DE102021122311A1 - Retrofit system and method for automating a self-storage facility - Google Patents

Abstract

Retrofit system, in particular for automating a self-storage facility (SE) with a large number of self-storage compartments (SA) in a building (G), so that customers (K) have contactless access to the rented self -Storage compartments (SA) is made possible, with the following system elements being provided: a booking system (BS), preferably with an online booking for at least one self-storage compartment (SA) via a website of the operator of the self-storage facility (SE); a customer management system (CRM), which receives, stores and manages the booking data of each customer (K) from the booking system (BS); cloud-based access control system (LT), which receives, stores and processes booking and customer data from the customer management system (CRM); electronic door locks (TS) on the entrance doors (ET) and intermediate doors (ZT) of the self-storage facility (SE), by the customer (K) using an app (A), preferably on a smartphone (SP) or Tablet (T) is saved, unlocked and opened; Electronic locks (VS), which are provided on a locking bolt (SR) on a door (TÜ) of each self-storage compartment (SA) on the aisle side and which are unlocked and opened by the customer (K) using the app (A); wherein at least the electronic locks (VS) have their own mains-independent power supply (B); and wherein the access control system (LT) controls and permits the access of each customer (K) to his booked self-storage compartment (SA) using the app (A). A corresponding retrofitting method is also described.

Description

The present invention generally relates to a retrofit system and method for existing self-storage facilities to automate them, i.e. allow a customer contactless access to rented self-storage compartments.

"Contactless" means that the customer has no direct or physical contact with employees of the operator and/or the operator of the self-storage facility for the entire process of booking or renting the self-storage compartment up to the use of the self-storage compartment. Use means that the customer can access the self-storage facility, which is usually housed in a closed building, at any time and store or remove items from their rented self-storage compartment.

Of course, there are also self-storage facilities that are set up in the open air, for example in the form of individual garages. The present invention should not be understood to mean that only self-storage facilities in closed buildings can be retrofitted, but that self-storage facilities without a closed building shell can also be retrofitted.

Known self-storage facilities currently still require people who can rent the self-storage compartments, personally hand over the locks to lock the self-storage compartments, and explain the processes involved in using the self-storage compartments have personal contact with customers. In view of the Covid-19 pandemic in particular, efforts have been made to minimize the number of these contacts.

Usually, customers come to an office of the self-storage facility, conclude a contract for renting the self-storage compartment there, receive a lock for the locking bolt of the door of the self-storage compartment and an explanation of the procedures when entering of the self-storage facility, the use of the self-storage compartments, etc. These services have so far been carried out in personal contact between the customer and the employees of the operator of the self-storage facility.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to enable an unmanned self-storage facility by retrofitting the existing infrastructure so that the personal contacts between people who operate the self-storage facility and the customers are minimized or not at all take place more.

To solve this problem, the invention has the features specified in claim 1 or 7 . Advantageous configurations of this are specified in the further dependent claims.

The retrofit system according to the invention for automating a self-storage facility according to claim 1, which comprises a multiplicity of self-storage compartments in a building, so that contactless access for customers to the rented self-storage compartments is made possible the following system elements: a booking system, preferably with online booking for at least one self-storage compartment via a website of the operator of the self-storage facility; a customer management system which receives, stores and manages the booking data of each customer from the booking system; a cloud-based access control system that receives, stores and processes booking and customer data from the customer management system; electronic door locks on the entrance doors and intermediate doors of the self-storage facility, which are unlocked and opened by the customer using an app, which is preferably stored on a smartphone or tablet; electronic locks that are provided on a locking bolt on a door of each self-storage compartment on the aisle side and that are unlocked and opened by the customer using the app; at least the electronic locks on the doors of the self-storage compartments have their own off-grid power supply; and wherein the access control system controls and permits each customer's access to their booked self-storage compartment via the app.

Using the retrofitting system according to the invention, any existing self-storage facility can be converted to this full automation during operation by the operator gradually attaching the electronic locks to all self-storage compartments or converting all self-storage compartments at the same time, which preferably communicate with an app in a smartphone, the app being controlled by the access control system in such a way that the customer only has access to his own rented self-storage compartment. From booking one or more self-storage compartments via a website, customer data management, access control, access to the self-storage facility, access to different areas within the self-storage facility (corridors, floors, etc. ) until the door of the self-storage compartment is opened, no further contact is required between the operator of the self-storage facility and the customer.

According to claim 2, the customer management system is either cloud-based, an on-premise solution with a dedicated server or worksheets or spreadsheets, preferably on a PC or integrated into the booking system website.

According to claim 3, the electronic lock (VS) is designed as a padlock, in particular a U-lock or as a mortise lock.

The plug locks or padlocks can be attached by the operator of the self-storage facility from outside (aisle side) of the self-storage compartment without the operator having to enter the rented or to be rented self-storage compartment, so that there are liability problems that could arise when entering, can be safely avoided. In addition, no structural changes to the door or the locking mechanism of the door of the self-storage compartment are required. Any structural change to the infrastructure would raise the inhibition threshold for automating and converting the self-storage facility.

According to claim 3, the electronic padlock is designed as a padlock. It has been shown that the vast majority of all known locking bolt systems can be converted into self-storage facilities with such a padlock.

According to claim 4, the access control system has active energy monitoring for the off-grid power supply, which sends a warning to the operator of the self-storage facility as soon as the performance of the off-grid power supply falls below a predetermined threshold value. As soon as such a warning is received, the operator of the self-storage facility can, for example, equip the electronic locks with a new battery without having to enter the rented self-storage compartment.

According to claim 5, the communication between the electronic locks and the smartphone or tablet takes place via Bluetooth or Wifi. The limited range of Bluetooth technology ensures that no overlapping or interference effects occur with a very large number of small self-storage compartments that are close to each other.

According to claim 6, the mains-independent power supply is either a battery or a rechargeable battery. A rechargeable battery prevents hazardous waste in the form of empty batteries. Both alternatives allow quick and effective replacement to ensure the permanent power supply of the electronic locks.

The retrofitting method according to the invention according to claim 7 for automating a self-storage facility with a large number of self-storage compartments in a building, so that contactless access for customers to the rented self-storage compartments is enabled, comprises the following steps: Attaching an electronic lock on the aisle side to a locking bolt of a door of each self-storage compartment of the self-storage facility and unlocking and opening it by the customer using an app, which is preferably stored on a smartphone or tablet ; Attaching electronic door locks to the entrance doors and intermediate doors of the self-storage facility, which are unlocked and opened by the customer using the app; Providing a booking system, preferably with online booking for at least one self-storage compartment via a website of the operator of the self-storage facility; providing a customer management system which receives, stores and manages each customer's booking data from the booking system; Providing a cloud-based access control system, which receives, stores and further processes the booking and customer data from the customer management system; Provision of a mains-independent power supply for at least the electronic locks on the doors of the self-storage compartments; whereby the access control system controls and permits each customer's access to their booked self-storage compartment via the app.

The same advantages result from the method according to the invention for retrofitting a self-storage device as with the system described above.

According to claim 8, the customer management system is cloud-based, an on-premise solution (dedicated server/worksheets/spreadsheets) or integrated into the booking system website.

According to claim 9, the electronic locks on the doors of the self-storage compartments are either a padlock, in particular a padlock or a mortise lock.

According to claim 10, the access control system has active energy monitoring for the off-grid power supply, which sends a warning to the operator of the self-storage facility as soon as the power of the off-grid power supply falls below a predetermined threshold value.

According to claim 11, the communication between the electronic locks and the smartphone or tablet runs via Bluetooth or Wifi. Bluetooth is a widely used technology for communication between electronic devices and is therefore a secure communication for the present purpose of automating the rental, usage and access control to the self-storage compartments.

According to claim 12, the electronic locks are attached from outside each self-storage compartment, so that the operator of the self-storage facility does not have to enter the rented compartment.

The above object, features and advantages of the present invention can be better understood by considering the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention and by reference to the accompanying drawings.

• 1 eine schematische Übersicht der Abläufe beim Buchen bzw. der Nutzung eines Self-Storage-Abteils nach einer Nachrüstung einer bestehenden Self-Storage-Einrichtung;
• 2 ein erfindungsgemäßes elektronisches Vorhänge-Bügelschloss; und
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung einer Self-Storage-Einrichtung mit den erfindungsgemäßen System-Elementen.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. These show in:

• 1 a schematic overview of the processes when booking or using a self-storage compartment after retrofitting an existing self-storage facility;
• 2 an electronic padlock according to the invention; and
• 3 a schematic representation of a self-storage facility with the system elements according to the invention.

Complete automation of an existing self-storage facility SE requires a number of system elements, all of which are networked with one another and which enable the operator of such a self-storage facility SE to carry out the conversion during ongoing operation. Any interruption of ongoing operations must be avoided in order to prevent sales losses and to keep the inhibition threshold for the conversion low. This also includes that the conversion is to be carried out without structural changes to the self-storage facility SE. Every structural change would increase the inhibition threshold for conversion.

The conversion of the existing self-storage facility SE can be carried out in one go, i.e. that all locks are exchanged at the same time and replaced by the electronic locks according to the invention, or the operator of the self-storage facility SE can section by section (corridors, floors , etc.) carry out the conversion, since in larger systems hundreds of self-storage compartments SA require new electronic locks.

In the 2 an electronic padlock is shown, which is designed as a padlock and which replaces an existing mechanical lock cylinder or an existing mechanical lock when retrofitting. It has been shown that the majority of self-storage devices SE can be converted with such a padlock, so that no structural changes to the doors TÜ of a self-storage compartment SA or the locking mechanism are required. It is also possible to use an electronic plug lock (not shown).

The contactless access to or the automation of the operation of a self-storage device SE can be illustrated using the schematic representation 1 describe as follows. A customer K books or rents one or more self-storage compartments SA via a website of the operator of the self-storage facility SE. The corresponding booking system is denoted by BS. All data required for the rental is entered online via the BS booking system. This includes, among other things, the name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, payment details of customer K, as well as the scope (size, period, how many compartments, etc.) of the rental of the self-storage compartment(s)( e) SA.

After completing the booking, this data is transferred to the customer management system CRM, for example cloud-based, which manages and forwards this data. A likewise cloud-based access control system LT receives all the data about the customer K and the rented self-storage compartment(s) SA that are necessary to prepare the access control for each customer K and the associated padlocks To control VS on each locking bolt SR of each door TÜ in such a way that only the corresponding customer K can open the associated padlock VS with an app A on his smartphone SP or tablet T in order to allow access to the self-storage compartment SA.

In addition to a cloud-based solution for the customer management system CRM, this can also be installed on a dedicated server on site in the self-storage facility SE, i.e. a so-called on-premise solution, or via worksheets or spreadsheets that are usually run and programmed on a PC.

The access control system LT also controls the entrance doors ET to building G or the intermediate doors ZT in building G, which are located between different corridors and/or floors are seen, so that each customer K can only get into an area of the building G in which his rented self-storage compartment SA is located.

Access control is usually implemented in such a way that when booking a self-storage compartment SA, the customer K sends a PIN to his app A on his smartphone SP or tablet T via the customer management system CRM and the access control system LT or PIN is transmitted, which is used to unlock the electronic lock. This affects both the entrance and intermediate doors ET/ZT in building G as well as the door TÜ of the self-storage compartment SA.

Alternatively, it is possible for the customer K to unlock the electronic locks via face or iris recognition on his smartphone SP or tablet T. Another possibility would be voice recognition, so that the customer K has to speak a certain sequence of words into the microphone of his smartphone SP or tablet T in order to unlock the electronic locks. This recognition is initialized by the customer when booking and transferred to his smartphone SP or tablet T.

It can currently be assumed that practically every customer K has his own smartphone SP or tablet T. If technical development continues, it would also be possible to integrate face or iris recognition directly into the electronic lock, so that the customer K can use the electronic lock directly on the door TÜ of the self-service even without a smartphone SP or tablet T Storage compartment can unlock.

The retrofitting system according to the invention for automating an existing self-storage device SE during operation makes it possible for the first time to realize a completely contactless rental and use of the self-storage compartments.

The customer K can rent one or more self-storage compartments SA online, either via the booking website of the operator of the self-storage facility SE or via a corresponding app A on his smartphone SP or tablet T. He doesn't have to be there to do that. He can make the booking from any distance and is also completely free in terms of time to rent such a self-storage compartment well in advance. Customers K are conceivable who, for example, travel between locations as a representative and know in advance that they will have to temporarily store a larger quantity of specific goods at a specific location in 4 weeks, for example, so that they will need appropriate storage space. If the customers K are then on site, they can store these goods directly, since the self-storage compartment or compartments SA are booked.

A further advantage for the operator of a self-storage facility SE is that a function is implemented in the customer management system CRM and the access control system LT which, in the event of non-payment of the rented self-storage compartment SA, unlocks of the electronic lock. As a result, the customer K cannot use the self-storage compartment SA and the customer K is informed directly about the payment problem without requiring a reminder (effort for the operator) or the like. This advantage should not be underestimated and is a great incentive for upgrading to the present system according to the invention.

Likewise, the operator of the self-storage device SE can lock or unlock individual self-storage compartments SA in an emergency after the conversion to the present inventive system, for example for searches by the police - keyword stolen goods stored - or for a bailiff - confiscation , attachment of objects etc.

With regard to features of the invention not explained in detail above, reference is expressly made to the patent claims and the drawings.

Reference List

B.S

booking system

SA

Self storage compartment

SE

Self storage facility

G

Building, closed construction or non-closed construction

A

apartment

SP

smart phone

T

tablet

CRM

Customer Management System

LT

access control system

vs

Padlock

ET

entrance

ZT

intermediate door

DO

door (of a self-storage compartment)

TS

electronic door locks

B

off-grid power supply

K

customer

SR

locking bolt

Claims (12)

Retrofit system, in particular for automating a self-storage facility (SE) with a large number of self-storage compartments (SA) in a building (G), so that customers (K) have contactless access to the rented self -Storage compartments (SA) is made possible, characterized by the following system elements: a) booking system (BS), preferably with an online booking for at least one self-storage compartment (SA) via a website of the operator self-storage facility (SE); b) customer management system (CRM), which receives, stores and manages the booking data of each customer (K) from the booking system (BS); c) cloud-based access control system (LT), which receives, stores and processes the booking and customer data from the customer management system (CRM); d) electronic door locks (TS) on the entrance doors (ET) and intermediate doors (ZT) of the self-storage facility (SE), which the customer (K) uses an app (A), preferably on a smartphone (SP ) or tablet (T) can be unlocked and opened; e) electronic locks (VS), which are provided on a locking bolt (SR) on a door (TÜ) of each self-storage compartment (SA) on the aisle side and which are unlocked and opened by the customer (K) using the app (A). become; f) wherein at least the electronic locks (VS) on the doors of the self-storage compartments (SA) have their own mains-independent power supply (B); and g) the access control system (LT) controlling and permitting the access of each customer (K) to his booked self-storage compartment (SA) using the app (A). retrofit system claim 1 , characterized in that the customer management system (CRM) is cloud-based, is an on-premise solution (dedicated server / worksheets / spreadsheets) or is integrated into the booking system website. retrofit system claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the electronic lock (VS) is a padlock, in particular a U-lock or a mortise lock. Retrofit system according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the access control system (LT) comprises active energy monitoring for the off-grid power supply (B), which sends a warning to the operator of the self-storage facility (SE) as soon as the performance of the off-grid power supply falls below a predetermined threshold value . Retrofit system according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that the communication between the electronic locks (TS, VS) and the smartphone (SP) or tablet (T) takes place via Bluetooth or Wifi. Retrofit system according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the mains-independent power supply (B) is a battery or a rechargeable battery. Retrofit method, in particular for the automation of a self-storage facility (SE) with a large number of self-storage compartments (SA) in a building (G), so that contactless access by customers (K) to the rented self -Storage compartments (SA) is made possible, characterized by the following steps: a) Attaching one electronic lock (VS) on the aisle side to a locking bolt (SR) of a door (TÜ) of each self-storage compartment (SA) of Self-storage device (SE) and the customer (K) using an app (A), which is preferably stored on a smartphone (SP) or tablet (T), unlocked and opened; b) Attaching electronic door locks (TS) to the entrance doors (ET) and intermediate doors (ZT) of the self-storage facility (SE), which are unlocked and opened by the customer (K) using the app (A); c) providing a booking system (BS), preferably with an online booking for at least one self-storage compartment (SA) via a website of the operator of the self-storage facility (SE); d) providing a customer management system (CRM) which receives, stores and manages the booking data of each customer (K) from the booking system (BS); e) providing a cloud-based access control system (LT), which receives, stores and further processes the booking and customer data from the customer management system (CRM); f) providing a mains-independent power supply (B) for at least the electronic locks (VS) on the doors of the self-storage compartments (SA); g) the access control system (LT) controlling and permitting the access of each customer (K) to his booked self-storage compartment (SA) using the app (A). retrofit procedure claim 7 , characterized in that the customer management system (CRM) is cloud-based, an on-premise solution (dedicated server / worksheets / spreadsheets) or integrated into the booking system website. retrofit procedure claim 7 or 8th , characterized in that the electronic lock (VS) is a padlock, in particular a U-lock or a mortise lock. Retrofit method according to one of Claims 7 until 9 , characterized in that the access control system (LT) comprises active energy monitoring for the off-grid power supply (B), which sends a warning to the operator of the self-storage facility (SE) as soon as the performance of the off-grid power supply falls below a predetermined threshold value . Retrofit method according to one of Claims 7 until 10 , characterized in that the communication between the electronic locks (TS, VS) and the smartphone (SP) or tablet (T) takes place via Bluetooth or Wifi. Retrofit method according to one of Claims 7 until 11 , characterized in that the electronic locks (VS) are attached from outside each self-storage compartment (SA).

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