JP2020170301A - Charge determination device, charge determination program, and charge determination method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a charge determination device capable of calculating charge for a freezing process that freezes an object to be frozen using a cooling device.SOLUTION: A charge determination device includes: a data acquisition unit that acquires position data indicating a position of a holding mechanism with reference to a cooling tank that stores a coolant whose temperature is lower than the solidification temperature of an object to be frozen held by the holding mechanism; a data determination unit that determines whether or not a position of the holding mechanism indicated by the position data is within the range in which the object to be frozen is immersed in the coolant; and a charge determination unit that calculates the charge for freezing processing of freezing the object to be frozen using the coolant when it is determined that the position of the holding mechanism indicated by the position data is within the range in which the object to be frozen is immersed in the coolant.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a charge determination device, a charge determination program, and a charge determination method.

Various attempts have been made so far regarding the technology for freezing an object to be frozen such as food. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for freezing unheated food and a freezing device for freezing unheated food.

JP-A-2017-9272

The freezing method according to Patent Document 1 includes a step of sealing and packaging unheated food, a cooling step of immersing the food in a liquid refrigerant forming a flow, and cooling and holding the food at a temperature of 0 ° C. or lower so as not to freeze. It includes a freezing step in which food is immersed in an antifreeze solution at −20 ° C. or lower and frozen from an overcooled state. Further, the refrigerating apparatus according to Patent Document 1 includes a refrigerating tank for storing a liquid refrigerant having a temperature of 0 ° C. or lower, a cooling tank for storing an antifreeze liquid having a temperature of −20 ° C. or lower, and at least -20 antifreeze liquid provided outside the cooling tank. It includes a cooling mechanism for cooling below ° C. and a circulation mechanism for circulating the antifreeze liquid between the cooling tank and the cooling mechanism to form a jet of the antifreeze liquid in the cooling tank.

On the other hand, at present, a cooling device for cooling a frozen object such as food is sold or rented to a user, and a fee is collected from the user each time the user performs a process of cooling the frozen object using the cooling device. A system for recording the amount of money is desired.

However, both the freezing method and the freezing device according to Patent Document 1 relate only to the process of freezing food, and do not record the fee collected from the user as a consideration for using the freezing method or the freezing device. ..

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a charge determination device, a charge determination program, and a charge determination method capable of recording a charge for a freezing process in which a cooling device is used to freeze a frozen object.

One aspect of the present invention is a data acquisition unit that acquires position data indicating the position of the holding mechanism with reference to a cooling tank that stores a cooling liquid having a temperature lower than the solidification temperature of the object to be frozen held in the holding mechanism. The data determination unit for determining whether or not the position of the holding mechanism indicated by the position data is within the range in which the object to be frozen is immersed in the coolant, and the position of the holding mechanism indicated by the position data are When it is determined that the object to be frozen is within the range of being immersed in the coolant, a fee-determining unit for recording the fee for the freezing process of using the coolant to freeze the object to be frozen is provided. It is a charge determination device.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, in the charge determination device, the data acquisition unit further acquires temperature data indicating the temperature of the coolant, and the data determination unit further acquires the temperature indicated by the temperature data within a predetermined range. If the charge determination unit determines that the temperature indicated by the temperature data is within the predetermined range, the charge for the freezing process is recorded.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned charge determination device, the data acquisition unit further acquires weight data indicating the weight of the frozen object, and the charge determination unit increases the weight indicated by the weight data. , A high fee is recorded as the fee for the freezing process.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, in the charge determination device, the data acquisition unit further acquires time-series position data indicating a change in the position of the holding mechanism with respect to the cooling tank, and the data determination unit. Further determines whether or not the position of the holding mechanism is within the range in which the frozen object is immersed in the coolant is less than a predetermined threshold value based on the time-series position data. If the charge determination unit determines that the time during which the position of the holding mechanism is within the range in which the frozen object is immersed in the coolant is less than a predetermined threshold value, zero is recorded as the charge for the freezing process. ..

In one aspect of the present invention, a computer acquires position data indicating the position of the holding mechanism with respect to a cooling tank for storing a coolant having a temperature lower than the solidification temperature of the object to be frozen held in the holding mechanism. A data acquisition function, a data determination function for determining whether or not the position of the holding mechanism indicated by the position data is within the range in which the frozen object is immersed in the coolant, and the holding mechanism indicated by the position data. When it is determined that the position of the object is within the range in which the object to be frozen is immersed in the coolant, a charge determination function for recording the charge for the freezing process in which the object to be frozen is frozen using the coolant. , Is a pricing program to realize.

One aspect of the present invention is a data acquisition step of acquiring position data indicating the position of the holding mechanism with reference to a cooling tank for storing a coolant having a temperature lower than the solidification temperature of the object to be frozen held in the holding mechanism. The data determination step of determining whether or not the position of the holding mechanism indicated by the position data is within the range in which the frozen object is immersed in the coolant, and the position of the holding mechanism indicated by the position data are When it is determined that the object to be frozen is within the range of being immersed in the coolant, the fee determination step of recording the fee for the freezing process of freezing the object to be frozen using the coolant is included. It is a charge determination method.

According to the present invention, it is possible to record a charge for a freezing process in which a cooling device is used to freeze an object to be frozen.

It is a figure which shows an example of the schematic structure of the cooling apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional structure of the charge determination apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process executed by the charge determination apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

[Embodiment]
An example of the configuration of the charge determination device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling device 1 includes a cooling tank 101, a support column 102, a support column 103, a holding mechanism 104, a lid 105, a drive unit 106, a weighing unit 107, a temperature measurement unit 108, and the like. It includes a pump 109, a heat exchanger 110, and a communication unit 111.

The cooling tank 101 is a container for storing the cooling liquid R having a temperature lower than the solidification temperature of the object F to be frozen, and has an opening 101A. Further, the frozen object F referred to here is, for example, a food product, regardless of whether or not it has been cooked and whether or not it is packed. Further, the cooling liquid R is a liquid used for freezing the object F to be frozen, and is, for example, a mixed solution of ethanol and water. An example of the ratio of ethanol to water is 45% ethanol and 55% water. The cooling tank 101 may have any shape as long as it can store the coolant R. For example, the cooling tank 101 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped container that stores 250 L (liter) to 580 L of coolant R.

The columns 102 and 103 are attached to the bottom surface of the cooling tank 101 and support the holding mechanism 104 and the lid 105. The holding mechanism 104 is a mechanical mechanism for holding the frozen object F, for example, a shelf board on which the frozen object F is placed. However, the holding mechanism 104 is not particularly limited as long as it can hold the object to be frozen, and may be, for example, a basket suspended from the lid 105. The lid 105 is a plate-shaped member used for sealing the cooling tank 101.

The drive unit 106 translates the holding mechanism 104 and the lid 105 along the columns 102 and 103. Specifically, the drive unit 106 simultaneously translates the holding mechanism 104 and the lid 105 in the range from the lower limit position to the upper limit position. At the lower limit position, all or part of the object F to be frozen held in the holding mechanism 104 is immersed in the coolant R stored in the cooling tank 101, and the lid 105 seals the opening 101A of the cooling tank 101. The position. The upper limit position is a position where the object F to be frozen is not immersed in the coolant R and the lid 105 opens the opening 101A of the cooling tank 101. The drive unit 106 employs an arbitrary mechanism as a mechanism for moving the holding mechanism 104 and the lid 105 in parallel.

The drive unit 106 collects position data indicating a predetermined position of the cooling tank 101, for example, a position of the holding mechanism 104 with reference to the bottom surface of the cooling tank 101, and transmits the position data to the communication unit 111. The position data shows that the desired part of the frozen object F is immersed in the coolant R and then the freezing process of freezing the frozen object F is completed, and the desired part of the frozen object F is the coolant R. It is collected at any time until it is not immersed in.

Further, the drive unit 106 may collect time-series position data indicating a change in the position of the holding mechanism 104 with reference to a predetermined position of the cooling tank 101 and transmit it to the communication unit 111. In the time-series position data, the desired part of the frozen object F is immersed in the coolant R, and then the freezing process of freezing the frozen object F is completed, and the desired part of the frozen object F is cooled. It is collected until it is not immersed in the liquid R.

The weighing unit 107 includes a weighing meter for the frozen object F held by the holding mechanism 104, and by weighing the frozen object F, weight data indicating the weight of the frozen object F is generated, and the weight data is generated. Is transmitted to the communication unit 111. The weighing unit 107 employs an arbitrary mechanism as a mechanism for weighing the frozen object F. Further, the weight data may be data showing the weight weighed before immersing the frozen object F in the coolant R, or data showing the weight weighed after immersing the frozen object F in the coolant R. It may be.

The temperature measuring unit 108 includes a thermometer that measures the temperature of the cooling liquid R stored in the cooling tank 101, and generates temperature data indicating the temperature of the cooling liquid by measuring the temperature of the cooling liquid R. , The temperature data is transmitted to the communication unit 111. The temperature measuring unit 108 can measure the temperature in the range that can be taken by the cooling liquid R stored in the cooling tank 101 with an accuracy that does not cause any problem in freezing the object F to be frozen. To measure. Further, the temperature data is data showing the temperature of the coolant R measured at an arbitrary timing regardless of the object F to be frozen.

The pump 109 sucks the coolant R stored in the cooling tank 101 and supplies it to the heat exchanger 110. The heat exchanger 110 cools the coolant R supplied from the pump 109 to a predetermined temperature and supplies it to the pump 109. The predetermined temperature referred to here is, for example, −35 ° C. or lower, −55 ° C. or higher, −50 ° C. or lower. The pump 109 discharges the coolant R cooled by the heat exchanger 110 to the cooling tank 101. Since the coolant R stored in the cooling tank 101 is agitated by suction and discharge by the pump 109, the temperature is kept uniform in the entire cooling tank 101.

The communication unit 111 receives the position data from the drive unit 106 and transmits the received data to the charge determination device 2. Further, the communication unit 111 may receive the weight data from the weighing unit 107 and transmit the received data to the charge determination device 2. Further, the communication unit 111 may receive the temperature data from the temperature measurement unit 108 and transmit the temperature data to the charge determination device 2.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the charge determination device according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the charge determination device 2 includes a data acquisition unit 21, a data determination unit 22, a charge determination unit 23, and a display unit 24.

The data acquisition unit 21 acquires position data indicating the position of the holding mechanism 104 with reference to the cooling tank 101 that stores the cooling liquid R whose temperature is lower than the solidification temperature of the frozen object F held 104 in the holding mechanism. Is transmitted to the data determination unit 22. Specifically, the data acquisition unit 21 acquires the position data from the drive unit 106 and transmits it to the data determination unit 22.

Further, the data acquisition unit 21 may acquire temperature data indicating the temperature of the coolant R and transmit it to the data determination unit 22. Specifically, the data acquisition unit 21 may acquire temperature data from the temperature measurement unit 108 and transmit it to the data determination unit 22.

Further, the data acquisition unit 21 may acquire weight data indicating the weight of the frozen object F. Specifically, the data acquisition unit 21 may acquire weight data from the weighing unit 107.

Further, the data acquisition unit 21 may acquire time-series position data indicating a change in the position of the holding mechanism 104 with respect to the cooling tank 101 and transmit it to the data determination unit 22. Specifically, the data acquisition unit 21 may acquire time-series position data from the drive unit 106 and transmit it to the data determination unit 22.

The data determination unit 22 receives the position data from the data acquisition unit 21 and determines whether or not the position of the holding mechanism 104 indicated by the position data is within the range in which the frozen object F is immersed in the coolant R.

Further, when the data determination unit 22 receives the temperature data from the data acquisition unit 21, it may determine whether or not the temperature indicated by the temperature data is within a predetermined range. The predetermined range referred to here is the temperature range of the coolant R that is preferable for freezing the object F to be frozen, and is, for example, −35 ° C. or lower, −55 ° C. or higher, −50 ° C. or lower.

Further, when the data determination unit 22 receives the time-series position data from the data acquisition unit 21, the position of the holding mechanism 104 falls within the range in which the frozen object F is immersed in the coolant R based on the time-series position data. It may be determined whether or not the time spent is less than a predetermined threshold.

When the charge determination unit 23 determines that the position of the holding mechanism 104 indicated by the position data is within the range in which the frozen object F is immersed in the coolant R, the charge determining unit 23 uses the coolant R to freeze the frozen object F. The charge for freezing processing is recorded.

Further, when the data determination unit 22 determines whether or not the temperature indicated by the temperature data is within a predetermined range, the charge determination unit 23 may record the charge for the freezing process. That is, even if the charge determination unit 23 determines that the position of the holding mechanism 104 indicated by the position data is within the range in which the frozen object F is immersed in the coolant R, the temperature indicated by the temperature data is within a predetermined range. If it is determined that it does not fit, it is not necessary to record the freeze processing fee. Further, the charge determination unit 23 determines that the position of the holding mechanism 104 indicated by the position data is within the range in which the frozen object F is immersed in the coolant R, and the temperature indicated by the temperature data is within a predetermined range. If it is determined that there is, the freeze processing fee may be recorded.

Further, when the data acquisition unit 21 has acquired the weight data, the charge determination unit 23 may record a higher charge as the charge for the freezing process as the weight indicated by the weight data is larger.

Further, when the charge determination unit 23 determines that the time during which the position of the holding mechanism 104 is within the range in which the freezing object F is immersed in the coolant R is less than a predetermined threshold value, the charge for the freezing process is zero. May be accounted for.

The display unit 24 is a device that displays the charges recorded by the charge determination unit 23, the total of the charges, and a numerical value correlating with these charges, for example, a display or a meter. Further, the numerical values that correlate with these charges are, for example, the total weight of the frozen object F for which the freezing treatment has been executed, and the total time for the frozen object F to be immersed in the coolant R. The display unit 24 is not an essential component of the charge determination device 2.

Next, an example of the process executed by the charge determination device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the charge determination device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In step S10, the data acquisition unit 21 acquires position data, temperature data, weight data, and time-series position data.

In step S20, the data determination unit 22 determines whether or not the position of the holding mechanism 104 indicated by the position data acquired in step S10 is within the range in which the frozen object F is immersed in the coolant R. When the data determination unit 22 determines that the position of the holding mechanism 104 indicated by the position data is within the range in which the frozen object F is immersed in the coolant R (step S20: YES), the process proceeds to step S30. On the other hand, when the data determination unit 22 determines that the position of the holding mechanism 104 indicated by the position data is not within the range in which the frozen object F is immersed in the coolant R (step S20: NO), the process is terminated.

In step S30, the data determination unit 22 determines whether or not the temperature indicated by the temperature data acquired in step S10 is within a predetermined range. When the data determination unit 22 determines that the temperature indicated by the temperature data is within a predetermined range (step S30: YES), the data determination unit 22 proceeds to step S40. On the other hand, when the data determination unit 22 determines that the temperature indicated by the temperature data is not within the predetermined range (step S30: NO), the data determination unit 22 ends the process.

In step S40, the data determination unit 22 determines whether or not the time during which the position of the holding mechanism 104 is within the range in which the frozen object F is immersed in the coolant R is less than a predetermined threshold value. When the data determination unit 22 determines that the time during which the position of the holding mechanism 104 is within the range in which the frozen object F is immersed in the coolant R is less than a predetermined threshold value (step S40: YES), the process ends. Let me. On the other hand, when the data determination unit 22 determines that the time during which the position of the holding mechanism 104 is within the range in which the frozen object F is immersed in the coolant R is equal to or longer than a predetermined threshold value (step S40: NO), the process is performed. To step S50.

In step S50, the charge determination unit 23 records the charge for the freezing process.

The charge determination device 2 according to the embodiment has been described above. When the charge determination device 2 determines that the position of the holding mechanism 104 indicated by the position data is within the range in which the frozen object F is immersed in the coolant R, the charge determining device 2 uses the coolant R to freeze the frozen object F. The charge for freezing processing is recorded. Therefore, the charge determination device 2 can record the charge for the freezing process in which the object F to be frozen is frozen by using the cooling device.

When it is determined that the temperature indicated by the temperature data is within a predetermined range, that is, the temperature of the coolant R preferable for freezing the object F to be frozen, the charge determining device 2 records the charge for the freezing process. Therefore, in the charge determining device 2, the charge for the freezing process is recorded even when the freezing process is executed in a state where the temperature of the coolant R is out of the preferable range for freezing the object F to be frozen. Can be avoided.

The charge determining device 2 records a higher charge as the charge for the freezing process as the weight indicated by the weight data increases. Therefore, the charge determination device 2 can record a pay-as-you-go charge for the freezing process.

When the charge determining device 2 determines that the time during which the position of the holding mechanism 104 is within the range in which the frozen object F is immersed in the coolant R is less than a predetermined threshold value, the charge determining device 2 records zero as the charge for the freezing process. To do. Therefore, the charge determining device 2 avoids a situation in which the charge for the freezing process is recorded even when the frozen object F is not immersed in the coolant R for a sufficient time for freezing the frozen object F. be able to.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the position data and the time-series position data are generated by the drive unit 106 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the position data and the time-series position data are read by the user using a scale or the like in which the position of the holding mechanism 104 with respect to the cooling tank 101 is drawn on the support column 102 or the support column 103, and the read position is the mouse. , It may be generated by inputting using an input device such as a keyboard. Further, in this case, the data acquisition unit 21 acquires the position data and the time-series position data from the storage medium in which the position data and the time-series data are stored, instead of the drive unit 106.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the temperature data is generated by the temperature measuring unit 108 has been given as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the temperature data is generated by reading the temperature indicated by the thermometer included in the temperature measuring unit 108 by the user and inputting the read temperature using an input device such as a mouse or keyboard. May be good. Further, in this case, the data acquisition unit 21 acquires the temperature data from the storage medium in which the temperature data is stored, instead of the temperature measurement unit 108.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the weight data is generated by the weighing unit 107 has been given as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even if the weight data is generated by reading the weight indicated by the weighing scale included in the weighing unit 107 by the user and inputting the read weight using an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard. Good. Further, in this case, the data acquisition unit 21 acquires the weight data not from the weighing unit 107 but from the storage medium in which the weighing data is stored.

Further, the charge determination device 2 does not have to execute at least one of the above-mentioned steps S30 and S40. The charge determination device 2 did not execute both steps S30 and S40 described above, and determined that the position of the holding mechanism indicated by the position data in step S20 was within the range in which the object to be frozen was immersed in the coolant. If so, the process proceeds to step S50. Further, when the charge determination device 2 does not execute the above-mentioned step S30 and determines in step S20 that the position of the holding mechanism indicated by the position data is within the range in which the object to be frozen is immersed in the coolant, the processing is performed. To step S40. Further, the charge determination device 2 does not execute the above-mentioned step S40, and if it is determined in step S30 that the temperature indicated by the temperature data is within a predetermined range, the process proceeds to step S50.

Further, in step S50, the charge determination device 2 may record a higher charge as the charge for the freezing process as the weight indicated by the weight data is larger.

Further, all or a part of the functions provided in the above-mentioned charge determination device 2 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium as a charge determination program and executed by the computer system. The computer system shall include hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Computer-readable recording media include, for example, flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, portable media such as ROMs (Read Only Memory) and CD-ROMs, storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems, and the Internet. It is a RAM (Random Access Memory) provided in a server or the like on a network. The RAM is an example of a recording medium that holds a program for a certain period of time.

Further, the charge determination program may be a program that realizes all or a part of the above-mentioned functions. The program that realizes a part of the above-mentioned functions may be a so-called difference program that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program recorded in advance in the computer system.

Although the embodiments for carrying out the present invention have been described above using the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Can be added.

1 ... Cooling device, 101 ... Cooling tank, 101A ... Opening, 102, 103 ... Support, 104 ... Holding mechanism, 105 ... Lid, 106 ... Drive unit, 107 ... Weighing unit, 108 ... Temperature measuring unit, 109 ... Pump, 110 ... heat exchanger, 111 ... communication unit, 2 ... charge determination device, 21 ... data acquisition unit, 22 ... data determination unit, 23 ... charge determination unit, 24 ... display unit, F ... frozen object, R ... coolant

Claims (6)

A data acquisition unit that acquires position data indicating the position of the holding mechanism with reference to a cooling tank that stores a cooling liquid whose temperature is lower than the solidification temperature of the object to be frozen held by the holding mechanism.
A data determination unit that determines whether or not the position of the holding mechanism indicated by the position data is within the range in which the frozen object is immersed in the coolant.
When it is determined that the position of the holding mechanism indicated by the position data is within the range in which the object to be frozen is immersed in the coolant, the freezing process of freezing the object to be frozen using the coolant is performed. The charge determination department that records charges and
A charge determination device equipped with. The data acquisition unit further acquires temperature data indicating the temperature of the coolant, and further acquires the temperature data.
The data determination unit further determines whether or not the temperature indicated by the temperature data is within a predetermined range, and further determines.
When it is determined that the temperature indicated by the temperature data is within the predetermined range, the charge determination unit records the charge for the freezing process.
The charge determination device according to claim 1. The data acquisition unit further acquires weight data indicating the weight of the object to be frozen.
The charge determination unit records a higher charge as the charge for the freezing process as the weight indicated by the weight data increases.
The charge determination device according to claim 1 or 2. The data acquisition unit further acquires time-series position data indicating a change in the position of the holding mechanism with respect to the cooling tank.
Based on the time-series position data, the data determination unit determines whether or not the time during which the position of the holding mechanism is within the range in which the frozen object is immersed in the coolant is less than a predetermined threshold value. Judging further,
When the charge determining unit determines that the time during which the position of the holding mechanism is within the range in which the frozen object is immersed in the coolant is less than a predetermined threshold value, the charge for the freezing process is set to zero. To record,
The charge determination device according to claim 1. On the computer
A data acquisition function that acquires position data indicating the position of the holding mechanism with reference to a cooling tank that stores a cooling liquid whose temperature is lower than the solidification temperature of the object to be frozen held by the holding mechanism.
A data determination function for determining whether or not the position of the holding mechanism indicated by the position data is within the range in which the object to be frozen is immersed in the coolant.
When it is determined that the position of the holding mechanism indicated by the position data is within the range in which the object to be frozen is immersed in the coolant, the freezing process of freezing the object to be frozen using the coolant is performed. A charge determination function for recording charges and
Pricing program to realize. A data acquisition step of acquiring position data indicating the position of the holding mechanism with reference to a cooling tank for storing a cooling liquid having a temperature lower than the solidification temperature of the object to be frozen held by the holding mechanism.
A data determination step of determining whether or not the position of the holding mechanism indicated by the position data is within the range in which the object to be frozen is immersed in the coolant.
When it is determined that the position of the holding mechanism indicated by the position data is within the range in which the object to be frozen is immersed in the coolant, the freezing process of freezing the object to be frozen using the coolant is performed. The charge determination process for recording charges and
How to determine the price including.

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