Home delivery box system

Abstract

To provide a home delivery box system that allows a user to know the delivery status of a home delivery box without an unlocking operation of an entrance door.SOLUTION: A home delivery box system comprises: a home delivery box that is installed outdoors for storing packages; a first detection device that detects that a user has entered a predetermined range from the home delivery box; a second detection device that detects the delivery status of the home delivery box; and a control device that, when the first detection device detects the user's entry, notifies the user of the delivery status of the home delivery box detected by the second detection device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a home delivery box system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a situation where a user unlocks the front door, when there is a package in the home delivery box, a display unit provided on the outdoor side or the indoor side of the front door notifies the user of the arrival of the package and unlocks the home delivery box. This technology is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above prior art, the user cannot know the arrival status of the home delivery box until unlocking the front door. Therefore, when there is an arrival, the user has to return from the front door to the position of the home delivery box, which is very troublesome.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a home delivery box system that allows a user to know the arrival status of a home delivery box without performing an unlocking operation on the front door.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a delivery box system including a delivery box arranged outdoors for storing packages, a first detection device that detects that a user has entered within a predetermined range from the delivery box, a second detection device that detects the arrival status of the delivery box, and a control device that notifies the user of the arrival status of the delivery box detected by the second detection device when the first detection device detects the entry of the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the home delivery box system of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a home delivery box system 10 according to a first embodiment. The home delivery box system 10 includes an entrance door 1 provided in a building H and a home delivery box 7.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 2, the entrance door 1 includes a frame body 2 fixed to an opening of the building, a door body 3 provided to be openable and closable on one side in the left-right direction (the right side in FIG. 2) within the frame body 2, a sleeve portion 4 disposed on the other side in the left-right direction (the left side in FIG. 2) within the frame body 2, a receiving portion 5 provided on the surface of the sleeve portion 4, and a control device 6 provided inside the sleeve portion 4. Further, a home delivery box 7 shown in FIG. 3 is disposed on the outdoor side of the entrance door 1. However, the entrance door 1 shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and the entrance door applied to the home delivery box system 10 is not limited to the one having the structure shown in FIG. 2.

[0010] The frame body 2 is provided along the four circumferences of the opening of the building. The frame body 2 is framed in a rectangle by an upper frame 21 and a lower frame 22 as horizontal frames and a pair of vertical frames 23, 24 arranged on the left and right. Inside the frame body 2, the door body 3 and the sleeve portion 4 are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction.

[0011] The door body 3 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape that is long in the vertical direction. The door body 3 is a hinged door that can be opened and closed around the rotation axis of the hinge 231 provided on the vertical frame 23 on the hanging side of the door body 3. The door body 3 is attached in a so-called outward-opening manner, rotating from the closed state toward the outdoor side (the front side of the paper surface in FIG. 2).

[0012] On the outdoor and indoor surfaces of the door body 3, handles 31 are respectively provided. The handle 31 is arranged near the end on the hinge side of the door body 3. In the present embodiment, a vertically long handle 31 is shown, but the handle provided on the door body 3 is not limited to such a shape. At least the outdoor handle 31 is provided with a light emitting part 32 composed of an LED or the like. The light emitting part 32 is electrically connected to a control device 6 arranged inside the sleeve part 4 by a wiring 32a. The wiring 32a is energizably connected via an energizing fitting 301 between the door body 3 and the vertical frame 23, and is energizably connected via an energizing fitting 401 between the sleeve part 4 and the vertical frame 24. The energizing fittings 301 and 401 are composed of, for example, coiled metal members, and by arranging the wiring inside, the wiring is protected so as not to be pinched when the sleeve part 4 or the door body 3 is opened and closed.

[0013] The sleeve part 4 is arranged in the frame body 2 adjacent to the door body 3. The sleeve part 4 is arranged on the hinge side of the door body 3 when the door body 3 is in the closed position. The sleeve part 4 is a sub-door that can be opened and closed by rotating around the rotation axis of the hinge 241 provided on the vertical frame 24. The sleeve part 4 is attached in a so-called outward opening manner, rotating from the closed state toward the outdoor side (the front side of the paper surface in FIG. 2). The sleeve part 4 is normally fixed in the closed state, and is used in the open state when it is desired to greatly widen the opening in the frame body 2 when taking in and out large luggage during moving or the like.

[0014] The sleeve portion 4 is provided with two electric lock devices 41 that operate by the power supplied from the building. The electric lock device 41 locks and unlocks the door body 3. Each of the two electric lock devices 41 has a locking and unlocking drive portion (not shown) such as a motor (not shown) and a hook-shaped dead sickle portion (not shown). The dead sickle portion is provided so as to be able to protrude and retract from the side end surface of the sleeve portion 4 toward the door body 3 side. The dead sickle portion is formed in a sickle shape with the tip protruding upward when locked. The dead sickle portion can engage with a lock receiving portion (not shown) provided on the end surface of the leading end side of the door body 3. The electric lock device 41 is electrically connected to the control device 6 by a wiring 6b. The electric lock device 41 drives a motor (not shown) based on a locking and unlocking signal sent from the control device 6 via the wiring 6b, moves the dead sickle portion, and locks and unlocks the door body 3.

[0015] The receiving portion 5 is provided on the outdoor surface of the sleeve portion 4 or inside the sleeve portion 4. The receiving portion 5 receives a predetermined radio wave transmitted from a remote control key 200 held by the user U. The remote control key 200 is an example of a portable operation device for door locking and unlocking. The receiving portion 5 is electrically connected to the control device 6 by a wiring 6a.

[0016] When the receiving portion 5 receives a predetermined radio wave transmitted from the remote control key 200 when the user U holding the remote control key 200 approaches the front door 1 (receiving portion 5) to a predetermined distance, the receiving portion 5 outputs a user detection signal to the control device 6. The predetermined distance is the communication range of the remote control key 200 and includes at least the distance from the position of the receiving portion 5 to the position where the delivery box 7 is arranged. Therefore, the receiving portion 5 and the control device 6 can detect that the user U holding the remote control key 200 has approached the front door 1 (receiving portion 5) to a predetermined distance when the user U approaches the delivery box 7. The receiving portion 5 and the control device 6 are electric lock communication devices and constitute a first detection device.

[0017] The detection signal output from the receiving unit 5 to the control device 6 includes information for identifying the remote control key 200. The arrangement of the receiving unit 5 is not particularly limited as long as it can detect the approach of the user U holding the remote control key 200 to the entrance door 1. The receiving unit 5 may be arranged, for example, on the door body 3 or on the outer wall portion of the building H on the side of the entrance door 1.

[0018] The control device 6 is mainly composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control device 6 of the present embodiment is arranged inside the sleeve portion 4, but the arrangement of the control device 6 is not particularly limited. The control device 6 may be arranged, for example, inside the door body 3 or inside the outer wall portion of the building H. The control device 6 controls the locking and unlocking operations of the electric lock device 41 of the entrance door 1 and controls the entire delivery box system 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 6 has functional units such as an authentication unit 61, a locking and unlocking control unit 62, a delivery detection unit 63, and a notification unit 64.

[0019] The authentication unit 61 collates a predetermined radio wave transmitted from the remote control key 200 received by the receiving unit 5 with user data set in the control device 6 in advance to identify the user U. Thereby, the authentication unit 61 determines whether to permit the locking and unlocking operations of the electric lock device 41.

[0020] When the user U is identified by the authentication unit 61 and the locking and unlocking operations of the electric lock device 41 are permitted, the locking and unlocking control unit 62 outputs a locking signal or an unlocking signal to the electric lock device 41 using a predetermined locking and unlocking operation by the user U, for example, pressing a button (not shown) provided on the handle 31, as a trigger. The locking and unlocking control unit 62 may use the button operation of the remote control key 200 by the user U as a trigger. The locking and unlocking control unit 62 may use the operation of the user U gripping the handle 31 to open or close the door body 3 as a trigger. The mobile terminal Ua held by the user U may also serve as a mobile operation device for unlocking the door for unlocking the electric lock device 41. In this case, the locking and unlocking control unit 62 may use a predetermined locking and unlocking operation by the user U using the mobile terminal Ua as a trigger.

[0021] The arrival detection unit 63 detects the arrival status by receiving a detection signal of the package 100 from the delivery box 7 described later. Specifically, when the arrival detection unit 63 receives a detection signal of the package 100 from the delivery box 7 described later, it detects "arrival". When the arrival detection unit 63 detects arrival, until the package 100 is taken out from the delivery box 7 by the user U, for example, it stores the arrival state in a storage unit such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) not shown provided in the control device 6.

[0022] The notification unit 64 communicates with external devices of the control device 6. Specifically, when the arrival detection unit 63 detects arrival, on the condition that the user U is authenticated, based on the data indicating the arrival state stored in the RAM (Random Access Memory) etc. of the control device 6, it transmits a signal for notifying "arrival" to the outside for the user U. Specific notifications will be described later. Note that the storage of the detection signal of "arrival" by the arrival detection unit 63 may be performed in a storage unit such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) not shown provided in the delivery box function unit 710 of the delivery box 7, or in a server. The server is not limited to being provided inside the building H, and may be a server provided outside the building H.

[0023] The delivery box 7 is arranged on the outdoor side of the entrance door 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the delivery box 7 includes a housing 71, a storage chamber 72, a lid portion 73, an electric lock device 74, a package sensor 75, a locking / unlocking switch 76, and a light emitting portion 77.

[0024] The housing 71 has a box shape made of metal such as aluminum or steel, resin, or a composite material of metal and resin. The storage chamber 72 stores the delivered package 100. The storage chamber 72 is formed in the lower part inside the housing 71 and occupies most of the housing 71.

[0025] The lid part 73 is attached to the front surface of the storage chamber 72 so as to be openable and closable. The electric lock device 74 is disposed at the end on the door tip side of the lid part 73. Similar to the electric lock device 41 provided on the front door 1, the electric lock device 74 drives a motor (not shown) to move a dead sickle part (not shown), thereby locking and unlocking the lid part 73 with respect to the housing 71.

[0026] The package sensor 75 is disposed inside the storage chamber 72. The package sensor 75 detects that the delivered package 100 is stored inside the storage chamber 72. Specific examples of the package sensor 75 include non-contact sensors such as a photoelectric sensor, a proximity sensor, and an ultrasonic sensor, a pressure sensor that detects the weight of the package 100 and outputs a detection signal, and a contact sensor such as a contact-type physical switch. The package sensor 72 shown in FIG. 3 is disposed at the upper part inside the storage chamber 72, but the arrangement of the package sensor 72 is appropriately changed according to the type of the sensor.

[0027] The locking / unlocking switch 76 is disposed on the surface of the housing 71. The locking / unlocking switch 76 is provided to lock and unlock the electric lock device 74 by a pressing operation of the user U. As will be described later, the locking / unlocking switch 76 is provided to be unlockable when the control device 6 authenticates the user U in a situation where the package 100 is stored inside the storage chamber 72. The electric lock device 74 may be configured to perform an unlocking operation based on an unlocking signal transmitted from the control device 6 in a situation where the package 100 is stored inside the storage chamber 72.

[0028] The light emitting part 77 is provided on the surface of the housing 71. The light emitting part 77 is composed of a light emitting element such as an LED. The light emitting part 77 is configured to turn on or blink based on a notification signal indicating "package arrived" transmitted from the control device 6.

[0029] Instead of or in addition to the light emitting part 77, the housing 71 may be provided with a speaker (not shown) that emits a chime or an announcement based on a notification signal indicating "package arrived" transmitted from the control device 6.

[0030] Inside the housing 71 above the storage chamber 72, a delivery box functional unit 710 for performing various operations of the delivery box 7 is arranged. The delivery box functional unit 710 is mainly composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit). As shown in FIG. 4, it has a locking / unlocking control unit 711, an acquisition unit 712, an arrival notification unit 713, and a communication unit 714.

[0031] The locking / unlocking control unit 711 causes the electric lock device 74 to perform a locking / unlocking operation based on the pressing operation of the locking / unlocking switch 76 by the user U. When there is a package 100 stored in the storage chamber 72, the locking / unlocking control unit 711 is configured to enable the unlocking operation of the locking / unlocking switch 76 when the control device 6 authenticates the user U. That is, when there is a package 100 stored in the storage chamber 72, the locking / unlocking switch 76 becomes effective when it receives an authentication signal indicating that the user U has been authenticated from the control device 6, and accepts the pressing operation for unlocking by the user U.

[0032] The acquisition unit 712 acquires the detection signal of the package 100 detected by the package sensor 75. Specifically, for example, the acquisition unit 712 causes the package sensor 75 to perform a detection operation of the package 100 by using the opening / closing operation of the lid portion 73 by a delivery carrier or the like as a trigger. The acquisition unit 712 transmits the detection signal of the package 100 of the package sensor 75 to the control device 6 via the communication unit 714 described later. The package sensor 75 and the acquisition unit 712 constitute a second detection device.

[0033] The arrival notification unit 713 notifies the user U that a package 100 has been stored in the storage chamber 72, that is, "arrival confirmed", based on the "arrival confirmed" notification signal transmitted from the control device 6. Specifically, the arrival notification unit 713 causes at least one of the light emitting unit 77 provided on the surface of the housing 71 and a speaker (not shown) provided inside the housing 71 to operate, so that the user U recognizes that a package 100 is stored in the storage chamber 72.

[0034] The communication unit 714 transmits and receives various signals to and from the control device 6. Specifically, the communication unit 714 transmits the detection signal of the package 100 to the control device 6. The communication unit 714 receives the authentication signal that identifies the user U from the control device 6, and sends a signal to that effect to the locking / unlocking control unit 711. The communication unit 714 receives the "package arrived" notification signal from the control device 6, and sends a signal to that effect to the arrival notification unit 713.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication unit 714 of the home delivery box 7 and the control device 6 are wired-connected so as to be able to transmit and receive via the wiring 70. The wiring 70 may be a conductor wire that directly connects the communication unit 714 and the control device 6, or may be a LAN cable that connects the communication unit 714 and the control device 6 via a home network.

[0036] The communication unit 714 of the home delivery box 7 and the control device 6 may be wirelessly connected so as to be able to transmit and receive. In the case of wireless connection, the communication unit 714 and the control device 6 may be configured to be able to directly transmit and receive radio waves via an antenna.

[0037] The electric lock device 74 of the home delivery box 7 may be configured to be unlocked, for example, by a mobile terminal Ua held by the user U, or may be configured to be unlocked by operating the remote control key 200. In this case, the control device 6 is configured to be able to communicate with the mobile terminal Ua of the pre-registered user U via an Internet line (not shown). When the control device 6 receives predetermined unlocking operation information from the mobile terminal Ua of the pre-registered user U, or receives predetermined radio waves from the remote control key 200, in a situation where it has detected "package arrived", the control device 6 transmits a signal for causing the electric lock device 74 of the home delivery box 7 to perform an unlocking operation to the locking / unlocking control unit 711.

[0038] Next, the specific operation of the home delivery box system 10 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. 5.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, user U has a remote control key 200 for locking and unlocking the door body 3 of the front door 1, and a mobile terminal Ua such as a smartphone or a mobile phone terminal. In the storage room 72 of the parcel box 7, a parcel 100 is stored by a delivery company or the like (step S1). As a result, the parcel 100 is detected by the parcel sensor 75, and the parcel box 7 transmits a detection signal of the parcel 100 to the control device 6 via the communication unit 714 (step S2). By receiving the detection signal of the parcel 100, the control device 6 detects "parcel arrived" in the arrival detection unit 63. As a result, the control device 6 stores "parcel arrived" regarding the arrival status (step S3).

[0040] In this situation, when user U returns home and approaches the front door 1 to a predetermined distance, specifically, when the receiving unit 5 arranged on the front door 1 enters a communication range where it can receive a predetermined radio wave transmitted from the remote control key 200, the receiving unit 5 detects the remote control key 200 and transmits its detection signal to the control device 6 (step S4).

[0041] The control device 6 that has received the detection signal from the receiving unit 5 collates the specific information of the remote control key 200 included in the detection signal with the preset user data in the authentication unit 61 to identify user U (step S5). When user U is identified and authenticated (step S5; YES), the control device 6 permits the unlocking operation of the electric lock device 41 and the unlocking operation by the unlocking switch 76 of the parcel box 7, respectively (step S6).

[0042] At this point, the control device 6 stores "parcel arrived". Therefore, the control device 6 notifies user U of "parcel arrived" via the notification unit 64 (step S7). Specific examples of the notification form of "parcel arrived" to user U are shown below.

[0043] As the first notification form, as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to notify the mobile terminal Ua held by the user U that "there is arrival of goods". In this case, the control device 6 is configured to be able to transmit a predetermined signal indicating "there is arrival of goods" to the mobile terminal Ua of the user U registered in advance via, for example, an Internet line (not shown). The mobile terminal Ua notifies the user U that "there is arrival of goods" by at least any one of a notification by screen display on the screen Ua1, a notification by sound emission of a chime or an announcement, and a notification by vibration of the mobile terminal Ua itself when receiving the predetermined signal transmitted from the control device 6.

[0044] As the second notification form, as shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to notify the remote control key 200 held by the user U that "there is arrival of goods". Specifically, the user U is notified that "there is arrival of goods" by at least any one of a notification by lighting or blinking of a light emitting part 201 composed of an LED or the like provided on the remote control key 200, a notification by sound emission of a chime or an announcement from a speaker (not shown) built in the remote control key 200, and a notification by vibration of the remote control key 200 itself.

[0045] As the third notification form, as shown in FIG. 1, when a light emitting part 32 is provided on the outdoor handle 31 of the door main body 3, as shown in FIG. 8, the control device 6 can notify the user U that "there is arrival of goods" by lighting or blinking the light emitting part 32 of the handle 31. A speaker (not shown) may be built in the handle 31. In this case, instead of using the light emitting part 32 or in addition to using the light emitting part 32, a chime or an announcement notifying that "there is arrival of goods" may be emitted from the handle 31. The light emitting part 32 and the speaker are not limited to being arranged on the handle 31, and may be arranged on the outdoor surface of the door main body 3 or the sleeve part 4.

[0046] As a fourth notification form, the user U may be notified of "arrival of a package" by the arrival notification unit 713 of the parcel box 7. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the control device 6 notifies the user U of "arrival of a package" by at least one of the following: notification by lighting or flashing of the light emitting unit 77 of the parcel box 7, or notification by sound such as a chime or an announcement from a speaker (not shown).

[0047] As a fifth notification form, as shown in FIG. 10, when the parcel box 7 is arranged adjacent to the door 8 provided on the outdoor side of the front door 1, the user U may be notified of "arrival of a package" by a part of the door 8. The door 8 is an example of a device provided on the outdoor side of the door main body 3. Specifically, the door 8 has a door main body 82 provided between a pair of columns 81, 81. At least one of the columns 81 is attached with a lighting fixture 83 such as an LED. In this case, the control device 6 is electrically connected to the lighting fixture 83 by wiring (not shown). The control device 6 notifies the user U of "arrival of a package" by at least one of the following: notification by lighting or flashing of the lighting fixture 83, or notification by sound such as a chime or an announcement from a speaker (not shown).

[0048] The control device 6 may execute only one of the above-described first to fifth notification forms, or may execute two or more of the notification forms simultaneously. The user U who has confirmed the "arrival of a package" presses the locking / unlocking switch 76 of the parcel box 7 to unlock the electric locking device 74 and opens the lid 73 to take out the package 100 from the storage chamber 72.

[0049] Thereafter, the user U proceeds to the front door 1 and unlocks the door main body 3 by a predetermined unlocking operation. After notifying the user U of "arrival of a package", the control device 6 outputs an unlocking signal to the electric locking device 41 and unlocks the door main body 3 (step S8) triggered by a predetermined unlocking operation performed by the user U, for example, pressing a button (not shown) provided on the handle 31. Thereafter, the process ends.

[0050] In step S5, when the user U is not authenticated (step S5; NO), the control device 6 skips steps S6 to S8 and ends the process.

[0051] According to this delivery box system 10, when the user U returns home, the user U can know the loading status of the delivery box 7 without unlocking the front door 1. Therefore, the user U does not need to perform the troublesome operation of returning to the position of the delivery box 7 after unlocking the front door 1, and the convenience of the user U can be improved.

[0052] FIG. 11 shows a delivery box system 10A according to the second embodiment. Parts with the same reference numerals as those in the delivery box system 10 according to the first embodiment indicate parts with the same configuration. In the following description, for parts with the same configuration as those in the delivery box system 10, the above description of the delivery box system 10 may be incorporated and omitted in the following description.

[0053] This delivery box system 10A includes a human sensor 9. The human sensor 9 is an infrared sensor that senses the heat of the human body, a photoelectric sensor that detects the passage of the human body, an ultrasonic sensor that senses the approach of the human body by ultrasonic waves, etc. The human sensor 9 is provided at a position around the delivery box 7 close to the delivery box 7 so as to detect the user U approaching the delivery box 7. The human sensor 9 is connected to the control device 6 by wire or wirelessly, and as shown in FIG. 12, it transmits a detection signal to the control device 6. This human sensor 9 and the control device 6 also constitute a first detection device.

[0054] Next, the specific operation of the delivery box system 10A will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 13.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 11, the user U has a remote control key 200 for locking and unlocking the door body 3 of the front door 1, and a portable terminal Ua such as a smartphone or a mobile phone terminal. The communication unit 714 of the delivery box 7 and the control device 6 are connected by wire or wirelessly. In the storage room 72 of the delivery box 7, a package 100 is stored by a delivery company or the like (step S101). As a result, the package 100 is detected by the package sensor 75, and the delivery box 7 transmits a detection signal of the package 100 to the control device 6 via the communication unit 714 (step S102). By receiving the detection signal of the package 100, the control device 6 detects "package arrived" in the arrival detection unit 63. As a result, the control device 6 stores "package arrived" regarding the arrival status (step S103).

[0056] In this situation, when the user U returns home and approaches the delivery box 7, the human sensor 9 detects the user U and transmits the detection signal to the control device 6 (step S104).

[0057] At this point, the control device 6 stores "package arrived". Therefore, the control device 6 notifies the user U of "package arrived" via the notification unit 64 (step S105). Specifically, the control device 6 executes a notification by only one of the first to fifth notification forms described above, or a notification by two or more of the notification forms.

[0058] However, it is not specified that the person detected by the human sensor 9 is the user U. Therefore, in this case, it is desirable that the notification performed by the control device 6 is the first notification form for notifying the portable terminal Ua possessed by the user U or the second notification form for notifying the remote control key 200 possessed by the user U, from the first to fifth notification forms. Here, the case where the user U's portable terminal Ua is notified of "package arrived" only by the first notification form will be described.

[0059] After the control device 6 notifies the mobile terminal Ua possessed by the user U of "arrival of shipment", it waits until there is an unlocking operation of the delivery box 7 from the user U (step S106). When the user U performs an unlocking operation of the delivery box 7 from the mobile terminal Ua, the unlocking information issued from the mobile terminal Ua is sent to the control device 6 via the Internet line (not shown). Thereby, the control device 6 determines that there is an unlocking operation of the delivery box 7 from the user U (step S106; YES).

[0060] Thereafter, the control device 6 transmits a predetermined unlocking signal to the unlocking and locking control unit 711 of the delivery box function unit 710, and causes the electric lock device 74 to perform an unlocking operation via the unlocking and locking control unit 711 (step S107). Thereby, the user U can open the lid portion 73 and take out the luggage 100 from the storage chamber 72.

[0061] Thereafter, when the user U approaches the entrance door 1 to a predetermined distance, specifically, when the receiving unit 5 arranged on the entrance door 1 enters the communication range where it can receive a predetermined radio wave transmitted from the remote control key 200, the receiving unit 5 detects the remote control key 200 and transmits the detection signal to the control device 6 (step S108).

[0062] The control device 6 that has received the detection signal from the receiving unit 5 collates the specific information of the remote control key 200 included in the detection signal with the preset user data in the authentication unit 61 to identify the user U (step S109). When the user U is identified and authenticated (step S109; YES), the control device 6 enables the unlocking operation of the electric lock device 41. Thereafter, the control device 6 outputs an unlocking signal to the electric lock device 41 and unlocks the door main body 3 triggered by a predetermined unlocking operation by the user U, for example, pressing a button (not shown) provided on the handle 31 (step S110). Thereafter, the process ends.

[0063] In step S108, if the remote control key 200 held by the user U is not detected even after a predetermined time has elapsed (step S108; NO), and if the user U is not authenticated in step S109 (step S109; NO), the control device 6 ends the process without unlocking the door body 3.

[0064] According to this delivery box system 10A, the timing of the delivery notice to the user U can be set to the timing when the user U reaches the position of the human sensor 9. By installing the human sensor 9 at an appropriate position around the delivery box 7, it is possible to avoid giving a delivery notice too far in front of the delivery box 7 more than necessary. Since the delivery status can be notified to the user U when the user U is detected by the human sensor 9, the user U can take out the package 100 from the delivery box 7 before proceeding to the front door 1. Therefore, particularly when the distance between the delivery box 7 and the front door 1 is long or the communication range within which the receiving unit 5 can detect the remote control key 200 is narrow, the convenience of the user U can be further enhanced.

[0065] According to the above embodiments, the following effects can be obtained.

[0066] (1) A delivery box system 10, 10A comprising a delivery box 7 disposed outdoors for accommodating a package 100, a first detection device (receiving unit 5, control device 6) for detecting that the user U has entered within a predetermined range from the delivery box 7, a second detection device (package sensor 75, acquisition unit 712) for detecting the loading status of the delivery box 7, and a control device 6 for notifying the user U of the loading status of the delivery box 7 detected by the second detection device when the first detection device detects the entry of the user U.

[0067] According to (1) above, when user U returns home, the first detection device can know the arrival status of the delivery box 7 without unlocking the front door 1. Since user U can take out the package 100 from the delivery box 7 before proceeding to the front door 1, there is no need to perform the troublesome operation of returning to the position of the delivery box 7 after unlocking the front door 1. Therefore, especially when the distance between the delivery box 7 and the front door 1 is far or the communication range within which the receiving unit 5 can detect the remote control key 200 is narrow, the convenience of user U can be improved.

[0068] (2) In the delivery box system described in (1) above, the first detection device is provided on the front door 1 and is a communication device for the electric lock (receiving unit 5, control device 6) that unlocks and locks the electric lock device 41 provided on the front door 1 by receiving the radio wave transmitted by the portable operation device for door unlocking and locking (remote control key 200) held by user U.

[0069] According to (2) above, since the remote control key 200 held by user U can identify user U along with detecting the entry of user U, security can be enhanced.

[0070] (3) In the delivery box system described in (1) above, the first detection device includes a human presence sensor 9 provided around the delivery box 7.

[0071] According to (3) above, the timing of the arrival notice to user U can be set to the timing when user U reaches the position of the human presence sensor 9. By installing the human presence sensor 9 at an appropriate position around the delivery box 7, it is possible to avoid giving an arrival notice too far in front of the delivery box 7.

[0072] (4) In the home delivery box system according to any one of (1) to (3) above, the notification made by the control device 6 to the user U may be at least any one of a display on the screen Ua1 of the mobile terminal Ua possessed by the user U, a sound and vibration emitted by the mobile terminal Ua, and a sound, light, and vibration emitted by the door unlocking portable operation device (remote control key 200) possessed by the user U.

[0073] According to (4) above, the user U can easily confirm the arrival status by using the possessed mobile terminal Ua or the door unlocking portable operation device.

[0074] (5) In the home delivery box system according to any one of (1) to (4) above, the notification made by the control device 6 to the user U may be at least any one of a sound and light emitted by a device (handle 31, lighting fixture 83) provided on the outdoor surface of the door body 3 or on the outdoor side of the door body 3.

[0075] According to (5) above, the user U can easily confirm the arrival status by using the devices provided around the door body 3.

[0076] (6) In the home delivery box according to any one of (1) to (4) above, the notification made by the control device 6 to the user U may be at least any one of a sound and light emitted by the home delivery box 7.

[0077] According to (6) above, the user U can easily confirm the arrival status by using the home delivery box 7.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0078] 1 Entrance door, 3 Door body, 31 Handle (device provided on the outdoor surface of the door body), 41 Electric lock device, 5 Receiver (first detection device, communication device for electric lock), 6 Control device (first detection device, communication device for electric lock), 7 Delivery box, 712 Acquisition unit (second detection device), 75 Baggage sensor (second detection device), 83 Lighting fixture (device provided on the outdoor side of the door body), 9 Human presence sensor, 10, 10A Delivery box system, 200 Remote control key (portable operation device for door locking and unlocking), U User, Ua Mobile terminal, Ua1 Screen

Claims

1. A delivery box arranged outdoors for storing packages, a first detection device for detecting that a user has entered within a predetermined range from the delivery box, a second detection device for detecting the arrival status of the delivery box, and a control device for notifying the user of the arrival status of the delivery box detected by the second detection device when the first detection device detects the entry of the user. A delivery box system comprising the above components.

2. The first detection device is provided on the front door and is a communication device for an electric lock that unlocks the electric lock device provided on the front door by receiving radio waves transmitted by a portable operation device for door unlocking held by the user. The delivery box system according to Claim 1.

3. The first detection device includes a human presence sensor provided around the delivery box. The delivery box system according to Claim 1.

4. The notification made by the control device to the user is at least any one of a display on the screen of a mobile terminal held by the user, a sound and vibration emitted by the mobile terminal, and a sound, light, and vibration emitted by a portable operation device for door unlocking held by the user. The delivery box system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. The notification made by the control device to the user is at least any one of a sound and light emitted by a device provided on the outdoor surface of the door body or on the outdoor side of the door body. The delivery box system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

6. The notification made by the control device to the user is at least any one of a sound and light emitted by the delivery box. The delivery box system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

Images