Method and device for reservation of locker systems

Abstract

Method for operating at least one electronic locker system, wherein each locker system comprises a plurality of locker units, comprising: - Determining information about at least one locker unit of a locker system of the at least one locker system into which a shipment assigned to a party is to be deposited, by a computing unit, based on reservation information assigned to the party for that locker system, wherein the reservation information assigned to the party contains locker-type-related information which includes, for each locker type of at least one locker type of the locker system, information about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of that locker type; - Selecting a locker unit of the at least one locker system based on the determined information provided;- Detecting the physically assigned identifier of one of the shipments to be deposited in the locker system using detection means; - Linking the detected identifier of the shipment with the selected locker unit;- Detecting the removal of a shipment deposited in a locker unit of a locker system of at least one locker system, which is assigned to a first party; - Checking whether information is stored for another party, which differs from the first party, about the number of locker units of a locker type in a locker system for which no dynamic reservation has been made, and whether the locker type of this information corresponds to the locker type of the locker system from which the shipment was removed; and - if the check is successful, adjusting the reservation information assigned to the other party by increasing the number of dynamically reserved locker units of this locker type in the locker system.

Description

Area Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to a system for operating at least one electronic locker system, wherein each locker system comprises a plurality of locker units, components of the system and methods performed by these components. background If a party currently wishes to place a shipment in an electronic locker system, such as a parcel locker, a specific locker must be reserved for that party. However, this approach is very rigid and inflexible, resulting in far more locker units being reserved than are actually used, thus creating unused locker unit capacity. German patent application DE 10 2006 047 797 A1 relates to a locker system and a method for operating the locker system. A central system reader reads information from RFID transponders on items to be placed in the locker system. This information includes at least the dimensions of the respective item. A data processing unit determines the available lockers in the system into which the items will fit based on their dimensions and transmits the locker identification numbers to a control unit. The control unit generates control signals and transmits these signals to the locking mechanisms of the identified lockers to open their doors. International patent application WO 00 / 51750 A1 describes a method and a system for receiving parcels. The method comprises the following steps: providing a large number of controlled containers, capturing recipient and parcel data, dynamically assigning a container of suitable size based on parcel size data prior to delivery of the parcel, accepting the delivery into the container, identifying the recipient upon presentation of identification by the recipient, and handing over the parcel to the recipient. International patent application WO 02 / 07119 A1 relates to a system and a method for securing goods that are delivered to and retrieved from a secure storage unit. The system uses a locker with an internal opening mechanism. Access to the interior of the locker is controlled by a server that communicates with the locker via an internet or other network connection. The server controls access to and operation of the locker either directly or in combination with a controller. European patent application EP 1 921 586 A1 relates to a method for operating at least one electronic parcel locker system comprising several compartments, in which mail items from at least two user groups with different access rights can be placed in the compartments of the parcel locker system. The parcel locker system is connected to a central data processing unit, and the occupancy status of the compartments of the parcel locker system is transmitted to the data processing unit, so that the number of free compartments of the parcel locker system is stored in a storage medium of the data processing unit. Summary of some exemplary embodiments of the invention The present invention therefore aims to overcome this problem. According to a first aspect of the invention, a method for operating at least one electronic locker system, wherein each locker system comprises a plurality of locker units, is disclosed, comprising the following: - Determining information about at least one locker unit of a locker system of the at least one locker system into which a shipment assigned to a party is to be deposited, by a computing unit, based on reservation information assigned to the party for this locker system, wherein the reservation information assigned to the party contains locker-type-related information, which includes, for each locker type of at least one locker type of the locker system, information about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the locker type.- Selection of a locker unit from at least one locker system based on the determined information provided; - Detection of an identifier physically assigned to the shipment to be deposited in the locker system using detection means; - Linking the detected identifier of the shipment with the selected locker unit; - Detection of the removal of a shipment deposited in a locker unit of a locker system from at least one locker system, which is assigned to a first party; - Checking whether information is stored for another party, which differs from the first party, about a number of locker units of a locker type in a locker system for which no dynamic reservation has been made, and whether the locker type of this information corresponds to the locker type of the locker system from which the shipment was removed; and - if the check is successful,Adjusting the reservation information assigned to the other party by increasing the number of dynamically reserved locker units of this locker type in the locker system. According to a second aspect of the invention, a method for operating at least one electronic locker system is disclosed, the method comprising the following: - receiving an electronic request assigned to a party for the dynamic reservation of a specific number of locker units of a locker type from at least one locker system, - checking whether the requested number of locker units of the locker type is available to the party, - if the requested number of locker units of the locker type is available to the party, adjusting a reservation information assigned to the party and the locker system, which includes locker type-related information, wherein the locker type-related information for the locker type of the locker system includes information about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the locker type.for the dynamic reservation of a specific number of locker units of the locker type in the locker facility; and- wherein the locker type associated with the request is a first locker type in the locker facility, and the locker facility comprises at least one further locker type, wherein the method further comprises checking whether a dynamic reservation for another locker type in the locker facility, which differs from the first locker type, is possible if the requested number of locker units of the locker type is not available to the party, and wherein the method comprises, if the check as to whether a dynamic reservation of at least one further locker type in the locker facility, which differs from the first locker type, is possible is positive,The adjustment of the locker-type-related information assigned to the party and the locker system for the dynamic reservation of a number of locker units of the other locker type of the locker system, wherein the locker-type-related information for the other locker type of the locker system includes information about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the other locker type. According to each of these aspects of the invention, the following are further disclosed: - A computer program comprising program instructions that cause a processor to execute and / or control the method according to the respective aspect of the invention when the computer program is running on the processor. For the purposes of this specification, a processor shall be understood to include, but is not limited to, control units, microprocessors, microcontrol units such as microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). The process may either control all steps of the method, execute all steps of the method, or control and execute one or more steps. The computer program may, for example, be distributed via a network such as the Internet, a telephone or mobile network, and / or a local area network.The computer program can be at least partially software and / or firmware of a processor. It can also be implemented at least partially as hardware. The computer program can, for example, be stored on a computer-readable storage medium, such as a magnetic, electrical, electromagnetic, optical, and / or other type of storage medium. The storage medium can, for example, be part of the processor, such as a (non-volatile or volatile) program memory of the processor or a part thereof. A device configured for carrying out and / or controlling the method according to the respective aspect of the invention, or comprising respective means for carrying out the steps of the method according to the respective aspect of the invention.In this context, either all steps of the method can be controlled, or all steps of the method can be executed, or one or more steps can be controlled and one or more steps can be executed. One or more of the means can also be executed and / or controlled by the same unit. For example, one or more of the means can be formed by one or more processors. A device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory containing program code, wherein the memory and the program code are configured to cause the device with the at least one processor to execute and / or control at least the method according to the respective aspect of the invention. In this context, either all steps of the method can be controlled, or all steps of the method can be executed, or one or more steps can be controlled and one or more steps can be executed. Each locker system comprises a plurality of locker units. Each locker unit is assigned, for example, a locking device designed to open or close the respective locker unit. The locking device can be controlled by an electrical signal, with, for example, a locker system having a control unit for controlling the locking devices of the locker units. A locker system, or at least one locker system, can comprise different types of locker units, with the different locker types differing, for example, in shape and / or size. For instance, at least one locker unit in a locker system can be assigned to a first locker type, and at least one locker unit in this locker system can be assigned to a second locker type, and at least one locker unit in this locker system can be assigned to a third locker type, where, for example, the first locker type might be small, the second locker type might be medium, and the third locker type might be large.It is understood that the invention is not limited to exactly three different types of lockers, but can include any number of at least two different types of lockers. A locker system, or at least one locker system, can be connected to a server via a data network, and the server can be configured to control a locker system. This data network can include, for example, the internet and / or other data networks. If a party wishes to deposit a shipment in a locker unit of a locker system, this is done based on reservation information assigned to that party for that locker system, which may be stored, for example, on the server and / or in a memory of the corresponding locker system. This reservation information assigned to the party and the locker system includes locker-type-related information that contains, for each locker type of at least one locker type in the corresponding locker system, information about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of that locker type. Thus, a party can reserve a number of locker units of a specific locker type in advance for a particular locker system. This reservation process is discussed in detail in the second aspect of the invention.For example, a party can electronically access the server via an interface and store relevant information related to the type of locker for one or more locker types in a locker system. A shipment can be, for example, a package, but also any other item that is to be deposited in a locker unit of a locker facility, for example for the handover of the item from one party to a recipient. The number of locker units can be exactly one, or two or more. This locker-type-related information, assigned to the party and the locker system, which includes information on the number of dynamically reserved locker units of each locker type within the corresponding locker system, does not include an assignment to one or more specific locker units of that type. As a result, only a number of locker units of the respective locker type are reserved for the party at the respective locker system, without any concrete assignment to specific locker units within the system. According to the first aspect of the invention, when a party wishes to deposit a shipment in a locker unit of a locker system, information about at least one locker unit of the locker system into which a shipment belonging to a party is to be deposited is provided by a data processing unit, based on reservation information for that locker system assigned to the party. This data processing unit can, for example, be located in the locker system or on the server. This information about at least one locker unit of the locker system into which a shipment belonging to a party is to be deposited can, for example, include only the aforementioned locker-type-related information or, alternatively, also include further information. Based on this information obtained about at least one locker unit in a locker system into which a shipment assigned to a party is to be deposited, a locker unit is selected. This selection process can be performed with the support of the locker system's data processing unit and / or the server's data processing unit. When selecting a locker unit, the party's reservation information, which includes locker type-specific information, can be taken into account for that locker system.Because the locker type-related information does not include an assignment to a specific locker unit or several specific locker units within the locker system, when making a reservation based on this information, it is not necessary to reserve a specific locker unit in advance. Instead, only the number of locker units for the respective reserved locker type within the locker system is reserved in advance. This ensures that, for example, the server and / or the corresponding locker system guarantees that at least the reserved number of locker units for the respective reserved locker type within the locker system is kept available for the party. This availability may depend on other factors such as the priority of parties and / or a specific time until which the reservation should be valid.This offers the advantage that no specific locker is reserved for a shipment in advance and thus blocked by this reservation. A shipment is only assigned to a locker when it is deposited in the corresponding locker system. This prevents, for example, a situation where a locker unit reserved for a shipment proves to be defective upon attempting to deposit the shipment, making it impossible to do so. Instead, only the number of locker units of the respective locker type within the system is reserved. Thus, the selection of a locker unit from at least one locker unit in the locker system occurs after the reservation has been made, based on the locker type-specific information. For example, this selection only takes place when the party wishes to deposit the shipment in the corresponding locker system on-site, such as after the party has registered or identified themselves at the locker system or on the server for the subsequent deposit of the shipment in the locker system. Furthermore, a physically assigned identifier is recorded for each shipment to be deposited in the locker system. This identifier can be, for example, a barcode, an alphanumeric imprint, or another suitable identifier. This identifier can, for example, be a shipment ID, which allows the shipment to be tracked.For example, the locker system may include means for capturing this identifier physically assigned to the shipment, such as a scanner or other suitable means, or a mobile terminal may be provided which includes these means for capturing this identifier physically assigned to the shipment, wherein the mobile terminal can transmit the captured identifier to the locker system, for example via a preferably wireless communication link, and / or transmit the captured identifier to the server, for example via a preferably wireless communication link. After selecting a locker unit in the locker system, for example, this locker unit is automatically opened by the locker system, or information can be displayed on the locker system's display devices indicating which locker unit should be used to deposit the shipment, so that the party can deposit the shipment in the opened locker unit or in the displayed locker unit. Furthermore, the captured identifier of the shipment is linked to the selected locker unit. Thus, the shipment is only assigned to the selected locker unit within the locker system when the shipment is deposited at the locker unit, not during the preceding dynamic reservation. In an exemplary embodiment of all aspects of the invention, the locker system of the at least one locker system comprises a plurality of different locker types, which preferably differ from each other in size. In an exemplary embodiment of all aspects of the invention, the reservation information assigned to the party includes information about at least one statically reserved locker unit of the locker system. Thus, for example, in addition to a locker-type-specific reservation, which does not include the reservation of a specific locker unit within a locker system, a party can also make a fixed, and therefore static, reservation of at least one locker unit within the system. However, with this static reservation of at least one locker unit within a locker system, the statically reserved locker is not assigned to a shipment during the reservation process; rather, only the at least one statically reserved locker unit within the system is reserved for the respective party. The number of statically reserved locker units within a locker system reduces the number of potentially available, dynamically reservable locker units of a given locker type.A static reservation of a locker unit, for example, can remain in place, unlike the dynamic reservation of a number of locker units of a locker type, so that the statically reserved locker units of a locker system are continuously available to the corresponding user. In an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the method comprises displaying a number of locker units of the locker system available to the party for at least one locker type, based on information about at least one locker unit of a locker system, on at least one of the following displays: (i) a display of the locker system; and (ii) a display on a mobile electronic device set up for use by a party. The party can thus be shown, for one or more locker types within the locker system, how many locker units of each type are available for depositing shipments. For example, the party can be identified beforehand at the locker system or on the server. In an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the selection of a locker unit of the at least one locker unit of the locker system is carried out at least partially based on the number of locker units of the locker system available to the party for at least one locker type, as displayed to the party, by detecting an interaction of a delivery person with the locker system. Thus, for example, based on the displayed number of available locker units for a given locker type (or for several different locker types), the party can decide which locker type to use for the shipment to be deposited and enter the selection by means of a corresponding input at the locker system's input interface or at a corresponding input interface (not shown) on the mobile device. Recording a selection of a locker type can therefore constitute part of the step to selecting a locker unit. Once the locker type has been determined, the final selection of a locker unit of the selected type can be made, into which the shipment is to be deposited. This can be done, for example, by the processing unit of the corresponding locker system or by the server. Alternatively, the selection of a locker unit of the selected locker type can also be based on an interaction between the party and the locker system, such as via the input interface of the locker system or via the input interface of the mobile device, or based on an interaction between the party and the server, such as via the input interface of the locker system or via the input interface of the mobile device.If several locker units of the selected locker type are available for the party, these locker units can be displayed, for example, via appropriate information on the display device of the locker unit or on the display device of the mobile device. In an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the number of locker units available to the party in the locker system for at least one locker type is determined based on at least one of: (i) a number of dynamically reserved locker units of the locker type; (ii) a number of statically reserved locker units of the locker type; (iii) a number of unreserved locker units of the locker type; and (iv) a sum of the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the locker type, the number of statically reserved locker units of the locker type, and the number of unreserved locker units of the locker type. For example, the number of locker units available to the party for a given locker type can represent at least one of the following numbers: - The number of dynamically reserved locker units of the locker type in the locker facility; - The sum of the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the locker type and the number of available statically reserved locker units of the locker type; - The sum of the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the locker type, the number of available statically reserved locker units of the locker type, and the number of unreserved locker units of the locker type. Thus, the number of locker units available to the party for a given locker type (or even several different locker types) is determined based on the reservation information assigned to the party for that locker facility. This information can optionally include details of at least one statically reserved locker unit in the facility, in addition to the locker type-specific reservation information. Furthermore, the number of locker units available to the party for a given locker type can also take into account other available locker units of that type, so that the party can be shown how many locker units of the respective locker type are currently available to them.For example, this number of locker units available to the party can be displayed for different locker types within the locker facility, so that the party can see an overview showing the number of available locker units for each of the various locker types. This number of locker units available to the party for a given locker type (or for several different locker types) can be understood as part or all of the information about at least one locker unit in the locker facility into which a shipment belonging to the party is to be deposited. In an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the display further comprises displaying information about available statically reserved locker units of the locker type, which designates these statically reserved lockers of the locker system. In an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the selection of a locker unit of the at least one locker unit of the locker system is based on an algorithm which is executed by a data processing system that is operatively connected to the locker system. The data processing system can, for example, represent the computing unit of the corresponding locker system into which the shipment is to be deposited, or the computing unit of the server. In an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, when selecting a locker unit from the at least one locker unit based on the information provided, a locker unit is preferably selected which represents a locker unit statically reserved for the party. Thus, for example, a party can initially use the statically reserved locker units of a specific locker type in a locker facility for depositing shipments, and subsequently, locker units of the specific locker type in the locker facility can be used for depositing shipments that have not been explicitly reserved by the party as such, but where a reservation of a number of locker units for the specific locker type has been made through the locker type-related information, or which have not even been reserved for the party at all, but are nevertheless freely available. For example, if a statically reserved locker unit was used to deposit the shipment, corresponding information about the occupied statically reserved locker unit can be stored in a database in the locker system and / or on the server, so that this statically reserved locker unit is marked as "not available" and, if necessary, is no longer taken into account when determining the number of locker units available to the party for this locker type. In an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the locker type to which the shipment is to be assigned is determined based on one of the following: (i) a database entry associated with the shipment's identification number, which includes information about the size of the shipment or the locker type; (ii) an input of information about the size of the shipment or the locker type at the locker facility; and (iii) an input of information about the size of the shipment or the locker type on a mobile electronic device set up for use by a party. For example, according to (ii) or (iii), a selection of a locker type from the locker system can be determined, for example, via the locker system's input interface or via a mobile device's input interface. Thus, for example, based on the number of locker units available to them for a given locker type (or for several different locker types), which is optionally displayed, the party can decide which locker type should be used for the shipment to be deposited and enter the selection by making a corresponding input at the locker system's input interface or at a corresponding input interface (not shown) of the mobile device.Furthermore, the party can also enter information about the size of the shipment via the respective input interface, whereby a computing unit such as that of the corresponding locker system or the server determines a suitable locker type of the corresponding locker system based on the recorded information about the size of the shipment. For example, based on the identifier that is physically assigned to the shipment and that has been recorded, a locker type or the size of the shipment can be determined, whereby a suitable locker type of the locker system can be determined from the size of the shipment, as explained above. For example, determining the appropriate locker type can be based on a database entry that is linked to the shipment's identification number and contains information about the shipment's size or the locker type. For instance, the size of the shipment can be used to identify a suitable locker type within the corresponding locker system. This database entry could be part of a database stored within the locker system or on a server.For example, when making a reservation, such as a dynamic reservation of a locker type, an identifier (such as a shipment ID) for the corresponding shipment can be generated or determined based on the locker type-specific information by incrementing the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the respective locker type. This identifier can then be linked to the corresponding locker type and stored as a database entry. Subsequently, this shipment can be assigned the corresponding identifier. Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, the selection of the locker type by the party during the deposit process of the shipment at the corresponding locker facility can be omitted. However, the party may, for example, be given the option of selecting a different locker type via the input interface of the locker system or the input interface of the mobile device, which differs from the locker type determined based on the database entry. In an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the display of a number of locker units of the locker system available to the party for at least one locker type is based on the size of the shipment or on a locker type assigned to the shipment. For example, only the number of locker units available to the party in the locker facility for the locker type assigned to the shipment is displayed. In an exemplary embodiment of all aspects of the invention, the adjustment of the reservation information assigned to the party takes place when the identification number of the shipment has been linked to the selected locker unit. In an exemplary embodiment of all aspects of the invention, the adjustment, when the shipment has been linked to a locker unit which is assigned to the number of dynamically reserved locker units of a locker type, includes reducing the number of dynamically reserved locker units of that locker type. Thus, after a party has occupied a locker unit in a locker system that has been occupied beyond the number of locker units of a locker type dynamically reserved for the party in the locker system, a reduced number of dynamically reserved locker units of this locker type is available at this locker system. In an exemplary embodiment of all aspects of the invention, two or more parties are provided, and each of the two or more parties is assigned reservation information for at least one locker system. In an exemplary embodiment, all aspects of the invention are assigned different priorities to the two or more parties. In an exemplary embodiment of all aspects of the invention, at least one party represents a logistics provider. In an exemplary embodiment of all aspects of the invention, the detection of the removal of a shipment deposited in a locker unit of a locker system, which is assigned to one party, and the adjustment of the reservation information assigned to another party for this locker system are carried out. In an exemplary embodiment of all aspects of the invention, the compartment-type-related information assigned to a party for a locker system does not include information about the assignment of a shipment to a locker unit of a locker system of the at least one locker system. Thus, with dynamic reservation based on the compartment type-related information assigned to a party, it is avoided that a specific locker unit or several specific locker units of the locker system are reserved, which would then be blocked and could only be used by that party. In an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, identifiers of two or more shipments are linked to a locker unit of a locker system of at least one locker system. Thus, a party can, for example, deposit two or more shipments in one locker unit of a locker facility. In an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the shipment is used for exchanging items, in particular keys. According to the second aspect of the invention, an electronic request assigned to a party for the dynamic reservation of a specific number of locker units of a locker type from at least one locker system is received; it is checked whether the requested number of locker units of the locker type is available to the party; and if the requested number of locker units of the locker type is available to the party, a reservation information assigned to the party and the locker system is adjusted, which includes locker-type-related information, wherein the locker-type-related information for the locker type of the locker system includes information about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the locker type, for the dynamic reservation of the specific number of locker units of the locker type of the locker system.and wherein the locker type assigned to the request represents a first locker type of the locker system, and the locker system includes at least one further locker type, wherein the procedure further includes checking whether a dynamic reservation for a further locker type of the locker system, which differs from the first locker type, is possible if the requested number of locker units of the locker type is not available to the party, and wherein the procedure includes, if the check as to whether a dynamic reservation of at least one further locker type of the locker system, which differs from the first locker type, is possible is positive, adjusting the locker type-related information assigned to the party and the locker system to dynamically reserve a number of locker units of the further locker type of the locker system,wherein the compartment-type-related information for the additional locker type of the locker system includes information about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the additional locker type. This second aspect can be set up for making reservations for one or more locker systems. The process can, for example, be carried out, at least partially or entirely, by a processing unit of a locker system, and / or at least partially or entirely by a processing unit of the server. The processing unit receives an electronic request from a party for the dynamic reservation of a specific number of locker units of a particular locker type from at least one locker facility. For example, a party can submit such an electronic request using a terminal device connected to the processing unit via a communication link, such as the internet, so that the processing unit can receive the request. As already explained with regard to the dynamic reservation of a specific number of locker units of a locker type in a locker system for a party with regard to the first aspect of the invention, the request for the dynamic reservation of a specific number of locker units of a locker type in a locker system from at least one locker system is intended to make a reservation of a number of locker units of the specific locker type, but not to make a reservation of specific locker units of this locker type in the locker system. The system then checks whether the requested number of locker units of the specified type is available to the party at the locker facility. For example, this check may involve verifying whether, after deducting any existing reservations (which may include reservations from other parties), a sufficient number of locker units of that type remain available to the party, based on the total number of locker units available at the facility. If the verification in step 1 is successful, the process continues with an adjustment of the reservation information assigned to the party and the locker system, which includes locker-type-related information. This locker-type-related information for the locker system includes information about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of that type, enabling the dynamic reservation of a specific number of locker units. For example, if the request involves a dynamic reservation of x locker units of a particular locker type, where x is a natural number (from 1, 2, 3, ...), then the information assigned to the party regarding the number of dynamically reserved locker units of that locker type will be increased by x.If, prior to the information adjustment, the information assigned to the party regarding the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the locker type in the locker system corresponds to zero reserved locker units of the locker type in the locker system, then the reservation information assigned to the party and the locker system will be adjusted so that the information regarding the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the locker type in the locker system corresponds to x dynamically reserved locker units of the locker type. The term "adjustment" can therefore also include, for example, the creation of new information about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of a locker type in a locker system if this information did not previously exist. If the information assigned to the party before the information adjustment regarding the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the locker type of the locker facility corresponds to a number of n (where n is a natural number) reserved locker units of the locker type of the locker facility, then the reservation information assigned to the party and the locker facility will be adjusted such that the information regarding the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the locker type of the locker facility corresponds to a number of n+x dynamically reserved locker units of the locker type. Furthermore, for example, if the complete number x of locker units of the locker type of the party's locker system is not available, at least a dynamic reservation of a number of z locker units of the locker type of the locker system can be carried out for the party, with z being from the natural numbers and z less than x, if at least a number of z locker units of the locker type of the locker system is available to the party, wherein this dynamic reservation includes increasing the information assigned to the party about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the first locker type of the locker system by a number of z locker units. This reservation information can, for example, be used as reservation information for the first aspect of the invention. In the second aspect of the invention, the locker type associated with the request represents a first locker type of the locker system, and the locker system comprises at least one further locker type, the method further comprising checking whether a dynamic reservation for a further locker type of the locker system, which differs from the first locker type, is possible if the requested number of locker units of the locker type is not available to the party. For example, this additional locker type could be a larger size than the first locker type, such as a larger number. If, for instance, it is determined that at least one locker unit of the additional locker type is available to the party, then it is possible to reserve at least one locker unit of the additional locker type at the locker facility. Furthermore, this exemplary embodiment, for example, may only be permitted for one party from a first group of at least one party, while this embodiment is not permitted for a party that is not assigned to the first group. Thus, a party that is not assigned to the first group cannot switch to another type of locker. Furthermore, dynamic reservation according to the procedure for reserving an additional locker type may not be permitted for every possible additional locker type. For example, if the first locker type is a locker type with a certain minimum size, then no further locker type with a larger size than this minimum size can be used, resulting in a negative check. In the second aspect of the invention, if the test to determine whether a dynamic reservation of at least one further locker type of the locker system, which differs from the first locker type, is possible is successful, the locker type-related information assigned to the party and the locker system is adapted for the dynamic reservation of a number of locker units of the further locker type of the locker system, wherein the locker type-related information for the further locker type of the locker system includes information about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the further locker type. For example, if the request includes a dynamic reservation of x locker units of a locker type, where x is a natural number (from 1, 2, 3, ... ), and none of the x requested locker units could be dynamically reserved, and the number of y locker units of the other locker type in the locker system is available, then the number of x locker units of the other type in the locker system can be dynamically reserved for the party if x is less than or equal to y, by increasing the information assigned to the party about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the other locker type in the locker system by a number of x locker units.Or, for example, the number of y locker units of the other type of locker facility can be dynamically reserved for the party if x is greater than y, by increasing the information assigned to the party about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the other locker type of the locker facility by a number of y locker units. If a dynamic reservation of a number of z locker units of the first locker type of the locker system could already be carried out for the party, with z being a natural number and z less than x, where this dynamic reservation includes increasing the information assigned to the party about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the first locker type of the locker system by a number of z locker units, then the number x in the above example is reduced by the number of z locker units already reserved. In an exemplary embodiment of each aspect of the invention, two or more parties are provided, and each of the two or more parties is assigned reservation information for at least one locker system of the at least one locker system. In an exemplary embodiment, each aspect of the invention is assigned different priorities to the two or more parties. In an exemplary embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, checking whether the requested number of locker units of the locker type is available to the party depends on the priority assigned to the party. Furthermore, for example, the check to determine whether the requested number of locker units of the desired type are available at the locker facility can be carried out at a specific time, which depends on the individual party. If, for example, there are multiple parties that can make a reservation, different priorities can be assigned to them, with priority granted, for instance, until a certain time, which might be, for example,Within a specific timeframe (such as a day or a week), only one party with a certain priority can make a dynamic reservation. Therefore, the check up to that point can only be performed for one or more parties with that specific priority, meaning that this check for another party with a lower priority can only be performed after that specific point in time. This allows a party with a specific priority to make a dynamic reservation first, while parties with a lower priority can only make dynamic reservations subsequently. It is also possible to have several staggered points in time, which, for example,within a timeframe (such as a day or a week), where each of the points in time is assigned a corresponding different priority from a plurality of priorities. Furthermore, for example, incoming requests from one or more parties can be collected up to a certain point in time, followed by a check for each party to see if the requested number of locker units of the locker type is available at the locker facility for that party, and subsequent steps in order of priority of the parties, starting with the party with the highest priority, and then checking for each party in descending order of priority whether the requested number of locker units of the locker type is available at the locker facility for that party. In an exemplary embodiment of the second aspect, if the check to see whether the requested number of locker units of the locker type is available for the party is negative, information about the number of locker units of the locker type of the locker facility of the request, for which no dynamic reservation has been made, is stored and assigned to the party. This exemplary embodiment can be used, for example, when the full number x of lockers requested by the party could not be dynamically reserved, where this dynamic reservation may also include, for example, the number of locker units of the other locker type that may have been reserved. For example, if z locker units of the first locker type were dynamically reserved from the requested number x lockers, and y locker units of the other locker type were also dynamically reserved for the party, then the number of locker units of the locker type requested for which no dynamic reservation was made may correspond to the number xzy.Thus, a reservation can be made for this remaining number of non-dynamically reserved compartments of the first locker type of the specific locker facility for the party, which can be taken into account later if, for example, locker units of this first locker type should become available again. In an exemplary embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the detection of the removal of a shipment deposited in a locker unit of a locker system, which is assigned to a first party, takes place. This detection can be based on a suitable detection means of the corresponding locker system, whereby the actual detection can take place in the computing system of the locker system or in the computing system of the server. In an exemplary embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, if information about a number of locker units of a locker type in a locker system for which no dynamic reservation has been made is stored for another party, and if the locker type of this information corresponds to the locker type of the locker system from which the shipment was taken, and if the locker system of this information corresponds to the locker system from which the shipment was taken, the number of dynamically reserved locker units of this locker type of the locker unit of the other party is increased. This allows verification of whether information regarding the number of locker units of a specific type within a locker system, for which no dynamic reservation has been made, is stored for a different party. The locker type in this information must correspond to the locker type within the locker system from which the shipment was taken, and the locker system must correspond to the locker system from which the shipment was taken. This information regarding the number of locker units of a specific type within a locker system, for which no dynamic reservation has been made, may, for example, have been stored in advance for this other party. If this check is successful, the reservation information for the other party can be adjusted so that the information assigned to the other party about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of this locker type in the locker system is incremented. In an exemplary embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, a number of dynamically reserved locker units of a locker type are removed from the locker type-related information of a party's locker system if the number of dynamically reserved locker units of a locker type in the locker system has not been used by the party up to a certain point in time. This means that the previously dynamically reserved number of locker units of a particular locker type in a locker system can be released again for new reservations. The timing can depend, for example, on the priority of the party that made the dynamic reservation. The embodiments and exemplary configurations of all aspects of the present invention described above are also to be understood as disclosed in all combinations with one another. Further advantageous exemplary embodiments of the invention can be found in the following detailed description of some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, particularly in conjunction with the figures. However, the figures accompanying the application are intended only for illustrative purposes and not to determine the scope of protection of the invention. The accompanying drawings are not necessarily to scale and are intended only to reflect the general concept of the present invention by way of example. In particular, features included in the figures should by no means be considered a necessary component of the present invention. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a system in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are used; Figure 2 shows a flowchart of a first exemplary embodiment of a method according to a first aspect of the invention; Figure 3a shows a flowchart of a second exemplary embodiment of a method according to a first aspect of the invention; Figure 3b shows a flowchart of a third exemplary embodiment of a method according to a first aspect of the invention; Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a first exemplary embodiment of a method according to a second aspect of the invention; Figure 5 shows a flowchart of a second exemplary embodiment of a method according to a second aspect of the invention; Figure 6a shows a flowchart of a third exemplary embodiment of a method according to a second aspect of the invention; and Figure 6a shows a flowchart of a third exemplary embodiment of a method according to a second aspect of the invention.6b: a flowchart of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a method according to a second aspect of the invention; Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a system 100 in which exemplary embodiments of the invention can be used. The system comprises at least one electronic locker system 110. Although only a single locker system 110 is shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 1 should not be understood as restrictive; that is, two or more electronic locker systems 110 can also be present in the system 100. Each locker system 110, of which at least one locker system comprises a plurality of locker units 111-113, 121-123, 131-133. Each of the locker units 111-113, 121-123, 131-133 of the plurality of locker units 111-113, 121-123, 131-133 is assigned, for example, a locking device which is configured to open or close the respective locker unit 111-113, 121-123, 131-133. The locking device can be controlled by an electrical signal, wherein, for example, a locker system 110 has a control unit for controlling the locking devices of the locker units 111-113, 121-123, 131-133. The locker system 110 can comprise various types of locker units, the different locker types differing, for example, in shape and / or size. Thus, the locker units 111-113 shown by way of example in Fig. 1 can be assigned to a first locker type, the locker units 121-123 shown by way of example in Fig. 1 can be assigned to a second locker type, and the locker units 131-133 shown by way of example in Fig. 1 can be assigned to a third locker type. The first locker type can, for example, be small, the second locker type can, for example, be medium-sized, and the third locker type can, for example, be large-sized. It is understood that the invention is not limited to exactly three different locker types, but can encompass any number of at least two different locker types. For example, the locker system 110 can be connected to a server 160 via a data network 170, whereby the server 160 can be configured to control one or more locker systems 110. This data network can, for example, include the internet and / or other data networks. The system shown in Fig. 1 and the method shown in Fig. 2, which represents a first exemplary embodiment of a method according to a first aspect of the invention, can be used to operate at least one electronic locker system 110. If a party wishes to deposit a shipment in a locker unit of locker facility 110, this is done based on reservation information assigned to the party for that locker facility 110. This reservation information may be stored, for example, on server 160 and / or in a memory of the corresponding locker facility 110. This reservation information, assigned to the party and the locker facility 110, includes locker-type-related information that, for each locker type of at least one locker type in the corresponding locker facility, contains information about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of that type. Thus, a party can reserve a number of locker units of a specific locker type in advance for a particular locker facility 110.For example, a party can electronically access server 160 via an interface and store relevant information related to the type of locker for one or more locker types in a locker system. The number of locker units can be exactly 1 or two or more. This locker-type-related information, assigned to the party and locker system 110, which includes information about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of each locker type within the corresponding locker system, does not include an assignment to one or more specific locker units of that type. As a result, only a number of locker units of the respective locker type are reserved for the party at the respective locker system, without any specific assignment to individual locker units within the system. If a party wishes to deposit a shipment in a locker unit of a locker system 110, information about at least one locker unit of the locker system into which a shipment belonging to a party is to be deposited is provided by a data processing unit, based on reservation information for that locker system assigned to the party, as represented, for example, by reference numeral 210 in Fig. 2. This data processing unit can, for example, be located in the locker system 110 or in the server 160. This information about at least one locker unit of the locker system into which a shipment belonging to a party is to be deposited can, for example, include only the aforementioned locker-type-related information or alternatively, it can also include further information. Based on this determined information about at least one locker unit of a locker system into which a shipment assigned to a party is to be deposited, a locker unit of the locker system is selected in which the shipment is to be deposited, as illustrated, for example, by reference numeral 220 in Fig. 2. This selection process is supported at least by the data processing unit of the locker system 110 and / or the data processing unit of the server 160. When selecting a locker unit of the locker system, the party's reservation information, which includes the locker type-specific information, can thus be taken into account for that locker system.Because the locker type-related information does not include an assignment to a specific locker unit or several specific locker units within the locker system, when making a reservation based on the locker type-related information, it is not necessary to reserve a specific locker unit within the locker system in advance. Instead, for example, only the number of locker units for the respective reserved locker type within the locker system is reserved in advance. This ensures, for example, that server 160 and / or the corresponding locker system 110 guarantees that at least the reserved number of locker units for the respective reserved locker type within the locker system is kept available for the party. This availability may depend on other factors such as the priority of parties and / or a specific time until which the reservation should be valid.This offers the advantage that no specific compartment is reserved for a shipment in advance and thus blocked by this reservation. Therefore, a shipment is only assigned to a specific compartment, for example, when it is deposited in the corresponding locker system 110. This prevents, for instance, a situation where a locker unit reserved for a shipment proves to be defective upon attempting to deposit the shipment, thus making it impossible to deposit the shipment. Instead, only the number of locker units of the respective locker type in locker system 110 is reserved. Thus, the selection of a locker unit from at least one locker unit of locker system 110 in step 220 occurs sequentially after the reservation is made, based on the locker type-specific information. For example, this selection only takes place when the party wishes to deposit the shipment in the corresponding locker system 110 on-site, such as after the party has registered or identified themselves at the corresponding locker system 110 or on server 160 for the subsequent deposit of the shipment in the locker system. Furthermore, a physically assigned identifier is recorded for each shipment to be deposited in the locker system. This identifier can be, for example, a barcode, an alphanumeric imprint, or another suitable identifier. This identifier can, for example, be a shipment ID, which allows the shipment to be tracked.For example, the locker system 110 may include means for capturing this identifier physically assigned to the shipment, such as a scanner or other suitable means, or a mobile terminal 180 may be provided which includes these means for capturing this identifier physically assigned to the shipment, wherein the mobile terminal can transmit the captured identifier to the locker system 110, for example via a preferably wireless communication link 182, and / or transmit the captured identifier to the server 160, for example via a preferably wireless communication link 181. After selecting a locker unit in step 210 at the locker system 110, for example, this locker unit is automatically opened by the locker system 110, or information can be displayed on the display devices 140 of the locker system indicating which locker unit of the locker system 110 should be used to deposit the shipment, so that the party can deposit the shipment in the opened locker unit or in the displayed locker unit. Furthermore, in step 240, the captured identifier of the shipment is linked to the selected locker unit. Thus, the shipment is only assigned to the selected locker unit of locker system 110 when the shipment is deposited at the locker unit. Furthermore, the reservation information assigned to a party and a locker system can also include information about at least one statically reserved locker unit in the corresponding locker system. Thus, for example, in addition to a locker-type-specific reservation, which does not include the reservation of a specific locker unit within a locker system, a party can also make a fixed and therefore static reservation of at least one locker unit within the locker system. However, with this static reservation of at least one locker unit within a locker system, the statically reserved locker is not assigned to a shipment during the reservation process; rather, only the at least one statically reserved locker unit within the locker system is reserved for the corresponding party.The number of statically reserved locker units in a locker system reduces the number of potentially available dynamically reservable locker units of a given locker type. For example, unlike the dynamic reservation of a number of locker units of a specific locker type, a static reservation of one locker unit can remain in effect, meaning that the corresponding locker system will always have 110 statically reserved locker units available. Fig. 3a shows an exemplary flowchart of a method 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect of the invention. This method 300 can, for example, be used for and supplement the exemplary method shown in Fig. 2. Step 310 involves recording the identification of a party who wishes to deposit a shipment in a locker system 110 of at least one locker system 110. For example, a party wishing to deposit a shipment in a specific locker system can identify or register itself at the locker system 110 via an interaction with the locker system, such as via an input interface 150, which may include, for example, a keypad and / or a touchpad and / or a card reader and / or a transponder reader designed to read RFID or NFIC transponders or other transponders, and / or other input means, whereby during the registration process, for example, an identifier of the party is captured by the input interface 150.Alternatively, the party can register at the locker system by transmitting the identifier to the locker system 110 via an optional mobile terminal 180, which can connect to the corresponding locker system 110 via a preferably wireless communication connection 182. Furthermore, the optional mobile device 180 can, for example, also be configured to connect to the server 160 via a preferably wireless communication link 181, whereby the party's identifier can be transmitted to the server 160 via this communication link and, for example, information about the selected locker unit can be transmitted to the server 160, whereby the registration or identification of the party can either take place in the data processing unit of the server 160, or the server forwards data received from the mobile device 180 (such as the identifier) ​​at least partially to the corresponding locker system 110 via the communication link 171, so that the party can register at the locker system 110. Thus, for example, through this identification of the party by the locker system 110 and / or by the server 160, the reservation information assigned to this party can be at least partially read from a database, which is stored either in the locker system 110 and / or on the server 160, by the processing unit of the locker system 110 and / or the server 160 and used by this processing unit in step 210 to determine information about at least one locker unit of the locker system into which a shipment assigned to the party is to be deposited. In step 320 of procedure 300, the number of locker units available to the party is displayed for at least one locker type. This display can be shown, for example, on the display device 140 of the locker system and / or on a display device of the party's mobile device 180. The party can thus be shown, for one or more locker types in the locker system 110, how many locker units of each type are available for depositing shipments. The determination of the number of locker units available to the party for at least one locker type of locker system 110 can be carried out, for example, by the server 160 or by the computing unit of the corresponding locker system 110.For example, the number of locker units available to the party for a given locker type can represent at least one of the following numbers: - The number of dynamically reserved locker units of the locker type in the locker facility; - The sum of the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the locker type and the number of available statically reserved locker units of the locker type; - The sum of the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the locker type, the number of available statically reserved locker units of the locker type, and the number of unreserved locker units of the locker type. Thus, the number of locker units available to the party for a given locker type (or even several different locker types) is determined based on the reservation information assigned to the party for that locker facility. This information can optionally include, in addition to the locker type-specific reservation information, information about at least one statically reserved locker unit in locker facility 110. Furthermore, the number of locker units available to the party for a given locker type can also take into account other free locker units of that type, so that the party can be shown how many locker units of the respective locker type are currently available to them.For example, this number of locker units available to the party can be provided for each of the different locker types in locker facility 110, so that the party can be shown an overview indicating the number of available locker units for each of the different locker types. For example, this number of locker units available to the party for a given locker type (or for several different locker types) can be understood as part or as the entirety of the information about at least one locker unit in the locker facility into which a shipment assigned to the party is to be deposited, which is determined in step 210. In step 330, a selection of a locker type from the locker system is recorded, for example, via the input interface 150 of the locker system 110 or via the mobile device 180. Thus, based on the displayed number of locker units available for a given locker type (or for several different locker types), the party can decide which locker type should be used for the shipment to be deposited and enter the selection by means of a corresponding input at the input interface 150 of the locker system 110 or at a corresponding input interface (not shown) of the mobile device 180. Recording a selection of a locker type in step 330 can therefore constitute part of step 220, shown in Fig. 2, for selecting a locker unit. Once the locker type has been determined, the final selection of a locker unit of the selected type can be made, into which the shipment is to be deposited. This can be done, for example, by the processing unit of the corresponding locker system 110 or by the server 160. Alternatively, the selection of a locker unit of the selected locker type can also be based on an interaction between the party and the locker system, such as via the input interface 150 of the locker system 110 or via the input interface of the mobile device 180, or based on an interaction between the party and the server, such as via the input interface 150 of the locker system 110 or via the input interface of the mobile device 180.If several locker units of the selected locker type are available for the party, these locker units can be displayed, for example, via corresponding information on the display device 140 of the locker unit or on the display device of the mobile device. The selection of a locker unit of the chosen locker type can, for example, preferably include the selection of a locker unit that is statically reserved for the party. Thus, for example, a party can initially use the statically reserved locker units of a specific locker type for depositing shipments, and subsequently, locker units of the same type can be used for depositing shipments that were not explicitly reserved by the party, but where a reservation of a number of locker units for the specific locker type was made through the locker type-specific information. For example, if a statically reserved locker unit was used to deposit the shipment, corresponding information about the occupied statically reserved locker unit can be stored in a database in the locker system 110 or the server 160, so that this statically reserved locker unit is marked as "not available" and, if necessary, is no longer taken into account when determining the number of locker units available to the party for this locker type in step 210. Furthermore, if, for example, the shipment has been linked to a locker unit that is assigned to the number of dynamically reserved locker units of a locker type, the number of dynamically reserved locker units of this locker type for this party can be reduced. This reduction can be carried out, for example, by the computing unit of locker system 110 or by server 160, whereby the reduction can represent the decrementing of the number of dynamically reserved locker units of this locker type for the corresponding party. Fig. 3b shows an exemplary flowchart of a method 300' according to a further exemplary embodiment of the first aspect of the invention. This method 300' can, for example, be used for and supplement the exemplary method shown in Fig. 2. In step 310, the identification of a party wishing to deposit a shipment in one of the at least one locker system 110 is recorded. This recording corresponds to the recording 310 described with reference to Fig. 3a. In step 340, a locker type is determined based on the identifier physically assigned to the shipment, which was recorded in step 230. For example, this locker type determination can be based on a database entry associated with the shipment's identification number, containing information about the shipment's size or the locker type. For instance, the shipment size information can be used to determine a suitable locker type within the corresponding locker system. This database entry could, for example, be part of a database stored in locker system 110 or on server 160.For example, when making a reservation, such as the dynamic reservation of a locker type, an identifier (such as a shipment ID) for the corresponding shipment can be generated or determined based on the locker type-specific information by incrementing the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the respective locker type. This identifier can then be linked to the corresponding locker type and stored as a database entry. Subsequently, this shipment can be assigned the corresponding identifier. Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, the selection of the locker type by the party during the deposit process of the shipment at the corresponding locker system 110 can be omitted. Subsequently, the procedure 300' can include the final selection of a locker unit of the selected locker type, as already explained in relation to procedure 300. In all exemplary embodiments, for example, two or more parties may be involved, and each of the two or more parties is assigned reservation information for at least one locker system within the at least one locker system. This reservation information assigned to one of the parties accordingly contains at least one locker-type-related piece of information assigned to that party. This information includes, for each locker type within the at least one locker system, details the number of dynamically reserved locker units of that type, and may optionally also include information about at least one statically reserved locker unit within the corresponding locker system. At least one of these multiple parties can, for example, represent a logistics provider. For example, different priorities can be assigned to the two or more parties. Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of a first exemplary embodiment of a method 400 according to a second aspect of the invention. This method 400 can, for example, be used for the system 100 shown in Fig. 1 and for operating at least one locker system 110, wherein the method 400 is configured for making reservations for one or more locker systems 110. The method 400 can, for example, be executed, at least partially or completely, by a processing unit of a locker system 110, and / or be carried out, at least partially or completely, by a processing unit of the server 160. In step 410, the processing unit receives an electronic request from a party for the dynamic reservation of a specific number of locker units of a particular locker type from at least one locker facility. For example, a party can submit such an electronic request using an end device connected to the processing unit via a communication link, such as the internet, so that the processing unit can receive the request. As already explained with regard to the dynamic reservation of a specific number of locker units of a locker type in a locker system for a party with regard to the first aspect of the invention, the request for the dynamic reservation of a specific number of locker units of a locker type in a locker system from at least one locker system is intended to make a reservation of a number of locker units of the specific locker type, but not to make a reservation of specific locker units of this locker type in the locker system. Step 420 verifies whether the requested number of locker units of the specified type is available to the party at the locker facility. For example, this check in step 420 may include verifying whether, after deducting any existing reservations for that locker type from the total number of locker units of the specific type available at the locker facility, a sufficient number of locker units of that type remain available to the party. Furthermore, for example, step 420, which checks whether the requested number of locker units of the requested type is available at the locker facility, can be performed at a specific time that depends on the individual party. If, for example, there are multiple parties that can make a reservation, different priorities can be assigned to them, with priority given, for instance, until a certain time, which might be, for example,Within a timeframe (such as a day or a week), only one party with a specific priority can make a dynamic reservation. Therefore, the check in step 420 can only be performed for one or more parties with that specific priority up to that point in time. This check in step 420 can only be performed for another party with a lower priority after that specific point in time. Thus, it is possible to allow a party with the specific priority to make a dynamic reservation first, while parties with a lower priority can only make dynamic reservations subsequently. Multiple staggered points in time can also be used, for example,within a time frame (such as a day or a week), with each of the points in time being assigned a corresponding different priority from a plurality of priorities. Alternatively, for example, the requests received in step 410 from one or more parties can be collected up to a certain time, followed by a check for each party to see if the requested number of locker units of the locker type is available for the party at locker facility 110, and the subsequent steps in order of priority of the parties, starting with the party with the highest priority, and then checking for each party in descending order of priority whether the requested number of locker units of the locker type is available for the party at the locker facility. If the verification in step 420 is successful, the procedure can proceed to step 430 to adjust reservation information associated with the party and the locker system, which includes locker-type-related information. This locker-type-related information for the locker system includes information about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of that type, for the purpose of dynamically reserving a specific number of locker units of that type. For example, if the request includes a dynamic reservation of x locker units of a locker type, where x is a natural number (from 1, 2, 3, ...), then the information associated with the party regarding the number of dynamically reserved locker units of locker type 110 will be increased by x.If the information assigned to the party before step 430 regarding the number of dynamically reserved locker units of locker type 110 corresponds to a number of zero reserved locker units of locker type 110, the reservation information assigned to the party and the locker system is adjusted so that the information regarding the number of dynamically reserved locker units of locker type 110 corresponds to a number of x dynamically reserved locker units of locker type 110.If the information assigned to the party before step 430 regarding the number of dynamically reserved locker units of locker type 110 corresponds to a number of n (where n is a natural number) reserved locker units of locker type 110, then the reservation information assigned to the party and the locker system is adjusted so that the information regarding the number of dynamically reserved locker units of locker type 110 corresponds to a number of n+x dynamically reserved locker units of locker type 110. This reservation information can, for example, be used as reservation information for the first aspect of the invention. Fig. 5 shows a flowchart of a second exemplary embodiment of a method 500 according to a second aspect of the invention, which can be used, for example, for the first exemplary embodiment of the method 400 shown in Fig. 4. For example, procedure 500 can be used as a continuation of procedure 400 if, in step 420, it was determined that the number of locker units requested by the party are not available at the locker facility for the party, i.e., reference 425 in Fig. 4 can be linked to reference 505 in Fig. 5. It is assumed that the locker facility for which the party wished to make a dynamic reservation by means of the request received in step 410 comprises different types of locker units (i.e., a plurality of locker units), the different locker types differing, for example, in shape and / or size, as already explained in relation to the first aspect of the invention. Thus, the locker facility 110 can have at least one locker unit for each of the different locker types. Step 510 checks whether a dynamic reservation for another locker type in the locker system is possible for the party. This additional locker type differs from the locker type requested, which can be referred to as the first locker type. For example, this additional locker type could be a larger size than the first locker type, such as having a higher number.For example, if it is determined that at least one locker unit of the additional locker type is available for the party, then at least one reservation of at least one locker unit of the additional locker type at locker system 110 is possible, and the procedure can, in step 520, adjust the locker type-related information assigned to the party and the locker system to dynamically reserve a number of locker units of the additional locker type at the locker system. For example, if the request includes a dynamic reservation of x locker units of a locker type, where x is a natural number (from 1, 2, 3, ...), the procedure can then...) is, and for example none of the x requested locker units could be dynamically reserved, and the number of y locker units of the other locker type of the locker system is available, then, for example, the number of x locker units of the other type of the locker system can be dynamically reserved for the party if x is less than or equal to y, by increasing the information assigned to the party about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the other locker type of the locker system by a number of x locker units.Or, for example, the number of y locker units of the other type of locker facility can be dynamically reserved for the party if x is greater than y, by increasing the information assigned to the party about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the other locker type of the locker facility by a number of y locker units. If a dynamic reservation of a number of z locker units of the first locker type in the locker system could already be made for the party, where z is a natural number and z is less than x, and this dynamic reservation includes increasing the information assigned to the party regarding the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the first locker type in the locker system by a number of z locker units, then the number x in the aforementioned example is reduced by the number of already reserved z locker units. This dynamic reservation of only z locker units of the first locker type for the party is possible, for example, in procedure 400 after step 420 and before reference numeral 425. Furthermore, for example, the procedure 500 shown in Fig. 5 can only be permitted for one party from a first group of at least one party, while the procedure 500 is not permitted for a party that is not assigned to the first group. Thus, a party that is not assigned to the first group cannot switch to another type of safe deposit box. Furthermore, dynamic reservation according to procedure 500 for reserving an additional locker type cannot be permitted for just any additional locker type. For example, if the first locker type has a specific minimum size, then no further locker type larger than this minimum size can be used, and procedure 500, if it is started at all, will terminate at reference 515. Fig. 6a shows a flowchart of a third exemplary embodiment of a method 600 according to a second aspect of the invention. In step 610, the method 600 comprises storing information assigned to the party about the number of locker units of the locker type requested for which no dynamic reservation has been made. Procedure 600 can be used, for example, if the full number x of lockers requested by the party could not be dynamically reserved. This dynamic reservation could also include, for example, the number of locker units of the other locker type reserved in step 520. For instance, if z locker units of the first locker type were dynamically reserved from the requested number x lockers, and y locker units of the other locker type were also dynamically reserved for the party, then the number of locker units of the locker type in the request for which no dynamic reservation was made could correspond to the number xzy.Thus, a reservation can be made for this remaining number of non-dynamically reserved compartments of the first locker type of the specific locker facility for the party, which can be taken into account later if, for example, locker units of this first locker type should become available again. Fig. 6b shows a flowchart of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a method 600' according to a second aspect of the invention, which can be carried out, for example, after the method 600 shown in Fig. 6a has been carried out for at least one party. In step 630 of the procedure, the removal of a shipment deposited in a locker unit of a locker system 110, which is assigned to a first party, is detected. This detection can be based on a suitable detection device of the corresponding locker system 110, whereby the actual detection can take place in the computer system of the locker system or in the computer system of the server 160. Step 630 checks whether information is stored for another party, different from the first party, regarding the number of locker units of a particular locker type in a locker facility for which no dynamic reservation has been made. The locker type in this information must correspond to the locker type in the locker facility from which the shipment was taken, and the locker facility in this information must correspond to the locker facility from which the shipment was taken. This information regarding the number of locker units of a particular locker type in a locker facility for which no dynamic reservation has been made may, for example, have been previously stored for this other party in step 610 of procedure 600. If this check in step 630 is successful, the reservation information for the other party can be adjusted by incrementing the information assigned to the other party about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of this locker type in the locker system. The exemplary embodiments / exemplary embodiments of the present invention described in this specification are to be understood as being disclosed in all combinations with one another. In particular, the description of a feature included in an embodiment—unless explicitly stated otherwise—is not to be understood as meaning that the feature is indispensable or essential for the function of the exemplary embodiment. The sequence of the process steps described in this specification in the individual flowcharts is not mandatory; alternative sequences of the process steps are conceivable. The process steps can be implemented in various ways; for example, implementation in software (by program instructions), hardware, or a combination of both is conceivable.Terms used in the claims, such as "comprise," "have," "include," "contain," and the like, do not exclude further elements or steps. The phrase "at least partially" covers both "partially" and "completely." The phrase "and / or" should be understood to mean that both the alternative and the combination are disclosed; thus, "A and / or B" means "(A) or (B) or (A and B)." A plurality of units, persons, or the like, in the context of this specification, means several units, persons, or the like. The use of the indefinite article does not preclude a plurality. A single device can perform the functions of several units or devices mentioned in the claims. Reference numerals specified in the claims are not to be considered as limitations on the means and steps employed.

Claims

Method for operating at least one electronic locker system, wherein each locker system comprises a plurality of locker units, comprising: - Determining information about at least one locker unit of a locker system of the at least one locker system into which a shipment assigned to a party is to be deposited, by a computing unit, based on reservation information assigned to the party for that locker system, wherein the reservation information assigned to the party contains locker-type-related information which includes, for each locker type of at least one locker type of the locker system, information about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of that locker type; - Selecting a locker unit of the at least one locker system based on the determined information provided;- Detecting the physically assigned identifier of one of the shipments to be deposited in the locker system using detection means; - Linking the detected identifier of the shipment with the selected locker unit;- Detecting the removal of a shipment deposited in a locker unit of a locker system of at least one locker system, which is assigned to a first party; - Checking whether information is stored for another party, which differs from the first party, about the number of locker units of a locker type in a locker system for which no dynamic reservation has been made, and whether the locker type of this information corresponds to the locker type of the locker system from which the shipment was removed; and - if the check is successful, adjusting the reservation information assigned to the other party by increasing the number of dynamically reserved locker units of this locker type in the locker system. Method according to claim 1, wherein the locker system of the at least one locker system comprises a plurality of different locker types, which preferably differ from each other in size. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reservation information assigned to the party comprises information about at least one statically reserved locker unit of the locker system. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises displaying a number of locker units of the locker system available to the party for at least one locker type, based on information about at least one locker unit of a locker system, on at least one of the following displays: - a display of the locker system; and - a display on a mobile electronic device set up for use by a party. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the selection of a locker unit of the at least one locker unit of the locker system is carried out at least partially based on the number of locker units of the locker system available to the party for at least one locker type, as displayed to the party, by detecting an interaction of a delivery person with the locker system. A method according to one of claims 4 and 5, comprising determining the number of locker units of the locker system available to the party for at least one locker type based on at least one of: - a number of dynamically reserved locker units of the locker type; - a number of statically reserved locker units of the locker type; - a number of unreserved locker units of the locker type; and - a sum of the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the locker type, the number of statically reserved locker units of the locker type, and the number of unreserved locker units of the locker type. Method according to one of claims 5 and 6, wherein the display further comprises the display of information about available statically reserved locker units of the locker type, which designates these statically reserved lockers of the locker system. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the selection of a locker unit of the at least one locker unit of the locker system is based on an algorithm which is executed by a data processing system in operative communication with the locker system. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, when selecting a locker unit from the at least one locker unit based on the information provided, a locker unit is preferably selected which represents a locker unit statically reserved for the party. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the locker type to which the shipment is to be assigned is determined based on one of the following: - a database entry associated with the shipment's identification number, which includes information about the size of the shipment or the locker type; - an input of information about the size of the shipment or the locker type at the locker facility; and - an input of information about the size of the shipment or the locker type on a mobile electronic device set up for use by a party. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the display of a number of locker units of the locker system available to the party is based on at least one locker type, either on the size of the shipment or on a locker type assigned to the shipment. Method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising adjusting the reservation information assigned to the party when the shipment identification number has been linked to the selected locker unit. The method according to claim 12, wherein the adjustment, when the shipment has been linked to a locker unit which is assigned to the number of dynamically reserved locker units of a locker type, comprises reducing the number of dynamically reserved locker units of that locker type. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein two or more parties are provided for, and each of the two or more parties is assigned reservation information for at least one locker facility of the at least one locker facility. The method according to claim 14, wherein different priorities are assigned to the two or more parties. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one party is a logistics provider. Method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, comprising detecting the removal of a shipment deposited in a locker unit of a locker system which is assigned to one party, and adjusting the reservation information assigned to another party for this locker system. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the compartment-type-related information assigned to a party for a locker system does not include information about an assignment of a shipment to a locker unit of a locker system of at least one locker system. Method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising linking identifiers of two or more shipments with a locker unit of a locker system of at least one locker system. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shipment is used for exchanging items, in particular keys. Device for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20. Device according to claim 21, wherein the device comprises the computing unit of the locker system or a server which can be connected to the locker system via a communication link. Method for operating at least one electronic locker system, comprising: - Receiving an electronic request assigned to a party for the dynamic reservation of a specific number of locker units of a locker type from at least one locker system, - Checking whether the requested number of locker units of the locker type is available to the party, - If the requested number of locker units of the locker type is available to the party, adjusting reservation information assigned to the party and the locker system, which includes locker type-related information, wherein the locker type-related information for the locker type of the locker system includes information about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the locker type.for the dynamic reservation of a specific number of locker units of the locker type in the locker facility; and wherein the locker type assigned to the request is a first locker type in the locker facility, and the locker facility includes at least one further locker type, the procedure further comprising checking whether a dynamic reservation for another locker type in the locker facility, which differs from the first locker type, is possible if the requested number of locker units of the locker type is not available to the party, and wherein the procedure includes, if the check as to whether a dynamic reservation of at least one further locker type in the locker facility, which differs from the first locker type, is possible is positive,The adjustment of the locker-type-related information assigned to the party and the locker system for the dynamic reservation of a number of locker units of the other locker type of the locker system, wherein the locker-type-related information for the other locker type of the locker system includes information about the number of dynamically reserved locker units of the other locker type. Method according to claim 23, wherein the compartment-type-related information assigned to a party for a locker system does not include information about an assignment of a shipment to a locker unit of a locker system of the at least one locker system. Method according to claim 23, wherein two or more parties are provided, and each of the two or more parties is assigned reservation information for at least one locker facility of the at least one locker facility. The method according to claim 25, wherein different priorities are assigned to the two or more parties. Method according to claim 26, wherein checking whether the requested number of locker units of the locker type is available to the party depends on the priority assigned to the party. Method according to one of claims 23 to 27, comprising, if the check to see whether the requested number of locker units of the locker type is available for the party is negative, storing information assigned to the party about the number of locker units of the locker type of the locker facility of the request for which no dynamic reservation has been made. Method according to claim 28, comprising detecting the removal of a shipment deposited in a locker unit of a locker facility, which is assigned to a first party. The method according to claim 29, if for another party information is stored about a number of locker units of a locker type of a locker facility for which no dynamic reservation has been made, and if the locker type of this information corresponds to the locker type of the locker facility from which the shipment was taken, and if the locker facility of this information corresponds to the locker facility from which the shipment was taken, comprising increasing the number of dynamically reserved locker units of this locker type of the locker facility of the other party. Method according to one of claims 23 to 30, comprising removing a number of dynamically reserved locker units of a locker type from the locker type-related information of a party's locker system, if the number of dynamically reserved locker units of a locker type of the locker system has not been used by the party up to a certain time. Device for carrying out the method according to one of claims 23 to 31. Device according to claim 32, wherein the device comprises the computing unit of the locker system or a server which can be connected to the locker system via a communication link.

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