A smart self-service cabinet

Abstract

A smart self-service locker includes: a cabinet body having an inner cavity for accommodating items; a cabinet door hinged to the cabinet frame to open and close the inner cavity; a camera device disposed on the cabinet body to capture video of a user taking items into and out of the cabinet; a distance measurement module for emitting multiple beams of light to detect the position of an object; a rotating mechanism disposed within the cabinet body, the rotating mechanism having a rotating portion connected to the distance measurement module; and a control unit electrically connected to the camera device, the rotating mechanism, and the distance measurement module. The smart self-service locker of the present invention can detect the state of an object being taken out of the cabinet body, thereby activating the camera device to record video when the object is about to be taken out of the cabinet body. Compared to traditional methods, this greatly reduces the time required for video capture and the amount of storage space required. Furthermore, if an item is lost, the difficulty of screening and searching for videos can be greatly reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of lockers, and in particular relates to an intelligent self-service locker. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of my country's logistics and express delivery industries and more and more people shopping online, the demand for storage in various public places is also increasing. Therefore, self-service lockers have been set up in many communities and public places. For the safety of storage, almost all self-service lockers are equipped with cameras.

[0003] At present, traditional self-service lockers generally record videos 24 hours a day or from the time the locker door is opened to the time it is closed. This will generate a lot of useless videos, take up too much storage space, and after the item is lost, it will be very difficult to screen and search the videos, resulting in a huge waste of manpower and material resources. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention provides a smart self-service locker with a simple structure, which solves the problem of excessive useless video caused by the long recording time of the self-service locker camera.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a smart self-service locker includes: a cabinet body having an inner cavity for accommodating items; a cabinet door hinged to the cabinet frame to open and close the inner cavity; a camera device disposed on the cabinet body to capture video of a user taking or placing items in the cabinet; a ranging module for emitting multiple light beams to detect the position status of an object; a rotating mechanism disposed within the cabinet body, the rotating mechanism having a rotating portion connected to the ranging module; and a control unit electrically connected to the camera device, the rotating mechanism, and the ranging module, respectively.

[0006] The smart self-service locker according to the embodiments of the present invention has at least the following technical effects: a distance measurement module can be used to detect the distance to an object, and a rotating mechanism can be used to rotate the distance measurement module, thereby detecting the state of the object being taken out of the locker door. The smart self-service locker according to the embodiments of the present invention can determine the state of the object being taken out of the locker, thereby activating the camera device to record video when the object is about to be taken out of the locker. Compared with traditional methods, this greatly reduces the time required for video capture and the amount of storage space required. Furthermore, it can greatly reduce the difficulty of screening and searching videos after an item is lost.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the rotating mechanism includes: a fixing mechanism, which is arranged in the cabinet; a motor, which is arranged inside the fixing mechanism and electrically connected to the control unit, and its rotating shaft is connected to the ranging module.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the motor is a stepper motor.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the ranging module includes: an auxiliary mounting base, connected to the rotating part of the rotating mechanism; a first laser emitting tube, arranged on the auxiliary mounting base and electrically connected to the control unit; a second laser emitting tube, arranged on the auxiliary mounting base and electrically connected to the control unit; a laser receiving tube, arranged on the auxiliary mounting base and electrically connected to the control unit, for receiving lasers emitted by the first laser emitting tube and the second laser emitting tube; and an auxiliary position marking component, for assisting the ranging module in confirming the initial position.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the auxiliary position marking assembly includes: a photoelectric switch, which is arranged on the rotating mechanism and electrically connected to the control unit; and an auxiliary positioning plate, which is arranged on the auxiliary mounting base and is used to block the light emitted by the photoelectric switch to confirm the initial position.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the above-mentioned smart self-service cabinet further includes a door switch detection sensor electrically connected to the control unit, and the door switch detection sensor is used to detect the cabinet door switch status of the cabinet door.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the camera device includes: a bracket, which is arranged on the cabinet; and a camera, which is arranged on the bracket and electrically connected to the control unit.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the camera device adopts a monitoring pan-tilt platform.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the smart self-service cabinet further includes a communication module electrically connected to the control unit.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the above-mentioned smart self-service cabinet further includes a memory unit disposed in the cabinet body.

[0016] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description which follows, or may be learned by practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 This is a simplified structural diagram of the smart self-service locker according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1A partial enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0020] Figure 3 2 is a rear axle side view of a rotating mechanism ranging module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 2 is a front axle side view of a rotating mechanism ranging module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a block diagram of the electrical system of the smart self-service locker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Reference numerals:

[0024] Cabinet 100,

[0025] Cabinet door 200,

[0026] Camera device 300, bracket 310, camera 320,

[0027] Distance measurement module 400, auxiliary mounting base 410, first laser emitting tube 420, second laser emitting tube 430, laser receiving tube 440, photoelectric switch 451, auxiliary positioning plate 452,

[0028] Rotating mechanism 500, fixing mechanism 510, motor 520,

[0029] Control unit 600,

[0030] Door switch detection sensor 700,

[0031] Communication module 800,

[0032] Memory unit 900. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The following describes embodiments of the present invention in detail. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended only to explain the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0034] In the description of the present invention, if there are descriptions of first, second, third, fourth, etc., they are only used to distinguish the technical features, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0035] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined, words such as setting and connecting should be understood in a broad sense, and technicians in the relevant technical field can reasonably determine the specific meanings of the above words in the present invention based on the specific content of the technical solution.

[0036] Reference below Figures 1 to 5 The following describes a smart self-service locker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a smart self-service locker includes: a cabinet 100, a camera 300, a distance measurement module 400, a rotating mechanism 500, and a control unit 600. The cabinet 100 has an inner cavity for storing items; a cabinet door 200 is hingedly connected to the frame of the cabinet 100 to open and close the inner cavity; the camera 300 is mounted on the cabinet 100 to capture video of a user placing or removing items from the cabinet 100; the distance measurement module 400 is configured to emit multiple beams of light to detect the position of an object; the rotating mechanism 500 is mounted within the cabinet 100 and has a rotating portion connected to the distance measurement module 400; and the control unit 600 is electrically connected to the camera 300, the rotating mechanism 500, and the distance measurement module 400.

[0038] refer to Figures 1 to 5 The rotating mechanism 500 is positioned slightly inward of the door frame of the cabinet 100 and does not affect the opening and closing of the cabinet door 200. The ranging module 400 is mounted on the rotating portion of the rotating mechanism 500. The multiple light beams emitted by the ranging module 400 are parallel to the plane of the door frame. After the ranging module 400 is rotated by the rotating portion, the ranging module 400 can measure the distance of the entire plane parallel to the door frame.

[0039] In order to facilitate the explanation of the principle, the positions of the rotating mechanism 500 and the ranging module 400 are further defined. Figures 1 to 4 The rotating mechanism 500 is set at the top of the right door frame, and the initial position of the ranging module 400 is set facing the left door frame; when the ranging module 400 passes the initial position, it starts to emit light and measure the distance. At this time, the distance from the ranging module 400 to the left door frame is first measured. As the ranging module 400 rotates, the distances to different positions of the left door frame will be continuously detected. After the detection of the left door frame is completed, as the ranging module 400 further rotates, the distance to the lower door frame will continue to be collected until the plane where the entire door frame is located has been measured.

[0040] To further simplify the principle description, the number of light paths is further limited to only two. These two light paths detect two planes parallel to the doorframe. The outer light path is referred to as the first light path, and the inner light path is referred to as the second light path. When someone reaches into cabinet 100 to retrieve an item but has not yet removed it, both light paths are blocked by the hand, and the detection distance becomes closer. Therefore, the left and / or lower doorframes cannot be detected completely, and it can be determined that the item has not been removed. When the hand is about to be removed, there is an intermediate state in which the first light path is blocked, while the second light path is not. This confirms that the hand is in the process of removing the item from the cabinet, and the camera device 300 can be activated to record the video. Compared to a method that starts recording video from the moment the door is opened, this method reduces the amount of useless video and the video storage capacity. It should be noted that the positions of the rotating mechanism 500 and the ranging module 400 are not limited to the above positions and can be adaptively adjusted.

[0041] According to the smart self-service locker of the embodiment of the present invention, the distance to an object can be detected by the distance measuring module 400. The distance measuring module 400 can be rotated by the rotation mechanism 500, thereby detecting the state of the object being taken out of the cabinet door 200. The smart self-service locker of the embodiment of the present invention can determine the state of the object being taken out of the cabinet body 100, so that the camera device 300 can be activated to record the video when the object is about to be taken out of the cabinet body 100. Compared with traditional methods, this greatly reduces the time required for video capture and the amount of storage space occupied. Furthermore, it can also greatly reduce the difficulty of screening and searching videos after the item is lost.

[0042] In some embodiments of the present invention, reference Figures 2 to 4 The rotating mechanism 500 includes a fixing mechanism 510 and a motor 520. The fixing mechanism 510 is disposed within the cabinet 100. The motor 520 is disposed within the fixing mechanism 510 and is electrically connected to the control unit 600. Its rotating shaft is connected to the ranging module 400. The fixing mechanism 510 primarily serves as a mounting base. Once the motor 520 is mounted on the fixing mechanism 510, it can be positioned at a desired angle. To better detect the state of an object, the motor 520 rotates at a fixed speed.

[0043] In some embodiments of the present invention, the motor 520 is a stepper motor, which can strictly control the rotation speed of the motor 520, thereby making the detection more accurate and avoiding the situation where the detection angle is insufficient or excessive.

[0044] In some embodiments of the present invention, reference Figures 2 to 4The ranging module 400 includes: an auxiliary mounting base 410 connected to the rotating portion of the rotating mechanism 500; a first laser emitting tube 420 mounted on the auxiliary mounting base 410 and electrically connected to the control unit 600; a second laser emitting tube 430 mounted on the auxiliary mounting base 410 and electrically connected to the control unit 600; a laser receiving tube 440 mounted on the auxiliary mounting base 410 and electrically connected to the control unit 600 for receiving laser light emitted by the first and second laser emitting tubes 420, 430; and an auxiliary position marker assembly for assisting the ranging module 400 in determining the initial position. The auxiliary mounting base 410 is primarily used to mount the first and second laser emitting tubes 420, 430, and laser receiving tube 440. The laser receiving tube 440 receives light emitted by the first and second laser emitting tubes 420, 430, thereby enabling distance detection. The auxiliary position marker assembly is used to determine the initial position. In some embodiments of the present invention, the ranging module 400 may also utilize other distance detection modules, such as a visible light ranging module.

[0045] When there is no auxiliary position marking component to mark the initial position of the ranging module 400, the ranging module 400 will detect the entire 360-degree plane driven by the rotating mechanism 500. After adding the auxiliary position marking component, the ranging module 400 can only perform distance detection within a certain angle after passing the initial position. For example: the rotating mechanism 500 is set at the top of the right door frame, and the initial position of the ranging module 400 is set facing the left door frame, and the detection angle can be limited to 90 degrees; when the ranging module 400 passes the initial position, it starts to emit light and measure distance. After the rotating mechanism 500 completes the 90-degree rotation, the ranging module 400 will stop.

[0046] In some embodiments of the present invention, the auxiliary position marking assembly includes: a photoelectric switch 451, which is disposed on the rotating mechanism 500 and electrically connected to the control unit 600; and an auxiliary positioning plate 452, which is disposed on the auxiliary mounting base 410 and is used to block the light emitted by the photoelectric switch 451 to confirm the initial position. The photoelectric switch 451 serves as a marking. When the auxiliary positioning plate 452 rotates, it will block the photoelectric switch. The position corresponding to this state is the initial position. In some embodiments of the present invention, the initial position of the ranging module 400 is directly set to the position facing the left door frame.

[0047] In some embodiments of the present invention, the smart self-service locker further includes a door switch detection sensor 700 electrically connected to the control unit 600. The door switch detection sensor 700 is used to detect the door switch status of the cabinet door 200. The door switch detection sensor 700 is primarily used to confirm the door switch status of the cabinet door 200. When the cabinet door 200 is opened, the motor 520 starts rotating. When the door is closed, the motor 520 stops rotating, thereby preventing the motor 520 from being constantly in the open state.

[0048] In some embodiments of the present invention, reference Figure 1 The camera device 300 includes a bracket 310 mounted on the cabinet 100 and a camera 320 mounted on the bracket 310 and electrically connected to the control unit 600. The position of the camera 320 can be adjusted by the bracket 310 to better capture the state of the item being taken.

[0049] In some embodiments of the present invention, multiple camera devices 300 are provided, so as to capture videos of object picking from different angles and avoid visual blind spots.

[0050] In some embodiments of the present invention, the camera device 300 is a monitoring PTZ. The monitoring PTZ has the ability to adjust the angle and many monitoring PTZs currently have network communication capabilities, which can directly transmit the collected video data to a monitoring terminal for storage and viewing.

[0051] In some embodiments of the present invention, the smart self-service locker further includes a communication module 800 electrically connected to the control unit 600. The communication module 800 enables the entire smart self-service locker to have remote control capabilities. In some embodiments of the present invention, the communication module 800 is directly a network module or a wireless network module.

[0052] In some embodiments of the present invention, the smart self-service locker further includes a memory unit 900 disposed within the cabinet body 100. The memory unit 900 can be used to locally store video data. On the one hand, it can facilitate caching to prevent video data loss due to poor network conditions. On the other hand, it can also be used for temporary storage when there is no network connection, so as to achieve the function of resuming transmission after network disconnection.

[0053] Throughout this specification, reference to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiments," "examples," "specific examples," or "some examples" means that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in conjunction with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, illustrative uses of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0054] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and purpose of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A smart self-service locker, characterized in that: include: The cabinet (100) has an inner cavity for accommodating items; A cabinet door (200) is hinged to the frame of the cabinet body (100) to open and close the inner cavity; A camera device (300) is provided on the cabinet (100) to capture a video of a user taking or placing items in the cabinet (100); A distance measurement module (400) is used to emit multiple light beams to detect the position status of an object; A rotating mechanism (500) is disposed in the cabinet (100) and has a rotating portion connected to the distance measuring module (400); A control unit (600) is electrically connected to the camera device (300), the rotating mechanism (500), and the distance measurement module (400); The rotating mechanism (500) is arranged at the top of the right door frame, and the distance measuring module (400) is initially arranged to face the left door frame; when the distance measuring module (400) passes the initial position, it starts to emit light and perform distance measurement, at which time the distance from the distance measuring module (400) to the left door frame is first measured, and as the distance measuring module (400) rotates, the distances to different positions of the left door frame are continuously detected. After the detection of the left door frame is completed, as the distance measuring module (400) further rotates, the distance to the lower door frame is continuously collected until the entire door frame plane has been measured; two light beams are provided, and the two light beams detect Two planes parallel to the door frame are measured, with the outer light path recorded as the first light path and the inner light path recorded as the second light path; when someone reaches into the cabinet (100) to take an item but has not yet taken it out, both light paths are blocked by the hand, and the detection distance becomes closer, so the complete left door frame and / or lower door frame cannot be detected, and it can be determined that the item has not been taken out; when the hand is about to be taken out, there will be an intermediate state, in which the first light path is blocked and the second light path is not blocked, and it can be determined that the hand is taking it out of the cabinet, and the camera device (300) is turned on to record the video.

2. The smart self-service locker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating mechanism (500) comprises: A fixing mechanism (510) is disposed in the cabinet (100); The motor (520) is arranged inside the fixing mechanism (510) and is electrically connected to the control unit (600), and its rotating shaft is connected to the distance measuring module (400).

3. The smart self-service locker according to claim 2, characterized in that: The motor (520) is a stepping motor.

4. The smart self-service locker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distance measurement module (400) comprises: an auxiliary mounting base (410) connected to the rotating portion of the rotating mechanism (500); A first laser emitting tube (420) is disposed on the auxiliary mounting base (410) and is electrically connected to the control unit (600); A second laser emitting tube (430) is disposed on the auxiliary mounting base (410) and is electrically connected to the control unit (600); a laser receiving tube (440), disposed on the auxiliary mounting base (410) and electrically connected to the control unit (600), for receiving lasers emitted by the first laser emitting tube (420) and the second laser emitting tube (430); An auxiliary position marking component is used to assist the distance measurement module (400) in confirming the initial position.

5. The intelligent self-service locker according to claim 4, characterized in that: The auxiliary position marking component includes: A photoelectric switch (451) is provided on the rotating mechanism (500) and is electrically connected to the control unit (600); An auxiliary positioning plate (452) is provided on the auxiliary mounting base (410) and is used to block the light emitted by the photoelectric switch (451) to confirm the initial position.

6. The intelligent self-service locker according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a door switch detection sensor (700) electrically connected to the control unit (600), and the door switch detection sensor (700) is used to detect the cabinet door switch state of the cabinet door (200).

7. The smart self-service locker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The camera device (300) comprises: A bracket (310) is provided on the cabinet (100); The camera (320) is arranged on the bracket (310) and is electrically connected to the control unit (600).

8. The smart self-service locker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The camera device (300) adopts a monitoring cradle.

9. The intelligent self-service locker according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a communication module (800) electrically connected to the control unit (600).

10. The smart self-service locker according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a memory unit (900) disposed in the cabinet (100).

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