WO2016083101A1

WO2016083101A1 - Method and system for managing delivery lockers, and delivery facility using such a method and/or such a system

Info

Publication number: WO2016083101A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/075968
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sandrine RESSAYRE
Original assignee: Ier
Priority date: 2014-11-27
Filing date: 2015-11-06
Publication date: 2016-06-02
Also published as: FR3029330A1; FR3029330B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (100) for managing lockers for delivering objects to a recipient, comprising the following steps: receiving (102), at a central site (202), delivery data for a first object; selecting (106) at least one second object to be delivered to said recipient by consulting a so-called delivery database (208); identifying (116-122) at least one locker available for receiving said first and second objects; transporting (128), by at least one operator, said first and second objects; and depositing (132) said first and second objects in said at least one locker. The invention also relates to a system using such a method and to a facility comprising such a system.

Description

"Method and system for managing delivery instructions, and delivery installation implementing such a method and / or such a system"

The present invention relates to a method of managing delivery instructions. It also relates to a system implementing such a method and an installation implementing such a method and / or such a system.

The field of the invention is the field of the management of automated orders of deliveries of objects, and in particular parcels.

State of the art

For the past ten years, e-commerce has been growing rapidly and is attracting more and more buyers. In known manner, the buyer orders an object purchased on the Internet and the purchased object is delivered to the buyer.

The increase in the number of items to be delivered has pushed the players in this field to develop new delivery systems implementing automated delivery instructions. The object is deposited in a deposit by a deliveryman. Then, the user / buyer comes to recover his object in the deposit. Such a delivery system implementing automated instructions is described in the French patent published under the number FR 2 975 273. These systems have the advantage of a higher delivery success rate compared to traditional delivery processes while decreasing the labor and costs associated with delivering an item. Indeed, with these systems it is not necessary to provide for the presence of a person, namely the buyer user or an intermediary, during the passage of the delivery to deliver.

However, the automated delivery instructions do not address other issues, such as the increase in pollution and traffic caused by the increase in the number of items to be delivered. Moreover, to cope with the increase in the number of objects to be delivered with the current delivery processes, it is necessary to provide a larger number of delivery instructions, which increases the cost of delivery facilities and their size.

An object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and a management system of instructions to reduce pollution and circulation caused by the delivery of objects.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and a management system of instructions to reduce the cost and bulk related to delivery instructions.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method and a delivery system objects more ergonomic and faster for both the user and the deliveryman.

Presentation of the invention

The invention proposes to achieve at least one of the aforementioned objects by a method of managing instructions for the delivery of objects, in particular parcels, to a recipient, said method comprising the following steps:

receiving, at a central site, delivery data of a first object, said data comprising an identification data of said recipient;

according to said identification data, identifying at least one second object to be delivered to said recipient by consulting a database, called delivery;

identification, by consultation of a database, called setpoints, of at least one instruction available to accommodate said first and second objects, on a delivery site, remote from said central site;

transporting, by at least one operator, said first and second objects from at least one starting site to said delivery site; and depositing said first and second objects in said at least one instruction.

The invention therefore proposes to group the delivery of delivered objects to the same user or to the same destination. Thus, the invention makes it possible to use the same instruction, i.e. the same record, for the delivery of several objects from one or more sources and transported by one or more operators, at the same time or in an off-set manner. The invention therefore makes it possible to optimize the availability of the delivery instructions and even to reduce the number of instructions on the delivery site, which reduces the cost related to the manufacture and installation of the instructions and their size.

Moreover, when several objects are deposited in the same setpoint, the removal of these objects from said setpoint by the user is faster and more ergonomic, because it avoids handling several setpoints during removal, or several times the same setpoint, as it is now.

In the present invention, a deposit is a locker or a set of lockers, each locker being provided with a door controlling the access to said locker and can be locked in the closed position. The locker or set of lockers may further include:

means for reading a biometric identification data item, and / or means for reading an identification data item from an identification means, and / or means for entering an identification data item , such as an alphanumeric keyboard;

- A locking / unlocking means of the access door to a locker individually and independent of other lockers;

optionally, means for controlling such a locking / unlocking means; and

- Possibly a means of communication with a remote site for exchanging data with said remote site through a wired or wireless communication network. In all the examples described, in order to determine whether at least one setpoint can accommodate the first object and the at least one second object, the method according to the invention can take into account at least one piece of data relating to:

- among the first and second objects;

- at least one dimension: length, width, height;

a weight of each of the first and second objects;

- the nature of each of the first and second objects; and or

a condition for preserving the at least one of the objects, such as, for example, a temperature condition, etc.

In addition, in all the cases described below, the first object and the at least one second object can be transported:

- at the same time or in a staggered way,

- by the same operator or by different operators, and / or

- from the same starting site or from different starting sites.

According to a first configuration, said at least one identified second object may already be in the course of delivery, with a setpoint already reserved and associated with said at least one second object. Such a case may occur when said at least one second object is in transit or already deposited in a setpoint but not yet removed by the user. In this case, the step of identifying at least one setpoint can comprise the following operations:

an identification of at least one setpoint already reserved for receiving said at least one second object by consulting the setpoint database, and

if said at least one setpoint already reserved can accommodate the first object, a selection of said at least one instruction for the delivery of said first object. Thus, in this first configuration, the method according to the invention makes it possible to determine a setpoint already reserved for the delivery of at least one second object and to use it for the delivery of the first object.

When selecting said at least one instruction for the delivery of said first object, the method according to the invention may further include storing at least one user identification data, and / or at least one an identification data of said first object in association with an identification data of said at least one selected setpoint.

According to a first configuration, said at least one identified second object may not be in the course of delivery, that is to say that no setpoint, or locker, is reserved or associated with said at least one second object for the delivery. Such a case may occur when said at least one second object is still waiting for availability at a sampling site for example or when its delivery is not yet scheduled.

In this case, the step of identifying at least one setpoint comprises:

an identification of at least one setpoint available to accommodate the first object and the at least one second object by consulting the setpoint database, and

a reservation of said at least one setpoint identified by modification of a state data stored in the setpoint database in association with at least one identification data of said at least one setpoint.

During the reservation, the method according to the invention may further comprise storing at least one identification data of the user, and / or at least one piece of identification data of each of the objects intended to be deposited in said at least one instruction, in association with an identification data of said at least one instruction. Advantageously, the method according to the invention can comprise, before the transport step, a step of retaining at least one of said first and second objects on a starting site until the availability of the other of said first and second objects second objects on said starting site or on another starting site.

Thus, the method according to the invention makes it possible to reduce the time during which a setpoint is occupied, which increases the availability of the instructions.

Moreover, when the first and the at least one second object are delivered by the same operator, and possibly from the same starting site, then the retention step then makes it possible to carry out a group transport of the first and at least a second object. As a result, multiple objects are delivered to the same user, or destination, in a single trip, which decreases the flow and pollution associated with delivery of these objects compared to current delivery processes.

In addition, the objects being transported and deposited in a grouped manner, in the same instruction, the deposit of these objects in said setpoint by the operator is faster and more ergonomic, because it avoids handling several instructions during filing, such as this is the case now.

As previously described, the group transport and the group delivery of the first and at least one second object may require retaining at least one of these objects until the availability of all of these objects on the site. departure.

In this case, the method according to the invention may comprise a signaling step, through a wired or wireless communication network, for example the mobile telephone network, the availability at the start site of the set. objects to be transported to at least one operator who will be responsible for transporting said objects during the transport step.

The step of retaining an object at the departure site can shift the delivery date of said object retained on the site. In this case, the method according to the invention may comprise a signaling step, through a wired or wireless communication network, for example the mobile telephone network, the shift towards the user, possibly with an expected delivery date. Moreover, the method according to the invention can comprise, before the retention step, a confirmation request step to the user through a communication network, in particular when said retention modifies the delivery date of one of said objects.

In this case, the method according to the invention may comprise a step of confirmation or not of the retention by said user through the communication network.

A signaling or a confirmation request to the user can be made via a portable communication device of the user such as a smartphone, a tablet, a phablet, a PDA, etc.

Alternatively, a signaling or a confirmation request to the user can be made by sending an electronic message to an email address, email type, the user.

According to a particularly advantageous characteristic, the step of identifying at least one setpoint can also be carried out as a function of at least one item relating to:

- among the first and second objects;

- at least one dimension: length, width, height;

a weight of each of the first and second objects;

- the nature of each of the first and second objects;

a condition for preserving the at least one of the objects, such as, for example, a temperature condition, etc. ; the number or the type of reserved instructions being a function of at least one of said data.

Thus, for example, depending on the dimensions of each of the objects and the size of each of the instructions, the method according to the invention allows you to select the appropriate set (s) to receive the goods to be delivered, for example the set with the smallest volume and able to accommodate these objects. Advantageously, the identification step can be carried out so as to select the minimum number of instructions necessary for the delivery of the objects, according to:

- the number of objects to be delivered,

- dimensions of each of the objects to be delivered,

dimensions of at least one, in particular of each, setpoint.

For example, the method according to the invention may comprise a search, among the available instructions, of the (or more) largest set (s) and can (each) accommodate the largest number of objects.

To do this, the method according to the invention may comprise, during the step of identifying the at least one instruction, at least one iteration of the following steps:

- determination of the total dimensions for at least two, in particular for the whole, of the objects to be delivered, and

comparing said dimensions with the dimensions of at least one, in particular of each, available setpoint.

The iterations can be carried out so as to identify / select the minimum number of instructions that will be used for the delivery of all objects.

In particular, the method according to the invention can comprise during the step of identifying instructions, at least one iteration of the following steps:

- determination of the dimensions of all the objects to be delivered;

determining the smallest setpoint that can accommodate said set of objects by comparing the dimensions of the available setpoints with the dimensions of the set of objects; if there is such a setpoint, selecting said setpoint, stopping the iteration;

- if there is no such instruction then:

identification of the largest deposit available by comparing the dimensions of the instructions available to each other,

for said larger instruction, and according to the dimensions of each of the objects to be delivered, identification of a combination of objects:

o including the largest number of objects,

o and whose dimensions are smaller than the dimensions of said larger setpoint, in particular by taking into account the length, width and height of said combination of objects, and o selection of said setpoint.

After the iteration, if there are still objects to deliver, then a new iteration is performed taking into account only the remaining objects.

The method according to the invention can also take into account the following cases:

- when the object is out of the ordinary: in this case, the delivery of the object is not accepted;

- when the set of objects to be delivered can be accommodated by several instructions or lockers and that there is a condition on the disposition of the instructions, for example instructions side by side. If the condition can be met the delivery is scheduled otherwise the delivery is refused or a financial counterpart is offered.

According to a non-limiting version, the goods to be delivered can all be of the same size or similar size. In other words, it is possible to refuse the delivery of an object if its size is not standard or according to predetermined limits. The method according to the invention may further comprise, prior to the deposition step, a step of authenticating said operator at said at least one setpoint, in particular to unlock the at least one setpoint.

This authentication can be performed with an access code previously communicated to the operator, and possibly to the at least one setpoint. The entry of the access code can be carried out using a keyboard arranged at the delivery site.

Alternatively or additionally, the authentication can be carried out with an identification data of the operator read, by a suitable reader, from an identification means of the RFID, NFC, smart card or barcode card type. or a biometric identification data.

The depositing step may comprise an entry at the delivery site, an identification data of each of the objects deposited in the at least one setpoint, in particular to validate the depositing step. The entry of an identification data of the object can be carried out using an input keyboard or using a reader of the optical type, magnetic, etc.

The depositing step may be followed by a step of signaling, to a central management site, the deposit of the objects in the at least one deposit. This signaling step can be performed by the operator and / or by said at least one instruction.

In the case where several objects are deposited in the same instruction, or bin, in an off-set manner, then one or more steps for securing the objects can be performed, these steps possibly comprising:

a signaling of a pre-existence recognition in the instruction, according to which a user or an operator certifies on his honor that one or more parcels are already present in the locker, and that he will not take one of these parcels which it is not intended for him;

- a confirmation with key, that is to say with two identifiers of which only one is correct, allowing to deposit or remove the correct object in cases where there are several objects in the same locker and the operator or the user must only deposit or recover one;

- issue an alert message, to avoid fraud or at least identify a fraud and try to act accordingly.

The method according to the invention may further comprise a step of removing the objects by the user, after an authentication step at the at least one setpoint, in particular to unlock said at least one setpoint.

This authentication can be performed with an access code previously communicated to the user, and possibly at least one setpoint. The entry of the access code can be carried out using a keyboard arranged at the delivery site.

Alternatively or additionally, the authentication can be carried out with an identification data of the user read, by a suitable reader, from an identification means of RFID, NFC, smart card, barcode card type, or a biometric identification data.

The withdrawal step may comprise an entry at the delivery site, an identification data of each of the objects removed from the at least one setpoint, in particular to validate the withdrawal step. The entry of an identification data of the object can be carried out using an input keyboard or using a reader of the optical type, magnetic, etc.

The withdrawal step may be followed by a step of signaling, to a central management site, the removal of objects from the at least one setpoint. This signaling step can be performed by the user and / or by said at least one instruction.

In addition, the method according to the invention may advantageously comprise a step of identifying the delivery site among a plurality of delivery sites, said delivery site: - Being the delivery site closest to the recipient when said delivery site includes the at least one available deposit;

- Being a delivery site selected from several delivery sites closest to said recipient, previously determined.

Such an identification can be performed by comparing the user's location data, previously filled in, with the location data of all the delivery sites, or only the delivery sites comprising at least one available setpoint.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a management system of instructions for the delivery of objects, in particular parcels, to a recipient, said system comprising:

a central server, remote from said setpoints, connected to each of said setpoints through a communication network,

a database, called setpoints, storing, for each setpoint, a state datum of said setpoint in association with an identifier of said setpoint, and

a database, said delivery, storing for said recipient, an identifier of the objects to be delivered in association with an identifier of said recipient;

which are configured to implement all the steps of the method according to the invention.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided an object delivery installation comprising:

several instructions, or groups of instructions, for the delivery of objects, each of said instructions being able to be locked / unlocked independently of the other instructions, and

a management system of instructions according to the invention. In particular, the installation can comprise several delivery sites, distant from each other and from the central server, and each comprising at least one setpoint, preferably a group of a plurality of setpoints of identical or different dimensions.

Each of the instructions, and / or each of the delivery sites, is connected (e) to the central server through a wired or non-wired communication network.

Other advantages and characteristics will appear on examining the detailed description of non-limiting embodiments, and the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation in the form of a diagram of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment of a system according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment of an installation according to the invention; and

- FIGURE 4 is a schematic representation of a non-limiting example of a setpoint that can be used in the context of the present invention.

It is understood that the embodiments which will be described in the following are in no way limiting. It will be possible to imagine variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described below, isolated from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from of the prior art. This selection comprises at least one feature preferably functional without structural details, or with only a part of the structural details if it is this part that is only sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art. In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described are combinable with each other if nothing stands in the way of this combination on a technical level.

In the figures and in the following description, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation in the form of a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method 100 for managing instructions according to the invention.

The management method 100 shown in FIGURE 1 includes a receiving step 102 at a central delivery data site of an object, also referred to as the first object in the present application.

Delivery data may include data relating to:

- an identity of the user to whom the object is to be delivered,

possibly an address of the user to whom the object must be delivered when said address is not known beforehand,

an identifier of the object to be delivered,

- at least one dimension of the object to be delivered,

- a nature of the object to be delivered,

- at least one condition relating to the preservation or transport of the object to be delivered, such as a condition of temperature, humidity, pressure, safety, etc.,

- an expected delivery date, and

- At least one expected arrival date of the object at a departure site where the object will be taken by an operator for delivery. These delivery data can be received by a central site, in particular by a central server, which carries out the management of the instructions.

This data can be received from the user or from a third party, for example the information system of a merchant, from which the user has previously ordered an object.

The data can be received via a wired communication network, of the ADSL type, or through a wireless network, such as the mobile telephone network. During this step 102, a subscription request may be required from the user and a subscription step may be performed, the user providing the necessary information for identification.

During an optional step 104, the delivery data can be stored in a database, called delivery, in association with a user identification data.

In a step 106, depending on the user identification data or the delivery address, at least one other object, also called second object in the present application, to be delivered is identified by consulting the delivery database. Such a second object is an object for which a prior delivery request has been received and for which the delivery data has been stored in the database.

When all the second objects to be delivered to the same user have been identified, a step 108 determines whether the first object and the second objects are available for delivery at the same starting site or different starting sites. Such a determination can for example be performed by consulting the delivery database where is stored, in association with an identifier of each object, a state of the object indicating the availability or not of the object on the starting site. This state data is updated each time an object is received at the departure site, for example during a signaling step of reception of the object at the departure site. This update can be performed by a central server located at the central site.

If all the objects are not available for delivery, the objects already present are retained on the starting site, during a step 110.

Then a step 112 determines, depending on the expected arrival date of each object missing on the starting site, if the delivery date of one of the objects already available on the starting site is impacted. If not, the process resumes in step 108, after a predetermined time, such as for example one hour. If so, a signaling of the date change is made to the user during a step 114, then the process resumes in step 108, after a predetermined time, such as for example one hour. If in step 108 all objects are available on delivery, the method determines in step 115 whether at least one second object is being delivered. Such a determination can be made by determining whether in the database of objects to be delivered a setpoint has already been reserved for this second object.

If this is not the case, ie all the goods to be delivered are available on delivery and no goods are being delivered, then a step 116 identifies whether the delivery site the closest to the address of the user comprises at least one available setpoint. To do this, the method consults a database of instructions, memorizing for each instruction of each delivery site, in association with the identification data of the instruction:

- the dimensions or the internal volume of the deposit, and

- A status data relating to the availability or not of the deposit.

If at step 116 the delivery site closest to the user's address does not include at least one available setpoint, then a step 118 identifies among a predetermined number of delivery sites closest to the address of the user, for example the eight nearest delivery sites, a site comprising at least one available deposit. Then, during a step 120, a signal is made to the user for the latter to confirm delivery to another delivery site than the nearest delivery site. If in step 120 the user does not accept, or if in step 118 no delivery site is available, the process resumes in step 116, after a predetermined duration, such as for example two hours .

When in step 120 the user accepts delivery to a delivery site different from the nearest delivery site, or when at step 116 the nearest delivery site includes at least one available deposit, a step 122 realizes an identification of at least one instruction that can accommodate all the objects to be delivered. To do this, at least one iteration of the following steps is performed: - determination of the dimensions of all the objects to be delivered;

determining the smallest setpoint that can accommodate said set of objects by comparing the dimensions of the available setpoints with the dimensions of the set of objects;

if there is such a setpoint, selecting said setpoint, stopping the iteration;

- if there is no such instruction then:

o including the largest number of objects,

o and whose dimensions are smaller than the dimensions of said larger setpoint, and

o selection of said setpoint.

If the delivery site considered in step 122 does not include enough instructions available or satisfactory to accommodate all the objects, then the process resumes at step 116, ignoring the delivery site already tested at step 122. Alternatively, the delivery request may be refused.

On the other hand, if, on the other hand, the delivery site considered in step 122 includes enough instructions that are available or satisfactory for accommodating all the objects, the satisfactory instructions are selected and reserved at step 124 by modifying their data. state in "reserved setpoints" in the setpoint database and the process proceeds to the step described below. If at step 115 at least a second object is being delivered, this means that at least one instruction is reserved for the delivery of this second object. In this case, a step 125 identifies the set or reserved instructions for the delivery of said at least second object being delivered and determines whether this or these reserved instructions can accommodate the remaining objects to be delivered.

Otherwise, the process resumes at step 116 or the delivery is refused.

If so, the identifier of this instruction, or of each of the instructions, is stored in association with the remaining object or objects to be delivered and the process proceeds to step 126.

During step 126, a signaling message is sent to an operator with one or more access codes to the setpoint, or the reserved instructions, and possibly the identification of the delivery site, and possibly the or the identifiers of the reserved instructions.

The operator then transports either only the first object, or in a grouped manner the set of objects from one or more starting sites to the delivery site during a step 128.

On the delivery site, during a step 130, the operator authenticates with the access code or codes that have been communicated to him to unlock the set or the instructions, reserved for the step 124 or selected during the Step 125. The authentication is performed either locally at the delivery site or remote from the delivery site, for example at the central site.

During a step 132, the object or objects are deposited in the set or instructions, possibly after entering or reading an identification data of each object. The instruction or instructions are locked. Then a signal confirming the deposit is issued to the central site by the operator and / or by the instructions and / or by the delivery site.

After the confirmation of the deposit of the objects, a step 134 transmits, from the central site to the user, one or more access codes to the order, or instructions, containing the objects, and possibly with the identification of the delivery site , and possibly with the identifier (s) of the instructions. On the delivery site, during a step 136, the user authenticates with the access code or codes issued in step 134 to unlock the set or instructions containing the objects. Authentication is performed either locally at the delivery site or remote from the delivery site, for example at the central site.

During a step 138, the objects are removed from the instruction or instructions, possibly after entering or reading an identification data of each object. The instruction or instructions are locked. Then a signal confirming the withdrawal is sent to the central site by the user and / or by the instructions and / or by the delivery site.

In the example given by reference, the unlocking of the setpoint by the operator, respectively by the user, is performed by entering an access code. Alternatively, for at least one of the authentication steps 130 and 136, it is possible for the unlocking of the setpoint by the operator, or by the user or both, to be performed by input of a data item. identification, for example by reading an identification data from an identification means at the level of the instruction such as an RFID card, NFC card, a smart card, a magnetic card, a biometric identification data, etc. In this case, the steps relating to the generation, transmission and storage of an access code to the operator and / or to the user are not performed. These steps are replaced by a step of input, in particular of reading, of an identification data of the operator, and / or of the user, at the level of the deposit (or of the delivery site) during the authentication step, and a comparison of this identification data entered with an identification data of the operator, respectively of the user, previously stored at the central site or at the setpoint or at the level of the delivery site.

FIGURE 2 is a representation of a non-limiting example of a setpoint management system according to the invention. The system 200 shown in FIG. 2 comprises, at a central management site 202, a central server 204, at least one setpoint database 206 in which are stored, for each instruction in association with a given data. identification of the deposit:

a status data item of the setpoint,

- the dimensions of the setpoint and / or an internal volume of the setpoint,

an identification data of a delivery site on which the deposit is located,

an address datum of the setpoint,

an identification data item of one or more objects that are in the setpoint or that are intended to be disposed in the setpoint,

- an access code to the deposit,

an identification data of a user or operator authorized to access the instruction,

- etc.

The system further comprises a delivery database 208 storing for each user, in association with an identification data of the user, an identification data of an object to be delivered to the user and a data item. availability status of this object on a start site.

The system 200 further comprises one or more modules 210 for calculating or producing at least one of, in particular, all the steps described above, such as for example one or more modules:

identifying one or more second objects to be delivered to a user following receipt of delivery data for a first object,

- identification of an available delivery site,

identification of one or more available instructions that can accommodate the objects to be delivered,

generating one or more access codes to a setpoint,

- etc. The system 200 further comprises at the central site 202 a communication module 212 through a wireless or wired communication network 214.

System 200 further includes one or more portable communication modules 216i-216 _m, said operators, worn by operators 218i-218 _m and can communicate with the central site 202 through the communication network 214 to transmit and receive data or messages.

The system 200 also includes one or more portable communication modules 220i-220 _n, called user carried by the 222i-222 _n users, and can communicate with the central site 202 through the communication network 214 to transmit and receive data or messages.

Furthermore, the system 200 also comprises one or more management terminals 224i-224k, called setpoints, each arranged at a delivery site 226i-226k comprising a setpoint or a group of instructions. Each management terminal 224 performs local management of one or more instructions and comprises means (not shown) for:

communicating with the central site 202 through the communication network 214 to send and receive data or messages;

- locking / unlocking each setpoint independently;

read identification data from an identification means such as an optical reader, a magnetic reader, a biometric reader;

- enter an access code or identification number of a deposit, such as a keypad;

to memorize at least one datum;

- make an automated payment;

- make a display, such as a screen;

- make an audible signal;

- etc. FIGURE 3 is a representation of an example of a delivery installation according to the invention.

The plant 300 shown in FIGURE 3 includes all the elements of the system 200 of FIGURE 2.

The installation comprises, in addition, several setpoints or groups 302i-302k instructions, each installed on a delivery site, respectively 226i-226k, and each instruction of each group of instructions being managed by a terminal management 224i-224k, so that each set of each group of setpoints can be locked / unlocked independently of other instructions.

The setpoints or set group 302i-302k are dispersed in space and at a distance, one of the others, and remote from the central site 202. In addition, at least two sets of setpoints comprise a set of same number or different number of instructions. The instructions of a group of instructions can be of identical or different dimensions.

FIGURE 4 is a schematic representation of a nonlimiting example of a setpoint that can be used in the context of the present invention.

The set 400, shown in FIG. 4, is integrated in an existing structure 402 on the road. Such a structure 402 may be for example a bus shelter, an automated rental station for electric vehicles. Alternatively, such an instruction 400 can be backed by an existing terminal on the road, such as an automated rental terminal of electric vehicles, a terminal of purchase of travel documents, a billboard, etc. In this way, the setpoint 400 can benefit from existing electrical connections at the level of the existing structure, whether it is a connection to an electrical source and / or a connection to a communication network.

Setpoint 400 comprises a module 404, called master module, and three modules 406i-40Ô3, called slave modules. Each slave module 406 present in the form of an assembly, for example monoblock, independent of the master module 404 and the other slave modules 406.

The master module 404 is fixed on the ground inside the structure 402. The first slave module 406i is fixed to the master module 404 by one of its side walls and the second slave module 406 ₂ is fixed to the first slave module 406i by one of its side walls also. Fixing a module to the other is removable and is made by screws for example. The third slave module 4063 is offset with respect to the assembly formed by the master module 404 and the first two slave modules 406i and 406 ₂ .

The master module 404 comprises at least one locker, said master locker, and each slave module 406 each has several lockers, called slave lockers, provided to receive one or more objects to deliver. These bins are of identical or variable sizes.

Each slave locker has a door locked or unlocked by an electric lock equipping the slave locker. Each slave rack further comprises a technical duct, leaned against a side wall of the slave rack, and allowing the passage of said rack to an adjacent rack of a wired electrical connection comprising:

an electrical cable for supplying the adjacent rack, in particular the electrical lock of the adjacent rack and / or means for displaying a code in the adjacent rack;

a communication cable with the master locker enabling said master locker to control the components of the slave locker, in particular the electric lock of the adjacent locker and / or a means of displaying a code in the adjacent locker. The door of each slave locker is mounted on two hinges at 90 ° allowing maximum opening of said door.

The master module, furthermore comprises slave lockers, a technical locker, said master locker, as indicated above, which is not intended to receive an object to deliver. This master register provides a gateway between the slave bins (of the master module 404 and each slave module 406) and a power supply source and / or a communication network for communicating with a remote server. In addition, master locker comprises means for independently controlling the locking or unlocking of the electric lock of each slave locker.

The master locker has a door locked or unlocked by an electric lock fitted to the master locker.

The master box may comprise a support mounted sliding in the master box, using two slides, and provided to accommodate the technical management means of the deposit (not shown), namely:

means for controlling the locking / unlocking of each slave locker of the setpoint 400,

means for communicating with a remote server via a communication network,

means for feeding each bin of the setpoint 400, and

- Data processing means.

These technical management means may be in the form of a computer incorporating the means listed above.

The sliding mounted support makes it possible to extract the technical management means in case of intervention on these means.

The door of the master locker is mounted on two hinges at 90 ° allowing maximum opening of said door.

In addition, the master register may include, integrated into / on its door, a contactless reader, RFID or NFC type, and an infrared reader, provided for reading an identification data from a person identification card. , such as an operator or a user, authorized to access a locker and / or a piece of data of an object that will be deposited in a (or removed from) a slave locker.

The master cabinet can also include, integrated in / on its door, a touch screen forming a user interface and to perform various functions, namely:

select, by its number, a slave locker; and / or manually entering an identification data of an object that does not have a contactless identification medium; and or manually enter an identification data of a person who does not have a contactless identification medium; and or

enter a verification code, for example a verification code generated on the fly;

etc.

Each locker of a set-up implemented in the present invention, for example setpoint 400, designed to receive one or more objects can be used for a single user and a single object to be delivered to this user.

Alternatively, each bin can be used to receive multiple objects from the same source or different sources for a user. This alternative makes it possible to optimize the use of the deposit lockers.

According to yet another alternative to further optimize the use of the setpoint, each locker of the setpoint can be used to receive multiple objects from the same source or different sources and intended for multiple users, in the context of a bin share between different users.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described.

Claims

1. A method (100) instructions for managing the delivery of objects, especially of packages, to a recipient (222i-222 _n), said method (100) comprising the steps of:

receiving (102), at a central site (202), delivery data of a first object, said data comprising an identification data of said recipient;

according to said identification data, identification (106) of at least one second object to be delivered to said recipient by consulting a database (208), said delivery;

- identification (116-124, 125), by consulting a database (206), called setpoints, at least one setpoint available to accommodate said first and second objects, on a site (226i-226k), said delivery, remote from said central site (202);

- transmission (128) by at least one operator (218i-218 _m), said first and second objects from at least one starting location to said delivery site (226i-226k);

- Deposition (132) by said operator of said first and second objects in said at least one setpoint, after a step (130) of authentication of said operator (218i-218 _m ) at the at least one setpoint; and

a step (138) for removing the objects by the user (222

222 _n ), after a step (136) of authentication of said user (222i-222 _n ) at the level of the at least one setpoint;

characterized in that at least one authentication step is performed with an access code issued by said central site to said operator, respectively to said user, through a wireless communication network (214).

2. Method (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, when the at least one second object is being delivered, the step of identifying (125) at least one setpoint comprises: an identification of at least one setpoint already reserved for receiving said at least one second object by consulting the setpoint database, and

if said at least one setpoint already reserved can accommodate the first object, a selection of said at least one instruction for the delivery of said first object.

3. Method (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, when the at least one second object is not being delivered, the identification step (116-124) of at least one instruction includes:

an identification (116-122) of at least one setpoint available to accommodate the first object and the at least one second object by consulting the setpoint database, and

a step (124) for reserving said at least one setpoint identified by modifying a state data item stored in the setpoint database (206) in association with at least one identification data of said at least one setpoint.

4. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, before the step (128) of transport, a step (110) for retaining at least one of said first and second objects at a start site until the availability of the other of said first and second objects at said start site or at another start site.

5. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, before the retention step, a step (114, 120) confirmation request to the user through a communication network (214), in particular when said retention modifies the delivery date of one of said objects.

6. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step (116-122) of identifying at least one setpoint is furthermore dependent on at least one item relating to:

- a number of objects to deliver, at least one dimension, of each of the objects to be delivered, at least one dimension of at least one, in particular of each, setpoint,

- a nature of at least one object to be delivered, and / or

at least one conservation condition, for example temperature and / or humidity, of at least one object to be delivered;

the number or the type of reserved instructions being a function of the said at least one datum.

7. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification step (116-122) comprises at least one iteration of the following steps:

comparing said dimensions with the dimensions of at least one, in particular of each, available setpoint; so as to select a minimum number of instructions for the delivery of said objects.

8. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of identification (116-120) of the delivery site (226i-226k) among a plurality of delivery sites (226i - 226k), said delivery site (226i-226k):

- being the delivery site (226i-226k) closest to the recipient when said delivery site (226i-226k) comprises the at least one available deposit;

- Being a delivery site (226i-226k) selected from several delivery sites (226i-226k) closest to said recipient, previously determined.

9. The system (200) Management instructions for delivery of objects, especially with packages, a recipient (222i-222 _n), said system (200) including: a central server (204), remote from said setpoints, connected to each of said setpoints through a communication network (214),

a database (206), called a setpoint, storing, for each setpoint, a state data item of said setpoint in association with an identifier of said setpoint, and

a database (208), said delivery, storing for said recipient (222i-222 _n ), an identifier of the objects to be delivered in association with an identifier of said recipient (222i-222 _n ); which are configured to implement all steps of the method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. Installation (300) for delivery of objects comprising:

several instructions, or group of instructions, for the delivery of objects, each of said instructions being able to be locked / unlocked independently of the other instructions, and

a system (200) for managing instructions according to the preceding claim.