ES2855027T3 - Improved mailbox and its method of operation - Google Patents

Abstract

Method of operation of the lock of a mailbox for letters and / or packages (10), hereinafter "mailbox" for receiving and / or sending letters and / or packages, which mailbox includes: - a so-called service cylinder (20), which can be operated by a so-called service key, - a so-called owner's cylinder (30), which can be operated by a so-called owner's key, separate from said service key, the actuation of said cylinders being intended to achieve locking or unlocking of said lock, - an electronic device (40) to control the locking and unlocking of said lock, said operating method of said lock involves two different operating modes, namely - a first operating mode a) called the operating mode receipt of letters and / or packages, in which: - a carrier (T) requests (52) to a computer system (S), an authorization to open the mailbox, - the computer system transfers (54) the authorization request to a owner (A) of the mailbox, - the owner gives (56) his authorization to the computer system, - the computer system provides (58) the carrier with a service code (X), - the carrier enters (60) the code in the box , - the carrier places (62) a package (C) in the mailbox, - the computer system is informed (64) of said deposit, - the computer system transmits (66) the information of the deposit of the package to the owner, - the owner picks up (68) the package. - a second operating mode b) called letter and / or parcel sending mode, in which: - an owner (A) places (102) a parcel (C) in the mailbox, - a computer system is informed ( S) (104) of said warehouse, - the computer system informs (106) a carrier of said warehouse and provides (106) a service code (Z), - the carrier enters (108) the code in the mailbox, - the carrier removes (110) the package from the mailbox, - the computer system is informed (112) of said removal, the computer system transmits (114) the information on the collection of the package to the owner, this operating method being characterized by the fact that the electronic control device It comprises: - an electric sensor (22; 32) placed on each cylinder, - a numeric input keyboard (46), - an electric lock (48). and because the electronic control device is configured in such a way that: - activation of the service cylinder only blocks or unlocks said lock after entering a predefined code (X; Z), called service code, on the keypad of the control device. electronic control. - by operating the owner's cylinder or by entering a predefined code, called the owner's code, on the keypad of the electronic control device always locks or unlocks said lock.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Improved mailbox and its method of operation

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved mailbox and its method of operation. More particularly, the invention relates to a security lock for letter boxes and parcel boxes. In the present description and in the claims to which it gives rise, "mailbox" is understood as both the mailboxes themselves and the mailboxes for parcels.

[0002] In the field of locksmithing, security is an essential selection criterion for the user. In the state of the art it is known in particular the teaching of the application FR 1450436, which describes a double cylinder lock, one of which, called a service cylinder, is operable both by an owner key and by a service key. , also called master key, separate from said owner key, and the other, called owner cylinder, can be operated only by said owner key.

[0003] However, this lock requires the physical intervention of the owner who must reestablish it between each package delivery. This essential human operation can be bypassed or performed incorrectly by the owner, who locks the mailbox until the owner realizes his mistake. This is particularly unfortunate for mailbox owners, such as businesses that often receive packages.

[0004] This is particularly unfortunate for mailbox owners, such as companies that often receive packages.

[0005] DE 44 43 391 A1 describes a closure system with multiple closures controlled by a microprocessor. Likewise, documents DE 297 09827 U1 and CN 103584 701 A describe a closure system which, however, differs from the present invention as regards the characterizing part.

[0006] Document CN 103584701 not only does not include (which includes the present invention) a computer system, but also has the drawback that when the recipient is the mailbox manager ("mailbox manager"), the operator has to contact the recipient directly to obtain the code.

[0007] Therefore, there is effectively no computer system in this document between the carrier and the consignee (see § [0180] to [0184] of D6), and there is no computer system that

- receive the request (52) from a carrier,

- transfer the request,

- receive authorization,

- provide a code,

- be informed and transmit the information and

where, in addition, the so-called service key is different from the owner key provided by the invention, with the security advantages that this entails. Indeed, the system according to document D6 does not allow locking or unlocking by two different people, which is especially the case with the system according to the invention.

[0008] Therefore, there is a real need to solve the technical problem explained above by automating the operation of a mailbox provided with an improved lock.

[0009] To this end, the present invention provides a method for operating a lock of a letter and / or parcel mailbox (10), called the "mailbox" for receiving and / or sending letters and / or parcels, which the mailbox includes:

- a cylinder, service call (20), actuated by a key, service call,

- a cylinder, called the owner (30), actuated by a key, called the owner, separated from said service key, the actuation of said cylinders being intended to lock or unlock said lock,

- an electronic device (40) to control the locking and unlocking of said lock, said method of operating said lock involves two different operating modes, namely,

• a first mode of operation a) call for receiving letters and / or packages, in which:

- a carrier (T) requests (52), from a computer system (S), authorization to open the mailbox,

- the tick information system transfers (54) the authorization request to an owner (A) of the mailbox, - the owner grants (56) his authorization to the computer system,

- the computer system provides (58) the carrier with a service code (X),

- the carrier enters (60) the code in the mailbox,

- the carrier places (62) a package (C) in the mailbox,

- the computer system is informed (64) of said deposit,

- the computer system transmits (66) the deposit information of the package to the owner, - the owner collects (68) the package.

• a second mode of operation b) called sending letters and / or packages, in which:

- an owner (A) places (102) a package (C) in the mailbox,

- a computer system (S) is informed (104) of said deposit,

- the computer system informs (106) a carrier of said warehouse and provides (106) a service code (Z), - the carrier enters (108) the code in the mailbox,

- the carrier removes (110) the package from the mailbox,

- the computer system is informed (112) of said withdrawal,

- the computer system transmits (114) the information for the removal of the package to the owner,

this operating method being characterized in that the electronic control device comprises:

- an electrical sensor (22; 32) arranged on each cylinder,

- a numeric input keyboard (46),

- an electric lock (48).

and because the electronic control device is configured so that:

- the actuation of the service cylinder only locks or unlocks said lock after entering a predefined code (X; Z), called code service, on the keyboard of the electronic control device.

- the activation of the owner of the cylinder or the introduction of a pre-established code, called the owner of the code, on the keypad of the control electronics of the device always sends a lock or unlock of said lock.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the electronic control device further comprises an interface (49) for communication with the outside.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the code service works only once.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the control device further comprises a clock (47).

[0013] The present invention also refers to a mailbox and / or packages that have a door provided with a lock that allows the application of the mentioned method.

Thanks to these provisions,

- the owner does not have to think about resetting the lock on his mailbox before each package delivery.

- the overall security of the lock is increased while allowing a carrier who does not have a master key to open the lock.

- the owner is never locked to lock or unlock his lock.

- Information is exchanged with various interlocutors such as the owner, a computerized management system and carriers.

- Any malicious person who has observed that a parcel carrier enters this code will not be able to use it again.

- the mailbox owner can only allow exclusive access to their mailbox when waiting for a package. As a result, no one with a mat can open the mailbox after a package has been delivered. Only the owner can collect the package with his own key or code.

- the owner of a mailbox according to the invention can collect his parcel from the first step of the carrier. - any owner of a mailbox according to the invention can send a package safely, without leaving home.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show:

FIG. 1, a schematic representation of an example of a security lock according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a representation, in the form of a logic diagram, of a first example of a method of operation of a mailbox provided with a security lock according to the invention;

3, a representation, in the form of a logic diagram, of a second example of the operating method of a mailbox with a security lock according to the invention.

In the following description, elements of identical or similar function carry the same reference symbol.

For the sake of brevity of the present description, items identical to the various examples are not described with respect to each of these examples. In other words, only the differences between the different examples are described in detail, the common elements being described with respect to a single example;

[0017] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of an improved lock 10 of the invention intended to be installed in a mailbox. As a variant, the lock according to the invention can be fixed to a door or any other opening element.

The lock 10 is a double cylinder lock provided with a control for locking the electronic device 40 and unlocking said lock. The lock 100 is intended to be installed in the door of a letter box or a parcel box not shown in the figures.

The first of the cylinders, called the service cylinder 20, is operable by a first key, called the service key, and the second of said cylinders, called the owner cylinder 30, can be operated with a second key, called the service key. owner, separate from service key. The actuation of the cylinders 20 and 30 is intended to effect a locking or unlocking of the lock 10.

The electronic control device 40 comprises a computer 42, a data memory 44, a numeric input keyboard 46, an electric lock 48 is connected by a mechanical joint 34 and an electric sensor 22 and 32 arranged in each cylinder 20 and 40.

[0021] The electronic control device 40 is configured such that the manual actuation of the service cylinder 20 realizes a locking or unlocking of the lock 10 only after entering a predefined code, called a service code, in the numeric input keyboard 46 of said electronic control device. According to the invention, the service code works only once to prevent any malicious person, who has observed a carrier entering this code, from reproducing it once the package has been placed in the mailbox.

[0022] In contrast, manual operation of the owner's cylinder 30 by the owner's key or the entry of a predetermined code, called the owner code, other than the service code, on the keypad 46 always sends a lock or unlock of the lock 10.

[0023] In one example, the entry of a service code or an owner code bypasses the electric lock 48 which drives, through the mechanical connection, the owner's actuation in a cylinder opening direction or a closing direction .

[0024] Preferably, the electronic control device 40 further comprises an interface 49 for communication with the outside. This interface 49 can invariably be GSM, GPRS, WIFI or any other type of remote communication. Thus, when a code is entered at the keyboard 46, the electronic control device 40 reports, via the communication interface 49, to a computer system to manage the packets described below.

In an embodiment of the lock 10 according to the invention, the control device 40 further comprises a clock 47 so that the service code is operative for a predetermined time, for example thirty minutes.

[0026] In the example shown in Figure 1, the computer 42, the data memory 44, the input keyboard 46, the electric lock 48, the electric sensors 22 and 32, the clock 47 and the communication interface 49 are connected through a CAN type bus (Controller Area Network).

[0027] Figure 2 shows, in flow diagram form, a first example of an operating method 50 of a mailbox B provided with the security lock 10 of the invention.

In figure 2, as in figure 3, the physical entities, namely the owner A, the computer system S, the support T and the receiver D are represented by circles, the actions of the rectangles, the mailbox B for a triangle and questions for diamonds.

[0029] The method 50 consists, in a first stage, of a conveyor T wishing to place a package C in the mailbox B according to the invention of an owner A, with request 52 to a computer system S, typically a web page , of an authorization to open said mailbox.

[0030] Typically, a variety of information about owner A, mailbox B, and transporter T was previously recorded in computer system S.

[0031] In a second step, the computer system S transfers 54, via SMS, email or any other means of remote communication, the authorization request to the owner A of mailbox B. Where appropriate, the owner A gives his authorization to the computer system S, by one of the aforementioned means of communication.

The computer system S then provides 58 to the conveyor T a service code X which the conveyor captures 60 in the mailbox B before placing 62 a package C there.

In a third step, the computer system S is informed 64 of the deposit of the package and transmits 66 the deposit information of the package to owner A, who can then retrieve 68 the package.

[0034] In one example, the computer system S is informed 64 of the placement of the package in the mailbox B requires that the transporter T send an SMS, email or any other type of information message to said computer system.

[0035] In the case described above in which the electronic control device 40 is equipped with the communication interface 49, it is the entry of the service code X on the keyboard 46 or the actuation of the cylinder service 20 that performs the transmission of an information message through said interface with the computer system S and / or with the owner A. In this case, in parallel with the step of providing 58 the service code X to the conveyor T, the computer system S configures, Through the communication interface 49, the control device 40 to accept, as the service code, only said code X to open the mailbox B. The actuation of the service cylinder 20 is detected by the sensor 22. The code X is stored in data memory 44.

When the carrier T misinterprets the service code X or it is seized after the expiration of the predetermined period of time, the computer system S is informed by said carrier or by the control device 40. The computer system S then provides a new service bearer T of code X '.

Figure 3 shows, in flow diagram form, a second example of an operating method 100 of a mailbox B provided with the security lock 10 according to the invention.

[0038] The method 100 comprises, firstly, an owner A of a mailbox B according to the invention who wishes to send a packet C to a recipient D, in order to report allo 104 to the computer system S.

[0039] In an example not shown in figure 3, after receiving the information on the desire to board from owner A, the computer system S proposes a list of carriers classified according to various criteria related to weight, size and dimensions of the packages. Owner A then chooses carrier T, makes a bank payment, prints a shipping label supplied digitally by computer system S, and then sticks it over his package C.

Second, owner A places package C 102 in mailbox B and computer system S is informed 104 of the deposit.

[0041] In one example, for the computer system S to be informed 104 of the deposit of the package C in the mailbox B, the owner A must send an SMS, an email or any other type of informational message to said computer system.

[0042] In the case described above in which the electronic control device 40 is equipped with the communication interface 49, it is the input of the owner code on the keyboard 46 or the actuation of the owner cylinder 30 that performs the transmission of an information message through said interface to the computer system S and / or to the conveyor T. Actuation of the owner's cylinder 30 is detected by the sensor 32.

Third, the computer system S informs 106 the conveyor T and provides it 106 with a service code Z. In parallel, the computer system S configures, through the communication interface 49, the electronic control device 40 so that it accepts, as a service code, only said Z code to open mailbox B. The Z code is stored in data memory 44. Fourth, the transporter enters 108 the Z code in mailbox B, before withdrawing 110 the package C. The computer system S is then informed 112 of the removal of the package and transmits 114 the information of the package collection to the owner A.

When the conveyor T incorrectly enters the service code Z or enters it after the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the computer system S is informed by said conveyor or by the control device 40. The computer system S then provides a new service code Z 'to conveyor T.

[0045] In one example, for the computer system S to be informed 112 of the removal of the package C, it is necessary for the transporter T to send an SMS, email or any other type of information message to said computer system.

In the case described above in which the electronic control device 40 is equipped with the communication interface 49, it is the entry of the service code Z on the keypad 46 or the actuation of the service cylinder 20 that performs the transmission. of an information message through said interface to the computer system S and / or to owner A. Actuation of service cylinder 20 is detected by sensor 22.

Finally, the carrier T delivers the package C to the recipient D and directly or indirectly notifies the owner A.

If the recipient D has a mailbox B 'according to the invention, the conveyor T has to reproduce the steps of the first method 50 of the operation of said mailbox.

[0049] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the examples described and shown, but is capable of many variants accessible to the skilled person.

Claims (6)

1. Method of operation of the lock of a mailbox for letters and / or packages (10), hereinafter "mailbox" to receive and / or send letters and / or packages, which mailbox includes: - a so-called service cylinder (20), which can be operated by a so-called service key, - a so-called owner's cylinder (30), which can be operated by a so-called owner's key, separate from said service key, being intended to actuate said cylinders to achieve the locking or unlocking of said lock, - an electronic device (40) to control the locking and unlocking of said lock, said operating method of said lock involves two different operating modes, namely - a first operating mode a) called letter and / or parcel reception mode, in which: - a carrier (T) requests (52) to a computer system (S), an authorization to open the mailbox, - the computer system transfers (54) the authorization request to an owner (A) of the mailbox, - the owner gives (56) your authorization to the computer system, - the computer system provides (58) the carrier with a service code (X), - the carrier enters (60) the code in the mailbox, - the carrier places (62) a package (C) in the mailbox, - the computer system is informed (64) of said deposit, - the computer system transmits (66) the information of the deposit of the package to the owner, - the owner collects (68) the package. - a second operating mode b) called letter and / or parcel sending mode, in which: - an owner (A) places (102) a package (C) in the mailbox, - a computer system (S) (104) is informed of said deposit, - the computer system informs (106) a carrier of said warehouse and provides (106) a service code (Z), - the carrier enters (108) the code in the mailbox, - the carrier removes (110) the package from the mailbox, - the computer system is informed (112) of said withdrawal, the computer system transmits (114) the collection information of the package to the owner, this operating method being characterized in that the electronic control device comprises: - an electrical sensor (22; 32) placed on each cylinder, - a numeric input keyboard (46), - an electric lock (48). and because the electronic control device is configured in such a way that: - activation of the service cylinder only locks or unlocks said lock after entering a predefined code (X; Z), called service code, on the keyboard of the electronic control device. - by actuating the owner's cylinder or by entering a predefined code, called the owner's code, on the keyboard of the electronic control device always locks or unlocks said lock. 2. Method of operating a lock of a mailbox and / or parcel according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the electronic control device further comprises an interface (49) for communication with the outside world. 3. Method of operation of the lock of a mailbox and / or parcel according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the service code is operative only once. 4. Method of operation of the lock of a mailbox and / or parcel according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the control device also includes a clock (47), - the service code is effective for a predetermined period of time. 5. Mailbox for letters and / or packages comprising a door provided with a lock that allows the implementation of the method of operating the lock of a mailbox for letters and / or packages (10), hereinafter "mailbox" to receive and / or or send letters and / or packages, including said mailbox: - a so-called service cylinder (20), which can be operated by a so-called service key, - a so-called owner's cylinder (30), which can be operated by a so-called owner's key, separated from said service key, the actuation of said cylinders being intended to achieve the locking or unlocking of said lock, - an electronic device (40) to control the locking and unlocking of said lock, said mailbox comprising two different operating modes, namely, a) a first operating mode a) called letter and / or parcel reception mode, in which: - a carrier (T) requests (52), from a computer system (S), an authorization to open the mailbox, - the computer system transfers (54) the authorization request to a mailbox owner (A), - the owner gives (56) his authorization for the computer system, - the computer system provides (58) the carrier with a service code (X), - the carrier enters (60) the code in the mailbox, - the carrier places (62) a package (C) in the mailbox, - the computer system is informed (64) of said deposit, - the computer system transmits (66) the information of the deposit of the package to the owner, - the owner collects (68) the package. b) a second operating mode b) called letter and / or parcel sending mode, in which: - an owner (A) places (102) a package (C) in the mailbox, - a computer system (S) is informed (104) of said deposit, - the computer system informs (106) a carrier of said warehouse and provides (106) a service code (Z), - the carrier enters (108) the code in the mailbox, - the carrier removes (110) the package from the mailbox, - the computer system is informed (112) of said withdrawal, - the computer system transmits (114) the collection information of the package to the owner, further characterizing said mailbox: • because the electronic control device comprises: - an electrical sensor (22; 32) placed on each cylinder, - a numeric keyboard (46), - an electric lock (48) • and because the electronic control device is configured so that - the actuation of the service cylinder only locks or unlocks said lock after entering a predefined code (X; Z), called service code, on the keyboard of the electronic control device. - actuating the owner's cylinder or entering a predefined code, called the owner's code, on the keyboard of the electronic control device always locks or unlocks said lock. 6. Mailbox and / or parcel according to claim 6, comprising a door provided with a lock that allows the implementation of the method according to any of claims 2 to 6.