阅读说明：本技术 液状体排出装置及液状体排出系统 (Liquid discharge device and liquid discharge system ) 是由 高田素树 青木基治 小林洋平 冈本祐介 冈村武则 穴井一成 于 2019-04-26 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种液状体排出装置,具备操作按钮、装置通信部及装置控制部,所述装置控制部在所述操作按钮被操作时,从所述装置通信部向服务器发送动作信息要求指令,当利用所述装置通信部接收到来自服务器的动作信息时,基于接收到的所述动作信息,控制所述液状体排出装置。(A liquid discharging apparatus includes an operation button, an apparatus communication unit, and an apparatus control unit that transmits an operation information request command from the apparatus communication unit to a server when the operation button is operated, and controls the liquid discharging apparatus based on the received operation information when the apparatus communication unit receives the operation information from the server.)

1. A liquid discharging device comprising an operation button, a device communication unit, and a device control unit,

the device control unit transmits an operation information request command from the device communication unit to the server when the operation button is operated, and controls the liquid discharge device based on the received operation information when the operation information is received from the server by the device communication unit.

2. A liquid discharge system includes:

a liquid discharging device including an operation button, a device communication unit, and a device control unit; and

a server including a state storage unit, a server communication unit, and a server control unit,

the liquid discharge system is characterized in that,

the device control unit transmits an operation information request command from the device communication unit to the server communication unit when the operation button is operated,

the server control unit acquires the device state information stored in the state storage unit when the operation information request command is received by the server communication unit, creates operation information based on the device state information, and transmits the operation information from the server communication unit to the device communication unit,

the device control unit controls the liquid discharge device based on the received operation information when the operation information is received by the device communication unit.

3. The liquid discharge system according to claim 2,

the device control unit controls the liquid discharge device based on the received operation information, and then transmits device state update information to the server communication unit by the device communication unit,

the server control unit updates the device state information stored in the state storage unit based on the received device state update information.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a liquid discharge device and a liquid discharge system.

Background

Conventionally, dispensers for automatically discharging and supplying cosmetics and the like stored in a storage container have been known.

(patent document 1)

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: international publication No. 2016/029104

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In a dispenser as in the prior art, since it is used every day, a user interface (english: interface) that can be used easily is required.

An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a liquid material discharge device capable of realizing a plurality of functions by operating one switch.

Means for solving the problems

The disclosed liquid discharging device includes an operation button, a device communication unit, and a device control unit that transmits an operation information request command from the device communication unit to a server when the operation button is operated, and controls the liquid discharging device based on the received operation information when the operation information is received from the server by the device communication unit.

Effects of the invention

A plurality of functions can be realized by operating one switch for liquid materials in a plurality of containers.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an example of the liquid discharge system according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 2 is an overall view of an example of the liquid discharge apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a container as an example of the liquid discharging apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of an example of the liquid discharging apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of an example of the liquid discharging apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a plan view showing an internal configuration of an example of the liquid material discharge device according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing details of a discharge mechanism of an example of the liquid discharge device according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a functional block diagram of an example of the liquid discharging apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram of a server device as an example of the liquid material discharge system according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation of an example of the liquid discharge system according to the present embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

< liquid discharge System 1>

Fig. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an example of the liquid discharge system 1 according to the present embodiment.

The liquid material discharge system 1 of the present embodiment includes a liquid material discharge device 100, an information processing terminal 200, and a server device 300. The liquid discharge apparatus 100, the information processing terminal 200, and the server apparatus 300 are connected via a network 400. The liquid discharge apparatus 100 will be described later. The information processing terminal 200 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet computer. Information of the user and the like are transmitted to the server device 300 by the information processing terminal 200. The server device 300 is an information processing device (computer) that performs processing as a server. The server device 300 manages the state of the liquid discharge device 100 and the user of the liquid discharge device 100. The server 300 determines how to operate the liquid discharge apparatus 100 based on weather information and the like generally disclosed, such as information of the user transmitted from the information processing terminal 200.

In the liquid material discharge system 1 of the present embodiment, the liquid material discharge device 100 receives information (operation information) regarding the operation of the liquid material discharge device 100 from the server device 300 via the network 400. Then, the liquid material discharge apparatus 100 performs processing based on the received operation information. Then, the liquid material discharge apparatus 100 transmits the result of the processing based on the received operation information to the server apparatus 300. Then, the server 300 updates information on the state of the liquid discharge apparatus 100 and the like.

In fig. 1, 1 liquid material discharge device 100, information processing terminal 200, and server device 300 are connected to network 400, but the number of liquid material discharge devices is not limited to the number of liquid material discharge devices in fig. 1. For example, a plurality of liquid material discharge devices 100 and the information processing terminal 200 may be connected to one server device 300. Further, the processing of the server devices 300 may be distributed and performed by a plurality of server devices 300. Further, the liquid material discharge device 100 may be operated alone without connecting the liquid material discharge device 100 to the network 400.

< liquid discharge apparatus 100>

Next, the liquid discharging apparatus 100 will be described.

Fig. 2 is an overall view of an example of the liquid discharge apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 2 a is a plan view (plan view) of the liquid discharge apparatus 100, fig. 2B is a front view of the liquid discharge apparatus 100, and fig. 2C is a side view of the liquid discharge apparatus 100. Fig. 2(D) is a perspective view of the liquid discharge apparatus 100.

The liquid discharge apparatus 100 includes an upper surface 101, an upper case 102, a lower case 103, and a bottom surface 104. The liquid discharge apparatus 100 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The lower housing 103 includes a hand insertion portion 105. The lower case 103 includes an extraction port 106 and a human body sensor 107 in an upper portion of the hand insertion portion 105. When the user inserts a hand into the hand insertion portion 105, the human body perception sensor 107 detects the hand. When the human body sensor 107 senses a hand, a storage liquid (liquid) stored in the container 500 described later is discharged from the discharge port 106. The liquid discharge apparatus 100 includes a container lid 108. Container lid 108 is provided across upper surface 101 and upper case 102. The user opens the container lid 108 and replaces the container 500, which will be described later, exposed from the portion where the container lid 108 is opened. The liquid discharge apparatus 100 further includes a button (switch) 109 on the upper surface 101. When the user presses the button 109, the operation of the liquid discharge apparatus 100 is started.

< container 500 >

Next, the container 500 will be described.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a container 500 of an example of the liquid discharge apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

The container 500 is a container for storing a liquid material (storage liquid) such as a cosmetic such as a lotion or essence. In addition, the emulsion can be used in a plurality of types for morning use or night use, respectively, for example. In addition, various essences such as an antioxidant essence, a desiccation-preventing essence, and a stress-relieving essence can be used.

The container 500 of the present embodiment includes a main body 510 and a lid 520. A storage liquid (liquid material) is stored in the main body 510. The cap 520 is mounted to the body 510 by screw engagement or the like. The lid 520 includes a flange 521, a push button (pressing member) 522, and a tube 524. The tube 524 is provided with a discharge port 526 for discharging the stored liquid (liquid) at an end opposite to the push button 522. When the push button 522 is pushed, the liquid material (stock solution) in the container 500 is discharged.

The container 500 includes an RFID tag 550 on the bottom surface of the main body 510. The RFID tag 550 stores a unique identifier attached to each container 500, information on the commodity type of the liquid material (storage liquid) stored in the container 500, the expiration date and the remaining amount of the liquid material, and the like. By providing the container 500 with the RFID tag 550, it is possible to manage the life and amount of the liquid material (storage liquid) stored in the container 500, prevent erroneous insertion of the container 500, prevent distribution of counterfeit products, ensure traceability of the container 500 and the liquid material (storage liquid) stored in the container 500, and the like.

In the container 500 of the present embodiment, the RFID tag 550 is used, but the means for recording the information of the container 500 is not limited to the RFID tag. For example, a bar code or the like may be used.

The container 500 of the present embodiment is housed in the container housing section 120 of the rotary table 110 of the liquid discharge apparatus 100 described later so that the push button 522 is located below. Specifically, the container 500 is inserted into the container housing section 120 in the direction of arrow I, and is housed in the container housing section 120.

< rotating table 110 >

Fig. 4 and 5 are perspective views showing an internal structure of an example of the liquid discharge apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 4 and 5 are views showing a state in which the upper case 102 and a part of the inside of the upper case 102 are removed and the turntable 110 is exposed. Fig. 4 is a diagram of a state in which the container 500 is not stored in the container storage section 120. Fig. 5 is a diagram of a state in which the container 500 is stored in the container storage section 120.

The liquid discharging apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes a rotary table 110 inside the upper casing 102 and above the lower casing 103. The rotary table 110 rotates relative to the upper and lower housings 102 and 103 in the direction of arrow a or in the direction opposite to arrow a around a rotary shaft 112. In the liquid discharging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the container 500 is rotationally moved using the rotary table 110, but the moving method is not limited to the rotation. For example, a moving table that moves the container housing section 120 horizontally in a straight line may be used. In this way, the rotary table 110 can move relative to the upper and lower housings 102 and 103.

The rotary table 110 includes a container housing unit 120 for housing the container 500. The container storage portions 120 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the circumference around the rotation shaft 112. The rotary table 110 of the present embodiment includes a container housing unit 120 at a total of 5. The container housing portions 120 are denoted as container housing portions 121, 122, 123, 124, 125. The container 501 is housed in the container housing section 121. Similarly, containers 502, 503, 504, and 505 are respectively housed in the container housing portions 122, 123, 124, and 125. In the above description, the specific container 500 is stored in each container storage unit 120, but any container 500 may be stored in each container storage unit 120. The tube 524 of the container 500 stored in the container storage unit 120 is stored so as to be located outside the container storage unit 120 with respect to the rotation shaft 112 of the rotary table 110.

The container housing section 120 of the rotary table 110 includes a fixing structure (not shown) for fixing the container 500. The container 500 is fixed by a fixing structure so as not to move in the vertical direction of fig. 5 when being stored in the container storage section 120.

Each container 500 is rotated with respect to the upper and lower housings 102 and 103 by the rotation of the rotary table 110.

Fig. 6 is a plan view showing an internal configuration of an example of the liquid material discharge apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 6 is a view of the turntable 110 in a state where the container 500 is stored in the container storage unit 120, as viewed from above. Fig. 6(a) shows a state in which the container 500 (container 501) is positioned above the extraction port 106. Fig. 6(a) is a view of the liquid discharge apparatus 100 of fig. 5 as viewed from above. The position of the container 501 above the drawing port 106 is referred to as a discharge position PosA. In the liquid discharging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, since the containers 500 can be stored in a total of 5 container storage units 120, the containers 501, 502, 503, 504, and 505 sequentially reach the discharge position PosA by rotating the rotary table 110 by 72 ° about the rotation axis 112.

Fig. 6(B) shows a state in which the turntable 110 is rotated by 36 degrees in the direction of the arrow a from the state shown in fig. 6 (a). Fig. 6(B) shows a state in which the intermediate portion between the container 501 and the container 502 is positioned above the extraction port 106. A position on the opposite side of the discharge position PosA with respect to the rotation shaft 112 (the position of the container 504 in fig. 6B) is referred to as a replacement position PosB. In fig. 6(B), the container 504(500) is rotated 36 ° by rotating the turntable 110 shown in fig. 6(a) by 36 °, and is positioned at PosB. When the container lid 108 is opened, the container 500 located at the replacement position PosB is exposed to the outside. The user can exchange the container 500 located at the exchange position PosB with another container 500.

In this way, in the liquid discharging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the rotary table 110 is rotated by 36 ° about the rotary shaft 112, and thereby the containers 501 to 505 can be sequentially set to the discharge position PosA or the replacement position PosB.

In the liquid discharging apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, the discharge position PosA and the replacement position PosB are different in position in a plan view (plan view).

< discharge means 130 >

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing details of the discharge mechanism 130 of an example of the liquid discharge apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

The liquid discharge apparatus 100 includes a discharge mechanism 130 at a position corresponding to the discharge position PosA of the rotary table 110. The discharge mechanism 130 of the present embodiment includes a discharge motor 131, a speed reducer 132, a cam 133, a slide member 134, and a fixing member 135. A rotation shaft of the discharge motor 131 is connected to a reduction gear 132. The decelerator 132 is connected to the cam 133. The decelerator 132 decelerates the rotation of the discharge motor 131 to rotate the cam 133. The cam 133 is a substantially fan-shaped eccentric cam. The cam 133 is inserted into a recess 1341 provided on the face of the slide member 134 on the speed reducer 132 side. When the cam 133 rotates, the sliding member 134 slides up and down by the cam 133 contacting the inner surface of the recess 1341. The fixing member 135 is a member that holds and fixes the slide member 134 so that the slide member 134 slides up and down.

The rotary table 110 moves the container 500 to the discharge position PosA. The position of the push button 522 of the container 500 located at the discharge position PosA and the position of the distal end 136 of the slide member 134 coincide with each other in a plan view. When the slide member 134 is slid in the direction of the container 500 (upward direction), the tip 136 of the slide member 134 comes into contact with the push button 522 of the container 500, and pushes the push button 522 of the container 500 in the direction of the main body 510 of the container 500. The body 510 and the cover 520 of the container 500 are fixed by a fixing structure not shown so as not to move. Therefore, the stored liquid (discharged liquid) stored in the container 500 is discharged by pressing the push button 522 of the container 500. Further, the liquid material discharging apparatus 100 controls the amount of the stored liquid (discharged liquid) according to the number of times the push button 522 is pushed.

< control device 140 >

Fig. 8 is a functional block diagram of an example of the liquid discharging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

The liquid discharge apparatus 100 includes a control device 140. The control device 140 controls the operation of the liquid discharge device 100. The control device 140 includes a device control unit 141, a communication control unit 142, a rotation control unit 143, a discharge control unit 144, a position detection unit 145, a discharge detection unit 146, an input/output unit 147, and an RFID control unit 148.

The apparatus control unit 141 controls the entire apparatus.

The communication control unit 142 controls communication between the liquid discharge apparatus 100 and the information processing terminal 200 and/or the server apparatus 300. The communication control unit 142 controls the communication unit 180 provided in the liquid discharge apparatus 100. The communication unit 180 communicates with the information processing terminal 200 and/or the server device 300 via the network 400 based on the control of the communication control unit 142. The communication by the communication unit 180 is performed by, for example, short-range communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), communication by a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), and portable communication such as LTE (Long Term Evolution). The communication unit 180 is an example of a device communication unit.

The rotation controller 143 controls the rotation of the turntable 110. The rotary table 110 is connected to a rotation motor 113. The rotation control unit 143 controls the rotation of the rotation motor 113 to control the rotation of the rotation table 110.

The discharge control unit 144 controls the discharge of the liquid (stock solution). The discharge control unit 144 controls the discharge of the liquid material (the stock solution) by controlling the rotation of the discharge motor 131 of the discharge mechanism 130.

The position detecting unit 145 detects whether or not the predetermined container 500 is located at a predetermined position, for example, the discharge position PosA or the replacement position PosB. The position detecting unit 145 detects the position of the predetermined container 500 based on the detection result of the position detecting device 150 provided in the liquid discharge apparatus 100.

The discharge detector 146 detects whether or not the liquid (stock solution) is discharged from the container 500 located at the discharge position PosA. The discharge detector 146 detects whether or not the liquid (stock solution) is discharged based on the detection result of the discharge detector 160 provided in the liquid discharge device 100.

The input/output unit 147 receives input from a user or outputs information to the user. The input/output unit 147 receives an input from the user by detecting the pressing of the button 109. The input/output unit 147 controls the LED driving unit 170 to control light emission of the LEDs included in the liquid discharge apparatus 100, and outputs information to the user.

The RFID control unit 148 controls input and output of information recorded in the RFID tag 550 of the container 500. The RFID control unit 148 controls the RFID reader/writer 190 included in the liquid discharge apparatus 100 to read information from the RFID tag 550 of the container 500 or write information to the RFID tag 550.

The respective functions of the control device 140 are realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) operating in accordance with a program stored in a storage device (not shown) so as to be readable. For example, each of the above functions is realized by cooperation of hardware and software in a microcomputer including a CPU. Further, the control device 140 may be divided into a plurality of processing devices, or other functions may be incorporated into the control device 140.

< operation of the liquid discharge apparatus 100>

The server 300 determines the type and amount of the liquid material discharged from the liquid material discharge apparatus 100 used by the user based on personal information such as the age, skin characteristics, and skin condition of the user, environmental information such as temperature, humidity, and weather of the day of use, and time information. When the user presses the button (switch) 109 of the liquid discharging apparatus 100, the liquid discharging apparatus 100 transmits information (discharged liquid information) on the type and amount of the discharged liquid to the server apparatus 300, and the server apparatus 300 transmits information (discharged liquid information) on the type and amount of the discharged liquid to the liquid discharging apparatus 100. When the user inserts his or her hand into the hand insertion portion 105, the liquid discharge apparatus 100 discharges 1 or more kinds of liquid corresponding to the container 500 stored in the liquid discharge apparatus 100. The liquid material discharge device 100 discharges each liquid material based on the amount of the discharged liquid information.

The device control unit 141 of the liquid material discharge device 100 determines which container 500 among the containers 500(501, 502, 503, 504, 505) stored in the liquid material discharge device 100 is to be discharged from the discharged liquid material information received from the server device 300. Then, the apparatus control unit 141 calculates how much liquid material is discharged, that is, how many times the push button 522 is pushed, for the specified discharge container 500.

When the user inserts the hand into the hand insertion portion 105, the apparatus control portion 141 controls the rotation control portion 143 to rotate the container storage portion 120 of the container 500, which is intended to discharge the liquid material, to the discharge position PosA. Next, the apparatus control unit 141 controls the discharge control unit 144 to discharge the liquid material by pressing the push button 522 of the container 500 the calculated number of times.

< Server device 300 >

Fig. 9 shows a configuration diagram of the server device 300 according to the present embodiment.

The server device 300 includes a server control unit 301, a server communication control unit 302, a server storage unit 303, and a server communication unit 310.

The server control unit 301 controls the entire server device 300.

The server communication control unit 302 controls communication with the liquid discharge apparatus 100 via the server communication unit 310 and the network 400.

The server storage unit 303 stores the processed information and the like.

The server storage unit 303 is an example of a state storage unit.

< action when button 109 is pressed >

The operation of the liquid discharge system 1 when the button 109 is pressed will be described. The button 109 is an example of an operation button.

Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the liquid discharge system 1.

(step S100) the user U presses the button 109 of the liquid discharge apparatus 100. The input/output unit 147 of the control device 140 of the liquid discharge apparatus 100 detects that the button 109 is pressed. Then, the input/output unit 147 notifies the apparatus control unit 141 that the button 109 is pressed.

(step S110) the device control unit 141 controls the communication control unit 142 to transmit a command (command) (operation information request command) for requesting the server device 300 to transmit information (operation information) related to the operation of the liquid material discharge device 100 to the server device 300 via the communication unit 180.

(step S120) the server communication unit 310 receives the operation information request command transmitted from the liquid material discharge apparatus 100 from the network 400. The server communication control unit 302 transmits the operation information request command received by the server communication unit 310 to the server control unit 301.

(step S130) the server control unit 301 acquires the device state information of the liquid material discharge device 100 to which the operation information request command recorded in the server storage unit 303 has been transmitted. Table 1 shows an example of the device state information of the liquid discharge device 100.

[ Table 1]

(step S140) the server control unit 301 creates operation information defining the operation of the liquid discharging apparatus 100 to which the operation information request command has been transmitted, based on the apparatus state information acquired in step S130. Table 2 shows the operation corresponding to each device state.

[ Table 2]

(step S150) the server control unit 301 controls the server communication control unit 302 to transmit the operation information generated in step S140 for the liquid material discharge apparatus 100 to the liquid material discharge apparatus 100 that has transmitted the operation information request command, via the server communication unit 310.

(step S160) the device control unit 141 controls the communication control unit 142 to receive the operation information from the server device 300 via the communication unit 180.

(step S170) the device control unit 141 controls the liquid material discharging device 100 based on the received operation information.

(step S180) the device control unit 141 creates device state update information based on the result of the processing performed based on the operation information received in step S170. For example, the liquid material discharge apparatus 100 creates the type and/or amount of the liquid material actually discharged as the apparatus state update information.

(step S190) the device control unit 141 controls the communication control unit 142 to transmit the device state update information created in step S170 to the server device 300 via the communication unit 180 with respect to the server device 300.

(step S200) the server communication unit 310 receives the device status update information transmitted from the liquid material discharge device 100 from the network 400. The server communication control unit 302 transmits the device state update information received by the server communication unit 310 to the server control unit 301.

(step S210) the server control unit 301 acquires the device state information of the liquid material discharge device 100 that transmitted the device state update information recorded in the server storage unit 303. Then, the device state information is updated based on the received device state update information.

Further, information may be transmitted from the server device 300 to the information processing terminal 200. This example will be explained.

(step S500) the server control unit 301 creates related information related to the device state information created in step S150. The related information may be the device status information itself or a part thereof, or may include error information or the like.

(step S510) the server control unit 301 controls the server communication control unit 302 to transmit the related information created in step S200 to the liquid discharge apparatus 100 via the server communication unit 310.

(step S520) the information processing terminal 200 receives the related information transmitted from the server apparatus 300.

(step S530) the information processing terminal 200 performs processing based on the received association information.

Each function of the server device 300 is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) operating in accordance with a program stored in a storage device (not shown) so as to be readable. For example, each of the above functions is realized by cooperation of hardware and software in a microcomputer including a CPU.

< action, Effect >

The liquid discharge apparatus 100 can perform a plurality of operations according to the state of the liquid discharge apparatus 100 by operating the button 109. Therefore, since one button operation is required, the user can easily perform the operation.

Description of the reference numerals

1 liquid discharge system

100 liquid discharge device

109 button

140 control device

180 communication unit

300 server device

301 server control part

303 server storage unit

310 server communication unit