System for collecting deposited items and tracking pedestrian flow

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for collecting deposited items, configured to: receive an item identifier from the identifier reader, transmit a collection request message containing the received identifier to a collection management server (BCS), receive a collection agreement message from the collection management server, control a locking device to trigger the opening of an access hatch to a collection bin, establish a transmission link with at least one pedestrian presence sensor (PSj), receive pedestrian presence data from the sensor, and transmit the pedestrian presence data to a pedestrian presence data processing server (GFS). Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: System for collecting consigned objects and monitoring pedestrian flows Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the collection of consigned objects and the monitoring of pedestrian flows.

[0002] As part of environmental protection and in particular the reduction of waste and the use of plastic materials, public authorities are seeking to develop reuse and deposit services.

[0003] For example, fast food is growing more and more. This activity uses a lot of packaging and single-use items. However, recycling channels are insufficient to absorb the volume of waste thus produced, and the recycling treatments implemented have a significant ecological footprint. Furthermore, the recycling treatments for certain plastic materials do not allow the production of items for food use. State of the art

[0004] Deposit services have been developed. These services consist of using washable packaging (most often glass) which is distributed to participating restaurants. This packaging is used as containers for takeaway meals. Customers return the empty (but unwashed) containers to dedicated collection devices. These containers are then taken to washing centers before being redistributed to restaurants. The proper functioning of these services requires a networked territory with numerous collection devices and participating restaurants, pooling of containers by participating restaurants, and separate management of clean and dirty containers with short circuits.

[0005] Today, the collection devices used by deposit operators present certain obstacles to the deployment and standardization of deposit services. Indeed, these collection devices are made of materials (generally melamine wood) which do not allow outdoor use and which offer little protection against vandalism. The collection devices are therefore placed indoors (shopping centers, sheltered passages, restaurant premises), but not particularly in busy passage areas, in order to avoid imposing specific movements on users.

[0006] It may therefore be desirable to develop a system for collecting consigned objects which limits the constraints imposed on users when returning consigned objects. To this end, it is desirable in particular that the collection system does not impose specific user movements or waiting times in the event of high demand for the return of deposited items. This requires the deployment of a large number of collection devices, particularly in high-traffic areas. It may also be desirable to be able to determine whether the location of a collection device is correct and to anticipate when a collection device is full and requires emptying. It may also be desirable for collection devices to be able to accommodate items of various types, shapes, and sizes. It may also be desirable to develop collection devices that are both robust for frequent use and resistant to vandalism and bad weather. Summary

[0007] Embodiments relate to a device for collecting consigned objects, comprising: a closed housing containing at least one collection bin for objects to be collected, an access hatch to the bin coupled to a locking device, a first communication circuit configured to communicate with pedestrian presence sensors and receive pedestrian presence data emitted by the pedestrian presence sensors, a second communication circuit configured to communicate with remote servers, and a control unit connected to the first and second communication circuits and to the locking device, and configured to: receive an identifier of an object to be collected, each object to be collected being associated with an identifier readable on the object, control the locking device to trigger the opening of the access hatch to the collection bin, depending on the identifier of the object to be collected,establishing a transmission link with at least one pedestrian presence sensor, receiving pedestrian presence data from the sensor, and transmitting the pedestrian presence data to a pedestrian presence data processing server.

[0008] In this way, the collection device can determine in real time whether there is a risk of waiting to return a deposited object. In the event of a high traffic and the presence of a queue of pedestrians wishing to return a deposited object, it can also signal the existence and position of another collection device located in the vicinity, which is free and presents little risk of being occupied in the short term. The collection device can also determine whether it is located in a busy area and therefore on the path of pedestrians likely to have deposited objects to return.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the control unit is configured to: transmit a collection request message containing the received identifier to a collection management server, and receive from the collection management server a collection agreement message, the control of the locking device to trigger the opening of the access hatch to the collection bin being carried out according to the content of the collection agreement message.

[0010] In this way, the type of object to be collected can be controlled in real time from a remote server. In addition, the remote server can manage a process of remunerating or rewarding users who return objects to be collected.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the device comprises an object identifier reader to be collected, the identifier reader being of the optical code reader and / or RFID reader type.

[0012] The provision of such a reader on the collection device makes it easier for users to enter the identifier of the object to be collected. If the reader is installed inside the collection device, it is possible to check that an object to be collected has been received in the collection device.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the device comprises several bins for collecting objects to be collected.

[0014] The provision of several bins makes it possible to limit the individual load of each of the bins while allowing a significant storage volume in the collection device.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the control unit is configured to select one of the collection bins to receive an object corresponding to the received identifier of the object to be collected as a function of a filling rate of the bin and / or as a function of a type of object to be collected determined using the received identifier of the object to be collected.

[0016] This arrangement ensures efficient filling of the bins. Furthermore, the provision of several bins can be used to sort the objects to be collected according to their nature, which can be codified in the identifiers of the collected objects.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the device is configured to detect the presence inside the housing of the object to be collected corresponding to the identifier of the object to be collected received, and to count the addition of the object to be collected detected in the collection bin.

[0018] Thus, the recording of the return of an object to be collected can be carried out as soon as the object is handed over, without waiting for the collection device to be emptied.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the pedestrian presence data comprises identifiers of connected objects carried by the pedestrians.

[0020] In this way, it is possible to distinguish and / or identify pedestrians detected by a pedestrian presence sensor.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the device comprises the control unit is configured to calculate a cryptographic fingerprint of each of the connected object identifiers received, and replace the connected object identifiers with the cryptographic fingerprints calculated in the pedestrian presence data transmitted to the data processing server.

[0022] In this way, it is not possible to identify pedestrians detected by the objects connected that they wear.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the device comprises a pedestrian presence sensor configured to detect the presence of pedestrians near the collection device.

[0024] In this way, the collection device can determine a number of pedestrians present nearby and thus warn a server that it is not or probably not available for collection.

[0025] Embodiments may also relate to a system for collecting consigned objects, comprising: a plurality of collection devices, as defined above, a plurality of pedestrian presence sensors, a transmission link being established between each sensor and one of the collection devices, a pedestrian presence data processing service, configured to: receive the pedestrian presence data from the collection devices, determine pedestrian crowd data comprising numbers of pedestrians present, entering and leaving an area covered by one of the sensors from the received pedestrian presence data, and provide the crowd data in response to requests for pedestrian crowd data, and a collection management service configured to: receive collection request messages containing an identifier, determine whether the received identifier corresponds to an identifier of an object to be collected,and transmit in response to the collection request messages a response message authorizing or refusing a collection based on the identifier received.

[0026] Such a system comprising a large number of collection devices and pedestrian presence sensors can collect data on the number of people or pedestrian flows on the scale of a city or a city district.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the system comprises a supervision service configured to: receive the crowd data comprising numbers of pedestrians present, entering and leaving zones, receive data on the filling of the collection devices with collected objects, trigger a maintenance operation of one of the collection devices when a first filling threshold of the collection bin of the collection device is reached or exceeded, and trigger a maintenance operation of a collection device when a second filling threshold of the collection bin of the collection device is reached and a pedestrian crowd threshold in the zone where the collection device is located is reached or exceeded, the second filling threshold being lower than the first filling threshold.

[0028] In this way, it is possible to ensure the emptying of the collection devices as soon as necessary. As a result, the collection devices can be kept operational almost permanently. This arrangement also makes it possible to optimize the emptying operations of the collection devices by avoiding emptying operations of collection devices that are not yet full.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the plurality of pedestrian presence sensors comprises at least one transmitter / receiver device configured to: establish a wireless transmission link with one of the collection devices with which it is within wireless transmission range, receive a message transmitted by a connected object carried by a pedestrian and located in a detection zone of the transmitter / receiver device, and transmit the content of the message received by the transmission link with the collection device.

[0030] The implementation of such sensors makes it possible to obtain identifiers of connected objects and therefore to distinguish pedestrians from one another. It is therefore possible to follow the path of a particular pedestrian.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the pedestrian presence sensors comprise at least one of the following devices: a camera equipped with pedestrian passage counting software, a pedestrian passage counting turnstile, and a floor mat equipped with pressure detectors for detecting people walking on the mat.

[0032] Thus, the system is compatible with various types of devices for obtaining pedestrian presence data.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the system is configured to determine pedestrian movement instructions from the crowd data, transmit the movement instructions to a collection device, and display the transmitted movement instructions on a display screen of the collection device.

[0034] The collection and processing of pedestrian presence data and the implementation of a relatively dense network of collection devices makes it possible to broadcast information messages to pedestrians to avoid the appearance of dense pedestrian gathering areas. Brief description of the figures

[0035] The present invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the appended figures, in which identical reference signs correspond to structurally and / or functionally identical or similar elements.

[0036] [Fig-1] Figure 1 is a schematic view of an urban plan showing an example of installation of equipment of a system for collecting consigned objects, according to one embodiment,

[0037] [Fig.2] Figure 2 schematically represents the architecture of the collection system, according to one embodiment,

[0038] [Fig.3] Figures 3A, 3B schematically represent in perspective a collection device of the collection system, according to one embodiment, a door of the device collection being in the open position in Figure 3A and closed in Figure 3B,

[0039] [Fig.4] Figure 4 schematically represents electrical circuits of the collection device, according to one embodiment,

[0040] [Fig.5] Figure 5 schematically represents process steps implemented by the collection system, according to one embodiment,

[0041] [Fig.6] Figure 6 schematically represents steps of a method implemented by the collection system, according to one embodiment. Detailed description

[0042] Figure 1 represents an urban plan showing equipment installations of a system for collecting consigned objects, according to one embodiment. The collection system comprises collection devices BC1, BC2, BC3, BC4 and pedestrian presence sensors PSI, PS2 PS3, PS4, PS5, PS6, installed at different locations in a city. Each of the collection devices BCi (i = 1, ..., 4) is configured to receive consigned objects brought by pedestrians. Each of the sensors PSj (j = 1, ..., 6) is configured to detect one or more pedestrians present or moving in a detection zone CD1 around or near the sensor. To be able to communicate with each other, the collection devices BCi and the sensors PSj can be equipped with a wired or wireless communication circuit having a radio range RR1.

[0043] The returnable objects may be packaging made of glass, metal, ceramic, wood or plastic, for example food product packaging, bottles, cutlery, or even clothing in the context of a laundry service.

[0044] In the example of Figure 1, the collection devices BC1-BC4 are installed in a city at the four corners of a rectangular square. The sensors PSI, PS2, PS4, PS6 are installed in streets leading to the square. The sensors PS3 and PS5 are installed on the square respectively between the devices BCI and BC2, and between the devices BC3 and BC4. The sensors PSI, PS2 are within radio range of the device BCI, the sensor PS3 is within radio range of the devices BCI, BC2, the sensor PS4 is within radio range of the device BC2, the sensor PS5 is within radio range of the devices BC3, BC4 and the sensor PS6 is within radio range of the device BC4. Furthermore, the detection range CD1 is much less than the radio range RR1 of the transmissions between the collection devices BCi and the sensors PSj.According to an example, the radio range RR1 is of the order of 100 m (to + or - 10%), while the detection range CD1 is of the order of 20 m (to + or - 10%).

[0045] According to one embodiment, the BCi collection devices are also equipped with a presence detection sensor having, for example, the detection range CD1.

[0046] Figure 2 represents the whole of a collection system, according to a mode of realization lization, the system comprising the collection devices BCi (i = 1, ..4) and the sensors PSj (j=l, ..6). The collection system further comprises a BCS collection management server, a GFS pedestrian flow data processing server, and a SPS supervision server.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the sensors PSj may comprise at least one camera equipped with pedestrian crossing counting software, at least one pedestrian crossing counting turnstile, at least one floor mat equipped with pressure detectors to detect people walking on the mat, etc. According to one embodiment, the sensors PSj comprise at least one transmitter / receiver device configured to listen to radio frequencies (for example WiFi™ or BLE - "Bluetooth Low Energy") and to receive messages transmitted in these frequencies by connected objects P1-P6 (smartphone, connected watch, etc. worn by pedestrians) located in the detection zone CD1 of the transmitter / receiver device.The transmitter / receiver device may further be configured to establish a wireless transmission link with a BCi collection device with which it is within wireless transmission range (in the RR1 zone of the collection device) and transmit the content of the messages received via the transmission link with the collection device.

[0048] The links between the BCi collection devices and the PSj sensors, in particular the transmitter / receiver devices, may be of the wired or radiofrequency type, the same BCi collection device being able to be connected to certain sensors by a wired link and to certain other sensors by a radiofrequency link. The radiofrequency links between the BCi devices and the PSj sensors may be point-to-point links established for example by a protocol allowing the PSj sensors to select the collection device with which the link has the strongest signal.

[0049] Figures 3A, 3B represent one of the collection devices BCi, according to one embodiment. The collection device BCi comprises a housing which may be in the form of a cabinet closed by a door DI. The housing contains several bins B1, B2, B3, B4 for collecting returnable objects. The collection device BCi comprises hatches T1, T2, T3, T4, each of the hatches giving access to one of the collection bins B1-B4, from outside the collection device BCi. Each of the hatches T1-T4 is closed by a respective flap. Each flap is locked in the closed position by an individual controlled locking device. The device BCi also comprises a control unit UC configured in particular to control the locking devices associated with the hatches T1-T4.

[0050] In the example of Figure 3B, the collection device BCi contains four bins B1-B4 arranged on shelves in the cabinet and the hatches T1-T4 are formed in the door DI. This arrangement makes it possible to obtain a relatively large storage capacity for returnable objects, without using collection bins. bulky and therefore heavy to transport to empty them.

[0051] The BCi collection device may also comprise a DSP display screen connected to the UC control unit and visible from outside the cabinet to display information, in particular on a collection operation in progress, intended for a user of the BCi device. The BCi collection device may also comprise an SCN optical reader or a keyboard to acquire optical codes affixed or associated with the consigned objects. In the example of FIG. 3A, the DSP display screen and the SCN reader are integrated into the DI door.

[0052] Figure 4 shows different electrical circuits of one of the collection devices BCi, and in particular the control unit UC, the display screen DSP and the optical reader SCN. The collection device BCi also comprises communication circuits C0M1, COM2, the circuit C0M1 being configured to receive the detection data provided by the sensors PSj, and the circuit COM2 being configured to communicate with servers such as the servers GFS, BCS and SPS. The collection device BCi also comprises input / output circuits IOC configured to control the display screen DSP, communicate with the optical reader SCN and control locks VI, V2, V3, V4 to lock and unlock the flaps closing the hatches T1, T2, T3, T4.The UC control unit is configured to provide a PDF pedestrian detection function in conjunction with the PSj sensors, a CCF function for collecting recorded objects and MF functions for managing and monitoring the BCi collection device.

[0053] The collection device BCi may also comprise contacts CTI, CT2, CT3, CT4 for closing the hatches Tk (k=1, ..., 4) connected to the control unit UC, for example via the input / output circuits IOC, to allow the control unit to determine the locked / unlocked state of each of the hatches Tk. Thus, if a hatch Tk remains open at the end of a collection operation, the control unit UC may send an anomaly message to one of the servers, for example the supervision server SPS. The control unit UC may also send an anomaly message if a hatch Tk remains closed following an unlocking command during a collection operation.

[0054] The BCi collection device may be powered via a connection to an electrical network, and also include a BT backup battery used in the event of a power failure of the BCi device by the electrical network. The BCi collection device may also include a pedestrian presence sensor PS for detecting pedestrians in the vicinity of the BCi device.

[0055] Figure 5 represents sequences of steps S1 to S4, S6 to S8 and S1 to S17 of a method for controlling the collection system, according to one embodiment. The sequence of steps S1-S4 makes it possible to collect information relating to the monitoring of pedestrians in areas monitored by the PSj sensors and the BCi collection devices. Step SI is executed by a PSj sensor upon detection of an EVT event relating to one or more pedestrians. In step SI, the PSj sensor transmits data relating to the detected EVT event to the control unit UC of one of the BCi collection devices with which communication is established. In the case where the PSj sensor is a transmitter / receiver device, the data transmitted in step SI may comprise an identifier of the connected object detected by the PSj sensor, an identifier of the PSj sensor, a time stamp of the event, a communication protocol identifier and data relating to the strength of the signal detected by the sensor. The identifiers of the connected object and the sensor may comprise, for example, a MAC ("Media Access Control") address.In the case where the PSj sensor is a camera associated with an image analysis device dedicated to counting pedestrians, or a turnstile or even a pedestrian crossing counting mat, the data transmitted by the sensor may include pedestrian counting data, a sensor identifier, and a timestamp of the event.

[0056] In step S2, the control unit UC of the device BCi receives the data relating to the EVT event, and transmits them to a storage function STF performed by the GFS server for processing pedestrian presence data. In the case where the data relating to the EVT event contains a connected object identifier, the control unit UC can replace this identifier with a cryptographic fingerprint of this identifier, for example calculated using a cryptographic hash function, in order to prevent the identification of the person possessing the connected object. In step S3, the storage function STF receives the data relating to the EVT event and stores them in a dedicated storage space DTL. Thus, the storage space DTL can contain event data provided and / or relayed by several BCi collection devices.

[0057] Step S4 is executed by a pedestrian flow event analysis function PCS performed by the GFS server. At this step, the analysis function PCS reads the contents of the DTL storage space and determines pedestrian crowd data including, in particular, directions of movement associated with pedestrian counting data. For example, the crowd data may include timestamp data for entering or leaving a detection zone CD1 of a sensor PSj, associated with a number of pedestrians, or numbers of pedestrians located in a detection zone CD1 of a sensor PSj at a given time.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the SPS supervision server or the GFS server for processing pedestrian presence data is configured to determine movement instructions from the crowd data, and to transmit this instruction data to a BCi collection device, this data being displayed at the DSP display screen by the collection device, to inform pedestrians located nearby. Pedestrians can thus be informed of a large number of pedestrians in an area and be encouraged to avoid this area.

[0059] Steps S6-S8 make it possible to monitor the state of the sensors PSj. In step S6, each sensor PSj transmits a status message SST to the collection device BCi with which communication is established. Step S6 can be executed periodically by each sensor PSj. In step S7, the control unit UC of the device BCi receives the status message SST and stores it in an SST storage space. In step S8, transmits to the supervision server SPS the received sensor STS states. The control unit UC also transmits in step S8 a state of the device BCi. Step S8 can be executed periodically.

[0060] Steps S1 1 to S17 are executed each time an SCC code of an object to be collected is acquired by the SCN reader of one of the BCi collection devices. In step S1 1, the control unit UC of the BCi device receives and decodes the optical code SCC provided by the SCN reader. In step S12, the control unit UC of the BCi device transmits to the BCS collection management server a request RQA for opening trapdoor T1-T4 of the BCi collection device, containing an identifier corresponding to the scanned optical code SCC and an identifier of the BCi device. In step S13, the BCS server receives the request RQA, determines whether the collection of the object corresponding to the provided object identifier is possible. For this purpose, the BCS server determines whether the provided object identifier corresponds to a consigned object to be collected.This may imply that the object has been previously recorded in a list of consigned objects to be collected, during the sale of the product including the object to be collected and that the buyer of the product has been identified. Indeed, the identification of the buyer is necessary if the collection operation involves remuneration of the buyer. If the collection of the consigned object is authorized, the server BCS determines whether a bin B1-B4 of the device BCi can receive the object corresponding to the code SCC, and transmits in response to the request RQA, a message RPA indicating whether a recovery of consigned object is possible and in the positive case, a trap identifier Tk (k = 1, ... 4) to be opened. If the response message RPA contains a trap identifier to be opened, the control unit UC of the collection device BCi commands the opening of the trap Tk corresponding to the trap to be opened indicated in the response message RPA in step S14.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the BCS server selects the hatch Tk to be opened according to the nature of the consigned object determined by the scanned code of the object, in order to sort the consigned objects. According to one embodiment, the selection of the hatch Tk can be carried out according to the filling rate of the bins Tk, in order to fill them successively.

[0062] According to another embodiment, the RPA collection agreement message does not indicate no trap identifier Tk or bin Bk, the control unit UC of the BCi device then being configured to determine which bin to use to receive the consigned object in the event of agreement from the BCS server, for example based on the respective filling rates of the bins and / or based on a type of object to be collected.

[0063] If at step S15, the collection device BCi detects the delivery of the consigned object, for example, using an optical code reader placed in the vicinity of the hatch Tk after closing the latter, the control unit UC transmits in step S16 to the BCS collection management server a message confirming the delivery of the object OC corresponding to the identifier SCC. The BCS server can then remunerate or authorize the remuneration of the purchaser of the product including the consigned object in exchange for the delivery of the latter. Note that step S15 can be omitted, in particular in the case where the device BCi is not equipped to detect the insertion of a consigned object in one of the bins Bk. In step S17, the control unit UC of the device BCi can transmit to the server SPS a status message BST of the device BCi signaling in particular the collection of a consigned object in the bin Bk.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the collection device BCi determines and stores a filling rate of each of the bins Bk. The filling rates of the bins Bk can be transmitted to the server SPS in step S17.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the collection management server BCS can be configured to count the number of objects collected in each bin Bk of each collection device BCi, determine that one of the bins Bk of one of the collection devices is full, and signal to the supervision server SPS that a bin is full in the collection device BCi. According to one embodiment, the server SPS can be configured to collect from the collection management server BCS the number of objects collected in each bin Bk of the collection devices BCi and trigger a maintenance operation when a bin Bk is full or when all the bins Bk of a collection device are full.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the collection device BCi has an autonomous collection mode in which the collection decision is taken locally by the collection device. In this mode, steps S12 and S13 are not executed, the collection device BCi not sending an RQA request message at the end of step S11. This autonomous collection mode can be activated for example in the event of a communication failure between the device BCi and the BCS server, or in a private installation. In this autonomous collection mode, the device BCi is configured to store a list of types of objects to be collected, to check at each collection (in step S14) whether the object code SCC received from the reader SCN corresponds to one of the types of objects in the stored list, and if so, to command the unlocking of one of the hatches Tk, possibly depending on the type of object identified.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the collection device BCi may also comprise a pressure sensor and / or an accelerometer associated with each bin Bk to detect the addition of an object to be collected in the bin.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the supervision server SPS is configured to collect from the GFS server for collecting and processing pedestrian flow data data on pedestrian flow and flow developed by the GFS server, and anticipate maintenance operations to collect consigned objects collected in the bins Bk of collection devices BCi according to pedestrian flow data provided by the GFS server and data on filling the bins Bk provided by the devices BCi (step S17). Such a maintenance operation can thus be anticipated when the bins Bk of a collection device BCi are almost full and a high influx of pedestrians is detected in the monitoring zone of the collection device BCi.

[0069] Figure 6 represents steps S21 to S25 executed by the servers SPS, BCS and the collection devices BCi. In step S21, the server SPS receives from the server GFS numbers of pedestrians present PN(Zi), entering and leaving zones Zi. In step S22, the server SPS receives filling data DR(BCi) by objects collected from the collection devices BCi, either directly or via the collection management server BCS. In step S23, the server SPS compares the filling data DR(BCi) received from each device BCi with a first filling threshold FT1 of the collection bin of the collection device and triggers a maintenance operation of a collection device (step S25) when the filling threshold FT1 is reached or exceeded.In step S24, the server SPS compares for each device BCi the filling data DR(BCi) received from the device BCi with a second filling threshold FT2 of the collection bin of the collection device and compares the number of pedestrians present PN(Zi) in the zone where the device BCi is located with a threshold PT of pedestrian influx, and triggers a maintenance operation of the collection device BCi when the second threshold FT2 of filling of the collection bin of the collection device is reached and the threshold PT of pedestrian influx in the zone Zi where the device BCi is located is reached or exceeded, the second filling threshold FT2 being lower than the first filling threshold FT1.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the consigned objects are equipped with an RFID tag, each collection device BCi being equipped with an RFID reader. Step SI 1 can be triggered upon detection of a new RFID tag (reading of a new RFID identifier). Furthermore, each device BCi can be configured to detect the presence of the tag that has just been read in one of the bins Bk after the hatch Tk has been closed. In this way, it can be ensured that the consigned object identified by the first reading of the RFID tag has indeed been delivered to the collection device BCi.

[0071] According to one embodiment, an antenna, for example of the UHF (Ultra High Frequency) type, is installed inside the collection device BCi, the RFID reader being configured to acquire the identifiers of all the objects contained in the bins Bk, and thus detect whether a new object to be collected has been added to one of the bins. For this purpose, the bins Bk and the shelves on which the bins are arranged may be made of non-metallic materials so as not to obstruct transmissions between the UHF antenna and the RFID tags present in the bins Bk.

[0072] According to one embodiment, each of the collection devices BCi is configured so that the battery BT only powers the electronic circuits, but not the electromechanical devices Vk actuating in particular the locking and unlocking of the hatches Tk. The CCF function for collecting consigned objects is therefore inoperative in the event of a power outage with the electrical network. In this case, the PDF pedestrian detection function remains operational and the other MF functions of the collection device BCi are put into sleep mode to extend the life of the battery BT.

[0073] According to another embodiment, the BT battery is sized to allow full operation of the BCi collection device in the event of a power outage with the electrical network. In this case, the control unit UC is configured to prioritize the operation of the BCi collection device in order to keep the CCF function for collecting consigned objects operational, the PDF pedestrian detection function being put into a degraded mode to preserve the battery. A forcing command may be provided (for example accessible to an authorized operator) to fully ensure the PDF pedestrian detection function if the detection of pedestrian flow is deemed important for the operator during a certain period.As soon as the BT battery becomes low (battery voltage below a voltage threshold value), all functions of the BCi collection device are put to sleep except for functions ensuring monitoring of the BCi collection device for a longer period until power is restored or the battery runs out.

[0074] For example, the detection of a high influx of pedestrians by the PDF pedestrian detection function of one of the BCi collection devices makes it possible to anticipate significant use of the CCF function for collecting consigned objects of the BCi device, and depending on its battery level BT, to send an alert to the operator who can intervene to maintain quality of service by intervening on the BCi device to recharge or change the battery, to carry out a repair operation or an operation to unload the Bk collection bins.

[0075] It turns out that the PDF pedestrian detection function requires much more throughput or bandwidth than the CCF collection function. According to one embodiment, each of the BCi collection devices is configured to transmit the messages to the BCS and GFS servers with the same priority so that the two functions Pedestrian detection PDF and collection CCF can operate simultaneously.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the pedestrian detection PDF and collection CCF functions have connection timeouts and an offline / low connection mode to maintain acceptable operating quality for users and the operator. Priority access to the transmission network with the BCS and GFS servers can be assigned to the collection CCF function, with the possibility for the operator to adjust the respective priorities of access to this network by the two pedestrian detection PDF and collection CCF functions.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the collection function CCF has priority access to the computing resource (control unit UC) of the collection device BCi in order to offer sufficient responsiveness to users wishing to return a consigned object. The priority of this access can be adjusted to allow the control unit UC to execute the other functions of the collection device BCi with a responsiveness compatible with the tasks to be performed.

[0078] According to one embodiment, each of the CCF collection and PDF pedestrian detection functions has a dedicated storage space configured so that one of these two functions does not have access to the storage space of the other function and vice versa.

[0079] According to one embodiment, each of the CCF collection and PDF pedestrian detection functions has an encrypted RAM space, so that one of these two functions does not have access to the data temporarily stored by the other function and vice versa.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the restitution of a consigned object is carried out using a dedicated application, installed on terminals (smartphones) of users. The dedicated application can be configured to:

[0081] register with the BCS server by providing information enabling the user to be identified,

[0082] receive pedestrian traffic data upon request from the GFS server,

[0083] scan identifiers on the consigned objects, for example using the sensor image or NFC ("Near Field Communication") reader of the terminal,

[0084] transmit to the BCS server collection requests containing the scanned identifier and the user identifier,

[0085] receive a restitution authorization from the BCS server in response to the issuance of a restitution request for a stored object,

[0086] receive the position(s) of the nearest BCi collection devices, by providing the position of the terminal.

[0087] In this way, it may not be necessary to provide an identifier reader (SCN) on the BCi collection devices to identify an object before its return. The provision of the positions of the nearest collection devices may take into account the pedestrian traffic in the areas where the collection devices are located, so as to indicate the position of the nearest collection devices and those which are available and which have a low probability of being occupied in the short term, taking into account the traffic and pedestrian movement data produced by the GFS server. Note that the GFS server may directly provide user terminals with a status, free / occupied / high probability of being occupied in the short term, of each of the BCi collection devices, or only those located within a predefined radius around a given position.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the supervision server SPS is configured to collect from each of the collection devices BCi operating status data, such as a power supply status, on mains / by battery, a charging status of the battery BT, a connection status to the communication network with the servers SPS, BCS, GFS, an occupation status of the internal memories and of the processor of the control unit UC, a temperature status inside the collection device, operating data of the locking devices Vk of the hatches Tk, and filling rates of the bins Bk. These status data can be transmitted periodically by the collection devices BCi to the server SPS. On the other hand, the collection devices BCi can transmit to the server SPS in real time anomaly data as soon as they are detected, to be able to trigger a maintenance operation quickly.Anomaly data may include a failure of one of the internal equipment of the BCi collection device, or the existence of a full Bk bin.

[0089] It will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible to various variant embodiments and various applications. In particular, the invention is not limited to the implementation of separate servers to provide the services of processing pedestrian presence data, collection management and supervision. Indeed, two or all of these services can be provided by the same server connected to the collection devices.

[0090] It is also not necessary to provide an object identifier reader to be collected inside the BCi collection devices. Indeed, the verification of the return of the objects can be carried out when emptying the Bk bins.

Claims

Claims

1. 1. Device for collecting consigned objects, comprising: a closed housing containing at least one container (Bk) for collecting objects to be collected, a hatch (Tk) for accessing the container coupled to a locking device (Vk), a first communication circuit (COM1) configured to communicate with pedestrian presence sensors (PSj) and receive pedestrian presence data emitted by the pedestrian presence sensors, a second communication circuit (COM2) configured to communicate with remote servers (GFS, BCS, SPS), and a control unit (UC) connected to the first and second communication circuits and to the locking device, and configured to: receive an identifier (SCC) of an object to be collected, each object to be collected being associated with an identifier readable on the object, control the locking device (Vk) to trigger the opening of the hatch for accessing the collection container, depending on the identifier of the object to be collected,establishing a transmission link with the pedestrian presence sensors (PSj), receiving pedestrian presence data (EVT) transmitted by the pedestrian presence sensors, and transmitting the pedestrian presence data to a pedestrian presence data processing server (GFS).,

2. 2. Device according to claim 1, in which the control unit (UC) is configured to: transmit a collection request message (RQA) containing the received identifier to a collection management server (BCS), and receive from the collection management server a collection agreement message (RPA), the control of the locking device (Vk) to trigger the opening of the hatch (Tk) for access to the collection bin being carried out according to the content of the collection agreement message.

3. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a reader (SCN) of an identifier of an object to be collected, the identifier reader being of the optical code reader and / or RFID reader type.

4. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, comprising several bins (B1-B4) for collecting objects to be collected.

5. 5. Device according to claim 4, in which the control unit (UC) is configured to select one of the collection bins (Bk) to receive an object corresponding to the identifier (SCC) received from the object to be collected as a function of a filling rate of the bin and / or as a function of a type of object to be collected determined using the identifier received from the object to be collected.

6. 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, configured to detect the presence inside the housing of the object to be collected corresponding to the identifier (SCC) of the object to be collected received, and to count the addition of the object to be collected detected in the collection bin (Bk).

7. 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the pedestrian presence data (EVT) comprises identifiers of connected objects (P1-P6) carried by the pedestrians.

8. 8. Device according to claim 7, in which the control unit (UC) is configured to calculate a cryptographic fingerprint of each of the connected object identifiers (P1-P6) received, and replace the connected object identifiers with the cryptographic fingerprints calculated in the pedestrian presence data transmitted to the data processing server (GFS).

9. 9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a pedestrian presence sensor (PS) configured to detect the presence of pedestrians near the collection device.

10. 10. System for collecting consigned objects, comprising: a plurality of collection devices (BCi), according to one of claims 1 to 9, a plurality of pedestrian presence sensors (PSj), a transmission link being established between each sensor and one of the collection devices, a pedestrian presence data processing service (GFS), configured to: receive pedestrian presence data (EVT) from the collection devices, determine pedestrian affluence data comprising numbers of pedestrians present, entering and leaving an area (CD1) covered by one of the sensors from the received pedestrian presence data, and providing the crowd data in response to requests for pedestrian crowd data, and a collection management service (BCS) configured to: receive collection request messages (RQA) containing an identifier (SCC), determine whether the received identifier corresponds to an identifier of an object to be collected, and transmit in response to the collection request messages a response message (RPA) authorizing or refusing a collection based on the received identifier.

11. 11. System according to claim 10, comprising a supervision service (SPS) configured to: receive the crowd data comprising numbers (PN) of pedestrians present, entering and leaving zones (Zi), receive data (DR) of filling of the collection devices (BCi) by collected objects, trigger a maintenance operation (MOP) of one of the collection devices (BCi) when a first threshold (FT1) of filling of the collection bin of the collection device is reached or exceeded, and trigger a maintenance operation of a collection device when a second threshold (FT2) of filling of the collection bin of the collection device is reached and a threshold (PT) of crowd of pedestrians in the zone where the collection device is located is reached or exceeded, the second filling threshold being lower than the first filling threshold.

12. 12. System according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the plurality of pedestrian presence sensors (PSj) comprises at least one transmitter / receiver device configured to: establish a wireless transmission link with one of the collection devices (BCi) with which it is within wireless transmission range, receive a message transmitted by a connected object (P1-P6) carried by a pedestrian and located in a detection zone (CD1) of the transmitter / receiver device, and transmit the content of the received message (EVT) via the transmission link with the collection device.

13. 13. System according to one of claims 10 to 12, in which the pedestrian presence sensors (PSj) comprise at least one of the following devices: a camera equipped with pedestrian crossing counting software, a pedestrian counting turnstile, and a floor mat equipped with pressure sensors to detect people walking on the mat.

14. 14. The system of claim 10 or 13, configured to determine pedestrian movement instructions from crowd data, transmit the movement instructions to a collection device (BCi), and display the transmitted movement instructions on a display screen (DSP) of the collection device.

Images