JP2007219742A - Locker system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a locker system for achieving undertaking for shipping cargo, and for selecting an empty storage box whose storage capacity is matched with the size of the presented cargo. <P>SOLUTION: This locker system is provided with storage boxes 31 to 34 having a plurality of operation mechanisms whose storage capacities are different for storing cargo and a three-dimensional dimension measuring part 21 for measuring the shape or dimension and weight of the cargo, and configured to select an empty storage box whose capacity is the minimum for storing cargo 7 from the measurement result of the three-dimensional dimension measuring part 21. Thus, it is possible to achieve undertaking for shipping the cargo 7. Also, it is possible to prevent the large empty storage box from being unintentionally selected although the size of the cargo 7 to be received from a user is small, and to improve the efficiency of the locker storage space. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a locker system that is installed in a station space, a station passage, a meeting place of a housing complex, a common space such as an entrance of a condominium, or an unmanned sales office and temporarily stores cargo.

  Conventionally, when a freight carrier is requested to send freight, the freight carrier's collection service is used, brought to a convenience store, or brought to a store nearest to the freight carrier. On the other hand, when receiving the cargo, in addition to receiving it directly from the carrier, for example, it is received via a locker system installed at the entrance of the apartment. In particular, when there is a locker system at the entrance of a condominium, it can be received when the user returns home even when he / she is absent, which is very convenient. In addition, in this type of locker system, there is one in which a user can arbitrarily select whether or not to receive a registered postal item that is likely to be stolen such as registered mail (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .

JP 2000-79052 A

  However, in the conventional locker system, the cargo can only be received and stored and cannot be shipped. In addition, it may be composed of multiple lockers with different storage volumes so that it can accommodate the size of the cargo to be stored, but if it is possible to ship temporarily with such a configuration, the size of the cargo that the user presents Even though the size is small, there is a possibility that the locker having a large storage volume may be selected carelessly and the efficiency of the locker storage space may be reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is a locker system capable of accepting a shipment for shipment and selecting an empty box having a storage volume corresponding to the size of the delivered cargo. The purpose is to provide.

The above object is achieved by the following configuration.
The locker system of the present invention includes a plurality of storage boxes having different storage volumes for storing cargo, a measuring means for measuring at least the size of the cargo, and a minimum capacity for storing the cargo from the size of the cargo measured by the measuring means. Control means for selecting an empty storage box from among the plurality of storage boxes and unlocking the storage box.

  In the locker system, the control means does not perform the unlocking control on the selected storage box until at least the measurement of the size of the cargo is completed by the measurement means.

  In the locker system, the measurement unit measures the shape, size, and weight of the cargo, and the control unit includes at least one of the shape, size, and weight of the cargo measured by the measurement unit; A fee for shipping the cargo is calculated from the recipient information input to the control means, and the fee and the recipient information are printed.

  In the locker system of the present invention, since at least the size of the brought-in cargo can be measured, it is possible to calculate the delivery fee and to accept the cargo for shipping. In addition, since an empty storage box having a minimum capacity capable of storing the cargo is selected based on at least the measurement result of the cargo size, the large empty storage box is inadvertently used even though the size of the cargo to be presented by the user is small. The selection can be prevented and the efficiency of the locker storage space can be improved.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a rocker system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the locker system according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, a locker system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a measuring unit 2, an underwriting box 3, and a settlement / operation unit 4. The measuring unit 2 includes a three-dimensional dimension measuring unit (measuring means) 21, a motor control unit 22, a three-dimensional measuring table operation control unit 23, and a weight measuring unit 24 shown in FIG. The storage instruction display unit 26 shown in FIG. The three-dimensional dimension measuring unit 21 automatically measures the shape, dimensions (freight sides = vertical / horizontal / depth dimensions) and weight of the cargo, and the measurement result is sent to the settlement / operation unit 4 of the locker system 1. send. Details of the three-dimensional dimension measuring unit 21 and other units will be described later. The underwriting box 3 is composed of a plurality of storage boxes 31, 32, 33 and 34 having different storage volumes.

  The storage boxes 31, 32, 33, and 34 have a storage capacity that increases in the order of 31 <32 <33 <34. Each of the storage boxes 31 to 34 has a locking mechanism (not shown) built in, and locking and unlocking are controlled by the CPU 10 (see FIG. 2, control means). The settlement / operation unit 4 calculates a fee based on the shape, size and weight of the cargo measured by the measuring unit 2 and the address of the shipping address entered by the user who brought the cargo, (Credit card) or mobile phone with IC card function is used for settlement. After the settlement process, one of the empty storage boxes with the minimum volume capable of storing the cargo is selected from the result of the size measurement of the cargo and unlocked. For example, in a small item such as a letter, the storage box 31 having the minimum volume is an object to be unlocked, and one of them is unlocked.

  Further, the settlement / operation unit 4 issues two “deposits and receipts” as shown in FIG. 4 after the settlement. One of them is received by the user, and the remaining one is put in the storage box together with the cargo instead of the shipping slip. Returning to FIG. 1, on the front surface of the settlement / operation unit 4, a display unit 41 using a display such as a liquid crystal panel, a touch panel unit 42 provided on the display unit 41, a camera 43, and a form printing unit 44. A bill insertion slot 45, a coin insertion slot 46, a card insertion slot 47, an infrared communication unit 48, a radio wave communication unit 49, a human body detection sensor 50, and a change discharge port 51. Further, if a person is detected from an image captured by the camera 43 by pattern recognition or the like, the human body sensor 50 may be omitted.

  A storage instruction display unit 26 is provided on the front surface of the measurement unit 2. The measurement unit 2 is provided with two large and small cargo measurement boxes 28 and 29 and a three-dimensional dimension measurement unit 21 (see FIG. 3) provided in each of the cargo measurement boxes 28 and 29. In this case, the cargo measurement box 28 is provided with a three-dimensional dimension measuring unit 21 for “letters”, and the cargo measurement box 29 is provided with a three-dimensional dimension measuring unit 21 for “books / luggage”. . The storage instruction display unit 26 instructs the start of the measurement of the cargo, and the user confirms this instruction, so that the cargo measurement box 28 or the cargo measurement box 29 corresponding to the size of the cargo to be shipped is displayed. Select and place the cargo in it.

  Next, details of the three-dimensional dimension measuring unit 21 will be described. In FIG. 3, the three-dimensional dimension measuring unit 21 includes a three-dimensional measurement table 211, a table 212 using tempered glass, a measurement gate 213, an H-axis (height) light emitting element 214, and an H-axis (height). The light receiving sensor 215, a W axis (width) light emitting element 216, a W axis (width) light receiving sensor 217, and an encoder 218 are configured. The table 212 measures the size (height, width, depth) and weight of the cargo 7, the size of the cargo 7 is measured by the measurement gate 213, and the weight is measured in the table 212. Measured at section 24. For example, a pressure sensor is used for the weight measuring unit 24, and the output thereof is taken into the CPU 10. The measurement gate 213 is formed in a square frame shape as shown in the figure, and an H-axis light emitting element 214 is provided on one side in the height direction, and an H-bearing optical sensor 215 is provided on the other opposed piece. ing. In addition, a W-axis light emitting element 216 is provided on one side in the width direction of the measurement gate 213, and a W bearing optical sensor 217 is provided on the other opposed piece. The measurement gate 213 moves back and forth in the direction of arrows A and B in the figure with respect to the table 212. That is, the motor 7 and the gear mechanism (not shown) built in the three-dimensional measuring table 211 are moved back and forth in the depth direction of the cargo 7 placed on the table 212. The rotation (including the rotation direction) of the motor used to move the measurement gate 213 is controlled by the motor control unit 22, and the operation of the motor control unit 22 is controlled by the three-dimensional measurement table operation control unit 23. The moving distance of the measurement gate 213 is measured by the encoder 218.

  The H-axis light emitting element 214 and the H-bearing light sensor 215 are formed to have approximately the same length as the length of the measurement gate 213 in the height direction. Further, the W-axis light emitting element 216 and the W-bearing optical sensor 217 are formed to have substantially the same length as the measurement gate 213 in the width direction. The H bearing light sensor 215 detects light output from the H axis light emitting element 214, and the W bearing light sensor 217 detects light output from the W axis light emitting element 216. Since the cargo 7 blocks the light from the H-axis shipping element 214, the length of the cargo 7 in the height direction can be measured from the output of the H bearing optical sensor 215. Further, since the cargo 7 blocks light from the W-axis light emitting element 216, the length in the width direction of the cargo 7 can be measured from the output of the W bearing optical sensor 217. Further, by moving the measurement gate 213, the length of the cargo 7 in the depth direction can be measured by the output of the H bearing optical sensor 215 or the output of the W bearing optical sensor 217. In this case, the output of the H bearing optical sensor 215 and the W bearing optical sensor 217 obtained continuously by moving the measurement gate 213 even if the length in the height direction and the length in the width direction of the cargo 7 are not constant. It is possible to measure accurately with the output of. That is, even if the cargo 7 has an irregular shape, its dimensions can be accurately measured. The measured values of the size (height, width, depth) of the cargo 7 measured in this way are taken into the CPU 10 together with the above-described weight measurement values.

  Next, in FIG. 2, a CPU (central processing unit) 10 controls the entire locker system 1 and operates according to a program written in the memory 11. The storage unit 12 stores image data captured by the camera 43. The communication unit 13 performs bidirectional communication between the CPU 10 and an external device through a network such as the Internet or a public telephone network (general line 8), thereby enabling remote control by the external device. That is, the CPU 10 of the locker system 1 operates according to a command from an external device, and performs measurement processing, settlement processing, slip creation processing, locking / unlocking processing of various boxes, and the like. The display unit 41 of the settlement / operation unit 4 is used to display a message for explaining a procedure for shipping the cargo 7 using the locker system 1. The message is stored in the memory 11 in advance, and is read and displayed by the CPU 10.

  The door control unit 35 controls the opening and closing of the doors of the storage boxes 31 to 34 of the underwriting box 3 in accordance with a command from the CPU 10. The stored matter detector 36 detects the presence or absence of cargo in each of the storage boxes 31 to 34 of the underwriting box 3. This detection result is sent to the CPU 10. The touch panel unit 42 performs various inputs for operating the settlement / operation unit 4. The camera 43 is for imaging the user of the locker system 1. Image data obtained by imaging with the camera 43 is stored in the storage unit 12. The human body detection sensor 50 detects a user of the locker system 1. CPU10 detects a user based on the output of human body detection sensor 50, and starts underwriting processing. The form printing unit 44 prints a receipt / receipt. In this case, as described above, two sheets are printed for the user's copy and for the shipping company. The infrared communication unit 48 is for performing two-way communication using infrared rays with a mobile phone incorporating an infrared communication function. The radio wave communication unit 49 is for performing two-way communication using radio waves with a mobile phone incorporating an IC card function.

  Next, operation | movement of the locker system 1 of the said structure is demonstrated. FIG.5 and FIG.6 is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the rocker system based on this Embodiment. First, when the user approaches the locker system 1, the human body detection sensor 50 detects it, switches the screen of the display unit 41 to the “initial screen”, and provides guidance on how to use the system by screen display (or voice). (Step ST100). If there is no user, it may be used for “advertisement / promotion” by display (or voice, etc.). “Use type selection” is possible from the initial screen, and when either “Use type, ie, send letter or package” is selected, the user's face is used for the purpose of throwing in dangerous goods and preventing mischief. An image centered on is taken by the camera 43 and stored in the storage unit 12. The face photo image can be used as important information for identifying the user by storing it together with usage time and usage location information.

  Next, in order to identify the user (sender), personal information such as the user's name, address, telephone number (mobile phone number) and the destination of the cargo (letter or package) are registered in advance to the mobile phone. The personal information of the sender and recipient is taken in by the infrared communication unit 48 or the radio wave communication unit 49 (step ST101). Here, for example, when personal information is transferred to the locker system 1 using a mobile phone with a built-in IC card function, "submenu", "infrared transmission", "execute" from the address screen of the user's mobile phone Press the button to operate “end transmission”. Thereby, the personal information registered in the mobile phone is transferred to the locker system 1. Next, in order to transfer the recipient information to the locker system 1, the recipient identification information is transferred from the recipient address of the mobile phone to the locker system 1 by means similar to the sender information. By performing the operations so far, the sender information and the recipient information can be specified.

  Next, it is necessary to specify what is to be sent, and the user selects a type such as a letter / package from the operation display screen. The locker system 1 is provided with two three-dimensional dimension measuring units 21 for letters (lightweight) and for books / luggage (medium / weight). Measure shape, dimensions and weight. For example, when “book / package” is selected from the type selection screen, the three-dimensional dimension measuring unit 21 for “book / package” is selected from the two three-dimensional dimension measuring units 21 and provided. The cargo measurement box 29 is unlocked and the door is opened (step ST102). When the user places the “book / package” to be sent (hereinafter referred to as “cargo 7”) within the designated range in the cargo measurement box 29, a message such as “Please release your hand” is displayed (or voice output). After this display, it is determined whether or not a confirmation button (not shown) on the touch panel unit 42 has been pressed (step ST103). If the confirmation button is not pressed, this process is repeated until the confirmation button is pressed. Is pressed, the door of the cargo measurement box 29 is closed, and then the three-dimensional dimension measuring unit 21 for “books / luggage” is operated to measure the shape, size and weight of the cargo 7 (step ST104). . Whether or not the hand has been released may be determined by a timer (not shown) in the rocker system 1, but it is possible to determine by detecting the vertical fluctuation value of the weight data from the weight measuring unit 24 in the measuring unit 2. desirable.

  After measuring the shape, size and weight of the cargo 7 to be delivered, the destination area is confirmed and determined from the recipient identification information (step ST105). After selecting and deciding the destination area, calculate the fee. That is, it is used from the sender identification information and the recipient identification information transferred from the user's mobile phone, the shape, size and weight of the cargo 7 measured by the three-dimensional dimension measuring unit 21 and a predetermined usage fee table. A fee is calculated (step ST106). Then, the calculated usage fee is displayed on the display unit 41 together with the sender identification information, recipient identification information, package information, and the like (step ST107). When the user confirms the information, the door of the cargo measurement box 29 is opened, and guidance is given by display (or voice) to take out the package from the three-dimensional dimension measurement unit 21.

  Next, guidance for making a settlement is provided. That is, guidance (or voice) is provided to select a desired service from among cash settlement, card settlement, and settlement using a mobile phone with a built-in IC card (step ST108). Then, it is determined whether or not cash is inserted (step ST109). If cash is inserted, it is determined whether or not the usage fee is exceeded (step ST110). If it is less than the usage fee, the fee shortage information is displayed (step ST111), and if it is equal to or higher than the usage fee, a settlement process is performed (step ST116). On the other hand, if no cash is inserted, it is determined whether a card has been inserted (step ST112). If a card has been inserted, the card is read (step ST113). After the card is read, a settlement process is performed (step ST116). If the card is not inserted, it is determined whether the mobile phone has a built-in IC card function (step ST114). If the mobile phone has a built-in IC card function, settlement processing is performed (step ST116). If it is not cash, a card or a mobile phone, the use service is canceled (step ST115).

  After the settlement process is performed, empty box information is displayed and selected (step ST117). That is, based on the shape, size, and weight measurement result of the cargo 7, the door of the smallest empty storage box that can store the deposited cargo 7 is opened and the selected storage box is displayed (or voiced). Here, a lamp (not shown) provided near the corresponding door may be blinked. With this guidance, the user stores the cargo 7 in the storage box with the door open and closes the door. After displaying / selecting empty box information, a receipt and receipt are printed out from the form printing unit 44 (step ST118). Specify the shape, dimensions (freight sides = vertical / horizontal / depth dimensions) and weight, usage fee, usage date / time, usage location, inquiry information, and user of the received cargo 7 as proof of the locker system 1 The name, address, telephone number, etc., and the name, address, telephone number, etc. specifying the recipient are printed out. As mentioned above, two forms (receipt and receipt and baggage form) with the same contents are printed in one underwriting process, and one sheet is put in the storage box together with the cargo. Is stored as a copy of the deposit user. If the user does not need to keep a deposit, the number of prints may be selected. It is also possible to print the user's face photo on the same form to further identify these personal information. In consideration of protection of personal information, it is printed as a two-dimensional code or PIN code. It is desirable to consider in the system so that it is possible.

  After the receipt / receipt is printed out, it is determined whether or not it is a cash settlement (step ST119), and if there is a change in cash settlement, the change is discharged from the change outlet 51 (step ST120). After cash settlement, card settlement, or mobile phone settlement, a password input instruction is displayed (or voiced) for locking the locker door containing the cargo 7 (step ST121). The personal identification number is, for example, the package number printed on the printed receipt and receipt (A963852 in the case of FIG. 4). It is determined whether a personal identification number has been input (step ST122). If a personal identification number has been input, it is determined whether a confirmation button has been pressed (step ST123). If the confirmation button is pressed after the password is entered, the door is locked (step ST124). This completes the underwriting measurement process, the receipt and receipt issuing process, and the storage in the locker.

  Thus, according to the locker system 1 of the present embodiment, the storage boxes 31 to 34 having a plurality of locking mechanisms with different storage volumes for storing the cargo 7 are provided, and the shape, size, and weight of the cargo 7 are measured. Since the empty storage box having the minimum volume capable of storing the cargo 7 is selected from the measurement result of the three-dimensional dimension measuring unit 21, the underwriting for shipping the cargo 7 becomes possible. In addition, it is possible to prevent a large empty storage box from being selected carelessly even though the size of the cargo 7 presented by the user is small, so that the efficiency of the locker storage space can be improved. Further, since the selected storage box is not unlocked until the measurement of the shape, size, and weight of the brought-in cargo 7 is completed, it is possible to prevent the cargo 7 from being arbitrarily put into the storage box.

  In the above-described embodiment, processing for one package is performed. However, a plurality of packages are stored in one storage box, calculated from the volume that can be stored in one storage box based on the measurement data of the package. You may do it. By doing in this way, the efficiency of a locker storage space can be improved further.

  The present invention has the effect of being able to select a storage box having a storage capacity suitable for the size of the delivered cargo, as well as being able to accept the cargo to be shipped, It can be applied to a common space such as an assembly hall of a housing complex, an entrance of a condominium, or a locker installed in a place such as an unmanned sales office.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the locker system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the locker system which concerns on the said embodiment of this invention The perspective view which shows the structure of the three-dimensional dimension measurement part used for the rocker system which concerns on the said embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the receipt and receipt which is an example of the printing result in the locker system which concerns on the said embodiment of this invention The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the locker system which concerns on the said embodiment of this invention. The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the locker system which concerns on the said embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Locker system 2 Measuring part 3 Underwriting box 4 Settlement / operation part 7 Cargo 8 General line 10 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Memory 12 Memory | storage part 13 Communication part 21 3D dimension measurement part 22 Motor control part 23 3D measurement stand operation | movement control part 24 Weight measurement part 26 Storage instruction | indication display part 31-34 Storage box 41 Display part 42 Touch panel part 43 Camera 44 Form Printing section 45 Bill insertion slot 46 Coin insertion slot 47 Card insertion slot 48 Infrared communication section 49 Radio wave communication section 50 Human body detection sensor 51 Change discharge outlet 211 Three-dimensional measuring table 212 Table 213 Measurement gate 214 H-axis (height) light emitting element 215 H-axis (height) light-receiving sensor 216 W-axis (width) light-emitting element 217 W-axis (width) light-receiving sensor 218 Encoder

Claims (3)

A plurality of storage boxes with different storage volumes for storing cargo;
Measuring means for measuring at least the dimensions of the cargo;
Control means for unlocking the storage box by selecting an empty storage box having a minimum volume capable of storing the cargo from the dimensions of the cargo measured by the measuring means from the plurality of storage boxes;
A locker system comprising.   2. The locker system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit does not perform unlocking control on the selected storage box until at least measurement of the size of the cargo by the measuring unit is completed.   The measuring means measures the shape, size and weight of the cargo, and the control means inputs at least one of the shape, size and weight of the cargo measured by the measuring means to the control means. 2. The locker system according to claim 1, wherein a fee related to shipment of the cargo is calculated from the recipient information and the fee and the recipient information are printed.

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