Food information inquiry system and method using two-dimensional code

Abstract

A food information inquiry system and method using a two-dimensional code are disclosed. The system comprises: a producer terminal for uploading food / certification information about food; a distribution manager terminal for uploading distribution history information about the food; a user terminal for uploading user-based food information about the food; and a food information provision server which stores the food / certification information uploaded from the producer terminal, the distribution history information uploaded from the distribution manager terminal, and the user-based food information uploaded from the user terminal, and which generates a two-dimensional code that provides a food information URL for inquiring about the stored food / certification information or uploading the distribution history information and the user-based food information.

Description

Food Information Inquiry System and Method Using 2D Codes

[0001] The present invention relates to a food information lookup system and method, and more specifically, to a food information lookup system and method using a two-dimensional code.

[0002] In modern society, the demand for consumer food information is increasing due to various societal changes such as population aging and individualization. While food packaging displays more information beyond safety—including health and nutrition details such as organic status, country of origin, allergens, and nutritional content—the increasing volume of information is reducing readability, making it difficult for consumers to understand. Consequently, there is a growing need for improvement.

[0003] Furthermore, with the recent advancement of information technology, all sectors are transitioning to digital, and food purchasing and consumption utilizing online distribution networks—such as delivery apps, early morning food delivery services, and online portals—are continuously increasing. Amidst these societal trends, consumers desire clear information sharing among producers, distributors, and users to ensure the safety and reliability of their food. However, since consumers are forced to rely solely on the information provided by sellers when purchasing food online, they remain relatively vulnerable to safety risks compared to offline purchases.

[0004] Due to environmental changes, there is a growing need for digital information systems and services that go beyond traditional packaging to enable easy verification of diverse food information and to address food-related issues arising at every stage of manufacturing, distribution, sales, and consumption. Furthermore, there is a need for an information delivery system capable of automatic food identification connected to smart devices to respond to consumer demands for health and nutrition, as well as mobile usage, moving beyond traditional safe food.

[0005] Recently, QR code technology has been utilized in various fields. QR codes have the advantage of being able to store large amounts of information as small images and allow for convenient scanning and access to information via mobile devices such as smartphones.

[0006] However, so far, using QR codes is merely limited to providing simple ingredient information about food.

[0007] The objective of the present invention is to provide a food information lookup system using a two-dimensional code.

[0008] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method for querying food information using a two-dimensional code.

[0009] A food information lookup system using a two-dimensional code according to the purpose of the present invention described above may be configured to include: a producer terminal that uploads food / certification information regarding food; and a food information providing server that stores the food / certification information uploaded from the producer terminal and generates a two-dimensional code that provides a food information URL for looking up the stored food / certification information and provides it to a user terminal.

[0010] In addition, the above food / certification information may be configured to include information related to the food, including the food item, manufacturer, date of manufacture, nutritional components, raw materials, allergens, expiration date, traceability, and government certification, as well as links to the detailed information.

[0011] And the food information providing server may be configured to provide the generated two-dimensional code to the producer terminal.

[0012] And the producer terminal can receive the two-dimensional code from the food information providing server and control it to print on the packaging of the food.

[0013] A method for querying food information using a two-dimensional code according to another objective of the present invention described above may be configured to include the steps of: a producer terminal uploading food / certification information regarding food to a food information providing server; the food information providing server storing the food / certification information uploaded from the producer terminal; the food information providing server automatically generating a two-dimensional code to provide a food information URL that can query the stored food / certification information; and the food information providing server providing the automatically generated two-dimensional code to a user terminal.

[0014] Here, the producer terminal may be configured to further include a step of receiving the two-dimensional code from the food information providing server and controlling it to print on the packaging of the food.

[0015] In addition, the above food / certification information may be configured to include information related to the food, including the food item, manufacturer, date of manufacture, nutritional components, raw materials, allergens, expiration date, traceability, and government certification, as well as links to the detailed information.

[0016] According to the food information inquiry system and method using the aforementioned two-dimensional code, the two-dimensional code does not provide information about food in a unidirectional manner, but is configured to allow uploading and updating of links to detailed information related to food, including food item, manufacturer, date of manufacture, nutritional components, raw materials, allergens, expiration date, traceability, and government certification, using the two-dimensional code, thereby enabling user-based food traceability and information sharing.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a food information lookup system using a two-dimensional code according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a food information lookup method using a two-dimensional code according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and may have various embodiments; therefore, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the specific details for carrying out the invention. However, this is not intended to limit the invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. Similar reference numerals have been used for similar components in the description of each drawing.

[0020] Terms such as first, second, A, B, etc., may be used to describe various components, but said components should not be limited by said terms. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may be named the first component. The term "and / or" includes a combination of a plurality of related described items or any of a plurality of related described items.

[0021] When it is stated that one component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, there may also be other components in between. On the other hand, when it is stated that one component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0022] The terms used in this application are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to indicate the presence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0023] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0024] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a food information lookup system using a two-dimensional code according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, a food information inquiry system using a two-dimensional code according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a producer terminal (100), a distribution manager terminal (200), a user terminal (300), and a food information providing server (400).

[0027] The detailed composition is explained below.

[0028] The producer terminal (100) can be configured to upload food / certification information about the food to the food information providing server (400).

[0029] Here, food / certification information may include the food item, manufacturer, date of manufacture, ingredients, expiration date, and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety certification information.

[0030] The producer terminal (100) may be configured to include a production / certification information input module (101), a production / certification information upload module (102), a two-dimensional code automatic lookup module (103), and a two-dimensional code printing control module (104).

[0031] The detailed composition is explained below.

[0032] The production / certification information input module (101) can be configured to receive production / certification information about food from a producer.

[0033] The production / certification information upload module (102) can be configured to upload production / certification information received from the production / certification information input module (101) to the food information providing server (400).

[0034] The 2D code automatic lookup module (103) can be configured to look up the 2D code generated to be attached to food on the food information providing server (400).

[0035] The 2D code printing control module (104) can control the printing of the 2D code retrieved from the 2D code automatic lookup module (103) to be attached to food.

[0036] The distribution manager terminal (200) may be configured to upload distribution history information for food. Here, the distribution history information may be configured to include the date of manufacture, expiration date, distribution history, etc. The distribution history may be configured to include the production factory or place of production, means of transportation, storage warehouse, wholesaler, retail store such as convenience store, etc., and the date of history thereof.

[0037] The distribution manager terminal (200) may be configured to include a distribution manager-side 2D code recognition module (201), a distribution manager-side food information URL access module (202), a distribution history information input module (203), a distribution manager authentication request module (204), and a distribution history information upload module (205).

[0038] The detailed composition is explained below.

[0039] The distribution manager's 2D code recognition module (201) can be configured to scan and recognize a 2D code attached to food.

[0040] The distribution manager's food information URL access module (202) can be configured to access the corresponding web page using the food information URL embedded in the 2D code recognized by the distribution manager's 2D code recognition module (201).

[0041] The distribution history information input module (203) can be configured to receive distribution history information from the distribution manager.

[0042] The distribution manager authentication request module (204) may be configured to request authentication of a distribution manager from the food information provision server (400) and to receive the distribution manager authentication result in real time. The distribution manager must be authenticated as a distribution manager who has been pre-registered regarding the food.

[0043] The distribution history information upload module (205) can be configured to upload the distribution history information received from the distribution history information input module (203) on a webpage accessed using the food information URL from the distribution manager side food information URL access module (202) when the distribution manager authentication result is received in real time from the distribution manager authentication request module (204).

[0044] The user terminal (300) may be configured to upload user-based food information about food. Here, the user-based food information may be configured to include reviews, testimonials, and recipes for food.

[0045] The user terminal (300) may be configured to include a user-side 2D code recognition module (301), a user-side food information URL access module (302), a food information lookup module (303), a user-based food information input module (304), a buyer authentication request module (305), a user-based food information upload module (306), a user language setting module (307), a visually impaired setting module (308), a 2D code capture notification module for the visually impaired (309), a user language / visually impaired information automatic provision module (310), a digital Braille output module (311), a touchscreen sensor (312), a digital Braille sound output module (313), and a digital Braille vibration output module (314).

[0046] The detailed composition is explained below.

[0047] The user-side 2D code recognition module (301) can be configured to scan and recognize a 2D code attached to food.

[0048] The user-side food information URL access module (302) can be configured to access the corresponding web page using the food information URL embedded in the 2D code recognized by the user-side 2D code recognition module (301).

[0049] The food information lookup module (303) can be configured to look up food information of a food on a web page accessed from the user-side food information URL access module (302).

[0050] The user-based food information input module (304) can be configured to receive user-based food information about the user's food.

[0051] The buyer authentication request module (305) can be configured to request buyer authentication of food from the food information providing server (400) and receive the buyer authentication result in real time.

[0052] The user-based food information upload module (306) can be configured to upload user-based food information received from the user-based food information input module (304) to the food information providing server (400) when the buyer authentication result is received in real time from the buyer authentication request module (305).

[0053] The user language setting module (307) can be configured to pre-set the user's language information.

[0054] The visual impairment setting module (308) can be configured to pre-set visual impairment information if the user is visually impaired.

[0055] The 2D code capture notification module (309) for the visually impaired can be configured to output a 2D code capture notification for the visually impaired using voice or sound effects when the 2D code is captured by the user-side 2D code recognition module (301) when the visually impaired information is pre-set in the visually impaired setting module (308). Through this, the visually impaired can audibly confirm whether the 2D code is properly captured on the scanner.

[0056] The user language / visually impaired information automatic provision module (310) can be configured to provide user language information set in the user language setting module (307) and visual impaired information set in the visual impaired setting module (308) to the food information provision server (400) in advance.

[0057] The digital braille output module (311) can be configured to output digital braille on a web page accessed from the user-side food information URL access module (302) when the user is visually impaired. The digital braille can be displayed on the display of the user terminal (300).

[0058] The touchscreen sensor (312) can be configured to detect the user's touch input on the digital braille output from the digital braille output module (311).

[0059] The digital braille sound output module (313) may be configured to output digital braille corresponding to the touch input detected by the touchscreen sensor (312) as digital braille sound. The digital braille sound may be composed of a sound that enables identification of the digital braille currently being touched.

[0060] At this time, the digital braille sound output module (313) can be configured to automatically move digital braille from the right side of the screen to the left side of the screen based on the point where the touch of a predetermined point is maintained by the touchscreen sensor (312), thereby automatically outputting digital braille sound. That is, even if a visually impaired person touches any point on the display, digital braille automatically moves from the right side of the screen to the left side of the screen based on that point, and digital braille sound is output sequentially. Since it is difficult for a visually impaired person to know the starting point of the digital braille, convenience can be enhanced by automatically outputting digital braille sound sequentially when the state of touching any point is maintained.

[0061] The digital braille vibration output module (314) can be configured to output digital braille corresponding to the touch input detected by the touchscreen sensor (312) as digital braille vibration.

[0062] Here, the digital braille vibration output module (314) can be configured to automatically output digital braille vibration by automatically moving the digital braille from the right side of the screen to the left side of the screen relative to the point when a touch at a predetermined point is maintained by the touchscreen sensor (312). Similarly, even if a visually impaired person touches any point on the display, digital braille vibration is output sequentially as the digital braille automatically moves from the right side of the screen to the left side relative to that point. Since it is difficult for a visually impaired person to know the starting point of the digital braille, convenience can be enhanced by automatically outputting digital braille vibration sequentially when the touch state is maintained at any point.

[0063] The food information providing server (400) may be configured to store food / certification information uploaded from the producer terminal (100), distribution history information uploaded from the distribution manager terminal (200), and user-based food information uploaded from the user terminal (300), and to generate a two-dimensional code that provides a food information URL for viewing the stored food / certification information or uploading and viewing the distribution history information and user-based food information.

[0064] Here, food information may be configured to include food / certification information, distribution history information, and user-based food information.

[0065] The food information provision server (400) may be configured to include a food information database (401), a food information URL generation module (402), a two-dimensional code generation module (403), a two-dimensional code database (404), a distribution manager information database (405), a distribution manager authentication module (406), a buyer authentication module (407), an automatic control module based on user language / visually impaired information (408), a user language automatic translation module (409), and a digital Braille automatic conversion module (410).

[0066] The detailed composition is explained below.

[0067] The food information database (401) can be configured to store production / certification information uploaded from the production / certification information upload module (102) of the producer terminal (100), distribution history information uploaded from the distribution history information upload module (205) of the distribution manager terminal (200), and user-based food information uploaded from the user-based food information upload module (304) of the user terminal (300).

[0068] The food information URL generation module (402) can be configured to automatically generate food information URLs corresponding to web pages of food / certification information, distribution history information, and user-based food information of food stored in the food information database (401).

[0069] The 2D code generation module (403) can be configured to automatically generate a 2D code for accessing a food information URL automatically generated by the food information URL generation module (402).

[0070] The two-dimensional code database (404) can be configured to store two-dimensional codes automatically generated by the two-dimensional code generation module (403).

[0071] The distribution manager information database (405) can be configured to store distribution manager information in advance.

[0072] The distribution manager authentication module (406) may be configured to authenticate a distribution manager by referring to the distribution manager information database (405) in response to an authentication request from a distribution manager of the distribution manager authentication request module (204) of the distribution manager terminal (200), and to transmit the distribution manager authentication result to the distribution manager authentication request module (204) in real time.

[0073] The buyer authentication module (407) can be configured to authenticate the buyer through the financial payment server in response to the buyer authentication request of the buyer authentication request module (305) of the user terminal (300), and to transmit the buyer authentication result to the buyer authentication request module (305) in real time.

[0074] The user language / visually impaired information-based automatic control module (408) can automatically control the content of the corresponding web page to be converted according to the user language information and visual impaired information based on the user language information and visual impaired information provided in advance by the user language / visually impaired information automatic provision module (310) of the user terminal (300).

[0075] The user language automatic translation module (409) can be configured to automatically translate the content of a web page into the corresponding user language according to the automatic control of the user language / visually impaired information-based automatic control module (408).

[0076] The digital braille automatic conversion module (410) can be configured to automatically convert the content of a web page into digital braille according to the automatic control of the user language / visually impaired information-based automatic control module (408).

[0077] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a food information lookup method using a two-dimensional code according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 2, the producer terminal (100) uploads food / certification information about the food to the food information providing server (400) (S101).

[0079] Next, the food information providing server (400) stores food / certification information uploaded from the producer terminal (100) (S102).

[0080] Next, the food information providing server (400) automatically generates a two-dimensional code to provide a food information URL that can be used to view stored food / certification information (S103).

[0081] Next, the food information providing server (400) provides an automatically generated 2D code to the user terminal (300) (S104).

[0082] Next, the producer terminal (100) receives a 2D code from the food information providing server (400) and controls it to print on the food packaging (S105).

[0083] Here, food / certification information may include the food item, manufacturer, date of manufacture, ingredients, expiration date, and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety certification information.

[0084] Although the invention has been described with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

[0085] [Explanation of the symbol]

[0086] 100: Producer terminal

[0087] 101: Production / Certification Information Input Module

[0088] 102: Production / Certification Information Upload Module

[0089] 103: 2D Code Auto-lookup Module

[0090] 104: 2D Code Printing Control Module

[0091] 200: Distribution Manager Terminal

[0092] 201: Distribution Manager Side 2D Code Recognition Module

[0093] 202: Distribution Manager Food Information URL Access Module

[0094] 203: Distribution History Information Input Module

[0095] 204: Distribution Manager Authentication Request Module

[0096] 205: Distribution History Information Upload Module

[0097] 300: User terminal

[0098] 301: User-side 2D code recognition module

[0099] 302: User-side food information URL access module

[0100] 303: Food Information Inquiry Module

[0101] 304: User-based food information input module

[0102] 305: Buyer Authentication Request Module

[0103] 306: User-based food information upload module

[0104] 307: User Language Setting Module

[0105] 308: Visually Impaired Configuration Module

[0106] 309: 2D Code Capture Notification Module for the Visually Impaired

[0107] 310: User Language / Visually Impaired Information Automatic Provision Module

[0108] 311: Digital Braille output module

[0109] 312: Touchscreen sensor

[0110] 313: Digital Braille Sound Output Module

[0111] 314: Digital Braille Vibration Output Module

[0112] 400: Food Information Provision Server

[0113] 401: Food Information Database

[0114] 402: Food Information URL Generation Module

[0115] 403: 2D Code Generation Module

[0116] 404: 2D Code Database

[0117] 405: Distribution Manager Information Database

[0118] 406: Distribution Manager Authentication Module

[0119] 407: Buyer Authentication Module

[0120] 408: User Language / Visually Impaired Information-Based Automatic Control Module

[0121] 409: User Language Automatic Translation Module

[0122] 410: Digital Braille Automatic Conversion Module

[0123]

Claims

1. Producer terminal for uploading food / certification information about food; A food information inquiry system using a 2D code, comprising a food information providing server that stores food / certification information uploaded from the producer terminal, generates a 2D code that provides a food information URL for querying the stored food / certification information, and provides it to a user terminal.

2. In Paragraph 1, the above food / certification information is, A food information lookup system using a two-dimensional code, characterized by being configured to include the item, manufacturer, date of manufacture, ingredients, expiration date, and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety certification information of the above-mentioned food.

3. In paragraph 1, the food information providing server is, A food information lookup system using a two-dimensional code, characterized by being configured to provide the generated two-dimensional code to the producer terminal.

4. In paragraph 3, the producer terminal is, A food information lookup system using a 2D code, characterized by receiving the 2D code from the food information providing server and controlling it to be printed on the packaging of the food.

5. A step in which the producer terminal uploads food / certification information regarding the food to the food information providing server; A step in which the above food information providing server stores food / certification information uploaded from the above producer terminal; A step of automatically generating a two-dimensional code for the food information providing server to provide a food information URL that can query the stored food / certification information; A method for querying food information using a 2D code, comprising the step of the food information providing server providing the automatically generated 2D code to a user terminal.

6. In Paragraph 5, A method for querying food information using a two-dimensional code, characterized by further including the step of controlling the producer terminal to receive the two-dimensional code from the food information providing server and print it on the packaging of the food.

7. In Paragraph 5, the above food / certification information is, A method for looking up food information using a two-dimensional code, characterized by being configured to include the item, manufacturer, date of manufacture, ingredients, expiration date, and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety certification information of the above-mentioned food.

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