JP2001000308A - Mail-house delivery box system for mail and home delivery - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform identification number input setting of each mail box and each home delivery box by a simple low-cost input setting means without using a dip switch. SOLUTION: This mail-home delivery box system is provided with mail boxes 4 or/and home delivery boxes 1, and tool boxes 3 having circuit parts for confirming each or all of connection, action and dwelling number setting of the mail boxes 4 or/and home delivery boxes 1, and operating parts for the circuit parts. The tool box 3 is provided with a number setting start part for starting identification number setting action, and the mail box 4 or/and the home delivery box 1 are provided with a touch input part to which a self- identification number is inputted after the start of identification number setting action.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention of the present application
The present invention relates to a delivery box system. More specifically, the invention of this application relates to a new mail / delivery box system that can easily input and set the identification number of each mailbox and each delivery box without using a dip switch. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in apartment buildings such as condominiums, electric locking and locking have been considered from the viewpoints of convenience of mail and courier delivery and safety such as elimination of suspicious persons from entering a residential area. The adoption of a combined system of a mailbox and a delivery box incorporating an unlocking means has been studied. Especially with this system, even if the resident is absent,
Attention has been paid to the fact that mails and packages can be stored in mailboxes and delivery boxes, and only the resident at the delivery destination can retrieve them, and various systems have been developed so far.

[0003] The inventors of the present invention have already developed a system (referred to as a mail / delivery box system) for improving workability and operability (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 10 (1998)).
-127469, JP-A-10-127470). For example, in the mail / delivery box system of the present inventors disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-127469, the connection and operation of each box and each or all of the house number settings are confirmed together with the mailbox and the delivery box. A tool box equipped with a circuit section for performing
At the time of maintenance, etc., it is easy to check the wiring connection, house number setting or operation.

[0004]

However, the conventional mail / delivery box system developed so far has various excellent features, but still has points to be improved. It is a fact. The mail / delivery box system usually includes a plurality of mailboxes, a plurality of delivery boxes, or both, and these mailboxes and / or delivery boxes have identification numbers ID (or IDs) for distinguishing each of them. Address). However, in the conventional system, although the confirmation after the setting of the identification number has been improved to be an easier operation, the input / setting of the identification number itself needs to be further improved.

More specifically, conventionally, for example, FIG.
As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 20, each delivery box (1) is provided with a control circuit section (2) equipped with a microcomputer (= microcomputer) (of course, it is not shown in FIGS. 19 and 20). Each mailbox is also provided with a control circuit section (2)), and the control circuit section (2)
Is provided with a mechanical number input means called a dip switch (A).
Is turned to a desired number to input and set the identification number of each box. The identification number is confirmed in, for example, a confirmation mode using the tool box (3). If there is a duplicate identification number or the like, the DIP switch (A) is correctly set again.

However, in the input setting of the identification number using the dip switch (a), the control circuit section (2) must be pulled out to expose the circuit board every time the input setting is performed. (A) is provided on the circuit board of the control circuit section (2), so that when the DIP switch (A) is turned by hand or the like, a human hand touches the circuit board or mounted electronic components. The control circuit unit (2) may be damaged by touch, load, static electricity, dust, or the like. Furthermore, the cost of the dip switch (a) itself and its peripheral circuits is also expensive.

[0007] The invention of this application has been made in view of the above circumstances, and solves the problems of the prior art.
The input setting of the identification number of each mailbox and each home delivery box can be made simpler without using DIP switches.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new mail / delivery box system that can be performed by inexpensive input setting means.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems The invention of this application aims to solve the above-mentioned problems by providing a mailbox or / and / or a mail box.
Mail / delivery box system comprising: a delivery box; and a tool box having a circuit section for confirming each or all of the connection and operation of the mailbox or / and the delivery box and the setting of the house number, and its operation section. In, the tool box is provided with a number setting start unit for starting the setting operation of the identification number,
A mail / delivery box system is provided in which a mail box and / or a home delivery box is provided with a touch input unit for inputting an own identification number after an identification number setting operation is started. The touch input section allows the user to input a desired number simply by pressing or touching the touch section for inputting numbers, and operations such as turning the same as the conventional DIP switch (a) described above. Is not performed, and it is possible to avoid touching the object around the touch input unit with the hand, and it is possible to more easily set the input of the identification number.

The invention of this application also provides a circuit unit for confirming each or all of a mailbox or / and a home delivery box, connection and operation of the mailbox or / and a home delivery box, and setting of a house number. In a mail / delivery box system including a tool box having an operation unit, a number setting start unit for starting an operation of setting an identification number in the tool box and identification of a mailbox or / and a delivery box after the operation of setting an identification number is started. A touch input unit for inputting a number, and a mail setting unit for setting the input identification number as its own identification number in a mailbox or / and a home delivery box. It also provides a home delivery box system. Since the tool box itself is provided with the touch input section, centralized input of the identification number is possible.

Further, according to the invention of the present application, in the mail / delivery box system described above, a number input section for inputting a personal identification number is provided in the mailbox or / and the delivery box, and the number input section is touched. An operation unit of a tool box for confirming that an identification number is input by functioning as an input unit, and connection or operation of a mailbox or / and a delivery box, and / or setting of a house number. Is provided with an operation input unit. The operation input unit functions as a touch input unit so that an identification number can be input. Each of the identification numbers can be input to a mailbox or / and a home delivery box. A non-volatile memory for storing is provided, and after the identification number is reset, the non-volatile memory is stored in the non-volatile memory. Also such that each mailbox and / or identification number of each delivery box is adapted to return the identification number provided as aspects thereof.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention of this application has the above-mentioned features, but the embodiments will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the embodiments of the invention of this application will be described in more detail. I do.

[0012]

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a mail / delivery box system of the present invention. The mail / delivery box system illustrated in FIG. 1 has a plurality of mailboxes (4) and a delivery box (1), and the mailbox (4) and the delivery box (1), like the conventional system described above. A tool box (3) having a circuit unit for confirming each or all of the connection and operation and the house number setting and an operation unit thereof (not shown); Is provided with a number setting start unit (not shown) for starting an operation of setting an identification number. Each home delivery box (1) has a touch for inputting the identification number after the operation of setting the identification number is started. Ten key input means (5) is provided as an input unit.

In this case, a further explanation will be given.
As shown in the example, each home delivery box (1) has a control circuit (2), and a ten-key input means (5) is connected to the control circuit (2). FIG. 2 conceptually illustrates a circuit configuration when the delivery box (1) is a two-door type having a delivery side door and a reception side door. In this case, both the delivery side and the reception side are used. Although a ten-key input means (5) is provided, the input of the identification number at the time of setting the input of the identification number is performed by the ten-key input means (5) on the receiving side. In addition, an electric lock (6) and a number display section (7) on both sides (4 digits are displayed in this embodiment)
Are connected to the control circuit section (2).

The mail / delivery box system of the present invention is a distributed network system in which each mailbox (4), each delivery box (1), and the tool box (3) are connected by signal lines. The control circuit section (2) of each box is mutually connected by a signal line (= communication line in FIG. 2). Here, regarding the operation and operation of the input setting of the identification number of the home delivery box (1) using the ten-key input means (5) and the number setting start unit, the operation flow <Steps 1 to 4> illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. A description will be given along each operation of the system illustrated in FIG.

<Step 1> (See FIG. 4) First, the number setting mode of the tool box (3) is selected to enable the setting operation of the identification number to be started by selecting the number setting mode.
At this time, a signal indicating that the setting operation has been started is sent from the tool box (3) to the control circuit unit (2) of each home delivery box (1), and the receiving side is controlled by the control circuit unit (2). The electric lock (6) of the door is locked, and the number display section (7) blinks "00". Each home delivery box (1) is provided with a receiving key (18), and the receiving key (18) is in a state of not receiving an input.

<Step 2> (See FIG. 4) Next, the ten key input means (5) of the first delivery box (1)
, A touch input of “1” which is the identification number of the home delivery box (1) is made. At this time, the control circuit unit (2) receives the input number “1” from the ten key input unit (5), and causes the number display unit (7) to blink “1”. The receiving key (18) of the home delivery box (1) is ready to receive an input.

<Step 3> (see FIG. 5) After confirming that the input identification number is correct by checking the blinking of "1" in the number display section (7), the receiving key of the delivery box (1) Press (18) to confirm the input identification number. At this time, in response to a signal from the receiving key (18), the control circuit unit (2) switches the blinking display of "1" on the number display unit (7) to the lighting display, and notifies that the identification number has been determined.
Here, enter a number greater than 20 and enter the receiving key (1
When 8) is pressed, the identification number is re-input. If there is communication related to delivery and reception to the control circuit unit (2) during this input setting, the operation shifts to the normal standby state, and another operation mode (check mode in the figure). If there is a communication related to (i), the operation mode is shifted to the operation mode.

<Step 4 No> These steps 2 and 3 are repeated for all the home delivery boxes (1). <Step 2> (see FIG. 5) Touch input “2” into the second home delivery box (1) by the ten-key input means (5). <Step 3> (see FIG. 6) After confirming the identification number by blinking “2” in the number display section (7), press the receiving key (18) of the delivery box (1) to confirm the input identification number. .

<Step 4Yes> (See FIG. 7) The input setting of the identification numbers for all the home delivery boxes (1) is completed. After the input setting is completed, for example, a check start key (not shown) provided in the tool box (3) is pressed to control that the identification numbers are set in all the home delivery boxes (1) without duplication. Confirmation is made via the circuit section (2). After the confirmation, assuming that the correct number setting has been made, the number display section (7) of each home delivery box (1) is turned off by the control circuit section (2), and the parcel delivery box (1) enters a normal standby state.

As described above, in the system of the present invention, since the identification number can be input only by touch input of the ten-key input means (5), the operation is very easy.
The number input by the numeric keypad input means (5) is displayed on the number display section (7) via the control circuit section (2), so that a small number display like a conventional dip switch (A) is performed. There is no need to look into the URL, and you can check the input number more easily.

Furthermore, in a usual mail / delivery box, when the package stored in the delivery box (1) is taken out, the password is often entered to unlock the electric lock on the door of the delivery box (1). However, the input of the personal identification number may be performed by the ten-key input means (5). In other words, the ten-key input unit (5) as a number input unit to which a personal identification number is normally input also functions as a touch input unit for inputting an identification number when setting an input of an identification number as described above. ing. As a result, it is possible to easily and inexpensively improve the setting of the input of the identification number only by adding a function by software without separately providing the number input means for inputting the password and the touch input unit for inputting the identification number. realizable.

The ten-key input means (5) is preferably arranged on the surface of the system as illustrated in FIG. 1, thereby controlling the same as the dip switch (A) in the conventional system described above. Since it is not mounted on the circuit section (2), it is possible to realize easier operation and suppression of occurrence of a failure in the control circuit section (2). According to the present invention, the input of the identification number by the ten-key input means (5) can be performed only after the start signal by the number setting start unit in the tool box (3) is sent to the control circuit unit (2). Therefore, even if the ten-key input means (5) is arranged on the surface of the system, the identification number is not changed unnecessarily.

A touch input unit such as the ten-key input means (5) is provided in each mailbox (4).
In the same manner as the home delivery box (1) described above, the identification number of each mailbox (4) may be input and set. (Embodiment 2) In the mail / delivery box of the present invention, the tool box (3) is provided with a touch input section for inputting an identification number together with the number setting start section described above, and is exemplified in FIG. Thus, each mailbox (4) may be provided with a setting switch (8) as a number setting section for setting the input identification number as its own identification number. In this case, for example, the control circuit unit (2) illustrated in FIG.
The setting switch (8) is connected to the control circuit section (2).

Each mailbox (4) in this case
FIG. 9 shows the operation and the operation of the input setting of the identification number of FIG.
Operation flow <steps 1 to 5> illustrated in FIG.
A description will be given along each operation of the system illustrated in FIG. <Step 1> (See FIG. 10) First, the setting operation of the identification number can be started by the number setting start unit provided in the tool box (3). More specifically, in the present embodiment, first, after pressing the number setting key (9), the numeric keypad input means (13) serving as a touch input unit changes the identification mode setting operation mode number "12". input. The operation mode number is a number given to each of various operation modes performed by the tool box (3), and is input when starting a desired operation mode. At this time, the number display section (12) displays the operation mode number.
“12”, which has been input as the operation mode of the identification number setting being the twelfth operation mode, is lit and displayed.
After inputting the operation mode number, the set key (14) is pressed, and then the start key (15) is pressed. When the setting of the number can be started in this way, whether or not the mail is delivered is provided in each mailbox (4) by being connected to the control circuit section (2) by turning on / off. The indicated delivery LED (10) is controlled by the control circuit unit (2) which has received a signal from the tool box (3), and is in an extinguished state. In addition, the tool box (3) is provided with another number display section (11) (in this embodiment, a four-digit display).
In 1), "0000" is lit and displayed. The above-described specific operation for starting the setting of the identification number may be similarly performed at the time of starting the setting of the identification number of the home delivery box (1).

<Step 2> (see FIG. 11)
In order to input the identification number of the first mailbox (4), the ten key input means (1) of the tool box (3) is used.
Touch input of “101” is performed using 3). Since the identification number assigned to each mailbox (4) is a normal room number, the identification number is also used as the room number in this embodiment. At this time, the number display section (11) of the tool box (3) lights up the input “101”.

<Step 3> (See FIG. 12) After inputting the identification number, the set key (14) of the tool box (3)
Press to confirm the identification number input. At this time, the delivery LEDs (10) of all the mailboxes (4) flash. <Step 4> (see FIG. 13) Then, the identification number “1”
Opening the door of the mailbox (4) for setting "01" and pressing the setting switch (8), the identification number "1" is set.
01 "is set in the mailbox (4) whose setting switch (8) is pressed. At this time, the delivery LED (10) of the mailbox (4) of "101" is controlled by the control circuit (2) which has received the signal from the setting switch (8), and changes from the blinking state to the lighting state. The delivery LED (10) of the mailbox (4) other than "101" remains blinking. The setting switch (8) is shown in the figure.
Is described as “mail SW”.

<Step 5No> These steps 2, 3, and 4 are repeated for all the mailboxes (4). <Step 2> (See FIG. 14) Touch-input “201” as the identification number of the second mailbox (4) by the ten-key input means (13) of the tool box (3). The number display section (11) lights up the input “201”.

<Step 3> (See FIG. 15) After inputting the identification number, the set key (14) of the tool box (3)
Press to confirm the identification number input. At this time, "10
Delivery LED (10) of mailbox (4) other than "1"
Is still blinking. <Step 4> (see FIG. 16) By pressing the setting switch (8) of the mailbox (4) for setting the identification number "201", the setting switch (8) is pressed for the identification number "101". It is set in the mailbox (4). At this time, the delivery LED (10) of the mailbox (4) "201" is controlled by the control circuit (2) to change from a blinking state to a lighting state. The delivery LED (10) of the mailbox (4) other than the mailbox (4) for which the identification number has already been set remains blinking.

<Step 5 Yes> (FIGS. 16 and 17
The input setting of the identification numbers is completed for all the mailboxes (4) (this embodiment is completed by setting the identification number “208” in the last mailbox (4)). After the input setting is completed, for example, the start operation mode is ended by pressing the start key (15) of the tool box (3). All mailboxes (4)
The delivery LED (10) is turned off by the control circuit unit (2) that has received the signal from the tool box (3), and the apparatus enters a normal standby state.

In the embodiment described above, the input setting of the identification number can be performed centrally in the tool box (3), and the space for the ten-key input means (13) is provided in each of the boxes as in the delivery box (1). This is particularly useful as an input setting of an identification number for a mailbox (4) whose password cannot be secured. Also, the toolbox (3)
Since it has a circuit part and an operation part for confirming each or all of the connection and operation of the mail box (4) and the home delivery box (1) and the house number setting, the ten-key input means (13) is used for the operation part. It may function as an operation input unit. In other words, the ten-key input unit (13) as an operation input unit of the operation unit normally used when performing a confirmation operation also functions as a touch input unit to which an identification number is input as described above. I have. Thus, the identification number input setting can be easily and inexpensively improved only by changing the function of the ten-key input means (13) of the tool box (3) by software.

Of course, each home delivery box (1) is provided with a number setting section such as a setting switch (8) for setting the input identification number as its own identification number, and is the same as in the case of the above-mentioned mailbox (4). Then, the identification number of each delivery box (1) may be set. The input setting described in the second embodiment can be performed for the mailbox (4), and the input setting described in the first embodiment can be performed for the home delivery box (1), or vice versa. It may be.

In the above-described mail / delivery box system of the present invention, as exemplified in FIG. 2, a ROM or the like storing each identification number in each mailbox (4) or each delivery box (1). Non-volatile memory (1
6) is provided so that after resetting the identification number, the identification number of each mailbox (4) or each home delivery box (1) is restored by the identification number stored in the nonvolatile memory (16). It is desirable that it is.

Conventionally, when a reset occurs due to a power-off or the like, an identification number is not set in each box, and the identification number is lost in order to avoid a situation where a destination cannot be determined and communication cannot be performed on a network. A dip switch (A), which is a mechanical number input means that cannot be used, has been used. However, in the system of the present invention,
In order to improve the problems related to the dip switch (a) as described above, a touch input unit such as ten-key input means (5) (13) is employed. In response, the non-volatile memory (1
It is preferable that the identification number is reset according to 6).

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, for example, the nonvolatile memory (16) includes a synchronization clock,
It is connected to the control circuit section (2) via wiring for data writing and data reading. The set identification number is written and stored in the nonvolatile memory (16) by the control circuit section (2). When the reset is applied, the identification number stored in the nonvolatile memory (16) is read into the control circuit unit (2), and each box recognizes its own identification number.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and various embodiments are possible for details. For example, the touch input unit in the mail / delivery box system of the present invention touches a desired number by touching or pressing not only the ten-key input means (5) and (13) but also some touch means such as a finger. Anything that can be input can be used. In addition, this system includes a delivery box (1), a mailbox (4), and a tool box (3) each having the above-described functional units.
In addition, it goes without saying that known function means and function blocks such as a sealing means (17) may be provided.

[0036]

As described in detail above, the mail / delivery box system of the present invention allows the user to set the identification number of each mailbox and each delivery box without using a dip switch, thereby making the input simpler and cheaper. The setting can be performed by the setting unit. Since there is no DIP switch, the failure of the control circuit unit at the time of setting the input of the identification number, which has been a problem in the past, does not occur, and the DIP switch and its peripheral circuits are not required, so that the circuit configuration is simplified, Cost reduction can also be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a mail / delivery box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a control circuit unit, ten-key input means, and the like provided in a home delivery box, and wirings thereof.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an identification number input setting operation flow.

FIG. 4 shows the operation of each box according to the operation flow of FIG.
It is the figure which illustrated the state.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation / state of each box following FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation / state of each box following FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation / state of each box following FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front view showing an example of a mailbox.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the operation flow for inputting and setting an identification number.

FIG. 10 is a diagram exemplifying the operation / state of each box along the operation flow of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation and state of each box following FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the operation and state of each box following FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the operation / state of each box following FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the operation / state of each box following FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the operation / state of each box following FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the operation / state of each box subsequent to FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the operation / state of each box following FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the operation / state of each box following FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional mail / delivery box system.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of a dip switch in a delivery box of a conventional mail / delivery box system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Delivery box 2 Control circuit part 3 Tool box 4 Mailbox 5 Numeric keypad 6 Electric lock 7 Number display part 8 Setting switch 9 Number setting key 10 Delivery LED 11 Number display part 12 Number display part 13 Numeric keypad means 14 Set key 15 Start key 16 Non-volatile memory 17 Sealing means 18 Receiving key

Claims (5)

[Claims] A tool box having a mailbox and / or a home delivery box, a circuit unit for confirming each or all of the connection and operation of the mailbox and / or the home delivery box, and setting of a house number, and an operation unit thereof. In the mail / delivery box system provided with the above, the tool box is provided with a number setting start unit for starting the setting operation of the identification number, and the mailbox or / and the home delivery box is identified after the start of the setting operation of the identification number. A mail / delivery box system comprising a touch input unit for inputting a number. 2. A tool box having a mailbox and / or a home delivery box, a circuit unit for confirming connection or operation of the mailbox or / and the home delivery box, and / or setting of a house number, and an operation unit thereof. In a mail / delivery box system provided with: a number setting start unit for starting an operation of setting an identification number in a tool box, and a touch for inputting an identification number of a mailbox or / and a delivery box after the operation of setting an identification number is started An input section is provided, and a mailbox or /
A mail / delivery box system, wherein the delivery box is provided with a number setting unit for setting the input identification number as its own identification number. 3. A number input unit for inputting a personal identification number is provided in a mailbox or / and a home delivery box, and the number input unit functions as a touch input unit to input an identification number. Claim 1 email
Delivery box system. 4. An operation input section is provided in an operation section of a tool box for confirming each or all of connection and operation of a mailbox and / or a home delivery box, and setting of a house number. 3. The mail / delivery box system according to claim 2, wherein the identification number is input by functioning as a touch input unit. 5. A mail box and / or a home delivery box are provided with a non-volatile memory for storing respective identification numbers, and after resetting the identification numbers, each mail is stored in the non-volatile memory according to the identification numbers stored in the non-volatile memory. 5. The mail / delivery box system according to claim 1, wherein the identification number of the box or / and each delivery box is restored.