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US 2003/0164754 A1Published application
Method and apparatus for keeping a check on the storage time for goods in a storage
OwnerRutger Roseeninventor
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OwnerRutger Roseeninventor
Estimating the term…
The invention refers to a method and an apparatus for registering and supervision of the positions and time of storage of articles entered into a cabinet or other delimited space. A preferred fields of application is refrigerators in which one or several cameras (3) at selected occasions take pictures of the interior of the refrigerator (1). These pictures are treated in an image analyser (6) which transfers clear pictures of all articles stored on each shelf (4) in the refrigerator (1) to a computer (5) for registration. In the computer (5) there is stored for each article information on the time of entry in a list containing article denominations. For distance communication the computer (5) can be connected to a central computer (9) having information about all articles marketed on a national basis and including both pictures and denominations. It is possible to establish a remote connection, via Internet or via mobile phone, to the computer (5) for collecting information on the content of the cabinet, for example when shopping in a store.
A method for recording the position and keeping a check on the storage time of articles stored in a room, a cabinet, e.g. a refrigerator, or other space, preferably food-stuffs, wherein one or several cameras are positioned in or adjacent to the space, said cameras transferring pictures of the articles to a computer and associated image analyser, which on a monitor displays pictures put together or lists of the content of the space, characterized in that after the entry of articles into the space these are identified on pictures taken by the cameras in connection with a register programmed into the computer, said articles being registered with regard to orientation and position in the space and/or the time of entry, and that the identification of the articles is effected via depiction of the bottom side of the articles.
A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the computer automatically gives to unidentified articles a unique identification which is registered together with the pictures.
A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that if the computer cannot directly identify an article this article is placed on a marked place in the space to be depicted by at least one camera, the resulting picture or pictures being then registered in the computer.
A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that if the article is not provided with a bar code it is depicted by one or several cameras of which at least one is directed towards one or several mirrors fixedly mounted in the space, whereby the sides of the article is registered in the computer.
A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that inputting of articles or information thereof in the computer takes place by means of voice-controlled communication.
A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a virtual system of coordinates has been programmed into the computer making possible for correct back sides of the articles to be registered together with front sides of the articles visible to the cameras.
A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the freshness time of an article is about to expire the computer gives a signal on the monitor by showing on an overview picture the article in a framed shape or marked in a list.
Apparatus for recording the position of articles, said apparatus comprising a space, preferably a cabinet (1) having at least one door (2), one or several cameras (3) for supervising the interior of the cabinet (1), a local and/or a central computer (5) to which taken pictures are transferred by the cameras (3) in order for the pictures to be separated by an image analyser (6) connected to the computer (5) and the articles present on the pictures to be identified for registering in the computer (5), and a monitor (8) connected to the computer and on which pictures of the articles or a list can be displayed on command from a communication means (7) associated with the computer (5), characterized in that a virtual system of coordinates is provided in the computer (5) by means of which the orientation and place of each article is determined, means for registering the time of entry into the space and withdrawal from same of each article, and means for depiction of the bottom side of the articles.
Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a thermal register for perishables is programmed into the computer (5) according to which the remaining “best-before-time” can be registered individually and adjusted in dependence on the time the article has been out of the temperature zone adapted for preserving freshness.
Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one shelf is provided with one or several weight sensors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.