmits the detection result of the detection unit 11 to the wireless communication unit 23.

[0060] The control unit 16 controls the supply control unit 14 based on the first predetermined time measured by the timing unit 17, so that the supply unit 13 stops supplying power to the detection unit 11 until the first predetermined time elapses. As a result, compared with the case where the supply unit 13 continuously supplies power to the detection unit 11, the average amount of power output by the supply unit 13 becomes smaller.

[0061] Specifically, 15 minutes is set as the first predetermined time. Therefore, the detection unit 11 executes the detection of the presence or absence of the material 3 every 15 minutes. As a result, the inventory management device 1 exhibits the inventory management function every 15 minutes. The first predetermined time is set according to the change frequency of the presence or absence of the material 3. Note that the first predetermined time has been described as being measured from the time when the supply unit 13 stops supplying power to the detection unit 11. However, the first predetermined time does not necessarily have to strictly start counting from the time when the supply unit 13 stops supplying power to the detection unit 11, and the time when the supply unit 13 stops supplying power to the detection unit 11 may simply be used as a reference for starting the measurement of the first predetermined time.

[0062] When the timing unit 17 measures the second predetermined time, the control unit 16 controls the communication unit 12 to transmit information indicating the remaining power amount in the supply unit 13 to the wireless communication unit 23. Here, the second predetermined time is the time from the time when the control unit 16 stops and starts up until the power amount of the supply unit 13 becomes the first predetermined power amount. The first predetermined power amount indicates the power amount at which the communication unit 12 can communicate with the wireless communication unit 23. Therefore, even when the power amount that the supply unit 13 can supply to the communication unit 12 decreases, the information indicating the remaining power amount in the supply unit 13 can be notified to the user 9. As a result, the user 9 can recognize that the remaining power amount in the supply unit 13 is small and can determine whether the supply unit 13 needs to be replaced. When the user 9 replaces the supply unit 13, the inventory management device 1 can operate for a longer period.

[0063] Specifically, 30 minutes is set as the second predetermined time. Therefore, the communication unit 12 transmits information indicating the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13 to the wireless communication unit 23 30 minutes after the control unit 16 stops and then starts up. The second predetermined time is set according to the performance of the recovery speed of the supply unit 13. Note that it has been described that the second predetermined time is measured from the time when the control unit 16 stops and then starts up. However, the second predetermined time does not necessarily have to strictly start measuring from the time when the control unit 16 stops and then starts up, and the time when the control unit 16 stops and then starts up may simply be used as a guideline for starting the measurement of the second predetermined time.

[0064] After the control unit 16 that has stopped and then started up stops and then starts up again, when the control unit 16 measures the third predetermined time with the timer unit 17, the communication unit 12 is controlled to transmit information indicating the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13 to the wireless communication unit 23 with the second transmission output. Here, the third predetermined time is the time from the time when the control unit 16 that has stopped and then started up stops and then starts up again until the amount of power of the supply unit 13 reaches the second predetermined amount of power. The second predetermined amount of power indicates the amount of power with which the communication unit 12 can communicate with the wireless communication unit 23 with the second transmission output. Therefore, even when the amount of power that the supply unit 13 can output decreases again, the user 9 can be notified of the information indicating the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13. As a result, the user 9 can recognize the information indicating the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13 before the supply unit 13 runs out of power sufficient for the communication unit 12 to transmit information to the wireless communication unit 23.

[0065] Specifically, 60 minutes is set as the third predetermined time. Therefore, the communication unit 12 transmits information indicating the amount of power remaining in the supply unit 13 to the wireless communication unit 23 60 minutes after the control unit 16 that has stopped and then started up stops and then starts up again. The third predetermined time is also set according to the performance of the recovery speed of the supply unit 13. Note that it has been described that the third predetermined time is measured from the time when the control unit 16 that has stopped and then started up stops and then starts up again. However, the third predetermined time does not necessarily have to strictly start measuring from the time when the control unit 16 that has stopped and then started up stops and then starts up again, and the time when the control unit 16 that has stopped and then started up stops and then starts up again may simply be used as a guideline for starting the measurement of the third predetermined time.

[0066] Next, with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the processing of the inventory management device 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the first stage of the processing of the inventory management device 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the second stage of the processing of the inventory management device 1 according to the embodiment. The processing of the inventory management device 1 includes steps S1 to S19. In this flowchart, for simplicity, it is assumed that the detection unit 11 consists of one detection unit. When the detection unit 11 has a plurality of detection units, steps S5 to S7 may be sequentially executed for each detection unit.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 5, in step S1, the supply unit 13 supplies power to the control unit 16. The control unit 16 supplied with power starts up. The activated control unit 16 controls the supply control unit 14 so that the supply unit 13 stops supplying power to the detection unit 11.

[0068] Next, in step S2, the control unit 16 determines whether the control unit 16 has stopped. If the storage unit 15 does not store a communication history, the control unit 16 determines that the control unit 16 has not stopped. If a negative determination (No) is made in step S2, that is, if the storage unit 15 does not store a communication history, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0069] Next, in step S3, the timer unit 17 starts timing from the time when the supply unit 13 stops supplying power to the detection unit 11. After the first predetermined time has elapsed, the timer unit 17 outputs to the control unit 16 that the first predetermined time has elapsed.

[0070] Next, in step S4, the control unit 16 controls the supply control unit 14 to supply power to the detection unit 11 by the supply unit 13. The detection unit 11 supplied with power enters a standby state.

[0071] Next, in step S5, the control unit 16 controls the detection unit 11 so that the detection unit 11 switches from the standby state to the detection state. The detection unit 11 in the detection state executes the detection of the material 3. The detection unit 11 that has executed the detection of the material 3 outputs the detection result to the control unit 16.

[0072] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, in step S6, the control unit 16 controls the storage unit 15 to store the detection result input from the detection unit 11 in step S5 shown in FIG. 5.

[0073] Next, in step S7, the control unit 16 controls the detection unit 11 so that the detection unit 11 switches from the detection state to the standby state.

[0074] Next, in step S8, the control unit 16 controls the supply control unit 14 to stop the supply of power from the supply unit 13 to the detection unit 11.

[0075] Next, in step S9, the control unit 16 stores the communication history.

[0076] Next, in step S10, the control unit 16 controls the storage unit 15 and the communication unit 12 to transmit the detection result of the detection unit 11 stored in the storage unit 15 to the wireless communication unit 23. The communication unit 12 transmits the detection result of the detection unit 11 to the wireless communication unit 23 with the first transmission output. If the storage unit 15 stores information indicating the remaining power amount in the supply unit 13, the control unit 16 may also control the storage unit 15 and the communication unit 12 to transmit the information indicating the remaining power amount in the supply unit 13. The information indicating the remaining power amount in the supply unit 13 may be stored in the storage unit 15 in advance. Also, when the inventory management device 1 is equipped with an analog-digital conversion circuit or the like, the power amount derived based on the measured value of the voltage of the power output from the supply unit 13 may be stored in the storage unit 15 in advance as the information indicating the remaining power amount in the supply unit 13.

[0077] The processing after step S11 varies depending on whether the communication unit 12 has completed the transmission of information. In step S11, if the communication unit 12 has completed the transmission of information, that is, if the determination is affirmative (Yes), the processing proceeds to step S12.

[0078] Next, in step S12, the control unit 16 controls the storage unit 15 to delete the communication history. Then, the processing returns to step S3.

[0079] On the other hand, in step S11, if the control unit 16 stopped in a step prior to step S11, that is, if the determination is negative (No), the processing ends.

[0080] The processing when the control unit 16 makes an affirmative determination (Yes) in step S2 shown in FIG. 5 will be described. In step S2, if the control unit 16 makes an affirmative determination (Yes), the processing proceeds to step S13.

[0081] In step S13, the control unit 16 refers to the communication history in the storage unit 15 and determines whether the number of times the control unit 16 has stopped is 1. For example, if the communication history is the number of times the communication unit 12 of the control unit 16 has been controlled, the control unit 16 regards that number as the number of times the control unit 16 has stopped. If the determination is affirmative (Yes) in step S13, the processing proceeds to step S14.

[0082] Next, in step S14, the timer unit 17 starts timing from the point in time when the control unit 16 stopped and then started. After the second predetermined time has elapsed, the timer unit 17 outputs to the control unit 16 that the second predetermined time has elapsed.

[0083] Next, in step S15, the control unit 16 controls the storage unit 15 to store the communication history. For example, if the communication history is the number of times the communication unit 12 of the control unit 16 has been controlled, since the communication history was stored once in the storage unit 15 in step S9 prior to step S15, the control unit 16 controls the storage unit 15 so that the communication history is set to two times.

[0084] Next, in step S16 shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 16 controls the storage unit 15 and the communication unit 12 so as to transmit the latest detection result of the detection unit 11 stored in the storage unit 15 and the first estimated value to the wireless communication unit 23. The communication unit 12 transmits the latest detection result of the detection unit 11 and the first estimated value to the wireless communication unit 23 with the first transmission output. After this, the process proceeds to step S11.

[0085] The process when the control unit 16 makes a negative determination (No) in step S13 shown in FIG. 5 will be described. In step S13, when the control unit 16 makes a negative determination (No), the process proceeds to step S17.

[0086] In step S17, the timer unit 17 starts timing from the point in time when the control unit 16 that has stopped and started stops and starts again. After the third predetermined time has elapsed, the timer unit 17 outputs to the control unit 16 that the third predetermined time has elapsed.

[0087] Next, in step S18, the control unit 16 controls the storage unit 15 to store the communication history. For example, when the communication history is the number of times the communication unit 12 of the control unit 16 has been controlled, in steps S9 and S15 before step S18, the communication history has been stored once each, and the storage unit 15 stores the communication history twice. Therefore, the control unit 16 controls the storage unit 15 so that the communication history is three times.

[0088] Next, in step S19, the control unit 16 controls the storage unit 15 and the communication unit 12 so as to transmit the latest detection result of the detection unit 11 stored in the storage unit 15 and the second estimated value to the wireless communication unit 23. The communication unit 12 transmits the latest detection result of the detection unit 11 and the second estimated value to the wireless communication unit 23 with the second transmission output. After this, the process proceeds to step S11.

[0089] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist thereof. The drawings schematically show each component mainly for easy understanding, and the thickness, length, number, interval, etc. of each illustrated component are different from the actual ones for convenience of drawing creation. In addition, the materials, shapes, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are examples and are not particularly limited, and various changes can be made without substantially departing from the configuration of the present invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0090] The present invention provides an inventory management device and has industrial applicability.

Explanation of Signs

[0091] 1: Inventory management device 2: Storage vault 3: Material 4: Communication terminal 10: Tray 11: Detection unit 12: Communication unit 13: Supply unit 14: Supply control unit 16: Control unit 17: Timing unit 23: Wireless communication unit 100: Inventory management system

Claims

1. A detection unit that detects a material placed on a placement table; A communication unit that communicates with a communication device; A supply unit that supplies power to the detection unit and the communication unit; A supply control unit that controls the supply unit; and comprising; The supply control unit controls the supply unit so as to stop the supply of power to the detection unit when the communication unit communicates with the communication device. An inventory management device.

2. Further comprising a control unit that controls the detection unit; The control unit controls the detection unit so as to switch the state of the detection unit from a detection state to a standby state after the detection unit executes detection of the material. The detection state indicates a state in which the detection unit executes detection of the material, and the standby state indicates a state in which the detection unit does not execute detection of the material. The inventory management device according to claim 1. The detection state indicates a state in which the detection unit executes detection of the material. The standby state indicates a state in which the detection unit does not execute detection of the material. The inventory management device according to claim 1.

3. There are a plurality of the detection units; The control unit performs control to switch the state of each of the plurality of detection units so that when one of the plurality of detection units is in a detection state, the other detection units among the plurality of detection units are in the standby state. The inventory management device according to claim 2.

4. Further comprising a timing unit that measures time; The control unit; Further controls the communication unit and the supply control unit; When the timing unit measures a first predetermined time, the control unit controls the supply control unit so that the supply unit supplies power to the detection unit; After the detection unit executes detection of the material, the control unit controls the supply control unit to stop the supply of power to the detection unit by the supply unit; When the supply unit stops supplying power to the detection unit, the control unit controls the communication unit so that the communication unit transmits the detection result of the detection unit to the communication device. The first predetermined time indicates the time from the point when the supply unit stops supplying power to the detection unit to the point when the supply unit resumes supplying power to the detection unit. The inventory management device according to claim 3. The first predetermined time indicates the time from the point when the supply unit stops supplying power to the detection unit to the point when the supply unit resumes supplying power to the detection unit. The inventory management device according to claim 3.

5. The supply unit supplies power to the control unit; The control unit stops or starts according to the amount of power supplied from the supply unit; When the control unit stops and starts, the control unit controls the communication unit so as to transmit information indicating the amount of power remaining in the supply unit to the communication device. The inventory management device according to claim 4.

6. When the timing unit measures a second predetermined time from the point in time when the control unit stops and starts up until the power consumption of the supply unit reaches a first predetermined power consumption, the control unit controls the communication unit to transmit information indicating the remaining power in the supply unit to the communication device. The inventory management device according to claim 5, wherein the first predetermined power consumption indicates the power consumption at which the communication unit can communicate with the communication device. **Claim 7** The inventory management device according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein when the control unit that has stopped and restarted stops and starts again, the control unit controls the communication unit to transmit information indicating the remaining power in the supply unit to the communication device with a second transmission output that is smaller than a first transmission output when transmitting the information indicating the remaining power in the supply unit. **Claim 8** When the timing unit measures a third predetermined time from the point in time when the control unit stops and starts again until the power consumption of the supply unit reaches a second predetermined power consumption, the control unit controls the communication unit to transmit information indicating the remaining power in the supply unit to the communication device with the second transmission output. The inventory management device according to claim 7, wherein the second predetermined power consumption indicates the power consumption at which the communication unit can communicate with the communication device with the second transmission output.

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