Systems and methods for scanning information from storage area contents

• US 20060178947A1
• Filed: 12/12/2005
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Freshub Ltd. (IKAN Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: IKAN Holdings LLC
• Inventors: Yoshizawa, Geraldo, Zsigmond, Fabio, Wagner, Frederico, Douer, Sion Elie
• Granted Patent: US 9,821,344 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/34 Sorting according to other particular properties material testing per se G01N; quality control G07C3/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6505 storing speech in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems

Abstract

The present invention is related to methods and systems for collected item information for stored items. In one embodiment, a networked food storage system comprises a first sensor configured to read information from item tags coupled to items, wherein the items are stored or intended to be stored in a storage unit. A data store is configured to store food preferences for at least a first user. Instructions, stored in computer readable memory, are configured to: cause a first user interface to be displayed to the first user via which the first user can request a meal suggestion; retrieve preference information for the first user from computer readable memory; retrieve information read from at least a first item tag; and provide a meal suggestion based at least in part on preference information for the first user and item tag information.

Claims

1. A networked refrigeration system, comprising:

a first sensor configured to read information from item tags coupled to items, wherein the items are stored or intended to be stored in a refrigeration unit;

a data store configured to store food preferences for a plurality of household members;

instructions, stored in computer readable memory, configured to;

cause a first user interface to be displayed to the first user, the first user interface listing household members;

receive a user input indicating which household members will participate in a first meal;

retrieve preference information for at least a portion of the household members that will participate in the first meal;

retrieve information read from at least a first item tag;

select at least a first recipe stored in computer readable memory based at least in part on preference information for at least one meal participant and item tag information; and

provide the recipe to a first user.

2. The system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a network interface configured to couple the refrigeration unit to a remote data store.

3. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the first recipe is selected based in part on preference information for a plurality of meal participants.

4. The system as defined in claim 1, further comprising an instruction, stored in computer readable memory, configured to generate an order based at least in part on expiration data read from at least one item tag.

5. The system as defined in claim 1, further comprising an instruction, stored in computer readable memory, configured to generate an order based at least in part on an expiration date read from at least one item tag, wherein the order is generated a predetermined number of days prior to the expiration date, wherein the predetermined number of days is selected, based at least in part, on a user instruction.

6. The system as defined in claim 1, further comprising an instruction, stored in computer readable memory, configured to determine the location of a plurality of items stored in the refrigeration unit.

7. The system as defined in claim 1, further comprising an instruction, stored in computer readable memory, configured to:

retrieve shelve configuration information;

access location information for a plurality of items stored in the refrigeration unit; and

based at least on the shelve configuration information and location information, provide a placement recommendation for at least one item.

8. The system as defined in claim 1, further comprising an instruction, stored in computer readable memory, configured to retrieve dimensional information from a remote data store.

9. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein at least a first tag includes item dimensional information related to a corresponding first item.

10. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein at least a first tag includes a date related to a first item, wherein the first tag is located on the first item.

11. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein at least a first tag includes ingredient information for a first item.

12. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the first sensor is an RFID sensor.

13. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the first sensor is an optical reader.

14. The system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a presence sensor, wherein the presence sensor does not read product tags.

15. The system as defined in claim 1, further comprising an instruction, stored in computer readable memory, configured to receive a user instruction to suspend a delivery service.

16. The system as defined in claim 1, further comprising an instruction, stored in computer readable memory, configured to receive a user instruction to initiate delivery of service by a service provider.

17. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the first sensor is physically mounted to the refrigeration unit.

18. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the first sensor is not physically mounted to the refrigeration unit.

19. The system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a microphone configured to receive a spoken order;

a digitizer coupled to the microphone, wherein the digitizer is configured to convert spoken words into a digital representation; and

a voice recognition device configured to receive digitized spoken orders and to translate the digitized spoken order into text.

20. The system as defined in claim 19, further comprising instructions, stored in computer readable memory, configured to:

transmit the text order to at least a first supplier;

receive a quote to fulfill the order from the first supplier;

transmit the quote to the first user; and

receive an order authorization from the first user.

21. A networked food storage system, comprising:

a first sensor configured to read information from item tags coupled to items, wherein the items are stored or intended to be stored in a storage unit;

a data store configured to store food preferences for at least a first user;

instructions, stored in computer readable memory, configured to;

cause a first user interface to be displayed to the first user via which the first user can request a meal suggestion;

retrieve preference information for the first user from computer readable memory;

retrieve information read from at least a first item tag; and

provide a meal suggestion based at least in part on preference information for the first user and item tag information.

22. The system as defined in claim 21, further comprising a network interface configured to couple the storage unit to a remote data store.

23. The system as defined in claim 21, wherein the meal suggestion is selected based at least in part on preference information for a plurality of meal participants.

24. The system as defined in claim 21, further comprising an instruction, stored in computer readable memory, configured to generate an order based at least in part on expiration data read from at least one item tag.

25. The system as defined in claim 21, further comprising an instruction, stored in computer readable memory, configured to generate an order based at least in part on an expiration date read from at least one item tag, wherein the order is generated a predetermined number of days prior to the expiration date, wherein the predetermined number of days is selected, based at least in part, on a user instruction.

26. The system as defined in claim 21, further comprising an instruction, stored in computer readable memory, configured to determine the location of a plurality of items stored in the storage unit.

27. The system as defined in claim 21, further comprising an instruction, stored in computer readable memory, configured to:

retrieve shelve configuration information for the storage unit;

access location information for a plurality of items stored in the storage unit; and

based at least on the shelve configuration information and location information, provide a placement recommendation for at least one item.

28. The system as defined in claim 21, further comprising an instruction, stored in computer readable memory, configured to retrieve dimensional information for at least a portion of the storage unit.

29. The system as defined in claim 21, wherein at least a first tag includes item dimensional information related to a corresponding first item.

30. The system as defined in claim 21, wherein at least a first tag includes a date related to a first item, wherein the first tag is located on the first item.

31. The system as defined in claim 21, wherein at least a first tag includes ingredient information for a first item.

32. The system as defined in claim 21, wherein the first sensor is an RFID sensor.

33. The system as defined in claim 21, wherein the first sensor is an optical reader.

34. The system as defined in claim 21, further comprising a presence sensor, wherein the presence sensor does not read product tags.

35. The system as defined in claim 21, further comprising an instruction, stored in computer readable memory, configured to receive a user instruction to suspend a delivery service.

36. The system as defined in claim 21, further comprising an instruction, stored in computer readable memory, configured to receive a user instruction to initiate delivery of service by a service provider.

37. The system as defined in claim 21, wherein the storage unit includes at least a refrigeration unit.

38. The system as defined in claim 21, wherein the storage unit includes at least a non-refrigerated area.

39. A method of providing meal suggestions, comprising:

electronically receiving data read, via a first sensor, from a first item, the data including information related to the first item'"'"'s ingredients;

identifying a first user requesting a meal suggestion;

reading from computer readable memory food preferences for at least the first user; and

providing a meal suggestion based at least in part on preference information for the first user and item tag information.

40. The method as defined in claim 39, wherein the meal suggestion is selected based at least in part on preference information for a plurality of meal participants.

41. The method as defined in claim 39, further comprising generating an order based at least in part on expiration data read from at least one item tag.

42. The method as defined in claim 39, further comprising generating an order based at least in part on an expiration date read from at least one item tag, wherein the order is generated a predetermined number of days prior to the expiration date, wherein the predetermined number of days is selected, based at least in part, on a user instruction.

43. The method as defined in claim 39, further comprising determining the location of a plurality of items stored in the storage unit.

44. The method as defined in claim 39, further comprising:

retrieving shelve configuration information for the storage unit;

accessing location information for a plurality of items stored in the storage unit; and

based at least on the shelve configuration information and location information, providing a placement recommendation for at least one item.

45. The method as defined in claim 39, further comprising retrieving dimensional information for at least a portion of the storage unit.

46. The method as defined in claim 39, further comprising reading dimensional information from at least one tag.

47. The method as defined in claim 39, further comprising reading expiration information from at least one tag.

48. The method as defined in claim 39, wherein the first sensor is an RFID sensor.

49. The method as defined in claim 39, wherein the first sensor is an optical reader.

50. The method as defined in claim 39, further receiving, via a presence sensor, item location information for at least one item stored in the storage unit, wherein the presence sensor does not read product tags.

51. The method as defined in claim 39, further receiving, via a user interface unit coupled to the storage unit, a user instruction to suspend a delivery service.

52. The method as defined in claim 39, further comprising receiving, via a user interface unit coupled to the storage unit, a user instruction to initiate delivery of service by a service provider.

53. The method as defined in claim 39, wherein the storage unit includes at least a refrigeration unit.

54. The method as defined in claim 39, wherein the storage unit includes at least a non-refrigerated area.

55. The method as defined in claim 39, further comprising:

receiving a digitized voice order;

performing voice recognition on the voice order;

providing the results of the voice recognition to the first user for verification.

56. The method as defined in claim 55, further comprising:

providing the results to at least a first provider; and

receiving a quote from the first provider for fulfilling the order.

57. The method as defined in claim 56, further comprising:

providing the quote to the first user; and

receiving an order authorization from the first user.

58. A networked food storage system, comprising:

a first sensor configured to read expiration date information from item tags, wherein the items are stored or intended to be stored in a storage unit;

a data store configured to store expiration date information; and

instructions, stored in computer readable memory, configured to;

read expiration date information from the data store;

determine if a first item has an expiration date within a first time window;

if the first item has an expiration date within a first time window, identify the item on a shopping list.

59. The system as defined in claim 58, further comprising a network interface configured to couple the storage unit to a remote data store.

60. The system as defined in claim 58, wherein the time window is one day or less.

61. The system as defined in claim 58, wherein the time window is greater than one day.

62. The system as defined in claim 58, wherein the time window is selected based on delivery timing.

63. The system as defined in claim 58, wherein at least a first tag includes ingredient information for a first item.

64. The system as defined in claim 58, wherein the first sensor is an RFID sensor or an optical reader.

65. The system as defined in claim 58, wherein the storage unit includes at least a refrigeration unit.

66. The system as defined in claim 58, wherein the instructions are further configured to:

cause a first user interface to be displayed to the first user via which the first user can request a meal suggestion;

retrieve preference information for the first user from computer readable memory;

retrieve information read from at least a first item tag; and

provide a meal suggestion based at least in part on preference information for the first user and item tag information.

67. An electronic system, comprising:

memory configured to store a digitized voice recording from a user; and

instructions, stored in computer readable memory, configured to;

access the digitized voice recording;

identify a product identifier that corresponds to a first item referred to in the digitized voice recording;

present a shopping list to the user that includes at least the first item.

68. The system as defined in claim 67, further comprising a microphone coupled to a refrigerator, the microphone configured to receive spoken words from the user.

69. The system as defined in claim 67, wherein the product identifier is a SKU.

70. The system as defined in claim 67, wherein the instructions are further configured to:

cause the voice recording to be played to the user while displaying a text version of at least a portion of the voice recording; and

request that the user indicate whether the text is correct.

71. The system as defined in claim 67, wherein the instructions are further configured to:

receive an order authorization from the user, the order including at least the first item; and

submit the order based at least in part on the order authorization.

72. The system as defined in claim 67, wherein the first item is a food item.

73. An electronic system, comprising:

memory configured to store a digital product image from a user; and

instructions, stored in computer readable memory, configured to;

perform object recognition with respect to the product image;

select a product identifier that corresponds to the product in the image;

present a shopping list to the user that includes at least the product.

74. The system as defined in claim 73, further comprising a camera coupled to a refrigerator, the camera configured to capture product images.

75. The system as defined in claim 73, wherein the product identifier is a SKU.

76. The system as defined in claim 73, wherein the instructions are further configured to:

cause the image to be displayed to the user while displaying text intended to identify the product in the image; and

request that the user indicate whether the text is correct.

77. The system as defined in claim 73, wherein the instructions are further configured to:

receive an order authorization from the user, the order including at least the product; and

submit the order based at least in part on the order authorization.

78. The system as defined in claim 73, wherein the product is a food item.