DE2700631B2 - Locker system with a central - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a locker system of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1,

Such a locker system is known from DE-OS 22 18 956 Customer vault room of a 3ank can be relieved by the fact that a supervisor at a central s control unit via numeric entry the release of a certain locker for opening through the Customer himself by means of his customer key, effected. For control purposes it is intended to save and if necessary, ask which lockers are in the

ίο courses of a day were opened or which Lockers are currently not locked.

The invention is based on the knowledge that it in the case of extensive locker systems of the kind that at train stations or airports as luggage lockers

is rather set up, extremely obstructive for the The user is having to look for a free compartment of a suitable size and a comparatively bulky key to have to carry with you to re-open for the purpose of removing the inserted objects; while it on the other hand, requires considerable maintenance, a coin validator on each individual locker, one Timing device and, above all, a changeover lock to prevent unauthorized opening by means of Having to keep duplicates ready for use.

Based on this knowledge of the usage and operational disadvantages of conventional, Generally speaking, the object of the invention is to create a locker system of the type described that is suitable for users provides greater convenience and requires significantly less maintenance for the installer

In the case of a locker system, this task is performed by the mentioned type according to the invention in that it has the features of the characterizing part of the

Claim 1 is equipped

With this solution, the user does not have to laboriously search for a free subject that is more suitable Size; rather, it is sufficient to set the required compartment size for the Specify the items to be deposited, whereupon the fee owed for the basic occupancy time is displayed and after paying the required fee, the locker number, i.e. the location of this locker is specified after as a receipt via the Allocation of this locker with a key card Magnet track has been removed from the control unit. If this key card is reintroduced in the operating unit will (if the basic occupancy time is exceeded) the fee to be paid and after payment of the fee the user is shown his compartment number, which is then used to re-open for the purpose of removing the inserted objects is released. A test data information on the magnetic track of the key card, which was made before the Locker, so formed in connection with the issue of the key card and on the magnetic track has been saved, ensures that neither another locker nor again the locker currently mentioned

bo can be opened; because with new allocation this Locker, the test data assigned to this locker and issued on the next Key card can be saved, changed so that repeated use of an old key card (with test data that are no longer valid) is prevented. The maintenance staff does not have to periodically adjust the lock to the individual lockers to prevent unauthorized opening

To prevent key duplicates or retained original keys, whereby as an uncertainty factor so far there was still the fact that the lock conversion is only possible between a limited number of different key bit geometries the maintenance personnel of such locker systems is also not required with the one according to the invention Locker system, the effort to check the function of the coin validator and the occupancy timer as well as the individual cashing of the coins from the individual locker doors, because now there is only one Zeitwerk and a single coin validator for a practically unlimited number of individual lockers in the central control unit available and waiting or cashing is 1 s

The additional measure according to claim 2 is particularly advantageous when extended Locker systems allow a certain amount of time to travel from the central control unit can pass until the assigned locker of the preselected size. If the opening release is immediately at The locker number would be displayed after payment of any requested additional fee, there is a risk that an unauthorized person accidentally finds himself at the location of this locker and hears due to the action of the electromechanical locking system that the opening has been released, the locker emptied before the authorized Person can go from the central control unit to that locker indicated by number.

The further development measure according to claim 3 has the advantage that a blinking display any fee owed the attention of the user particularly sure to this issue is directed and his attention is only then diverted by displaying the number of the occupied compartment that is now to be released for reopening is when the fee due has been paid

Since in the locker system according to the invention failure-prone electromechanical devices such as a Coin validator and an occupancy time determination device only once in the central operating unit are provided, the operational disruptions to be taken into account in the locker systems that have been set up so far are reduced to a minimum, so that it it is justifiable not to use any maintenance personnel directly at the locker system. However, this also eliminates the possibility for the user, for example in the event of difficulties in When dealing with such locker systems, seek advice from your local maintenance staff. The development according to claim 4, however, ensures that the In the event of operating problems, the user should contact a knowledgeable person employed elsewhere Get advice from staff.

Especially with extensive! Another locker becomes unusable because, for example, the previous user left spoiled food in it. In such a case it would be unreasonable to take the registration fee for a locker from a prospective customer whose occupancy would be from him For example, due to heavy pollution, after the further training measure is unreasonable According to claim 5, the interested party can then the fee amount already paid by pressing a Refunded money return button. This means that if a subject of this size is requested again This prospect or a next prospect does not always do that which is not proven but If an unusable compartment is assigned, this locker, which is apparently no longer to be offered, will be removed from the additionally provided measure according to claim 5 blocked against further, repeated allocation if it had been allocated several times in succession but not used. The non-use despite allocation leaves can be determined without great technical effort, for example, by the fact that a door lock acknowledgment signal is absent within a certain period of time after the locker has been allocated, or without occupancy (with door lock) of the locker that has just been allocated, the return key is pressed.

Because the fault-prone electromechanical parts of the locker system are now only available once, namely in the central operating unit occur, i.e. incidents are reduced to a minimum, there is no need for the Instruction of qualified personnel in the function of this locker system; rather it still can remaining minimum of maintenance work, in particular in the form of cleaning the lockers and Emptying of the coin container, to be carried out by auxiliary staff, this in itself for others Tasks used and trained is the additional measure according to claim 6 ensures that also this auxiliary staff, who are not particularly trained in handling the locker system, provides the necessary Carries out handles for control and fault clearance operations correctly by using the on the central operating unit The functions intended for use by the public can be changed by operating a staff switch that is not accessible to the public. A template is included provided by exchanging the information on the actuators after actuation of the Personnel desk can now purposefully carry out the necessary steps for such warning and control work.

A functional coupling of the type can be provided that this actuation of the dem Personnel counters that are not accessible to the public, for example within the housing of the central operating unit, are only possible or becomes effective when the placement template is attached via the functionally changed assignment of the individual handles

The further measure according to claim 7 is particularly important with regard to the fact that at In the event of a complaint, the user has his key card with the described magnetic track available, that, however, if other use has taken place in the meantime, the introduction of this key card is not due to the fact that the test data set has changed in the meantime more to control a locker that has meanwhile been occupied and therefore no longer to Control of any display leads. In order to still be able to determine which locker this Rectamation key card had been assigned and, if applicable, when the assignment was made by means of this Key card was issued (if such a time specification is also stored on the magnetic track), the additional measure according to claim 7 enables the maintenance personnel who are to investigate the complaint case to see the contents of the magnetic track to be read and displayed, although the one on this one

The test data contained in the key card is no longer assigned to a corresponding test data record in the memory.

An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the drawing. It shows

F i g. 1 the view of a central operating unit for a large number of individual lockers,

F i g. 2 an example of the position of a retractable locker door if the locker is not in use, and

F i g. 3 in the block diagram shows the basic structure of a computing and control unit within the central Control unit according to FIG. 1.

From the view of a central control unit according to FIG. 1, a coin slot 1 can be seen above an election sign 3. Two Wähi-Täsien 4 are assigned to two available locker sizes. The selection buttons 4 are occupied displays 2 integrated, which signal when a locker is requested via one of the selection buttons 4 Size should no longer be available.

In addition to the coin slot 1, a money return button 5 is provided.

A display 6 lights up when the maximum occupancy time has been exceeded for one Extension fee can be paid afterwards.

Depending on the current operating stage, an indicator light 7 indicates the amount of charge for the receipt or for the reopening of a locker to be paid or to be paid later and then the number of the locker to be occupied or the locker released for reopening. What the current number on the indicator 7 has for content is the control of one of the Both illuminated signs 8 »To be paid« and 9 »You have compartment no.« can be found.

An opening button 11 is actuatable to a locker lock opening release device for To operate the removal of the inserted objects after any fee owed by subsequent payment paid and the number of the compartment to be opened is displayed.

A voice connection 10 is used for communication with a remote receiving station 47 upon actuation a push-to-talk button 12.

A read-in slot 13 is a magnetic track reader assigned and is used to receive a magnetic track key card to read out the in the magnetic track stored information and return of the key card to the user.

Change or remaining money or after pressing the money return button is on a dispensing trough 14 5 returned money can be removed, and possibly also the one assigned to the locker to be occupied Magnetic track key card.

An example of a locker 15 of a locker system can be seen from FIG. 2, which in the unoccupied State has an open draw-in door 16 A front door lock 17 is only effective when the locker after allocation via the central control unit occupies the pull-in door 16 from User is closed. Until then, the pull-in door is 16 held open by means of draw-in springs 18, which can also be designed for the opening movement of the door 16 without manual intervention by the user when the opening button 11 (see. Fig. 1) was actuated and a certain delay time has passed

In order to rule out misuse of an unoccupied locker and a deliberate implementation of one The pull-in door 16 can ensure the locking movement of the door 16 when a locker 15 is occupied in the unoccupied state of the locker 15 a rear mechanical locking with electrical Have controllable unlocking 19, which closes the door 16 in the course of occupying the Locker 15 only allows when the illuminated sign 9 in conjunction with the illuminated display 7 on the central control unit (see. Fig. 1) indicates that,

to after payment of the required fee, the locker 15 of the selected size for receipt is allocated

The front lock 17 for locking the occupied locker 15 acts with front opening magnets 20 together that, upon actuation of the opening button 11 (see FIG. 1), the door 16 to open of the locker 15 and removal of the deposited objects, due to electrical control the central control unit.

On the locker 15 there is also an acknowledgment switch 21 for issuing an acknowledgment signal when the locker is closed Door 16 is provided.

The basic structure of a computer and control unit within the central operating unit (Fig. 1) is from Fig. 1. 3 can be seen. In the block diagram the control electronics consists essentially of a microprocessor 22 in cooperation with a 1 K byte read-write memory (RAM) 23 and a 2 K byte programmable read-only memory (PROM) 24.

On an output interface 25, which is customary in microprocessor technology, there are drivers 26 for powerful Consumers such as lamps, motors or money return devices in the central control unit

) 5 connected. In particular, the drivers 26 also lead to door magnet relays 27 for actuating the opening magnets 20 or, if applicable, the rear unlocking devices 19 (see Fig. 2).

The output interface 25 also has a magnetic card controller for writing in or reading out binary-coded information on the magnetic track of the key card and a numeric display 28 for the Illuminated display 7 (see FIG. 1) connected downstream

The output interface 25 is controlled in the manner customary in microprocessor technology via a Data bus 36 and an address bus 37, which are connected to microprocessor 22 via drivers 29 and 30, respectively are.

An input interface 31 is used for entering information provided to the feedback 32 are connected, for example by the door lock acknowledgment switch 21 (see FIG. 2) are implemented, or by control devices in connection with mil a coin check, a time recording and a control circuit for functionally correct actuated Control elements of the central control unit These include, in particular, a coin slot 1 (see Fig. 1) downstream coin validator 34 and any other input or control buttons. Even the magnetic track reader 33 as that part of the magnetic card controller that the transmission of aui the magnetic track enables information written to the central operating unit is on; Input interface 31 connected.

In Fig. 3 is also taken into account that it is appropriate can be to design the data bus 36 and the address bus 37 for the same, expansion devices 38 via additional ROMs, RAMs, PROMs, inputs or outputs!

to connect.

Whether, with different locker sizes, a large or a small locker 15 is allocated by door release and indicated by number on the illuminated display 7, depends on which of the selection buttons 4 has been pressed for the desired compartment size. The activation of the illuminated sign 8 gives the indication that the illuminated display 7 now shows the amount that - or still - has to be paid in order to be able to occupy a locker 15 for the basic rental period. The numerical indication of the illuminated display 7 therefore indicates the fee owed when the illuminated number plate 8 is activated. Expediently, the control of the charge debt illuminated sign 8, which, for example, bears the inscription “Still to be paid”, takes place intermittently via a flasher unit 46. If after a certain predetermined period of time, for example about 20 seconds. If this indicated fee owed has not been paid, then the partial amount that has already been paid and which has reached an intermediate cash register via a coin validator 34 is thrown back into the dispensing trough 14. A new locker selection process can then take place.

Only when the fee due amount indicated by means of the illuminated display 7 has been paid in full, is switched from the charge debt illuminated sign 8 to the illuminated number plate 9. In the indicator light 7 a number now appears that contains the compartment number. The illuminated sign 9 carries for example, an inscription "You have compartment no."

Should a locker 15 the size that is no longer available because all lockers 15 of these Compartment size are occupied, the occupied indicator 2 lights up. Still entered in the coin slot 1 Money as well as money that has already reached the intermediate cash box is thrown back into the dispensing trough 14.

If the prospect can be assigned a locker 15 of the desired size and he has paid the requested fee for the basic rental period, .will be one with a magnetic track equipped key card issued, for example ejected into the output trough 14. This will be For example, a piece of strip is unwound from a supply roll, namely up to the section length accordingly the key card length. After the feed has taken place, a signal is used to drive a Separating knife triggered to cut this section from the supply roll and used as the key card to continue. The return of the cutting knife to the rest position after cutting off the key card from the wound up supply strip causes the output of a signal for further advance of the Key card over the write head of a magnetic card controller so that the magnetic track on the Key card is written in its entire length with signals from the computer and control unit. the Information transmission on the magnetic track takes place with such coding that the information is repeated appears one after the other on the magnetic track and is arranged symmetrically so that the key card in can be scanned in both directions of movement by a corresponding reading device. Further Activation of the transport device for the forward movement of the key card causes, for example, the Transfer into a chute for ejection into the discharge trough 14.

Before the key card is issued, the magnetic track except for the assigned slot number a key or check data information is also written. The assignment of this test data during the just starting period of use to a locker 15 of the displayed number is in the Computing and control unit saved.

If the locker 15 with this locker number is later transferred to another user, is assigned, a new one is saved when the subject allocation is displayed under the subject number generated test data information, d. In other words, the test data previously assigned to this subject number will be deleted in the memory circuit of the arithmetic and control unit. This ensures that no one later can open this - or any other - locker 15 with the old key card, because on the old one Key card test data are contained that will not be later due to the organization of the test data generator occur again.

Information about the point in time can also be found on the magnetic track of the key card, namely The date and especially the time when the locker was occupied can be saved.

When creating test data in which the time is not included, it is sufficient to enter the time from the beginning of the locker occupancy to be stored in the computer and control unit in order to be able to pay the additional fees if the basic rental period is exceeded to be able to request the corresponding amount.

It is advisable to keep the locker 15 allocated to the user at least when it is released for content removal, but if possible also when releasing for occupancy, so to close the door 16, with a to control variable delay. Because this ensures that the allocated locker 15, its Number lit up on the indicator light 7 of the central operating unit, also really from the authorized person is actuated after reaching the location of this locker 15, and not by any other person who happened to be there and, for example, the release of door 16 noticed. The user may then be able to put his luggage into the locker and open the door 16 to close by pressing. Acknowledgment information from the acknowledgment switch 21 is used for feedback to the arithmetic and control unit about the fact that the assigned locker is now occupied. From now on the determination and storage of the occupancy time in the RAM memory 23 begins.

If the operator on the central control unit did not first press the compartment size selection button 4 is pressed, but first put money into the coin slot 1, then the choice sign 3 flashes for example 20 see. long, that's about the inscription »Select compartment size« with arrow pointers on the selection buttons 4 If you do not press a Selection button 4 then takes place after this period of time the inserted and still in the Amount of money held in the interim cash in the dispensing tray 14 thrown back. However, if one of the selection buttons 4 is pressed within this period of time, The process described above is completed by issuing a key card and displaying the compartment number at.

If the user notices when he reaches the locker 15 assigned to him that it is, for example, for his The piece of luggage is too small or that it is dirty or unusable for other reasons

cause the money to be returned within a predetermined period of time using key 5 and after again Request to be assigned a new locker 15. For this money return and new election, the the same process must be provided as after the occupancy time has elapsed to remove the inserted goods, namely slices of the key card in the reading slot 13 and actuation of the opening button 11. Because the If the acknowledgment switch 21 did not emit a signal due to the door 16 not being closed, the is now thrown back Money in the output trough 14 instead of forwarding it from the intermediate cash box to the final store.

In the event of refusal to use an assigned locker 15, i.e. when the If money is returned from the intermediate cash box without actuating the receipt switch 21, a registration takes place this fact in the arithmetic and control unit. After repeated such refusals, for example three times the use of a locker 15 that has been allocated once is carried out by the computing and Control unit from an automatic lock of the locker 15 with this compartment number, so that this in the future is no longer assigned to a prospect until the lock is not released by the maintenance staff after verification the circumstances was reversed. It may be useful to have an automatic Signaling to be transmitted to a remote supervisory station in order to register there immediately that a certain one of the available lockers 15 is refused.

If a locker 15 has been allocated once within a predetermined period of time despite the payment of the requested fee amount is not occupied, so the acknowledgment switch 21 is not actuated, so this is Locker 15 locked again in the unoccupied state, for example with the door 16 open as shown in FIG. This is to prevent fraud. For this reason, it will be locked again no subject next to this subject assigned, but to other free subjects when assigned resorted to.

For the purpose of opening the locker for removal of stored goods, the key card, for example with the magnetic track down, inserted into the read-in slot 13 in any longitudinal direction and withdrawn from the reader 33 of the magnetic card controller to read the magnetically stored information to scan and then to pull out the key card again.

If the key card is inserted into the reading slot 13 within the basic rental period, for the fee amount has already been paid, which can be seen from a comparison of the current time with the time Allocation of the assigned locker 15 according to the memory content in the arithmetic and control unit by means of the Microcomputer 22 can be determined in a manner known per se, then the Illuminated display 7 with a number which, according to the activation of the illuminated sign 9, is the compartment number represents By pressing the opening button 11 is the locker lock opening release device on the door 16 is controlled expediently initially only to a temporary pre-unlocking, i.e. the opening of the door 16 is done by the user. Should this not or not quickly enough from the central control unit have gone to the locker 15 with the displayed number, then this door 16 is automatic locked again to prevent unauthorized opening by third parties. In the case of a pull-in door 16 according to FIG. 2 with rear locking, the door 16 may automatically retract to the rear and lock itself to the To be able to remove luggage undisturbed.

Should the user be on the way from the central operating unit to the locker 15 to be emptied If you have forgotten the compartment number again, he can return to the central operating unit and re-insert the key card into the reading slot 13 in order to display the number again on the Illuminated display 7 to cause. Because as long as this locker 15 with this compartment number is not new has been occupied, the test data information is still stored in the arithmetic and control unit, which is also on the magnetic track of the key card is located, and the reading part of the magnetic card controller speaks therefore continue to enter this key card with display of the locker number.

If the locker 15 has been opened and should then be reassigned to a user, will by means of the microcomputer 22, a modified test data set is generated and via the arithmetic and Control unit (Fig. 3) and the writing part of the magnetic card controller on the magnetic track of the key card to be issued and at the same time in the RAM memory 23 of the arithmetic and control unit. From now on it is the one that was previously issued for this subject number Key card can no longer be used, neither for controlling the locker lock opening release device also only for controlling the locker number display on the illuminated display 7; because the arithmetic and control unit no longer contains any test data information that corresponds to the old one Key card written test data information matches

Should it still be determined which compartment number information or, if necessary, what other information on the magnetic track of such a not more valid key card is contained, then the reader 33 of the Magnetic card controller including compartment number display device 7, 9 are switched on separately, so bypassing the test data controlled safety circuit.

In the event of an overpayment for the initial or subsequent fee payment, a remaining money can be returned be provided.

If the key card is read in for the purpose of removing the goods stored in the locker 15 after a period of time that is specified as the maximum occupancy time has elapsed, the special display 6 controlled, which expresses that the maximum occupancy time has been exceeded and the User contact the supervisor or another body, e.g. B. to receive his there in the meantime kept good to report.

In this case, but also if you have difficulty understanding how to operate the central operating unit can establish a voice connection to a remote receiving station to provide the user with instructions on how to behave to be able to.

That staff counter 35 is set up in particular to operate from the central operating unit to be able to query the receipt status of the individual lockers 15 of the locker system, with the

currently queried locker 15 with its locker number on the illuminated display 7 (Fig. 1) appears.

One of the existing keys in the central operating unit can also be activated via the personnel switch 35 can be converted to block a subject that can be specified by its number, for example because on irregularities have occurred in this subject that should first be remedied.

In the interests of greater ease of use for warning and control personnel, it is advisable to use a further position of the staff switch 35 a checkout target query of the coin supply in the money storage perform and display the result on the illuminated display 7, which also controls the money return device for the issuing of change or the return of a rental credit if the compartment is not occupied.

Connection options for a printer to this cash balance query enable printing

of the target stock and thus a simplified billing. If a self-test program is available For the arithmetic and control unit, this printer can also output the errors detected based on which the required maintenance work is determined.

Finally, it is useful for the practical use of a locker system of the type according to the invention, a circuit in the arithmetic and control unit for determining statistical information about the frequency of receipts and average occupancy time of the individual lockers and the results can also be queried via the staff counter 35 or output via a printer, because this information for the drafting of set-up contracts for Schiießiachaniagen of the type according to the invention and from obligations arising from such contracts can be of economic importance.

For this purpose 3 sheets of drawings

Claims (7)

Patent claims: 1. Locker system with a central operating unit with a memory and one on it connected switching arrangement for manual query and display of the document status as well as, on manual actuation on the control unit, for temporarily effective, individual control of a locker lock opening release device, characterized in that, that to which a computing and control unit (microcomputer 22) with memories (23, 24) having Switching arrangement (Fig.3) for the assignment of a Locker has a selection input device (keys 4), a fee debt display device (7, 8), a payment comparator, a test data transmitter, a compartment number display device (7, 9) Key card dispenser with a magnetic track writer for compartment number and for variable Test data is equipped, as well as a temporarily effective compartment door unlocking device (19) are connected, and that a key card magnetic track reader (33) with test data coincidence control circuit is provided for reopening the locker, to which a receipt time determination circuit, the fee debt display device (7, 8), the payment comparator, the compartment number display device (7,9) and the temporarily effective locker lock opening release device are connected downstream. 2. Locker system according to claim 1, characterized in that one for controlling the locker lock opening release device Opening button (11) with a switching arrangement for variable time delay of the opening release is provided 3. Locker system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the charge debt display device (7, 8) interconnected with a flasher device and the compartment number display device (7, 9) and the opening button (U) are blocked during activation of the flasher device. 4. Locker system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a voice connection (10) to a remote receiving station. 5. Locker system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one Money return button (5) with a counter for not using an unlocked locker interconnected and the counting result output of which is followed by a locker locking device. 6. Locker system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a Personnel switch (35) and a placement template assigned to it are provided. 7. Locker system according to claims, characterized in that the staff switch (35) with the key card magnetic track reader (33) is connected to one of the indicator lights (7) is downstream.