WO2001086603A1

WO2001086603A1 - Temporary depositing box system

Info

Publication number: WO2001086603A1
Application number: PCT/JP2001/003948
Authority: WO
Inventors: Koji Osada; Shoichiro Yamada
Original assignee: X-Cube Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2000-05-12
Filing date: 2001-05-11
Publication date: 2001-11-15
Also published as: JP2001325660A; JP4484237B2; TW574676B

Abstract

A temporary depositing box system in which a temporary depositing box can be unlocked by using a mobile telephone easily, the place where the temporary depositing box is installed, use-by-the-time charge reception/shipping information and vacancy of the temporary depositing box are readily known by using the Internet, and the use of the temporary depositing box can be charged through the telephone number of the mobile telephone. A mobile telephone (1) capable of using the Internet is used to transmit the telephone number thereof as ID information to a control unit (4) of a temporary depositing box (2). The control unit (4) drives a locking mechanism (8), when it receives the telephone number and confirms the authentication and unlocks the temporary depositing box (2).

Description

Specification

-Technical field

The present invention relates to a temporary storage box system such as a mailbox, a home delivery box, and a cleaner box for temporarily storing articles. Background art

Conventionally, as a technique of this kind, a mouth opening system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-330458 has been proposed. In the above-mentioned known example, it is possible to unlock the mouth locker by identifying the fe certificate by the IC force, and furthermore, to charge the mouth locker usage fee by giving the IC card a prepaid function. However, in the above-mentioned known example, the user must carry a designated IC locker dedicated to the designated locker at all times to perform authentication and identification with the IC card and unlock the locker. Les ,.

Although IC cards have the advantage of being easy to carry in wallets, personal organizers, etc., the current situation is that everything necessary for daily life, such as bank cash cards ゃ credit cards, or scoring points at various supermarkets and shops, is being converted to cards In some cases, it may be troublesome to find the target IC card from various cards stored in a wallet or personal organizer.

Also, when removing the IC card, it is necessary to first remove the wallet or notebook containing the IC card, which takes two steps of removal time, which is troublesome.

Also, in order to remove the IC card, turn your back to the street or aisle toward the locker and keep your bank card or credit card, or a wallet containing cash, etc., an identification card or a large commute. However, taking out valuables such as a notebook containing a commuter pass is too vulnerable for crime prevention and may cause theft. In addition, an IC card input process is required to confirm the identity of the IC card using the entered password. In addition, IC cards need to register their name and personal identification number in advance, and they are easy to lose, making it very complicated to invalidate and reissue a card when lost.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to easily unlock a temporary storage box using a mobile phone, and furthermore, to use the Internet to secure the temporary storage box. It is intended to provide a temporary storage box system in which the location, elapsed usage charges, shipping / shipping information, availability, etc. can be easily known, and the usage fee for the temporary storage box can be charged to the mobile phone telephone number. is there. Disclosure of the invention

In order to achieve the above object, a temporary storage box system according to the present invention comprises a portable telephone capable of transmitting ID information and a transmitting / receiving unit having a telephone function for receiving and collating the ID information transmitted from the portable telephone. And a control unit for unlocking the temporary storage box.

According to the above configuration, when the user transmits the ID information using the mobile phone, the ID information registered in the memory provided in the control unit or the memory provided in the central computer and the transmission from the mobile phone are performed. Only the authorized person can easily unlock the temporary storage box by checking the ID information and unlocking the temporary storage box when they match.

Further, when the ID information is the telephone number information of the mobile phone itself, when a telephone call is made to a telephone number in a predetermined temporary storage box, the telephone number information of the mobile phone itself is automatically set. It is possible to easily transmit telephone number information as ID information using the transmitted function.

Since the telephone number of the mobile phone itself is registered in advance, it is easy to confirm the identity, so that the temporary storage box can be unlocked without checking the ID information. In addition, ID information can be identified by adding identification by password information or voiceprint information. The security of the layer can be improved.

If the mobile phone is available on the Internet and at least one of the location of the temporary custody box, elapsed usage fee, shipping / shipping information, and vacancy status can be known via the Internet, The user can easily know and use the vacant temporary storage box, can easily know the status of the shipment and receipt of luggage, and can easily know the historical usage fee.

Further, when the usage fee of the temporary storage box is charged to the telephone number of the portable telephone, the charging can be easily performed as the telephone fee.

Further, if the unlocking of the temporary storage box can be remotely controlled in order to reserve the temporary storage box from the mobile phone, the temporary storage box can be easily and reliably reserved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing the configuration of a temporary storage box system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of each part of the temporary storage box system according to the present invention. The figure is a flowchart showing the procedure for using the temporary storage box system using a mobile phone. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the temporary storage box system according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a temporary storage box system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of each part of the temporary storage box system according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a temporary storage box using a mobile phone. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for using the system.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a mobile phone that can use the Internet, and can transmit telephone number information of the mobile phone 1 itself as ID information for performing personal authentication and identification. The mobile phone 1 is, for example, an i-mobile provided by NTT DoCoMo, Inc. It is a mobile phone compatible with the Internet (registered trademark of NTT Mobile Communication Network Co., Ltd.). In the present embodiment, the portable telephone 1 also includes a PHS (Personal Handyphone System). An Internet site (information program) is provided by a button input operation using a display 1a provided on the mobile phone 1 and a so-called ten-key 1b consisting of numerals “1 to 9” and symbols “#, *”. ) Various online services such as connection services and i-mode mail can be used.

The i-mode compatible mobile phone 1 can be used, for example, to check or transfer bank balances while on the go or while traveling, make reservations for various tickets, search for numbers in the electronic telephone directory, or obtain weather forecasts, stock price information, breaking news, Various online services provided by various information service providers, such as restaurant guides, can be used, and between i-mode compatible mobile phones 1 and other personal computers connected to the Internet It can also be used as an Internet mail (e-mail; e-mail).

Reference numeral 2 denotes a temporary storage box such as a mailbox, a delivery box, a cleaning box, and the like, which can be used for other purposes such as delivery of rental videos and photographs (DPE) and a locker.

The temporary storage box 2 is provided with input means 3a such as a numeric keypad and a microphone, display means 3b such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT display, and a control panel 3 in which speakers 3c are arranged. Inside 3, a control unit 4 for collating the ID information transmitted from the mobile phone 1 and unlocking the temporary storage box 2 is provided.

In addition, a lamp 3e is provided on the surface of each temporary storage box 2 to notify an empty state, and an infrared sensor 3d for detecting the presence of an article is provided inside each temporary storage box 2. Have been. In addition to the infrared sensor 3d, a weight sensor and various other sensors can be applied.

The control unit 4 includes a transmitting / receiving unit 5 having a telephone function capable of transmitting and receiving ID information, voice, text, and image information between the mobile phone 1 and the central computer 10, a CPU (central processing unit) 6, , Readable and writable memory 7 as storage means, and temporary storage A lock mechanism 8 for locking and unlocking the door of the box 2 is provided.

The CPU 6 reads programs and various data from the memory 7, performs necessary calculations and judgments, and performs various controls. The CPU 6 is provided with a calendar function, a clock function, a timer function, a counter, and the like.

Further, the CPU 6 determines the empty state of the temporary storage box 2 from the detection information of the infrared sensor 3d, and temporarily sends it from the transmitting / receiving section 5 to the central computer 10 provided in the central management center shown in FIG. Transfers various record data related to the vacancy status and operation of the custody box 2.

Further, the CPU 6 measures the time from when the box is unlocked by the locking mechanism 8 to when the infrared sensor 3d detects the insertion of the package, and when a preset time has elapsed, The locking mechanism 8 activates the automatic lock that locks the box automatically.

The memory 7 stores various programs for operating the CPU 6, ID information such as a telephone number transmitted from the mobile phone 1, a password input from the input means 3a, an encryption code, a voice print, or a data from the mobile phone 1. It stores various data necessary for collating the received ID information such as voiceprints, and further stores in advance ID information permitted to unlock the temporary storage box 2.

Also, the memory 7 temporarily stores the data and the operation result being instructed by the CPU 6. The memory has been input, the ID information transmitted from the mobile phone 1, or the input from the input means 3 a of the control panel 3. It consists of a buffer area for storing various data such as ID information.

The memory 7 temporarily stores the ID information transmitted from the mobile phone 1 and the ID information input from the input means 3a, and stores the ID information and the door of the temporary storage box 2 stored in the memory 7 in advance. The CPU 6 compares the ID information for which unlocking is permitted with the ID information, and unlocks the door of the temporary storage box 2 by the locking mechanism 8 when both of the IDs match.

The door of the temporary storage box 2 is always locked before use, so that it can be prevented from becoming a mischief / garbage dump. The transmitting / receiving unit 5 having a telephone function is connected to the central computer 10 via the Internet 9, and the vacant state of the plurality of temporary storage boxes 2 stored in the memory of the central computer 10 and each local area. Information such as the location of the temporary storage box 2 installed at the place and the vacant state thereof are sent from the transmission / reception unit 5 to the CPU 6 via the Internet 9 and further the receipt / shipment of luggage stored in the memory 7 The transmission / reception unit 5 provides the information such as the information and the user's elapsed usage fee to the mobile phone 1 as voice, text, and image information.

Also, as the ID information, the telephone number information of the mobile phone 1 itself can be used, and the usage fee of the temporary deposit box 2 can be charged to the telephone number of the mobile phone 1.

It should be noted that a password, an encryption code, a voice print, and the like may be used as other ID information, and that the billing and settlement method may be direct debit or card payment in addition to telephone charges.

Also, the temporary storage box 2 can be reserved in advance using the mobile phone 1, and if the reservation is made in advance via the Internet 9 before the temporary storage box 2 is reached, remote control A command was issued from the central computer 10 to the control unit 4 to unlock the locking mechanism 8, and the person who made the reservation reached the temporary storage box 2 and the ID information was transmitted from the mobile phone 1 At this point, the unlocking of the temporary storage box 2 has been released and can be used.

An example of a procedure for using the temporary storage box system configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Note that the use procedure described below is an example in which an unspecified number of users use the temporary storage box 2, and an example in which only the telephone number of the mobile phone 1 is recognized as the ID information of the depositor.

In step S1 in FIG. 3, first, when depositing luggage, the user needs to have the mobile phone 1, and if he does not, the user cannot use the mobile phone 1 (step S15).

The user holding the mobile phone 1 can, for example, enter the mobile phone 1 on the telephone number displayed on the display means 3 b provided on the control panel 3 of the temporary storage box 2. Make a phone call from (Step S2).

If the phone number of the mobile phone 1 is not transmitted as the ID information in step S3, it cannot be used (step S16).

When the telephone number of the mobile phone 1 is transmitted as ID information, the telephone number information is stored in the memory 7 via the transmission / reception unit 5, and further provided in the central management center via the transmission / reception unit 5 and the Internet 9. Sent to the central computer 10.

In step S3, the control unit 4, which has received the telephone number of the mobile phone 1, presses in the memory 7 in step S4, for example, "0 1 #" in case of arrival. ,. For shipment, press “0 2 #”. Message on the display means 3b, and a voice message is played from the mobile phone 1 and the speaker 3c to wait for a shipping / receiving instruction.

When the user presses "01" using the mobile phone 1 to give an order, the lamp 3e of the empty box among the lamps 3e provided in each box flashes, and the user is notified. The empty box is notified (step S5). The position and number of the empty box may be displayed on the display means 3b instead of the blinking of the lamp 3e.

When the user specifies the box number using the mobile phone 1 (step S6), the CPU 6 drives the locking mechanism 8 of the specified box to unlock the box, and at the same time, temporarily unlocks the box. The basic usage fee of the custody box 2 is charged to the telephone number of the mobile phone 1 (step S7).

In step S8, when the user opens the box door and puts the baggage, the presence or absence of the baggage is detected by the infrared sensor 3d serving as a baggage sensor (step S9), and transmitted to the CPU 6. The box door is automatically closed by a panel or the like, and locking is instructed from the portable telephone 1. However, the lock instruction does not function unless the package is detected by the infrared sensor 3d.

In step S9, if the infrared sensor 3d does not detect the baggage within the fixed time, if the baggage is stored in the memory 7 in advance, for example, "Please put the baggage at the position of the sensor." A message is displayed on the display means 3b, and the mobile phone 1 and the speaker —3 Play a voice message from c and wait for the baggage to enter the correct position. Here, if there is no baggage loaded within a predetermined time, the CPU 6 drives the locking mechanism 8 to execute an auto lock for automatically locking the box, and returns to the state of the empty box. The user starts over from step S2 or calls the complaint clerk.

In step S9, when the infrared sensor 3d detects a package, the CPU 6 drives the locking mechanism 8 based on the locking instruction from the mobile phone 1 to perform locking, and at the same time, uses the temporary storage box 2. The charging of the hourly fee starts (step S10). At this time, the telephone line between the mobile phone 1 and the control unit 4 is disconnected. It should be noted that a method of charging a daily charge that is added as one night after 24 o'clock may be used.

Next, in step S11, the recipient is specified, and then, for example, "1 1 #" is pressed if the recipient is yourself. If the recipient is not yourself, please press "1 2 #". If the recipient is a partner, please press "1 3 #". Is displayed on the display means 3b, and a voice message is played from the speaker 3c to wait for an instruction from the recipient. If there is no instruction within a certain time, the depositor is automatically recognized as the recipient.

If the recipient is a third party other than yourself or a partner, the user presses "1 2 #" using the input means 3a, and the recipient's telephone number or e-mai is entered from the input means 3a. l (E-mail) Enter your address and password (step S12). However, if the ID information of the recipient is the telephone number of the mobile phone 1, no password is required.

If the recipient is a partner, the user also presses "1 3 #" using the input means 3a (step S13).

The business partner of the temporary custody box 2 has its telephone number or e-mail (e-mail) address and personal identification number registered in the memory 7 and the central computer 10 in advance, and long ID information consisting of many digits The procedure can be completed by inputting a simple number or symbol such as an abbreviated number from the input means 3a instead of inputting the number. In this case, the security code is registered in advance by the partner company and is regularly updated for security purposes. If the recipient is himself, the user presses "1 1 #" using the input means 3a. If the recipient is himself, the user is permitted to unlock the box simply by calling the temporary storage box 2 using the mobile phone 1 and specifying the box in which the luggage was stored. .

In steps S11 to S13, when the recipient is specified, the date and time of use, the time of the obstruction, the depositor, the recipient, the box number, the user's telephone number, e-mail (e-mail) The usage record such as the address is printed out from the printer 3f, and at the same time, the usage information is transmitted to the central computer 10 provided in the central management center via the transmission / reception unit 5 and the Internet 9.

The central computer 10 sends an e-mail (e-mail) to the designated recipient's telephone or computer or other information terminal via the Internet 9 to indicate in which temporary deposit box 2 the luggage was deposited by the depositor. ) Or by voice mail (Step S14). If the recipient is a partner, the fee may be borne by the recipient from this point.

A third party or partner who knows that the package has been checked by e-mail (e-mail) or voice mail via the Internet 9 goes to the designated temporary storage box 2 and proceeds as described above. After performing steps S1 to S3 using the mobile phone 1 or the input means 3a, in step S4, the recipient presses "0 2 #" using the mobile phone 1 or the input means 3a, and Make instructions. The same applies to the person who has been deposited.

In step S17, the CPU 6 determines the telephone number or the password of the mobile phone 1 of the recipient (or the principal) designated by the depositing user and the telephone transmitted from the mobile phone 1 of the recipient who has visited. The number or the password entered using the input means 3a is checked against the entered password, and if they do not match, it is stored in the memory 7 in advance. Is displayed on the display means 3b, and a voice message is played from the recipient's mobile phone 1 or the speaker 3c to make shipping impossible (step S25). In step S17, the depositing user previously specified the telephone number or password of the receiver's mobile phone 1 and the telephone number or input means transmitted from the receiver's (or his / her) mobile phone 1 3 If the password matches the password entered using a, a message such as "Please enter the box number used" stored in the memory 7 in advance is displayed on the display means 3b. The message is displayed, and a voice message is played from the recipient's mobile phone 1 or the speaker 3c, and input of the user box number is awaited.

In step S18, the recipient uses the input means 3a to enter the use box number specified by the depositing user, and in step S19, the CPU 6 sets the entered use box number and the depositor When the box number used by the user matches, the locking mechanism 8 is driven to unlock the temporary storage box 2, and at the same time, charging is stopped and the telephone line is disconnected (step S20).

If the used box number entered in step S19 does not match the box number used by the depositor, it is stored in the memory 7 in advance. Message is displayed on display means 3b, and a voice message is played from mobile phone 1 or speaker 3c to make shipping impossible (step S26).

Next, in step S21, the recipient opens the designated temporary storage box 2 door, removes the luggage, and closes the temporary storage box 2 door. In step S22, the presence / absence of a package is detected by the infrared sensor 3d serving as a package sensor and transmitted to the CPU 6.

The box door can be closed manually, but the auto-lock function is activated automatically after a predetermined time (for example, about 1 minute) has passed since the infrared sensor 3d detected that the package was taken out.

In step S22, when the infrared sensor 3d keeps detecting the luggage, a message such as "Please take out the luggage." Stored in the memory 7 in advance is displayed. 3b and a voice message from speaker 3c Wait for the luggage to be removed.

Then, when a predetermined time (for example, about 1 minute) has elapsed since the infrared sensor 3d detects that the package has been taken out, the CPU 6 drives the locking mechanism 8 to automatically lock the box. (Step S23). Note that, if the baggage is continuously detected by the infrared sensor 3d for a certain period of time or more, the box is automatically opened and the abnormality is notified to the central computer 10 at the same time.

A record of use such as the date and time of receipt, time of auto-lock release, depositor, recipient, box number, user's telephone number, etc. is printed out from the printer 3f. Information is sent to a central computer 10 provided at a central management center.

If the recipient is different from the depositor, the central computer 10 informs the depositor via the Internet 9 that the recipient has removed the luggage in the temporary storage box 2 by e-mail (e-mail) or Notification is made by voice mail (step S24). In addition, after designating a third party or partner as a recipient in step S11, if the checked-in person unlocks the temporary storage box 2 and takes out the package, the scheduled recipient will not receive the package. The cancellation message is notified via e-mail or voice mail via the Internet 9.

Various messages notified from the display means 3 b and the speaker 3 c are notified on the display 1 a of the mobile phone 1, and various inputs using the input means 3 a also use the numeric keypad 1 b of the mobile phone 1. You can also enter

The temporary storage box 2 can be reserved in advance, and is separated from the temporary storage box 2 based on the availability information of the temporary storage box 2 obtained from the central computer 10 via the Internet 9. Perform steps S1 to S3 described above even from a place where the user has entered, and in step S4, enter "0 1 #" using the numeric keypad 1b of the mobile phone 1 to instruct the user to make a receipt, and The user is notified of the box, and the user can specify a user box number using the numeric keypad 1b of the mobile phone 1. Also, in step S4, enter "0 1 #" and instruct the product to arrive. For example, enter "0 3 #" for reservation. Is displayed on the display 1a of the mobile phone 1, or a voice message is played to confirm whether or not the reservation has been made.

To make a reservation If "0 3 #" is entered, the CPU 6 controls the locking mechanism 8 of the specified box to temporarily freeze the unlocking of the box, and at the same time, temporarily stores the box 2 A basic usage fee and hourly fee are charged for the telephone number of the mobile phone 1.

The reservation can be made in the same way even when standing in front of the temporary custody box 2. Enter "0 1 #" using the input means 3a or the numeric keypad 1b of the mobile phone 1 to instruct the arrival. For example, "Please enter" 0 3 # "for reservation. Message is displayed on the display means 3b or the display 1a of the mobile phone 1, or a voice message is sent from the speaker 3c or the mobile phone 1 to confirm whether or not the reservation is made. Make a reservation using the input means 3a or the numeric keypad 1b of the mobile phone 1. Input "0 3 #".

In the reserved temporary storage box 2, go to steps S1 to S4 again, enter "0 1 #" in step S4 and give an instruction to receive the goods. The deposit operation after S7 can be performed.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which an unspecified number of users can use the temporary storage box 2 has been described. However, the temporary storage box 2 may be configured as a membership-only temporary storage box 2 limited to registered users in advance. You can also. In this case, the depositor or the recipient can use the registered password, encryption or voiceprint by inputting the input means 3a without using the mobile phone 1.

If the user has the mobile phone 1, the voice print can be input from the mobile phone 1. The voiceprint is registered in the central computer 10 in advance through the mobile phone 1 or a telephone.

The usage fee may be paid by cash such as coins. Since the usage fee can be inquired in advance using the machine 1, cash such as coins to be paid can be prepared in advance.

In addition, it is a perfect normally closed type that presumes auto-locking, restricting the custodian to use with the mobile phone 1 makes it easy to identify the user, and allows charging at the same time as unlocking. There is no danger of becoming a garbage dump. Industrial applicability

Since the present invention has the above-described configuration and operation, the temporary storage box can be easily unlocked by using a mobile phone, and furthermore, the arrangement position of the temporary storage box and the use of the temporary storage box using the Internet Charges, receipt / shipment information, vacancy status, etc. can be easily known, and the usage fee of the temporary storage box can be charged to the telephone number of the mobile phone—a time storage box system can be provided.

In other words, when a user sends ID information using a mobile phone, the control unit compares the ID information registered in advance with the ID information sent from the mobile phone, and when both match, the temporary storage box. Only those authorized to unlock the box can easily unlock the temporary storage box.

Therefore, there is no need for a key or card, and there is no risk of losing it. In addition, it is possible to provide information such as automatic notification to the recipient of the baggage and the elapsed usage fee, or warning of a stagnated baggage, and to make reservations.

Also, in the past, it was usual for users to know the fee only after they came out of the baggage, and it was troublesome to worry about whether or not enough coins were paid at the time of payment. If you charge for the phone number of your mobile phone, there is no need to carry coins.

In addition, the operating status of the temporary storage bottas can be grasped in real time, so the necessity of separate storage (temporarily taking out stagnated luggage and taking it back home) can be instantly determined, and the turnover rate of the temporary storage box is improved. And more efficient on-site inspection. In addition, if the usage fee of the temporary storage box is charged to the telephone number of the mobile phone, no cash is collected and marketing statistics on user use can be easily obtained.

In addition, if the mobile phone can use the Internet and at least one of the location of the temporary storage box, the elapsed usage fee, the receipt / shipment information, and the vacancy status can be obtained via the Internet, It is possible to easily know and use the temporary storage box that is currently vacant, to easily know the status of shipment and receipt of packages, and to easily know the elapsed usage fee.

Further, if the unlocking of the temporary storage box can be remotely controlled in order to reserve the temporary storage box from the mobile phone, the temporary storage box can be easily and reliably reserved.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. A mobile phone capable of transmitting ID information, and a control unit that receives and collates the ID information transmitted from the mobile phone with a transmitting / receiving unit having a telephone function and unlocks a temporary storage box. A temporary custody box system.

2. The ID information is any one of telephone number information, personal identification number information, and voiceprint information of the mobile phone itself, or a combination thereof.

The temporary storage box system described in paragraph 1.

3. The mobile phone can use the Internet, and at least one of the location of the temporary custody box, elapsed usage fee, receipt / shipment information, and vacancy can be obtained via the Internet. The temporary custody box system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

4. The temporary storage box system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the usage fee for the temporary storage bottas is charged to the telephone number of the mobile phone.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the unlocking of the temporary storage box can be remotely controlled in order to reserve the temporary storage box from the mobile phone. The temporary storage box system described.