FR3078192A1 - DEVICE FOR STORING OBJECTS, AND METHOD USING SUCH A DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to the storage management of objects, such as packages or others. In particular, the steps are provided in a storage device comprising at least one rack (CAS) including a locking / unlocking device of the rack (ACT) and a plurality of sensors (C1, ..., Cn) arranged to deliver data specific to the objects deposited in the bin: - receive a request to store an object in a bin of the storage device; determining an object type corresponding to the object to be stored; selecting, depending on the type of object determined, a set of sensors among the plurality of bin sensors, to be activated at least during use of the rack; - on detection of a use of the rack, activate the selected sensors for the storage monitoring.

Description

Object storage device, and method using such a device

The present invention relates to an object storage device, the device typically comprising one or more lockers that can be locked or unlocked by authorized users, as well as to a method implementing such a storage device.

The development in particular of sales, exchanges and loans by Internet leads to an increase in the number of parcels to be delivered and delivery trucks. These packages are brought to the recipients' homes, or stored in the hangars of the carriers.

The increase in these deliveries has a strong impact on road traffic (congestion of lanes by trucks) and, in fact, on air pollution. It also leads to loss of time when delivery could not be made due to absence and it is necessary to pick up the package at another location.

In this regard, a change in consumer behavior can be noted overall and it is generally desired a better quality of life (less pollution), to buy or be lent and to use more goods and local products (typically from food produced locally and without too extensive means, or everyday objects).

The share of the collaborative and / or peer-to-peer economy is also constantly growing, according to a new model based on the sharing or exchange of goods between individuals (car, housing, parking, equipment such as drills or others, etc.) .), services (carpooling, DIY, etc.), or knowledge (computer courses, learning communities, etc.), with monetary exchange (sale, rental, service) or without monetary exchange (donations , barter, volunteering), through networking (digital platform).

Today, for example, there are many types of vending machines, drinks, fruit and vegetables (eggs, cheese, bread, etc.), even ice cream or oysters. These vending machines are installed along roadsides or in nearby places as producers and consumers convert to direct sales and these proximity services linked to this new collaborative economy.

A technical problem with these vending machines is that these vending machines usually have only one function, for the sale of consumables or equipment which are specific to the type of vending machine. In fact, each distributor has its specificity.

The present invention improves the situation.

To this end, it proposes a method, implemented by computer means, for managing the storage of objects, the method comprising, in a storage device comprising at least one locker including a locking / unlocking member of the locker and a plurality sensors arranged to deliver data specific to the objects deposited in the locker:

- receive a request to store an object in a locker of the storage device;

- determine an object type corresponding to the object to be stored;

- select, depending on the type of object determined, a set of sensors from the plurality of sensors in the locker, to be activated at least during use of the locker;

- upon detection of use of the locker, activate the selected sensors for storage monitoring.

Such an implementation makes it possible in particular, by selecting sensors suitable for the type of object to be stored, to offer a locker a plurality of possible uses and this for different applications (parcel delivery, object donation, delivery food, or other).

In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

- receive data relating to the object;

- determine the type of object on the basis of the data received;

- upon detection of a use of the locker, process the data delivered by the set of activated sensors to check whether the object deposited in the locker corresponds to the type of object determined according to at least one chosen criterion, and

- control the locker / unlocker of the locker according to a positive / negative verification of the deposited object respectively.

Such an implementation allows in particular, in a particular application, to verify that the object placed in the locker corresponds to a description previously given by an entity responsible for the delivery of the object in the locker. In such an application in particular, the locker sensors are selected and activated to allow this verification.

In particular, it can be provided that at least part of the sensors of said selected set of sensors is activated before the locker is locked, to check whether the object deposited in the locker conforms to data among the data received relative to the object.

However, all or part of the locker's sensors can then be used to monitor the object during storage. Thus, at least part of the sensors of said selected set of sensors can also be activated after locking the locker, in order to monitor the object deposited in the locker during the locking of the locker. For example, the locker may include at least one gas analysis sensor, activated for a type of object corresponding to a perishable foodstuff.

In a variant application where the object has not been specifically described beforehand, the method may also include:

- determine the type of object on the basis of data generated by at least one of the sensors in the selected sensor set.

For example, determining the type of object can use one or more sensors in the locker, for example a camera which takes a digital photograph to compare it with an object database, and / or a pressure sensor to compare the weights with data from the database. Thus, it is possible to carry out an automatic detection of the object placed in the rack.

In one embodiment, the storage device comprises a plurality of lockers, and at least one locker is chosen, from said plurality of lockers, for storage of objects according to the type of object to be stored, and the method further comprises :

identify a locker including the selected set of sensors and able to store the object.

Thus, even if a locker can include a large number of sensors and be assigned to a large number of possible uses within the meaning of the present invention, for specific storage of an object requiring a given type of sensor, it is possible , by this implementation, to select a particular locker among a set of lockers to select this particular locker if it includes the sensor suitable for the storage of a specific object. It will thus be understood that all of the lockers can be part of a system comprising a processing circuit capable of determining one or more lockers suitable for a given storage.

In one embodiment, the set of activated sensors for a given locker can be modified at least from unlocking the locker to following unlocking, in particular as a function of the type of object to be stored.

Thus, in this embodiment, a rack used for storing a given object can be used again for storing another object, possibly of a different type.

In the embodiment where the data relating to the object are obtained, these can comprise at least image data of the object, and the set of activated sensors comprises a suitable camera, in cooperation with a module for shape recognition, to acquire at least one image of the object following the deposit of the object in the rack, the method then further comprising:

- determine whether the image capture data of the deposited object corresponds to the image corresponds to the image data relating to the object.

Alternatively or in combination, the data relating to the object can comprise at least data for the weight of the object, and the set of activated sensors comprises a pressure sensor on a lower internal wall of the rack for weighing the object following the deposit of the object in the rack, the method then further comprising:

determine if the weight measured by the pressure sensor corresponds to the weight of the object according to the data received.

The present invention also relates to a storage device comprising at least one rack equipped with a plurality of sensors and a processing circuit for the implementation of the above method. An example of such a processing circuit is illustrated in FIG. 5 commented below.

The present invention also relates to a system comprising:

- a server and

- a storage device comprising:

- at least one locker including a plurality of sensors,

- an actuator to lock / unlock the locker,

- And a communication module with the server, the server comprising a processing circuit for:

- receive a request to store an object in a locker,

- determine an object type corresponding to the object to be stored;

- select, depending on the type of object determined, a set of sensors from the plurality of sensors in the locker, to be activated at least during use of the locker;

- upon detection of use of the locker, activate the selected sensors for storage monitoring.

An example of such a system is illustrated in FIG. 3 commented below.

The server of the aforementioned system is an important element and the present invention can also target the server for managing the storage of an object in a storage device, of a system within the meaning of the present invention.

An example of such a server and its processing circuit is illustrated in FIG. 6 commented on below.

The present invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the above method, when these instructions are executed by a processor.

Figure 4 commented below illustrates an example of a general algorithm of such a computer program.

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

FIG. 1 illustrates a rack of a storage device proposed according to one or more embodiments,

FIG. 2 illustrates a set of lockers of a storage device proposed according to one or more embodiments,

FIG. 3 illustrates a system comprising a storage device and a server according to one or more embodiments, in cooperation via a wide area network in the example shown,

FIG. 4 presents an example of a method proposed according to one or more embodiments,

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a processing circuit of a storage device proposed according to one or more embodiments,

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a processing circuit of a server proposed according to one or more embodiments.

The invention makes it possible to offer communicating lockers, allowing the storage / distribution of objects, grouped or not grouped in storage devices such as automatic distributors, and whose function and services associated with each of the lockers (and of the device itself) may vary over time depending on the needs and uses of users and operators.

The functionalities of this new generation of storage / distribution devices can be, for example without limitation:

- the sale: of fruit, vegetables (bulk products or not), newspapers or any other consumer goods,

- the deposit: deposit and recovery of objects by the same person.

- sending and retrieving objects: parcels, letters, etc.,

- the loan of objects belonging to others with or without paying use: equipment such as a drill, a crepe maker, etc.,

- the donation of objects: for example a book, CD or other shelter,

- use for rescue or emergency: storage of goods related to first aid or emergencies (defibrillator, fire extinguisher, or other) allowing their use in an emergency (fire, medical emergency).

The services of this type of storage according to the invention can be, thanks to the use of one or more sensors (camera, gas sensor for recognizing foodstuffs, or the like), for example (non-exhaustive list):

- Fine recognition of the object which is placed in a storage locker,

- Measure the weight of the object placed in the storage bin,

- Measure the volume of the object that is placed in the storage bin.

- Analysis of the air inside and around the storage device.

- Measurement of the temperature inside and around the storage device.

This new deposit / distribution device, communicating, and the functionality of each of the “deposit areas” or “communicating locker” can be reconfigured at any time according to the needs of each user or operator, thus making it possible to respond to issues such as:

- Travel less by allowing users to use new features linked to these vending machines (generally located in high-traffic areas such as urban public transport stations, which are central or with many connections and therefore very busy )

- Consume better and more responsibly by having access to varied and / or local products (short circuit) in the same place,

- Limit packaging by allowing the sale of bulk products in self-service,

- Allow everyone to rent / donate their own items safely and securely,

- To be able to sell directly what we have produced, and to optimize the use of the areas available in dense areas by dynamic reconfiguration of the functions and uses of each locker independently.

These communicating lockers can be offered individually, or grouped in different forms (such as in the form of automatic vending machines), or in the form of a succession of larger storage lockers, or others.

They can reconfigure themselves to offer variable storage volumes (by opening and / or retracting partitions between several adjoining lockers to create a higher volume locker).

These communicating lockers can be installed statically (like current vending machines or known lockers), or embedded in mobile equipment (vehicles, robots, drones, etc.).

Some communicating lockers may have a single functionality, and other lockers, multiple functionalities that can be reconfigured dynamically, according to the wishes of the manufacturer or the operator of the lockers / storage device. Any enclosed space controlled by a controllable closure can potentially become a communicating locker.

This multifunctional deposit / distribution functionality can also make it possible to know the habits of the people using it, by automatically analyzing the use made of it, in particular by analyzing its various successive contents. It can even be carried out with the analysis and control of the proximity ecosystem (typically the observation of customer interactions with different stored objects, according to different zones or types of zone).

The physical structure of a rack device, its interconnections with remote applications, and examples of use are described below in more detail.

In what follows, “storage device” means a connected device comprising:

- one or more compartments of the “locker” type,

one or more communication modules, for example in each locker, and

- One or more sensors, for example in each locker, capable of measuring respective physical quantities, and delivering respective signals which can be transmitted by the locker's communication module to a remote entity.

In addition, the term "user" means without distinction a natural or legal person (the operator for example), a software application or component, a software or hardware system or subsystem, a connected or digital / dematerialized object (book, document, or other), or any other entity depending on the context of use of the invention, which places or causes the object to be placed in the rack or storage device. The term "customer" refers to the person who then opens the locker or storage device to pick up the item.

Thus, a physical storage device groups together one or more connected lockers, and makes it possible to deposit and / or remove one or more objects by associating with each or set of lockers containing an object a set of precise functionalities at a given time.

This storage device can for example be constructed in the form of an automatic distributor of objects, of any other shape / size.

The storage device can be paired with a number of sensors / actuators, providing functionality specific to the storage device.

The locker, a physical storage area, is an area closed by a door and confines the object in an enclosed space. The door is controlled by a processing circuit comprising the locker communication module for controlling the opening or closing of the door, preferably remotely when predefined conditions are met according to the function or group of functions sought for the device locker. storage.

The locker thus has door locking / unlocking equipment which ensures strict access control to the contents of the locker, or group of lockers. The implementation of the authorizations necessary for access, for example the identification and authentication of the party present, can rely on the sensors and actuators associated with the locker. The sensors and actuators can be physically present on the locker, or group of lockers, or else placed in a proximity zone compatible with the constraints of implementing the authorization to access the content of the locker.

The locker is fitted with sensors / actuators making it possible to offer functionalities specific to each locker, for example to measure the storage conditions of the deposited product, the shape of the product, its weight, its condition (advanced foodstuff for example), to recognize the functionalities or the potential use of the deposited product, its non-conformity, its dangerousness, etc.

The sensors can measure the physical quantities of temperature, hygrometry, pressure (weight of the deposited object), gas detector (all types), camera, vibration sensor. The actuators can be, in addition to an electronic latch for locking / unlocking the door, a refrigeration device common to one or more lockers, a fire extinguisher, alarm, or other device.

Each locker can be paired with a set of these sensors / actuators identically, or differently, as desired by the user or the manufacturer / supplier of the storage device.

A locker has been illustrated in FIG. 1. These sensors / actuators can be positioned on any face of the locker, from A to F, as illustrated in FIG. 1, in which the reference F represents the door having the controllable lock (and can be opened from the right, left, top, bottom, or in any other way).

The locker does not necessarily have a cubic shape as shown in Figure 1, but can take any form necessary or desired for the performance of its functions.

The implementation of a function, or group of functions, associated with a locker, or group of lockers, may require having the resources necessary to execute instructions from a computer program (for example a processor, a storage memory, communication module, etc.). These resources can be allocated exclusively to a locker, or group of lockers, or shared within a group of lockers, or even belong to another system or subsystem (remote or not) than the locker or group of lockers concerned.

Illustrated in FIG. 2 is a storage device grouping together several lockers, with in the example shown, a man / machine interface (top right of the storage device) for controlling the opening or closing of each door. a device locker.

FIG. 3 illustrates a practical embodiment purely by way of illustration, in which:

the storage device DIS comprises one or more compartments (which are not necessarily of the same size, as shown at the bottom of FIG. 3 on the left), each compartment comprises a plurality of sensors Cl, ···, Cn, for example positioned on one or more sides of the locker as required, as well as one or more ACT actuators for locking / unlocking the locker door, these various devices Cl, ..., Cn, ACT are connected to a communication module COM integrated or not in the DIS storage device.

More particularly, the COM communication module is connected for example via a wide area network RES to a SER server (management server) of the locker manager. In addition, this server SER can for example store in memory MEM2 (FIG. 6) a correspondence table LUT which it can consult to determine, for a type of storage requested by a sending user, the sensors of the locker to be activated among the sensors Cl, ..., Cn. Such an embodiment makes it possible to monitor that the object deposited by the sending user corresponds to an object expected for this locker and / or to raise alarms in the event of a problem related to storage (double arrow DF to control the activation of sensors via the COM module and to upload sensor measurements to the SER server). For example, in one or more embodiments, the user who deposits the object can be equipped with a SEXP terminal (for example of smartphone, tablet, personal computer, laptop, or any electronic equipment arranged to execute on a processor a software application (for example dedicated software application or web application executed from a browser) configured to fulfill the functions described below for the SEXP terminal in one or more embodiments) to define the characteristics of the object to store and communicate the data of the object to the SER server (arrow Fl towards the server). As a variant, of course, the user can directly enter this data via a human-machine interface HMI (FIG. 5) of the storage device DIS, on site, before depositing the object in the locker.

By "server" is meant herein any point of service, virtualized or not, or any device operating data processing, one or more databases, and / or data communication functions. For example, and not limited to, the term "server" may refer to a physical processor which is operatively coupled with communication, database, and associated data storage functions, or may refer to a network. , a group, set or complex of processors and associated data storage and networking equipment, as well as an operating system and one or more database system (s) and application software in support of the services and functions provided by the server. A computing device can be configured to send and receive signals, via wireless and / or wired transmission network (s), or can be configured for processing and / or storage of data or signals, and can therefore operate as a server. Thus, equipment configured to operate as a management platform can include, by way of nonlimiting examples, dedicated servers mounted on a rack, desktops, laptops, service gateways, sometimes called “boxes” or “residential gateway”, multimedia decoders, sometimes called “set-top boxes”, integrated equipment combining various functionalities, such as two or more of the functionalities mentioned above. Servers or management platforms can vary widely in configuration or capacity, but a management server will usually include one or more central processing unit (s) and memory. A management server can also include one or more mass memory equipment (s), one or more electrical power supply (s), one or more wireless and / or wired network interface (s), one or more input / output interface (s), one or more operating system (s), such as Windows Server,

Mac OS X, Unix, Linux, FreeBSD, or equivalent.

The terms "network" and "communication network" as used herein refer to one or more data links which can (can) couple or connect equipment, possibly virtualized, so as to allow the transport of electronic data. between computer systems and / or modules and / or other electronic devices or equipment, such as between a management server and a communication module of a storage device as proposed herein or of other types devices, including wireless terminals paired or connected by a wireless network, for example. A network can also include a mass memory for storing data, such as a NAS, for “network attached storage” in English, a SAN, for “storage area network” in English, or any other form of medium readable by a computer or by machine, for example. A network may include, in whole or in part, the Internet, one or more local networks, or LANs for "local area networks" in English, one or more networks of the WAN type, for "wide area networks" in English, wired type connections, wireless type connections, cellular type connections, or any combination of these different networks. Similarly, subnets can use different architectures or be compliant or compatible with different protocols, and interoperate with larger networks. Different types of equipment can be used to make different architectures or different protocols interoperable. For example, a router can be used to provide a communication link or a data link between two LANs that would otherwise be separate and independent.

Once the object has been deposited, the SER management server can be arranged to notify the availability of the parcel to the SREC terminal of the recipient client (arrow F2). After the object has been retrieved (by a recipient (known or unknown to the depositor) or by the depositor himself), the COM communication module can be arranged to signal the retrieval to the SER server, which can then be arranged to then notify the SEXP terminal that the object has been retrieved (arrow F1 towards the SEXP terminal), as developed in the comments below in Figure 4.

The proposed method provides, in one or more embodiments, for reception, by a storage device comprising at least one locker including a locker / unlocker member (ACT) and a plurality of sensors (Cl, ..., Cn) arranged to deliver data specific to the objects deposited in the locker, from a request to store an object in a locker of the storage device. This storage request can for example be received from a terminal with which a user is equipped. The terminal can be for example a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, a portable computer, or any electronic equipment arranged to execute on a processor a software application (for example dedicated software application or web application executed from a browser) . The software application can then be configured to fulfill the functions described below for the SEXP terminal in one or more embodiments, following a user command made on his terminal via the application. Depending on the embodiment, the storage request may or may not include data relating to the object. Embodiments in which the depositing user communicates data relating to the object to the data storage device, for example characteristics of the object that the depositing user wishes to deposit in a locker of the storage device, are described below, in particular with reference to FIG. 4.

The proposed method further provides for determining a type of object corresponding to the object to be stored. This determination can be made in one or more embodiments in whole or in part by using data relating to the object provided by the depositor user, as described below in the context of embodiments illustrated in FIG. 4.

In other embodiments, this determination can be carried out, in whole or in part, by the storage device, in particular by using one or more sensors of the locker of the storage device in which the object has been deposited by the user. applicant. It can be triggered, manually (for example on the user's indication that the object has been placed in the locker) or automatically on detection that an object has been placed in a locker of the device (for example on detection by a pressure sensor of the weight of the object following its return in the locker).

For example, when the bin in which the object has been deposited is fitted with a pressure sensor to measure a weight of the object (or any other sensor capable of measuring a weight of the object or generate data relating to the weight of the object), the determination of the type of object can use weight data generated by the sensor.

In another example, when the locker in which the object has been deposited is equipped with a camera to acquire visual data (an image, a video, etc.) concerning the object (or any other sensor capable of acquiring visual data concerning the object), the determination of the type of object can use visual data generated by the sensor.

In embodiments in which the determination of an object type corresponding to the object to be stored is carried out, at least in part, by the storage device, this determination can use one or more object databases and / or object types, from one or more data acquisitions carried out by one or more of the sensors of the locker in which the object was placed. For example, this data can be transmitted to one (or more) server hosting these databases, which in turn transmits object type data as determined using the database (s). The acquired data, to be compared with that of the base, can be for example image data, and it can be implemented an object recognition module evaluating for example a score of similarities between the object whose image is acquired and base images.

In embodiments where the determination of an object type corresponding to the object to be stored is carried out jointly on the basis of data relating to the object generated by the storage device on the one hand, and on the basis object data received by the storage device on the other hand, object type data from the determination by the storage device and object type data from the determination made on the basis received data can be combined to refine the determination of the type of object deposited in the bin.

In one or more embodiments, the proposed method then provides for selecting, depending on the type of object determined, a set of sensors from the plurality of sensors in the locker, to be activated at least during use of the locker. As described below, the determination of the set of sensors to be activated for use of the locker may take account of a determination of the type of object having led to determining that the object is of the perishable foodstuff type, in order to allow the the depositing user to manage storage times for perishable foodstuffs placed in lockers on the basis of images of these foodstuffs, taken at regular intervals, for example by an image sensor of the locker, and transmitted to the depositing user, and / or on the database generated by a gas analysis sensor.

In one or more embodiments, the proposed method also provides for activating the selected sensors for monitoring storage upon detection of use of the rack.

The detection of a use of the locker can vary according to the embodiment, and for example correspond to the detection that the locker has been locked, by the user or by the device on command of the depositing user, or correspond to the receipt of a user command, especially in cases where the locker in which the object has been placed is not locked.

Storage monitoring can correspond, depending on the embodiment, to more or less sophisticated storage management, for example to determine that the object is still placed in the rack or on the contrary that it has been removed from it. Monitoring can also, in one or more embodiments, include continuous monitoring of the object, for example in the case where the object is of the perishable foodstuff type, as indicated above. Monitoring can thus, depending on the embodiment, be carried out to varying degrees, depending on the use made of the locker and / or of the object or type of object for which the storage device is used.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the terminal of the user depositing SEXP (or in a variant directly the HMI interface of the storage device) can, in one or more embodiments, contact (SI) the server SER to communicate to it characteristics of the object that the depositing user wishes to deposit, as well as possibly the coordinates of the recipient user if the latter is known, for example an identifier associated with his SREC terminal.

The characteristics of the object are then analyzed (S2) to determine which sensors are relevant, among the sensors C1 to Cn, in relation to the type of storage required by the object. For example, if it is a basket of vegetables, a gas release sensor, capable of detecting a beginning decomposition of these perishable foodstuffs, can be selected (S4) among the sensors to be activated during the storage of the 'object. In addition, for this example, a pressure sensor can be activated (S4) to weigh the object when it is returned to the rack and determine if the weight thus measured conforms to the characteristics previously analyzed (S2). In another example, a photograph can be taken, for example from the front, of the object to be stored, in the case where it is an object different from a perishable commodity, the data of this photography then making part of the characteristics of the object previously analyzed (S2). Thus, for example, a camera will be activated (S4), as a sensor, to also take a photograph of the object from the front and determine whether the object deposited in the locker is indeed in conformity with that photographed. In addition, a weight of the object, or other characteristics can be entered (S2), to see if it conforms, for example, to the weight measured by an adequate sensor (of pressure for example for the weight) previously activated ( S4), and this at the time of removal of the object.

Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, the proposed storage method and device can be arranged so that the depositing user can enter (S3) authentication data of the client receiving the object for this locker, in the measure that the depositing user has such data concerning one or more addressees of the object (for example biometric data that the addressee has previously communicated to the depositing user, or even a username and password agreed with the addressee , or others).

Then, the SER server determines (S4) the set of sensors to be selected to make them active at the time of the introduction of the object into the locker, in particular to check whether the object corresponds to the characteristics previously informed (S2). In one or more embodiments, this verification can be based on a correspondence table LUT, which can list the sets of appropriate sensors for different types of objects, as well as, optionally, the lockers equipped with these appropriate sensors, and which are actually available among the locker park. In this way, the server can also check the availability of such a locker.

If in particular:

the recipient's authentication data has been entered correctly, the type of object deposited is authorized, the locker that can accommodate this type of object is actually available, then the transaction can be validated (S5).

In this case, the SER server can store (S8) the recipient's authentication data, if this is known. This data can be used when the recipient, if known, will wish to recover (S9) the object.

Once the transaction has been validated (S5), the depositing user can place the object in the locker pre-reserved by the SER server and the locker sensors which have been selected to be active (Cl ... Cn for example) can determine ( S6) if the object corresponds to that which was the subject of the validated transaction (S5). It can for example be a camera, as a sensor, which takes a photograph of the object deposited in the locker and, with a shape recognition software module, determines whether the object corresponds to the object of the transaction, and / or a weight sensor to determine a conformity of the weight of the deposited object, or any other existing or future sensor, according to the needs of the moment and the use desired by the depositor.

For this purpose, when the ACT actuator must lock the locker door, the COM communication module transmits to the server the data from the sensor (s) involved, which are analyzed with the server, to determine the conformity of the object. The ACT actuator locks the door only on condition that the data reported by the sensors correspond to that of the object which was the subject of the transaction. If this is the case, the actuator locks the locker door and the COM communication module sends validation information for the deposit of the object to the server. Otherwise, the SER server can notify via the HMI interface, or on the depositor's SEXP terminal, the identifier (a number or other) of the locker that must be used among the lockers of the storage device, this locker being the one having been pre-booked (S4).

It should also be noted that the camera, associated with the shape recognition module, can, depending on the embodiment, make it possible to detect the presence of an unauthorized object (weapon, bomb, drug, living animal, or other) and for example trigger an alarm with the server.

Once the object has been placed in the appropriate locker, and it has been determined, if necessary, that the object corresponds to that of the validated transaction (S5), the server can notify (S7) the recipient of the object, if it is known, for example by sending a message to the recipient's SREC terminal, or notify any user interested in this type of object who has made themselves known to the system beforehand, so that a recipient can pick up the object. The opening of the locker and the retrieval of the object can be carried out (S9) then in a conventional manner in itself, by authenticating the possible recipient thanks to the data previously stored (S8) by the server. For example, the HMI interface of the storage device can collect an identifier and a password, or even biometric fingerprints of the recipient, then upload this data to the SER server via the COM communication module for comparison. If the data matches, the server can then control the ACT actuator via the COM module, to open the locker door.

In one or more embodiments, at least some of the sensors Cl ... Cn can remain active until the opening of the locker (S9), in particular to bring back to the server a problem linked to the storage, such as for example a start of decomposition of perishable foodstuffs (illustrated by the arrow in dotted lines between the references S6 and S9 in Figure 4).

After the object has been retrieved (S9), the communication module COM can notify the server SER of this event, and the server notify it (S 10) then to the terminal of the user submitting SEXP, which ends (SI 1 ) to the exemplary embodiment of the proposed method illustrated by the diagram in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 shows a possible structure of a CTI processing circuit equipping a storage device comprising a rack or a set of lockers. In particular, each sensor Cl ... Cn of a rack is connected to one (or more) input interface INT of the processing circuit CTI. In addition, the actuator for locking / unlocking the locker door is connected to a PIL control module of the ACT actuator. In particular, each of these items of equipment INT, PIL are connected to one (or more) processor PROC capable of reading instruction data from a computer program for the implementation of one or more embodiments of the proposed device, these instruction data being stored in a memory MEM connected to the processor PROC and which includes the processing circuit CTI. The CTI processing circuit may also include a human-machine interface HMI, for the identification of users (by entering biometric fingerprints or a password, as indicated above, for example by the recipient of the object, if known), this HMI interface also being connected to the PROC processor. Finally, the processing circuit CTI can typically comprise the communication module COM at least with the server SER, via a wide area network for example.

With reference to FIG. 6, the server SER itself comprises a processing circuit CT2 also equipped with a processor PROC2 and a memory MEM2 storing at least instruction data from a computer program for the implementation one or more embodiments of the systems and methods proposed (and in particular the actions S4, S8, S3, S6, S9, in cooperation with the processing circuit CTI of the storage device presented with reference to FIG. 5), when these data are read by the PROC2 processor. Of course, the processing circuit CT2 also comprises a communication interface COM2, with the communication modules COM of the remote storage devices.

Of course, the representations of FIGS. 3 to 6 are illustrative, and given here by way of examples of possible embodiments, which can be adapted differently according to the applications and the various conceivable uses, described below.

It will nevertheless be noted that the function of a locker of the proposed device can advantageously be modified when desired, for example, a user of the locker or the administrator of the locker / storage device, which makes it possible to offer the user different possible functions, depending on the object (s) he places there, and the variety of uses he may wish to make of a locker.

This function modification is carried out, for example, via an application on a mobile phone / tablet / computer, or a local man-machine interface (touch, voice, etc.) available on the locker itself. same or on the encompassing system, managing one or more lockers, such as the aforementioned storage device.

The function can also be modified through one or more programming interfaces (or "API" for Application Programming Interface).

Depending on the embodiment, a request to modify a function, or a group of functions, associated with a rack or group of lockers can trigger one or more of the following actions:

- Identification of the needs in terms of sensors and actuators necessary for the implementation of the function requested from the group of lockers,

- Identification of computer processing functions and communications necessary for the implementation of the function,

- Analysis of the presence and state of the sensors and actuators available to execute the function,

- Analysis of the presence and state of the computer processing unit and of the communications available to perform the function,

- Calculation of difference between expressed needs and elements already present in order to define a target system configuration expressing needs in processing and communication resources,

- Analysis of the availability of processing and communication resources accessible by a locker or a group of lockers, in order to define a distributed or centralized system with the resources necessary for the implementation of the function, or group of functions,

- Reservation of resources for the proper execution of the function, or group of functions,

- Calculation of the reconfiguration of the target system which notably includes operations of: deployment of appropriate software components on the execution resources, configuration of deployed software components, configuration of communication links, etc.,

- Implementation of reconfiguration operations on the target system,

- Activation of the function or group of functions.

The proposed storage device can therefore be arranged so that, in one or more embodiments, a user can deposit one or more objects in a locker, and a function associated with this locker is then determined, for example by the through a local man / machine interface, or through a dedicated software application (on mobile phone, tablet, PC, or any other equipment).

Depending on the embodiments, the functionality of the lockers can be more or less advanced, in particular in view of the sensors present in each locker. The locker can typically contain a camera for filming any object placed inside. It can then offer a functionality for automatic detection of the type of object deposited in the locker, in the form for example of a computer module for pattern recognition in the images taken by the camera. This module can raise an alert via a locker communication module to prevent the introduction into the locker of an object of unexpected shape, or even of an object of suspicious shape.

For example, in the case of package delivery, a delivery manager server can take a front image of the package and transmit it to a locker manager server following a transaction between the delivery manager server and the delivery manager server. lockers. Thus, during the introduction of the package into the locker assigned to the package during the transaction, the camera can take an image of the package (being placed on the upper wall of the locker for example) and the shape recognition module can determine whether the image acquired by the locker's camera corresponds to the image acquired during the transaction. For example, the shape recognition module can control the locker opening / closing actuator so as not to authorize the closing of the locker as long as these two images do not correspond, or even condition the closing of the locker to an additional verification of the user (notification and waiting for a response on his mobile terminal for example) or even condition the closing of the locker to an additional verification, for example of the weight of the package compared to an expected weight (this time using a pressure sensor on the bottom wall of the locker).

In another embodiment, the rack can have a gas detector and offer a functionality allowing the user (fruit producer for example) having deposited his fruit in the rack to be informed that one of his fruit baskets is starting to decompose so that it comes to replace it.

In another embodiment, a locker can have a pressure sensor making it possible to know the weight of a deposited object (a drill for example). Again, the pressure sensor can determine the weight of the object to identify a match with an assumed weight of the object at the time of a prior transaction, or with a previously determined weight. For example, if a user rents an object and brings it back to a locker to return it to the rental company, the pressure sensor with which the locker is fitted can be used to check that the weight of the returned object corresponds to the weight of the object rented (known to the lessor), thus providing an element of verification that the returned object corresponds to that rented.

The sensors mentioned above are only by way of example and many other sensors can be used in these compartments depending on the embodiment.

In one or more embodiments, the same locker can be equipped with different sensors, which advantageously offers the possibility of a dynamic reconfiguration of the use, the functionalities and the behavior of a locker, or group of lockers, at through the implementation of different sensors and actuators operated by IT functions respecting a target use. For example, at a given point, a locker may have the function of selling a basket of fruit and vegetables, then serving as a package depot for a shipment, then allowing the rental of an object, and then offering a book or a book for free. sleeping bag to whomever needs it.

In one or more embodiments, the sensors / actuators pairing each locker, as well as all of the hardware equipment (calculation card, storage, type of interfaces with a user) can be activated completely or partially at any time, in particular when the user identifies himself with the locker or storage device for storage provided beforehand during a transaction describing the nature of the package to be stored.

In one or more embodiments, the storage device is arranged so that the users can initially register in a user database, for example via an application (dedicated application or web application) and / or via the local man / machine interface. A user registered in the database can be allocated rights to use the storage device allowing him to pre-empt a free locker, remotely via the application, or if he moves to the place where the communicating lockers, identify a free locker and preempt it for use. This user can then assign a function to this locker via the application or the local man / machine interface. Depending on the sensors / actuators installed in the locker, the latter can offer more or less value-added services or functionalities. The functionalities linked to the function assigned by the user are configured, from configuration data for example stored at the management server and communicated to the storage device for configuration of the locker, and / or via the application or the local man / machine interface, so that the latter can deposit the object in the locker and that when the user closes the locker or orders the locker door to be closed, the locker is configured to act as requested by its new function .

Thus, in one or more embodiments, each communicating locker can be configured with any type of sensor / actuator, from the simplest to the most complicated, making it possible to offer any type of service and functionality according to the material possibilities offered.

In one or more embodiments, the storage device, which groups the communicating lockers, can itself be paired with any type of sensor / actuator, so as to also have its own functionalities accessible locally or remotely, for example for an administration, a (self) diagnostic of the good functioning of the lockers which it contains, a detection of the number of passages in front of the storage device, a detection of attempt to open an unauthorized locker with taking a photograph of the unauthorized user, statistics on the use of each locker, on the habits of the people using them, etc.

For the maintenance of the storage device, it is possible to provide in one or more embodiments the possibility of physically removing a sensor, an actuator or another connected part of the rack equipment, and / or adding one or more several pieces of equipment not originally planned (sensors, actuators, others). The addition of sensors and actuators, but also of execution or communication resources, can intervene within the locker, or group of lockers, but also more broadly within the framework of the definition of target systems linked to the function, or group functions, to be implemented. Any configuration change can be made visible, for example by a step-by-step notification mechanism as proposed by the UPnP protocol, or within a register as proposed by systems based on "brokers".

This addition of equipment can be used by a service deployed for the locker itself, or by a system service including the locker (the storage device), or by any other equipment, local or remote (locker, and / or storage device included) which may require the utilization of the capacities of this new equipment.

For example, in one or more embodiments, via an application on a mobile terminal (smartphone or other, connected to a server of the manager of storage devices) or a local interface that the device has storage, a user can choose, for example and without limitation, one of the functionalities developed below, if the hardware configuration (sensors / actuators) linked to the selected locker allows it.

The deposit, first of all, allows the deposit and recovery of objects by the same person. A user places an object there and closes the locker. Only this same user can retrieve this object later.

The sale of fruits, vegetables, and other goods, or newspapers, or any other good can be done as follows. A farmer can choose to drop a basket of fruit, a kilogram of carrots, or a bag of potatoes, and then tell a locker interface that they want to sell this product for a specific price. This feature only allows the locker door to be opened if a buyer pays the amount indicated to collect the product. It will be understood here that the locker actuator, in order to unlock the door, is connected to a payment verification module (payment terminal by bank card, payment by cash, or the like).

The storage device can thus be configured to update a database of objects and goods for sale, consulted by the application, so that all the users of the application are able to be informed of them if they seek to buy this object / this good. In addition, any user interested in the object / property can reserve this property for a limited period (with or without prepayment), time to move to the storage device, identify themselves and after finalization of the payment, recover the desired object / property. The depositor / owner of the object / property offered for sale, once duly identified, can come and collect it at any time without paying the requested amount.

The recovery of packages, letters, various objects can be done, for example, as follows. A delivery person places a package in a locker (for example near the destination address). The delivery person indicates via a mobile application or the local interface that the package is placed in this locker and is intended for a customer registered in the application. The customer is then informed by the mobile application that a package is waiting for him in this locker. He can thus come and collect it when he wishes (within a reasonable / legal period under penalty, for example, of returning his package to the sender or paying a tax linked to the duration of storage). By identifying themselves once on site (by a username and password for example, or by biometric fingerprint recognition, or other), the locker opens its door to deliver the package. It will be understood here that the locker actuator, in order to unlock the door, can be connected to a client identity verification module (for example via an interface for entering the client's identifier / password or biometric fingerprint , or by recognizing a client terminal by reading in near field or other, or anywhere else).

Sending parcels and letters can be done this way. A user places a package in a locker. The user configures the locker function for 1 "package sending" via the application on his mobile or via the local man-machine interface. The delivery manager is informed that a package must be picked up in this locker precisely. When the delivery man picks up the package, he identifies himself on the spot, and the locker (s) containing the package (s) to be removed opens (s) so that the package (s) ) t recovered. Depending on the level of functionality present in the locker or storage device, the sender of the package can be informed at this time via the mobile application that his package has been removed.

In addition, the storage device or the application can be configured to, on the basis of information provided by the user sending the package, inform a delivery company to come and collect the package initially placed in a first bin by the sender of the package. The delivery company then ensures the transport of the object from the first locker to a second locker for the recovery of the package. Depending on the functionality of the communicating locker, it is possible to offer the package depositor an acknowledgment of receipt when the parcel is picked up by the delivery company, or any other functionality.

The loan or rental of objects can be done as follows. A user who has an object that he does not use more or less (for example a drill, a crepe maker, a baby monitor, or others) may want to make it available to anyone who needs it. The user therefore brings such an object and places it in a free locker. The user informs the storage device, via the application or via a local man-machine interface, that he has deposited the rental object in this locker, and that he wishes to rent this object to a rate that he sets himself (per hour, per day, per week, etc.). The actuator closes the locker and updates the function of the locker so that it only opens if a third person identifies himself and agrees to pay the indicated price. The rental can run until the third person has brought the object to a similar free locker (the same or any other locker offering identical or equivalent functionality, located in the same place or elsewhere). If the owner wishes to recover his property, he identifies himself on the storage device where his object is located (located via the mobile application), and the locker opens to allow him to recover it.

In this embodiment, a user can consult the mobile application in search of a particular object. The application can geotag the user and provide him with the location of the nearest storage device containing this object. The user can reserve the object if he wishes through the application and then move to the indicated location. He identifies himself on the spot, and retrieves the object sought.

Once he has finished using the item, the user must return it to an available storage device. He identifies himself with the storage device, indicates that he is bringing back a rented object, deposits it in the storage device, and closes the door so that the storage device can validate the return of the object. If the storage device has a camera, or a weight sensor, it is possible to propose for example a function making it possible to visually check that the object returned to the storage device is identical to that borrowed, or that its weight is identical.

A first aid application in emergency situations can take place as follows. On the principle of the loan, it is possible to use the same process to store first aid or emergency goods (defibrillator, fire extinguisher, first aid, etc.), allowing in case of emergency to recover them and use quickly. The user moves to the storage device, identifies himself, indicates the type of emergency situation (fire, medical emergency, or other), and / or the first aid object he wishes to recover. A storage device then opens the door to a locker with equipment adapted to the situation to recover the first aid. One can provide a mechanism for recording the identity of the user by photographing the user or by reading an identity document to avoid any improper or fraudulent use of the device.

It is possible to envisage the use of such a service by people who have not previously registered in a user database, for example by dialing an emergency number on the man / machine interface local, or via the application that allows the location and opening of these communicating lockers without prior registration or registration.

An object donation application can be run on the same model as book shelters. A user may want to donate something rather than rent it. He deposits the object he wishes to give in a locker, informs via the mobile application or the local man-machine interface that this object can be retrieved free of charge, and the system modifies its function to open the locker when a third party requests it.

Typically, the application can geolocate the user and indicate to him in which closest storage device there is a particular object, available free of charge if necessary. The user moves to the storage device, identifies himself, indicates which object he wishes to recover, and the object having been declared as a gift by the previous owner, the storage device opens the door for him to get the item for free. Once the door is closed, the storage device updates the application database to indicate that this object is no longer available / that the locker is empty.

A user can also delegate rights to another user. Typically in the case of withdrawals, this functionality can be useful for example for an elderly person delegating a right of withdrawal of his packages to his personal assistant for situations where he does not feel able to recover the package itself (fatigue, poor health, bad weather, package weight, etc.). The delegation of rights can be temporary or permanent.

Of course, these functionalities are only examples of possible services of such communicating lockers. Other functions are also possible, depending on the uses and needs of the users.

Depending on the embodiment chosen, certain acts, actions, events or functions of each of the methods described in this document may be performed or occur in a different order from that in which they have been described, or may be added, merged or not be performed or not occur, as the case may be. In addition, in certain embodiments, certain acts, actions or events are performed or occur concurrently and not successively.

Although described through a certain number of detailed exemplary embodiments, the systems, storage devices, platform (s), servers, user equipment and methods proposed include different variants, modifications and improvements which will become obvious to humans. of the art, it being understood that these different variants, modifications and improvements form part of the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims which follow. In addition, different aspects and characteristics described above can be implemented together, or separately, or else substituted for each other, and all of the different combinations and sub-combinations of the aspects and characteristics are part of the scope of the invention. In addition, some systems and equipment described above may not incorporate all of the modules and functions described for the preferred embodiments.

Claims (11)

1. A method, implemented by computer means, for managing the storage of objects, the method comprising, in a storage device comprising at least one locker including a locker / unlocker member for the locker (ACT) and a plurality of sensors (Cl, ..., Cn) arranged to deliver data specific to the objects deposited in the rack: - receive a request to store an object in a locker of the storage device; - determine an object type corresponding to the object to be stored; - select, depending on the type of object determined, a set of sensors from the plurality of sensors in the locker, to be activated at least during use of the locker; - upon detection of use of the locker, activate the selected sensors for storage monitoring. 2. Method according to claim 1, further comprising: - receive data relating to the object; - determine the type of object on the basis of the data received; - upon detection of a use of the locker, process the data delivered by the set of activated sensors to check whether the object deposited in the locker corresponds to the type of object determined according to at least one chosen criterion, and - control the locker / unlocker of the locker (ACT) according to a positive / negative verification of the deposited object respectively. 3. Method according to claim 1, further comprising: - determine the type of object on the basis of data generated by at least one of the sensors in the selected sensor set. 4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage device comprises a plurality of lockers, and at least one locker is chosen, from said plurality of lockers, for storage of objects according to the type of object to be stored, the method further comprising: - identify a locker including the selected set of sensors and able to store the object. 5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the set of activated sensors for a given locker can be modified at least from one unlocking of the locker to one following unlocking, in particular as a function of the type of object to be stored. 6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the rack can comprise at least one gas analysis sensor, activated for a type of object corresponding to a perishable foodstuff. 7. Method according to claim 2, in which the data relating to the object comprises at least image data of the object, and the set of activated sensors comprises a suitable camera, in cooperation with a shape recognition module. , to acquire at least one image of the object following the deposit of the object in the rack, the method further comprising: - determine whether the image capture data of the deposited object corresponds to the image corresponds to the image data relating to the object. 8. Method according to one of claims 2 and 7, in which the data relating to the object comprises at least data for the weight of the object, and the set of activated sensors comprises a pressure sensor on a lower internal wall. of the rack to weigh the object following the deposit of the object in the rack, the method further comprising: - determine if the weight measured by the pressure sensor corresponds to the weight of the object according to the data received. 9. Storage device comprising at least one rack equipped with a plurality of sensors and a processing circuit (CTI) for implementing the method according to one of the preceding claims. 10. Object storage management system, comprising: - a server (SER) and - a storage device comprising: - at least one locker including a plurality of sensors, - an actuator to lock / unlock the locker, - and a communication module (COM) with the server (SER), the server comprising a processing circuit (CT2) for: - receive a request to store an object in a locker, - determine an object type corresponding to the object to be stored; - select, depending on the type of object determined, a set of sensors from the plurality of sensors in the locker, to be activated at least during use of the locker; - upon detection of use of the locker, activate the selected sensors for storage monitoring. 11. Computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 8, when said instructions are executed by a processor.