IL301511B2 - A system and method for managing a safe in a banquet hall - Google Patents

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING A SAFE IN AN EVENT VENUE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention generally relates to means for protectingvaluables within an iron safe. More specifically, theinvention relates to a system for managing and securing aniron safe used in an event venue, where guests depositenvelope gifts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Guests who arrive at event venues to celebrate a wedding,a newborn baby, or the like hand over their gift, typicallyin a cheque. The check is generally put in an envelope anddeposited within a relatively small iron safe temporarilygiven (or rented) to the celebrating family.

The iron safe is generally fixed at an anchor point withinthe venue by an iron chain, screws, or similar locking meansto prevent a steal. This form of securing the safe issatisfactory when a single location is defined at the venuefor the safe. However, there are events where the guests’welcoming begins at a first location within the venue, whilethe main celebration continues at a second location nearby.The safe is typically positioned at the welcoming hall atthe event’s beginning, affixed to a first anchor pointallowing guests to deposit gifts. Later, when the eventcontinues at the dining and dancing hall, the safe istransferred and attached to a second point to allowlatecomers guests to deposit their gifts. Generally, thecelebrating family assigns a person who is provided withthe chain’s key (or a key for another fixing component)necessary to release the safe and transfer and affix it atthe second location within the dining-dancing hall (to allow the latecomers to deposit their gifts). Such an arrangementis inconvenient and insecure for the celebrating family,requiring one or more assigned persons to handle and monitora situation and items unsuited for the celebration.Sometimes, the venue’s owner does not provide suitableanchor points (or another facility) to maintain and securethe safe. Moreover, even after transferring the safe to thesecond location and during the event, the celebrating familycannot be sure that the iron safe has not been somehowmanipulated and stolen.

Still, another problem is that there are cases where thelocation of the safe cannot be easily found by the guests,who have to search for it to deposit their envelopes.

It is an object of the invention to provide a more secureand convenient facility for handling an iron safe within anevent venue.

Another object of the invention is to provide means forauthorizing specific persons to safely handle the transferof the iron safe from a first location to a second locationwithin the venue.

Still, another object of the invention is to provide meansfor continuously monitoring the safe, even by severalauthorized persons.

Other objects and advantages of the invention becomeapparent as the description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a system for handling a safe within anevents venue, comprising: (a) two or more poles that are rigidlypositioned at two different locations within the venue, each saidpole comprising a first locking element; (b) a safe configuredfor mounting and locking to each of said poles, said safecomprising a second locking element compatible with said firstlocking element; and (c) a control unit at the safe configuredto allow one or more authorized users to remotely control, andat least deactivate one of said locking elements, therebyunlocking the safe from the pole.

In an embodiment of the invention, the control unit is positionedwithin the safe or externally to it.

In an embodiment of the invention, the control over the controlunit is effected by either dialing or internet communication.

In an embodiment of the invention, the control unit comprisesone or more lists of authorized users, a first list comprisingat least one phone number of an authorized user, and a secondlist comprising at least one authorized user’s password.

In an embodiment of the invention, the one or more lists areautomatically deleted upon expiring of a predefined period.

In an embodiment of the invention, when using the internetcommunication, said control over the control unit is affected byusing a mobile application.

In an embodiment of the invention, the locking is effectedautomatically upon mounting the safe on the pole or upon anexcess of period T1 from mounting the safe on the pole, whereinT1 is between 10-30 seconds.

In an embodiment of the invention, the control unit furthercomprises one or more sensors monitored by a monitoring module, wherein events sensed by the monitoring unit are recorded,reported to one or more authorized users in real-time, or both.

In an embodiment of the invention, the one of the events is anunlock of the safe from the pole.

In an embodiment of the invention, one of the sensors is avibration sensor, wherein one of the events is a vibration sensedby this sensor.

In an embodiment of the invention, one of the events is a periodbeyond T2 during which the safe is not connected to any pole.

In an embodiment of the invention, one of said sensors is a GPSused to monitor the location of the safe.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first and second lockingelements form together a magnetic-type locking.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first and second lockingelements form together a mechanical-type locking.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:- Fig. 1 Fig. 1 shows a top view of a prior art system forhandling a safe within an event venue;- Fig. 2 illustrates a system for handling a safe within anevents venue, according to an embodiment of the invention;- Fig. 3 generally shows the structure of a pole that can beused within the system of the invention;- Fig. 4a shows in front view the general structure of a safethat can be used within the system of the invention;- Fig. 4b shows in rear view the general structure of a safethat can be used within the system of the invention;- Fig. 4c shows the general structure of a safe that can beused within the system of the invention, while being open; - Fig. 5 shows the cross-section of a safe-support-elementused at the pole;- Fig. 6 shows the general structure of an extension elementused at the rear of the safe of the invention; and- Fig. 7 shows in block diagram form the general structureof the control unit of the invention;- Figs. 8a and 8b generally show a mechanical-type lock beingin unlocked and locked states, respectively, suitable foruse by the system of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERED EMBODIMENTS Fig. 1 shows a top view of a prior art system 100 forhandling a safe within an event venue 100 (the venue may belocated within a building or within the open air – both areequivalent. The following description assumes a venuewithin a building). The venue typically includes a receptionhall 110 and a dining-dancing hall 120. The reception hall110 is generally used early during the guests’ welcoming,while the dining-dancing hall 120 is used later during themain event.

As noted, guests generally convey their gifts within anenvelope in family-type celebrations. An iron safe 106 (alsoreferred to as "safe") is usually positioned near entrance108 to the reception hall 110, allowing guests to deposittheir envelopes. Iron safe 106 is generally affixed (by achain or the like) to a dedicated first anchor point 114a.Later, the guests move to dining-dancing hall 120, wheredining tables 112 and dancing area 104 are located. At thisstage, a designated person (for example, a from thecelebrating family) releases the chain from its anchorpoint, transfers the safe into the dining-dancing hall 120,and locks it (by the chain) to the second anchor point 114b, allowing latecomer guests to deposit their gift envelopes.As also noted, such an arrangement is inconvenient to thecelebrating family as it involves handling and monitoringa situation and items unsuited for the celebration. In anycase, leaving the safe unfixed or unattended poses a dangerof theft. The present invention simplifies this situationand resolves the above-described drawbacks.

Fig. 2 illustrates a system 200 for handling a safe withinan events venue, according to an embodiment of theinvention. Two iron-safe mounting poles, 230a and 230b arefixed to the floor of the reception hall 210 and the dining-dancing hall 220 of the venue, respectively.

The general structure of each pole 230 is shown in Fig. 3.The pole includes a main portion 240, rigidly connected topole base 242. Each pole is rigidly fixed to the venue’sfloor utilizing, for example, screws 244. Each pole alsoincludes a safe-support-element 236. The safe-support-element 236 generally holds and maintains the safe 250 (Fig.4a) in a locked state on pole 230. The locking of safe 250to safe-support-element 236 may be performed by any lockingmechanism (e.g., mechanic or magnetic) known in the art.The description below shows how a magnetic-type lock isapplied.

In one embodiment, safe-support-element 236 is generally ahorizontal female portion, which includes a horizontalcavity 238 (in this case, having a square or rectangularcross-section). A strong magnet 234 is positioned andprotrudes inward from the top surface of safe-support-element 236 until coinciding with the internal top surface246 of cavity 238. More than one magnet may be similarly disposed on single or several facets of safe-support-element 236. Pole 230 may also include some ornaments 232indicating the location within the venue for depositing thegift envelopes.

Fig. 4a shows a front view of safe 250, according to anembodiment of the invention. Fig. 4b shows a rear view ofsafe 250, and Fig. 4c shows safe 250 with its door 254 open.As is conventional, the safe’s door 254 includes a primarylocker 256 of any type known in the art, e.g., utilizing akey. Safe 250 also includes at its rear wall 262 a mechanismfor attaching the safe to pole 230. The safe is attached tothe pole by inserting extension element 258 of the safeinto cavity 238 of safe-support-element 236. The generalstructure of extension element 258 is shown in Fig. 6. Thecross-section of safe-support-element 236 is shown in Fig.5. When extension element 258 is fully inserted into cavity238 of safe-support-element 236, maintainer 272 engagesrecess 248 positioned at the internal top surface 276 ofsafe-support-element 236. As shown in Fig. 6, maintainer272 is supported by one or more elastic components 274a and274b (e.g., springs). At the initial insertion of extensionelement 258 into cavity 238, maintainer 272 is presseddownwards by top surface 276. Upon engagement with recess248, safe 250 is maintained, although not yet locked, onpole 230. Extension 258 includes an electromagnet 266, thatin turn, upon insertion of extension element 258, coincideswith magnet 234. At this stage, extension element 258 isnot yet locked to receiving element 236. Only when a DCvoltage is supplied to electromagnet 266 (via wires, notshown), the electromagnet is magnetized, resulting in astrong attachment between magnet 234 and electromagnet 266(and also between extension element 258 and safe-support- element 236). In such a manner, the safe 250 is firmlylocked to pole 230. A magnetic lock is well known in theart and is widely used, for example, for locking doors.

According to the invention, the lock of safe 250 to pole230 is controlled by a signal supplied from the controlunit 300 positioned within safe 250 (see Fig. 4c). Morespecifically, when the control unit 300 supplies the DCvoltage to electromagnet 266, the safe is locked to pole230. On the contrary, the lock is released when the controlunit 300 terminates the DC voltage supply.

As noted, the system of the invention may utilize mechanicallocking as an alternative to the magnetic locking of Figs.and 6. A mechanical-type locking 500 is shown in Figs. 8aand 8b. Fig. 8a shows the locking mechanism in its unlockedstate. First spring 504 maintains the two locking bars 510aand 510b in a contracted state (i.e., the spring pulls thebars inwards), as shown. In this state, the safe extensionelement 558 (corresponding to element 258 of Fig. 4a) canmove freely within the cavity of safe-support-element 536.Second spring 562 pushes the driving rod 502 to the right(in the direction of arrow 524). Upon providing DC voltageto electromagnet 266 (Fig. 7), the electromagnet pushes thedriving rod 502 in the direction of arrow 512 and againstthe force of spring 562. This movement of the driving rod502 causes an "expansion" (i.e., an outward movement) ofthe locking bars 510a and 510b, causing them to interlockwithin the two recesses 530a and 530b, respectively. Thisinterlock results in a lock between the extension element558 and the safe support element 536, as shown in Fig. 8b.Later on, and upon release of the DC voltage supply toelectromagnet 266 (Fig. 7), the driving rod 502 is driven to the right (in the direction of arrow 514) releasing thelocking bars 510a and 510b from their interlock withinrecesses 530a and 530b, and returning the system back tothe unlock state of Fig. 8a. The arrangement of Figs. 8aand 8b is only one example of a mechanical locking mechanismthat may be used. Many other locking mechanisms known inthe art may be used.

Fig. 7 illustrates the general structure of control unit300 in a block diagram form. The Control unit may be updatedand governed either by a mobile application via Wi-Fi/Internet interface 308 or by phone dialing interface302. The system also includes one or two authorization listsfor controlling the lock of the safe 250 to poles 230: (a)a list of phone numbers 316 utilized to enable control viaa phone dial; and (b) a list of authorized users indicatedby their names and respective passwords. In addition, or asan alternative to passwords, the users’ fingerprints orface recognition may be used.

The celebrating family typically rents the system for 8 tohours. Initially, the system’s manager, 306 (typicallyfrom the safe rental entity), updates one or more of lists316 and 322 via the Wi-Fi interface 308. One or more oflists 316 and 322 include one or more authorized usersallowed to control the lock or unlock of the safe to thepole and other optional features, as elaborated below.

During the event, the user initially positions the safe 250on pole 230a. Once positioned - the act of positioning issensed by sensor 326, sensing the state of maintainer 272(Fig. 6). After a period of T, for example, 10-30 seconds,timer 336 automatically activates the lock/unlock unit 334, such that the electromagnet 338 locks the safe to the pole230a. The lock to pole 230a may stay during the guests’welcoming period, allowing guests to deposit their gifts.Once the guests’ welcoming has ended, one of the authorizedusers 304a, 304b (listed in lists 322, 316, respectively)unlocks the safe from pole 230a by either:(a) User 304b dials the phone number assigned to controlunit 300. Upon dialing, the phone verifier 318 checkswhether the user’s dialing phone number exists in list316. Only in the positive case, the phone verifierdeactivates the electromagnet 266 by instructing theLock/Unlock 334 accordingly. Once the electromagnetis deactivated, the user can pick up safe 250 andtransfer it to pole 230b within the dining-dancinghall 204; or(b) User 304a activates his mobile application andaccesses control unit 300 via the Wi-Fi (internet)interface 308. Upon access, the user must verify hisidentity by submitting his password to passwordverifier 314. Password verifier 314 compares thesubmitted password with the passwords stored in list322. Only in the positive case, the password verifierdeactivates the electromagnet 266 by instructing theLock/Unlock 334 accordingly. Once the electromagnet338 is deactivated, the user can pick up safe 250 andtransfer it to pole 230b within the dining-dancinghall 204.

Again, once safe 250 is positioned on pole 230b, the safeis locked to pole 230b following the excess of period T(10 to 30 seconds). At the event’s end, any authorized userwithin lists 316 and 322 can release the safe from itsposition.

In an embodiment of the invention, control unit 300 mayinclude a vibration sensor 326b. Upon sensing a vibration(above some threshold), monitoring module 324 sends an alertto all the authorized users within lists 316, 322, suchthat they may check the issue.

In still another embodiment, the control unit 300 mayinclude a GPS module 326c. The GPS module may be used forseveral purposes, as follow:a. Indication to the authorized users at any given time(or event) to which pole the safe is connected; andb. In a case of theft, the location where the safe may befound;c. In a case of a theft, the module may issue an alert toall authorized users upon excess (for example, 50-500meters) out of the venue’s boundaries.

Monitoring module 300 may be configured to record internallyand inform the authorized users on any event, such as:a. Any installation or release of safe 250 at pole 230,and by which authorized user;b. An excess of period beyond T2 (for example, between 30-seconds) during which the safe is not connected toany of poles 230a or 230b.c. Any event sensed by the vibration sensor 326b;d. Monitoring the location of safe 250 at any given time,e.g., while being connected to a pole, on the way betweenpoles, or otherwise in the case of theft;e. Any opening of the safe. In addition to just recordingthe opening of the safe, monitoring module 324 mayinclude a camera that is activated upon any opening.

Access to the event records is given only to the systemmanager, that may convey authorization to others, possiblyfrom those in lists 316 or 322 (these lists may overlapentirely or partially).

A rental period (for example, 12-18 hours) may be activatedautomatically by the renting entity (for example, thecelebrating family), with no involvement of the systemmanager.

Example 1A renting person (user) arrives at safe 250 and decides torent the system for an event. The renting person scans abarcode included on sticker 272 attached to the exterior ofsafe 250. The barcode scanning leads the person directly tothe dedicated mobile application (assuming it is alreadyinstalled on his phone). The user inserts the safe ID (alsoappearing on sticker 272), followed by a confirmation,payment, and initial setup of the system. The initial setupincludes the authorized users’ details appearing in lists316 and 322. Upon completion of the above, the system isready for operation, while the venue’s owner may give thesafe’s door key 256 to the renting person.

Poles 230a and 230b may have any other configuration rigidlyconnected to the floor. In addition, one of the existingpoles (or another structure) may be adapted for thatpurpose.

The bidirectional communication (Wi-Fi or mobile) into orfrom the safe may be performed utilizing an external antennaembedded within the exterior surface of the safe 250.Moreover, in some cases, the control unit may be installedexternally to the safe while protected from manipulation.The control unit is battery-operated.

Typically, the safe system of the invention is rented toauthorized users for a limited period T spanning somewhatlonger than the event (for example, between 12 to 24 hours).Therefore, upon exceeding T, lists 316 and 314 are entirelydeleted. A copy of them may be backed up before the deletionfor future reference.

Optionally, the system of the invention may also include amoney transfer device (not shown) with a display on the topsurface of the safe 250. In such a manner, safe 250 formsa point for conveying gifts to the celebrating family, bycash (e.g., within an envelope), by cheque, or by moneytransfer.

While some embodiments of the invention have been describedby way of illustration, it will be apparent that theinvention can be carried into practice with manymodifications, variations, and adaptations, and with the useof numerous equivalent or alternative solutions that arewithin the scope of persons skilled in the art, withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention or exceeding thescope of the claims.

Claims (14)

1.- 14 - Claims1. A system for handling an envelope-inserting safe within an events venue, comprising: - two or more poles that are rigidly positioned at different locations within borders of the venue, each said pole comprising a first locking element; - said envelope-inserting safe: (a) comprising an envelope-inserting opening, configured to allow public insertion of a gift-envelope; and (b) configured for mounting and rigidly locking the safe alternatively to each of said two or more poles, said envelope-inserting safe further comprising a second locking element compatible with said first locking element; and - a control unit at the safe configured to allow one or more authorized users to remotely control, and at least deactivate one of said locking elements, thereby to unlock the envelope-inserting safe from the pole, respectively.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said control unit is positioned within the envelope-inserting safe or externally to it.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said control over the control unit is effected by either dialing or internet communication.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said control unit comprises one or more lists of authorized users, a first list comprising at least one phone number of an authorized user, and a second list comprising at least one authorized user ’s password.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said one or more lists are automatically deleted upon expiring of a predefined period. - 15 -

6. The system of claim 3, wherein when using the internet communication, said control over the control unit is affected by using a mobile application.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said locking is effected automatically upon mounting the envelope inserting safe on the pole or upon an excess of period T1 from mounting the envelope inserting safe on the pole, wherein T1 is between 10-30 seconds.

8. The system of claim 3, wherein said control unit further comprises one or more sensors monitored by a monitoring module, wherein events sensed by the monitoring unit are recorded, reported to on or more authorized users in real-time, or both.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein one of the events is an unlock of the envelope inserting safe from the pole.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein one of the sensors is a vibration sensor, and wherein on of the events is a vibration sensed by this sensor.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein one of the events is a period beyond T2 during which the envelope inserting safe is not connected to any pole.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein one of said sensors is a GPS used to monitor the location of the envelope inserting safe.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second locking elements form together a magnetic-type locking.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second locking elements form together a mechanical-type locking.