KR20090000074A - Apparatus and method for unmanned parcel delivery system - Google Patents

Abstract

An unmanned freight relay system and an operation method thereof are provided to improve the reading accuracy of freight information in recognizing the delivery baggage and distinguishing the detailed content of freight without a separate input unit. An input unit(220) receives input data from a user. An output unit(230) outputs output data to the user. A storage(240) stores information about the input data and the output data. A deposit box controller(250) is made of a RFID(Radio Frequency Identification) reader, a RFID reader controller, an electric lock, and a door detecting sensor. The RFID reader reads the information of a label and a RFID tag adhered to the delivery baggage which is stocked into a deposit box. The RFID reader controller controls the operation of the RFID. A communications unit(260) is connected to a management server through a communications network and performs communications with the management server. A central control unit(210) controls the overall operation of the input unit, the output unit, the deposit box controller, and the communications unit.

Description

Unmanned cargo relay system and its operation method {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR UNMANNED PARCEL DELIVERY SYSTEM}

1 is a view schematically showing an embodiment of an unmanned cargo relay system according to the present invention;

2 is a block diagram showing in more detail each component of the unmanned cargo relay system according to the present invention;

Figure 3a is a view showing in more detail the storage box and RFID reader reader and RFID reader control unit of the unmanned cargo relay system according to the present invention;

3b is a view showing another example of a storage box, an RFID reader unit and an RFID reader control unit of the unmanned cargo relay system according to the present invention;

4 is a flow chart showing a cargo receipt procedure according to an example of the management method of the unmanned cargo relay system according to the present invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a method of querying real-time cargo delivery information through the unmanned cargo relay system according to the present invention.

The present invention relates to an unmanned cargo relay system and a method of operating the same, and more particularly, to improve reading accuracy of cargo information in recognizing a parcel delivery cargo in an unmanned cargo relay system, and to identify details of cargo without a separate input means. The present invention relates to an unmanned cargo relay system and a method of operating the same.

Recently, unmanned cargo relay systems have been widely used to temporarily store parcels delivered to tenants when they are absent and allow tenants to receive parcels at a convenient time.

This unmanned cargo relay system allows senders, carriers and recipients to send and receive cargo at a convenient time, regardless of time and place. In addition, through the linkage with the access card and home network, it also contributes to providing a convenient resident environment by providing enhanced functions such as delivery parcel notification.

However, in the unmanned cargo relay system according to the prior art, the optical sensor has been adopted as a detection means for detecting the presence or absence of cargo in the case of storing the cargo in the storage box. That is, when the shipper designates the recipient through the input means and puts the cargo in the empty storage box, the optical sensor disposed at the bottom (bottom) of the storage box detects the cargo and sends a detection signal to the controller of the unmanned cargo relay system. This is done by handling the receipt of the goods.

Similarly, when the recipient leaves the cargo stored in the storage box, the light sensor at the bottom of the storage box detects the cargo outgoing so as to check whether the cargo is normally shipped.

Therefore, when dirt or dust is attached to the optical sensor, there is a problem that a malfunction occurs.

In addition, in the unmanned cargo relay system according to the prior art, the optical sensor adopted as the sensing means can only check whether there is a cargo in the storage box, and in order to record the details of the cargo entering and leaving the storage box, There is a hassle to record the details of the cargo directly through the input means or to input the cargo code corresponding to the details of the cargo through a separate input means (keypad, touch screen, card reader or barcode reader).

The present invention has been conceived to solve the above problems, to improve the accuracy of reading the cargo information in recognizing the parcel delivery in the unmanned cargo relay system, so that the details of the cargo can be identified without a separate input means An object of the present invention is to provide an unmanned cargo relay system and its operation method.

In order to achieve the above object, the unmanned cargo relay system according to the present invention includes an input unit for receiving input data from a user, an output unit for outputting output data to a user, and information on input data and output data. At least one storage box including a storage unit for storing, a storage box and a door to store the cargo inside the storage box, and information of the RFID tag and label attached to the parcel delivered to the storage box. The RFID reader unit for reading the ID, an RFID reader control unit for receiving information of the RFID tag and label read from the RFID reader unit, and controlling the operation of the RFID reader unit, and an electric lock for opening and closing the door. And a door detection sensor for detecting whether the door is opened or closed. Is connected to the storage control unit, the management server and the communication network, the communication unit for communicating with the management server, and controls the overall operation of the input unit, the output unit, the storage unit, the storage control unit, the communication unit It comprises a central control unit.

In addition, the management method of the unmanned cargo relay system according to another aspect of the present invention, the step of starting the storage procedure of the parcel delivery cargo in accordance with the input of the incoming start signal through the input unit of the unmanned cargo relay system, and whether there is an idle storage box; Determining, by the unmanned cargo relay system, receiving information about the recipient of the parcel delivery through the input unit, and inputting a parcel for inputting the parcel delivery of the idle storage, if there is an idle storage box. Receiving an input through an input unit, opening a door of the storage box to input the parcel delivery, and activating an RFID reader in the storage box to read the RFID tag and label information attached to the parcel shipment; And reading the RFID tag and label information with the RFID reader. And transmitting the received RFID tag and label information, the shipper information, the recipient information, the goods receipt time information, and the storage number information to the storage unit of the unmanned cargo relay system. And storing the storage certificate including the contents of the goods receipt information through the output unit of the unmanned cargo relay system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the present invention, and like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the specification.

On the other hand, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, this means that it can further include other components, except to exclude other components unless otherwise stated.

Now, the unmanned cargo relay system and its operation method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a view schematically showing an embodiment of the unmanned cargo relay system according to the present invention.

As shown in Figure 1, the unmanned cargo relay system according to the present invention, the control panel 100a, 100b, 100c made of different sizes and the RFID reader unit 110 installed in the storage box, a plurality of RFID reader unit control The RFID reader control unit 120 and the input unit 130 for receiving commands and information from the user, the output unit 140 for outputting a guide message, an alarm sound, a receipt to the user and the RFID tag corresponding unmanned cargo relay system of It comprises a central control unit 150 for controlling the overall operation.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing in more detail each component of the unmanned cargo relay system according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the unmanned cargo relay system 200 according to the present invention includes a central control unit 210, an input unit 220, an output unit 230, a storage unit 240, a storage unit control unit 250, and a communication unit ( 260).

First, the input unit 220 plays a role of receiving user information and requirements from a user (such as a carrier or a recipient). The input unit 220 may further include a suitable input interface for receiving an input from a user. For example, a touch screen may be attached to the monitor surface of the unmanned cargo relay system 200 and used as an input means. It may be made, further comprising a keypad or keyboard that can be used for the input of the user's payment information, or further comprises a credit card recognition module (including both magnetic cards, smart cards) for the user's credit payment It may be. In addition, a bar code reader may be further included for the case where there is delivery information that must be input in the form of a bar code in the delivery process. Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a video camera or a microphone may be further included in the input unit 200 in order to recognize audiovisual information for a call with a counselor of a management center.

The output unit 230 is a component for returning the operation result of the unmanned cargo relay system 200 to the user, and may include a monitor for outputting a guide screen, and a receipt, payment information, barcode image, etc. during the delivery process. It may further comprise a printer module for printing the output of the. Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a speaker may be further included in the output unit 230 to output audio information.

The storage unit 240 serves to store various processes and related information made in the unmanned cargo relay system 200. For example, the storage unit 240 is stored in a user registered in the unmanned cargo relay system according to the present invention. Information about the transportable destination unmanned cargo relay system, receipt and payment history or payment history can be stored.

Storage control unit 250 is a component that controls the operation of each storage box included in the unmanned cargo relay system 200, cargo detection RFID sensor module for detecting the incoming and out of the package, the door of the storage box It comprises an electric well (opening and closing device) module for opening and closing the door sensor module for detecting the opening and closing state of the control unit door.

The communication unit 260 is a component that is in charge of communication with the management server 270, and includes a network adapter, for example, user registration information stored in the management server 270 of the unmanned cargo relay system according to the present invention. Search for or via the management server 270 to the parcel delivery server 280 to deliver the goods receipt and delivery information about the cargo obtained through the RFID tag.

And the central control unit 220 is the overall components of the unmanned cargo relay system 200, that is, the input unit 220, output unit 230, storage unit 240, storage control unit 250 and communication unit 260 By controlling the operation serves to enable the unmanned cargo relay system 200 to operate normally.

On the other hand, a user such as a sender or a recipient can access the courier company server 280 to check the delivery status of the cargo in real time. It performs a process related to credit settlement or performs a process related to mobile phone authentication with the mobile telecommunication company server 290 via the management server 270.

Figure 3a is a view showing in more detail the storage box and RFID reader reader and RFID reader control unit of the unmanned cargo relay system according to the present invention.

As shown in Figure 3a, one RFID reader unit 310 is attached to each storage box 300 of the unmanned cargo relay system according to the present invention. It is conceivable that the typical form of the RFID reader unit 310 is composed of an RFID receiver antenna attached to the ceiling of the storage box 300. However, it does not necessarily have to be in this form, and in some cases, it may be attached to the side of the storage box or the bottom surface as in the prior art.

In addition, the RFID reader reader 310 is connected to the RFID reader controller 320 to control the operation.

For example, when one parcel delivery cargo 350 is stored in the storage box 300 as shown in FIG. 3A, the RFID reader unit 310 reads the RFID tag and label information attached to the parcel delivery cargo. The read information on the parcel is transmitted to the RFID reader control unit 320.

3B is a view showing another example of a storage box, an RFID reader unit and an RFID reader control unit of the unmanned cargo relay system according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3B, in the unmanned cargo relay system according to the present invention, even when a plurality of parcels are received in a storage box, the quantity of parcels 351 and 352 and read information regarding each parcel can be confirmed.

In the unmanned cargo relay system corresponding to the optical sensor according to the prior art, the optical sensor for detecting the cargo in the storage box can provide only information regarding the presence or absence of cargo in the storage box as Yes / No.

However, in the unmanned cargo relay system according to the present invention, the RFID reader unit 310 reads all RFID tags and label information attached to each parcels 351 and 352 and transmits them to the RFID reader control unit 320. . Therefore, even if a plurality of parcels are received in one storage box, it is possible to independently manage read information about each parcel.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a cargo receipt procedure according to an example of a method of managing an unmanned cargo relay system according to the present invention.

Looking at the cargo receipt procedure of the unmanned cargo relay system according to the present invention shown in Figure 4 in more detail.

First, the start of the cargo storage procedure is activated according to the start signal input (for example, input of the delivery storage button on the guide screen) according to the operation of the input unit of the shipper (S400).

Once the cargo storage procedure is initiated, the unmanned cargo relay system determines whether there is an idle storage box that can hold a new cargo (S405).

If the control unit of the unmanned cargo relay system in the determination step (S405), if the idle storage box does not exist, it is impossible to store the cargo, so all the cargo storage procedures are terminated and the unmanned cargo relay system switches to the standby state. May be

However, if there is an idle storage box, the step of receiving the recipient information receiving the cargo is performed (S410). The step of inputting the recipient information may be input through a keypad or a touch screen or the like, or may be performed by receiving information such as a bar code for parcel delivery, which is attached to a parcel delivery parcel, through a bar code input unit.

After the recipient information is input, a step of receiving a selection of a storage box suitable for the size of the parcel to be received from the idle storage box is performed (S420).

After the storage box is selected, the storage door is opened according to the instruction of the storage control unit (S430). At the same time, the RFID reader unit existing in the door open door is activated to receive the RFID tag and label information attached to the parcel (S440).

When the door is opened and the courier with the RFID tag and label is received in the storage box in which the operation of the RFID reader unit is activated, the information of the RFID tag and label of the parcel is read by the RFID reader unit.

If the door of the storage box is opened and the door is closed again after the parcel delivery has been received, the information of the RFID tag and label cannot be read through the RFID reader unit even though it is confirmed through the door sensor module. Will output a guide message for guiding the restocked delivery (S445).

If the information on the RFID tag and label of the parcel is properly read, the unmanned cargo relay system receives the receipt information including the RFID tag and label information, the shipper information, the recipient information, the delivery time information, and the storage number information. Store in the storage of the unmanned cargo relay system (S450). In addition, the storage certificate is output to the shipper (S460). At the same time, the receipt information regarding the parcel delivery service is transmitted to the management server connected to the unmanned cargo relay system through the communication network (S470).

Through such a process, the management method in the unmanned cargo relay system according to the present invention is achieved.

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a method of querying real-time cargo delivery information through the unmanned cargo relay system according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the unmanned cargo relay system 510 according to the present invention is connected to the management server 520 through a communication network.

In addition, the management server 520 is connected to the server 530 of at least one parcel delivery company through a communication network. The courier or the sender can connect to the courier company's server via a wired or wireless communication network through a computer or mobile phone.

As described above with reference to FIG. 4, when the courier cargo is received by the shipper in the unmanned cargo relay system 510 at the recipient side (S500), the controller of the unmanned cargo relay system is connected to the management server 520 through a communication network. In step S510, the goods receipt information regarding the parcel delivery service is transmitted.

The management server 520 is again based on the receipt information of the corresponding parcel delivered from the unmanned cargo relay system, the delivery information, that is, the information indicating that the delivery has been received by the parcel delivery company server 530 handling the parcel; RF tag information is transmitted (S520).

The courier company server 530 stores the delivery information and the RFID tag information received from the management server 520 for the corresponding freight, and delivers the corresponding courier freight from the recipient's communication terminal 540 (cargo arrival or not). If the inquiry request for the) is input, the delivery information corresponding to the inquiry request is searched and then appropriately returned to the recipient (S530).

The embodiments of the present invention described above are not implemented only through the apparatus and the method, but may be implemented through a program for realizing a function corresponding to the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention or a recording medium on which the program is recorded. Implementation may be easily implemented by those skilled in the art from the description of the above-described embodiments.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements of those skilled in the art using the basic concepts of the present invention defined in the following claims are also provided. It belongs to the scope of rights.

As described above, using the unmanned cargo relay system and its operation method according to the present invention, in the unmanned cargo relay system to improve the reading accuracy of the cargo information in recognizing the parcel delivery, the details of the cargo without a separate input means It is effective to implement the unmanned cargo relay system and its operation method to identify the details.

Claims (7)

An input unit for receiving input data from a user, An output unit for outputting output data to a user, A storage unit for storing information about input data and output data; At least one storage box, including a storage box and a door, for storing cargo inside the storage box, One RFID reader unit is provided for each of the storage boxes, and reads the RFID ID tag and label information attached to the courier package stored in the storage box, and the RFID tag and label information read from the RFID reader unit. An RFID reader control unit for receiving and controlling an operation of the RFID reader unit, an electric lock for opening and closing the door, and a storage control unit including a door detection sensor for detecting whether the door is opened or closed; A communication unit connected to a management server through a communication network and performing communication with the management server; And a central control unit for controlling the overall operation of the input unit, the output unit, the storage unit, the storage control unit, and the communication unit. The method of claim 1, When the information of the RFID tag and label of the parcel is successfully read by the RFID reader unit, the storage control unit determines that the parcel is received in the storage box in which the RFID reader unit is installed. Relay system. The method of claim 1, When a plurality of pieces of information of the RFID tags and labels of the parcel are read by the RFID reader unit, the storage control unit controls the number of RFID tags and labels read in the storage box in which the RFID reader unit is installed. Unmanned cargo relay system that determines that the courier cargo has been received. As a management method of the unmanned cargo relay system, Initiating a storage procedure for a parcel delivery cargo according to an input of a receipt start signal through an input unit of the unmanned cargo relay system; Determining, by the unmanned cargo relay system, whether there is an idle storage box; Receiving the recipient information of the parcel delivery through the input unit; If there is an idle storage box, receiving an input regarding the storage box to input the parcel delivery of the idle storage through the input unit; Opening the door of the storage box to input the parcel delivery freight; Activating the RFID reader in the storage box to read the RFID tag and label information attached to the parcel shipment; Transmitting the read RFID tag and label information to an RFID reader controller connected to the RFID reader; Storing the read receipt information including the RFID tag and label information, the shipper information, the recipient information, the goods receipt time information, and the storage number information, which are read in the storage unit of the unmanned cargo relay system; And printing a storage certificate including the contents of the goods receipt information through an output unit of the unmanned cargo relay system. The method of claim 4, wherein And transmitting the goods receipt information to a management server connected to the unmanned cargo relay system and a communication network via the communication unit of the unmanned cargo relay system. The method of claim 5, And receiving the goods receipt information to a parcel delivery company server connected to the management server through a communication network. The method of claim 6, And accessing the parcel delivery company server through a communication terminal connected to the parcel delivery company server to query the goods receipt information regarding the parcel delivery freight.

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