Storage device and network system

Abstract

Provided is a measuring device capable of accurately measuring the weight of an object. A storage device 100 comprises: a housing 101; a storage box 102 that is supported by the housing and can be opened and closed; a weight sensor 130; and a control unit 110 that acquires a first measurement value obtained by the weight sensor when the storage box is opened, and calculates the weight of the storage box by acquiring a second measurement value including the storage box with the weight sensor when the storage box is closed.

Description

Storage device and network system

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage device and network system technology for measuring the weight of a storage box. This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-116703, filed on July 18, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Storage devices for measuring the weight of various objects have been known for some time. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2020-008331 (Patent Document 1) discloses a weight measurement means and an inventory management system. According to Patent Document 1, the weight measurement means is a general-purpose weight measurement means that can be used for inventory management. The weight measurement means, a server, and a terminal device are communicatively connected to each other via a network such as the Internet. The server includes an order request receiving unit that receives an order request for each product sent from the terminal device of an inventory manager for that product, and a product ordering unit that, when the order request receiving unit receives the order request for that product, orders the product from a supplier for that product stored in a memory unit.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-008331

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a storage device and a network system that can accurately measure the weight of a storage box that stores consumables and the like.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage device comprising: a housing; an openable and closable storage box supported by the housing; a weight sensor; and a control unit that calculates the weight of the storage box by obtaining a first measurement value from the weight sensor when the storage box is opened, and obtaining a second measurement value including the weight of the storage box from the weight sensor when the storage box is closed.

[0006] As described above, according to the present invention, a storage device and a network system are provided that can accurately measure the weight of a storage box that stores consumables and the like.

[0007] 1 is a front perspective view showing a state in which a storage box of a storage device according to a first embodiment is closed; FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a state in which a storage box of a storage device according to a first embodiment is closed; FIG. 3 is a front perspective view showing a state in which a storage box of a storage device according to a first embodiment is open; FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a state in which a storage box of a storage device according to a first embodiment is open; FIG. 5 is an image diagram showing an outline of the operation of a storage device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a storage device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing measurement history data according to a first embodiment; FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing of a storage device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 9 is an image diagram showing a network system including a storage device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 10 is a front perspective view showing a state in which a storage box of a storage device according to a second embodiment is closed; FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing a state in which a storage box of a storage device according to a second embodiment is closed; FIG. 12 is a front perspective view showing a state in which a storage box of a storage device according to a second embodiment is open; FIG. 13 is a side sectional view showing a state in which a storage box of a storage device according to a second embodiment is open; FIG. 14 is a side sectional view showing a state in which a storage box of another storage device according to a second embodiment is open; 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server according to a fifth embodiment; and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing information processing in the server according to the fifth embodiment.

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. <First embodiment>

[0009] 1 to 4, the storage device 100 according to this embodiment has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped storage box 102 housed inside a roughly rectangular parallelepiped housing 101. More specifically, the location on which the weight of the storage box 102 is applied is configured to be variable. In this embodiment, the storage box 102 is supported by the housing 101 so that the upper part can be rotated back and forth around the lower end 102X of the front surface as an axis. This allows the top of the storage box 102 to be opened and closed.

[0010] The storage box 102 stores consumable items such as sanitary products, medicines, seasonings, food, diapers, detergents, cosmetics, and miscellaneous goods.

[0011] More specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the storage box 102 is in a closed state when its front surface is vertical and its bottom surface is horizontal. On the other hand, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the storage box 102 is in an open state when its front surface is tilted forward and its bottom surface is at an angle.

[0012] In particular, in this embodiment, a weight sensor 130 for measuring the weight of the storage box 102 including the stored items is disposed directly below the storage box 102. An example of the weight sensor 130 is a load cell. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , when the storage box 102 is in a closed state, the entire weight of the storage box 102 is applied to the weight sensor 130. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , when the storage box 102 is in an open state, the entire weight of the storage box 102 is applied to the front end 101X of the underside of the housing 101 so that the weight of the storage box 102 is not applied to the weight sensor 130. More specifically, the upper end 102Y of the rear wall of the storage box 102 is supported by the back surface of the upper front portion 101Y of the housing 101, thereby maintaining the storage box 102 in an inclined position.

[0013] In this embodiment, the storage equipment 100 mainly performs the operations shown in Fig. 5. First, with the storage box 102 closed, the storage equipment 100 is in a sleep state (step S002).

[0014] When the user opens the storage box 102, the storage box 102 moves away from the mounting base 131 of the weight sensor 130, the internal open / close detection sensor 180 turns off, and the internal microcomputer, communication module, etc. are activated from a sleep state (step S004). The open / close detection sensor 180 may be a microswitch or the like.

[0015] In this state, the storage equipment 100 measures the weight (first measurement value) using the weight sensor 130 provided under the mounting table 131 (step S006). At this time, the temperature sensor 191 measures and stores the temperature.

[0016] Then, when storage box 102 is closed again, that is, when the weight of storage box 102 is applied to weight sensor 130, internal open / close detection sensor 180 is turned on (step S008).

[0017] The microcomputer of the storage equipment 100 stores the difference between the current measurement value (second measurement value) of the weight sensor 130 and the measurement value acquired in step S006 as the weight of the storage box 102 (step S010). The microcomputer of the storage equipment 100 calculates and stores the weight of the storage box 102, the amount of stored items used in the storage box 102, etc. At this time, the temperature sensor 191 measures and stores the temperature.

[0018] The storage device 100 transmits the weight of the storage box 102, the amount of items stored in the storage box 102 used, the temperature sensor measurement value, the LED light status, etc. to the smartphone 300 app via Bluetooth (registered trademark), or transmits them to the cloud service server 200 via a router using Wi-Fi (registered trademark) (step S012).

[0019] Next, the overall configuration of the storage device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The storage device 100 according to this embodiment mainly includes a control unit 110, a weight sensor 130 for measuring weight, a speaker 150, a wireless communication module 160, an open / close detection sensor 180, and a battery 190.

[0020] The control unit 110 is realized by a microcomputer and includes a processor 111, a memory 112, a clock, a timer, etc. The processor 111 controls each part of the storage equipment 100 by executing a program stored in the memory 112. The memory 112 stores the control program, the date and time of measurement by the weight sensor 130, the measurement results, identification information, etc.

[0021] For example, memory 112 stores measurement history data 112A. As shown in Fig. 7, measurement history data 112A stores, for each measurement of the weight of storage box 102, a history number, the date and time of measurement, the weight and temperature of storage box 102 when it is open, the weight and temperature of storage box 102 when it is closed, the actual weight of the storage box, and the amount of stored items used since the previous measurement. It is preferable that the remaining amount and number of stored items can also be stored.

[0022] Returning to FIG. 6 , the weight sensor 130 is disposed directly below the mounting base 131 of the storage box 102 and measures the weight of the storage box 102 including the mounting base 131. The mounting base 131 according to this embodiment has the same size as the storage box 102 in a plan view and supports the entire bottom surface of the storage box 102. In this embodiment, one weight sensor 130L is disposed on the left side of the mounting base 131 and one weight sensor 130R is disposed on the right side of the mounting base 131 in a front view and a plan view. The weight sensors 130L and 130R input their measured values ​​to the control unit 110. The control unit 110 calculates the sum of the measured values ​​of the two weight sensors 130L and 130R as the weight measurement result.

[0023] More specifically, in this embodiment, a loading platform 131 is provided between the weight sensors 130R, 130L and the storage box 102, and the control unit 110 acquires the total weight of the loading platform 131, the storage box 102, and the items stored therein.

[0024] The speaker 150 outputs various sounds based on audio signals input from the control unit 110 .

[0025] The wireless communication module 160 transmits and receives data to and from a router, a carrier network, the Internet, an external server, and the like via a wireless antenna, in accordance with instructions from the control unit 110 .

[0026] The open / close detection sensor 180 is disposed directly below the mounting table 131 and inputs the determination result of whether or not a storage box 102 is placed on the top surface of the mounting table 131 to the control unit 110. In this embodiment, the open / close detection sensor 180 includes a magnetic sensor. A magnet 107 is attached to the rear part of the bottom surface of the storage box 102. The control unit 110 recognizes that a storage box 102 is placed on the top surface of the mounting table 131 based on a switch-on signal from the open / close detection sensor 180 indicating that magnetic force has been detected. On the other hand, the control unit 110 recognizes that a storage box 102 is not placed on the top surface of the mounting table 131 based on a switch-off signal from the open / close detection sensor 180 indicating that magnetic force has not been detected.

[0027] The open / close detection sensor 180 is not limited to a magnetic sensor, and may be a pressure sensor, an acceleration sensor, a weight sensor, or the like, to detect the open / close state of the storage box 102, and is not particularly limited.

[0028] In particular, in this embodiment, the control unit 110 acquires the weight measurement value from the weight sensor 130 when the open / close detection sensor 180 is in the OFF state, i.e., when the weight of the storage box 102 is not resting on the mounting base 131. Then, when the user closes the storage box 102, i.e., when the user places the storage box 102 on the top surface of the mounting base 131, the open / close detection sensor 180 detects the magnet 107 and transitions to the ON state. The entire weight of the storage box 102 is now resting on the mounting base 131. In this embodiment, the weight of the storage box 102 is measured in this state, and the measurement result is uploaded to the server 200, the smartphone 300, or the like by subtracting the most recent weight measurement value when the storage box 102 was open.

[0029] The battery 190 is for supplying power to each part of the storage equipment 100, such as the processor 111 and the communication module 160. <Information Processing>

[0030] The following describes information processing for measuring the weight of the storage box 102 in the storage equipment 100 according to this embodiment. The processor 111 executes the processing shown in FIG.

[0031] First, when the power is OFF, the control unit 110, weight sensor 130, wireless communication module 160, etc. are in a sleep state. In this embodiment, when the storage box 102 is placed on the mounting base 131, i.e., when the switch 180 is ON, a predetermined time has elapsed and the power to the storage device 100 is turned OFF.

[0032] When storage box 102 is lifted and separated from table 131 (YES in step S102), that is, when switch 180 is turned OFF (YES in step S102), the following process is executed. If the power is OFF (YES in step S106), control unit 110 is started (step S108). If the power is ON, the process proceeds to step S110.

[0033] The processor 111 of the control unit 110 activates the weight sensor 130, measures the weight of the mounting table 131, and stores the result in the memory 112 (step S110). In other words, the weight measurement is performed when no object to be measured is placed on the weight sensor 130. At this time, the temperature is measured by the temperature sensor 191 and stored. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the processor 111 puts the load cell and itself into a sleep state.

[0034] The processor 111 waits again until the switch 180 detects the magnet 107 (step S114).

[0035] If switch 180 is ON (YES in step S112), the following process is executed: If the power is OFF (YES in step S116), control unit 110 is started (step S118); if the power is ON, proceed to step S120.

[0036] The processor 111 of the control unit 110 activates the weight sensor 130, measures the weight of the mounting table 131, and stores the weight in the memory 112 (step S120). That is, the weight of the storage box 102 including the mounting table 131 and the stored items is measured. At this time, the temperature is measured by the temperature sensor 191 and stored.

[0037] The processor 111 calculates the weight of the storage box 102 and its stored items by subtracting the measured weight (second measured value) excluding the weight of the storage box 102 including the mounting base 131 from the measured weight (first measured value) of the storage box 102 including the mounting base 131 and stored items (step S122). The processor 111 adds the weight of the storage box 102 to the measurement history data 112A in the memory 112.

[0038] The processor 111 calculates the difference between the previous weight and the current weight as the amount of stored items such as daily necessities used this time, and adds the calculation result to the measurement history data 112A (step S124). If the weight of the empty storage box 102 is registered in the memory 112, the processor 111 can calculate the remaining weight of the stored items by subtracting the empty weight from the current weight of the storage box 102. Furthermore, if the weight of one stored item is known, the processor 111 can calculate the number of remaining stored items by dividing the remaining weight by the weight.

[0039] In this embodiment, the processor 111 activates the wireless communication module 160 and uploads the measurement date and time, the weight of the storage box 102, the amount of stored items used, the remaining weight of the stored items, the remaining number of stored items, etc., together with the identification information of the storage device 100 to the server (step S126).

[0040] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9, the storage equipment 100 exchanges data with the server 200 on the cloud via a router 400 or the Internet. More specifically, the wireless communication module 160 of the storage equipment 100 exchanges data with the server 200 on the cloud via the router 400 or the Internet using Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication or the like. Alternatively, the wireless communication module 160 may exchange data directly with a communication terminal such as a smartphone 300, tablet, or personal computer using Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication. This makes it possible to check the remaining number of stored items such as daily necessities, or to predict the user's physical condition.

[0041] The processor 111 may upload the measurement data to the server 200 every time the weight is measured, or may store the measurement data for a predetermined number of times in the memory 112 and upload it all at once to the server 200, or may store the measurement data for a predetermined period in the memory 112 and upload it all at once to the server 200. Alternatively, the processor 111 may be configured to store the measurement data in the memory 112 when communication fails. <Second embodiment>

[0042] In the above embodiment, the storage box 102 is opened by pivoting the upper portion around the lower end 102X of the front surface. However, this is not limited to this configuration. For example, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 , the storage device 100 according to this embodiment has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped storage box 102 attached to the inside of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 101 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. More specifically, the storage box 102 has a protrusion 105L at the rear of the left side and a protrusion 105R at the rear of the right side. Meanwhile, a grooved rail 104L is provided on the left side of the housing 101, and a grooved rail 104R is provided on the right side. The protrusions 105L and 105R are supported within the grooved rails 104L and 104R, allowing the storage box 102 to slide in the front-rear direction within the housing 101. This allows the top of the storage box 102 to be opened and closed.

[0043] In particular, in this embodiment, a weight sensor 130 for measuring the weight of the storage box 102 is disposed directly below the storage box 102. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , when the storage box 102 is closed, the entire weight of the storage box 102 is applied to the weight sensor 130. More specifically, the bottom surfaces of the rear end portions 104X of the grooved rails 104L and 104R are configured to become lower as they move rearward. This results in the protrusions 103L and 103R lowering along the bottom surfaces as the storage box 102 moves rearward. The front of the storage box 102 is not provided with a protrusion, which results in the entire weight of the storage box 102 being applied to the mounting platform 131 and the weight sensor 130.

[0044] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, when storage box 102 is in the open state, the weight of the front side of storage box 102 is applied to the front end of housing 101, and the weight of the rear side of storage box 102 is applied to grooved rails 104L and 104R via protrusions 105L and 105R, so that the weight of storage box 102 is not applied to weight sensor 130 at all.

[0045] In this embodiment, too, the open / close detection sensor 180 is disposed directly below the mounting table 131 and inputs the determination result of whether or not the storage box 102 is located on the top surface of the mounting table 131 to the control unit 110. For example, the open / close detection sensor 180 includes a magnetic sensor. A magnet 107 is attached to the rear of the bottom surface of the storage box 102. The control unit 110 recognizes that the storage box 102 is placed on the top surface of the mounting table 131 based on a switch-on signal from the open / close detection sensor 180 indicating that magnetic force has been detected. On the other hand, the control unit 110 recognizes that the storage box 102 is not placed on the top surface of the mounting table 131 based on a switch-off signal from the open / close detection sensor 180 indicating that magnetic force has not been detected.

[0046] In yet another embodiment, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, when storage box 102 slides forward, it is supported so that none of the weight of storage box 102 is placed on mounting base 131 or weight sensor 130, and when storage box 102 slides backward, the entire weight of storage box 102 is placed on weight sensor 130.

[0047] That is, the present invention is not limited to a specific configuration as long as the weight of the storage box 102 is not applied to the weight sensor 130 when the storage box 102 is open, and the weight of the storage box 102 is applied to the weight sensor 130 when the storage box 102 is closed.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the mounting base 131 is provided between the weight sensors 130R, 130L and the storage box 102. That is, the weight sensor 130 acquires the weight of the mounting base 131 as a reference value when the storage box 102 is open, and acquires the total weight of the mounting base 131, the storage box 102, and the items stored therein when the storage box 102 is closed.

[0049] However, the storage device 100 may not have the mounting base 131, and the storage box 102 may directly contact the weight sensors 130R, 130L. In this embodiment, when the storage box 102 is open, the weight sensor 130 acquires the weight of the storage box 102 when nothing is placed on it and passes it to the control unit 110, and when the storage box 102 is closed, it acquires the total weight of the storage box 102 and its stored items and provides it to the control unit 110. <Fourth embodiment>

[0050] In the above embodiment, the left weight sensor 130L and the right weight sensor 130R are disposed below the storage box 102. The control unit 110 performs a weight measurement process that does not include the weight of the object to be measured, and obtains the weight of the storage box 102 and the mounting table 131, by adding up the measured values ​​of the left and right weight sensors 130L and 130R.

[0051] However, the number and placement of the weight sensors 130 are not limited. For example, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, a left front weight sensor 130RF, a left rear weight sensor 130RB, a right front weight sensor 130LF, and a right rear weight sensor 130LB may be placed directly below the mounting base 131. In this case, when the storage box 102 is opened, the control unit 110 obtains the weight excluding the weight of the object to be measured by summing the measurement values ​​of the four weight sensors 130RF, 130RB, 130LF, and 130LB, and when the storage box 102 is opened, the control unit 110 obtains the weight of the storage box 102 and the mounting base 131 by summing the measurement values ​​of the four weight sensors 130RF, 130RB, 130LF, and 130LB.

[0052] Alternatively, one load cell may be disposed directly below the center of the mounting table 131 or directly below the center of the storage box 102 in the closed state.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the storage equipment 100 calculates the amount of used or remaining amount of stored items such as daily necessities, but some or all of these functions may be installed in the server 200 or the smartphone 300. For example, as shown in Fig. 16, the CPU 210 of the server 200 may execute part of the processing shown in Fig. 17 in accordance with the program stored in the memory 220.

[0054] For example, the CPU 210 receives the weight of the storage box 102 in an open state, that is, the measured weight not including the weight of the object to be measured, from the storage equipment 100 via the communication interface 260 (step S210).

[0055] Next, the CPU 210 receives the weight of the storage box 102 in the closed state from the storage equipment 100 via the communication interface 260 (step S220).

[0056] The CPU 210 calculates the weight of the storage box 102 and its contents by subtracting the measured weight excluding the weight of the object to be measured from the measured weight of the storage box 102 including the table 131 and the contents (step S222). The CPU 210 adds the weight of the storage box 102 to the measurement history data 112A in the memory 112.

[0057] The CPU 210 calculates the difference between the previous weight and the current weight as the amount of stored items such as daily necessities used this time, and adds the calculation result to the measurement history data 112A corresponding to the storage device 100 (step S224).

[0058] The CPU 210 can calculate the remaining number of stored items based on the amount of daily necessities used, calculate the remaining number from the weight of the storage box 102 at the time of filling and the current weight of the storage box 102, and predict the user's physical condition, etc.

[0059] Naturally, instead of the CPU 210 of the server 200, a CPU of a communication terminal such as the smartphone 300 may execute various processes based on data from the storage equipment 100.

[0060] In the above embodiment, a storage device is provided that includes a housing, a storage box that is supported by the housing and can be opened and closed, a weight sensor, and a control unit that calculates the weight of the storage box by obtaining a first measurement value from the weight sensor when the storage box is opened and obtaining a second measurement value including the weight of the storage box from the weight sensor when the storage box is closed.

[0061] Preferably, the housing is provided with a structure for supporting the storage box so that the weight of the storage box is not applied to the weight sensor when the storage box is open.

[0062] Preferably, the housing is provided with a structural member that supports the storage box rotatably around a front lower portion of the storage box.

[0063] Preferably, the housing is provided with rails as structures for slidably supporting both side surfaces of the storage box.

[0064] Preferably, the storage device further includes a detection sensor for detecting that the storage box is closed. The control unit is activated when the storage box is opened and acquires a first measurement value, and when the storage box is closed, acquires the second measurement value to calculate the weight of the storage box, and goes to sleep after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0065] In the above embodiment, a network system is provided that includes a storage device that transmits a first measurement value from a weight sensor when a storage box is opened and a second measurement value including the weight of the storage box when the storage box is closed, and a server that calculates the weight of the storage box based on the received first measurement value and the received second measurement value.

[0066] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A storage device comprising: a housing; a storage box supported by the housing and capable of being opened and closed; a weight sensor; and a control unit that calculates the weight of the storage box by obtaining a first measurement value by the weight sensor when the storage box is opened, and obtaining a second measurement value including the weight of the storage box by the weight sensor when the storage box is closed.

2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is provided with a structure for supporting the storage box so that the weight of the storage box is not applied to the weight sensor when the storage box is open.

3. A storage device as described in claim 2, wherein the housing is provided with a member as the structure for supporting the storage box so that the storage box can rotate about a front lower part of the storage box.

4. The storage device according to claim 2, wherein the housing is provided with rails as the structure for slidably supporting both side surfaces of the storage box.

5. A storage device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a detection sensor for detecting that the storage box is closed, wherein the control unit is activated when the storage box is opened and obtains the first measurement value, and when the storage box is closed, calculates the weight of the storage box by obtaining the second measurement value, and goes to sleep after a predetermined time has elapsed.

6. A network system comprising: a storage device that transmits a first measurement value from a weight sensor when a storage box is opened and transmits a second measurement value including the weight of the storage box when the storage box is closed; and a server that calculates the weight of the storage box based on the first measurement value received and the second measurement value received.

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