Delivery box management system and control device

Abstract

This prevents the delivery box door from being locked when the package is empty. [Solution] The delivery box management system 1-1 comprises a delivery box 2a, a first antenna a1, a communication device 3a, and a control device 40. The control device 40 includes a control unit 41 and a storage unit 4a. The communication device 3a detects a first tag t1 via wireless communication through the first antenna a1 and reads first identification data from the first tag t1. The storage unit 4a stores the identification information of the delivery box 2a. The control unit 41 locks the door of the delivery box 2a if the first identification data has already been registered as identification information, and unlocks the door of the delivery box 2a if the first tag t1 is not detected or the first identification data has not been registered as identification information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a delivery box management system and a control device for managing a delivery box in which luggage is stored.

Background Art

[0002] In apartment houses, dial-type or push-button-type delivery boxes are widely installed as delivery boxes for storing luggage delivered to each household. In such a delivery box, the user can freely set a password.

[0003] For example, in the case of using a dial-type delivery box, when the delivery person puts the luggage in the delivery box, the delivery person sets an arbitrary password by dialing and writes the password on the delivery notice and posts it in the addressee's mailbox. The addressee dials the password described in the delivery notice to unlock the door of the delivery box and takes out the luggage.

[0004] As related technologies, for example, a technology has been proposed in which a notification device provided in a delivery box emits sound or light so that a delivery company can grasp the position of the delivery box body before storing the delivery in the delivery box body (Patent Document 1). In addition, a technology has been proposed in which a unlocking data issuing device generates unlocking data for unlocking an electric lock that locks a storage facility based on order data and transmits the unlocking data to the electric lock (Patent Document 2).

[0005] Furthermore, a technology has been proposed in which a detection means provided inside the drop-off box detects the storage / unstorage state of the luggage in the drop-off box, and transmission data including detection output information from the detection means and identification information of the drop-off box is transmitted to a server (Patent Document 3). Furthermore, a technology has been proposed in which a management box in which luggage is stored and equipped with a temperature sensor is locked by an electronic lock, a temperature sensor information request is transmitted to the management box after a predetermined time has elapsed, and management information is generated from the temperature sensor information returned by the management box (Patent Document 4).

Prior Art Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-093956 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-054310 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-169478 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-053526 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The dial-type or push-button-type delivery boxes described above are easy to operate and do not require a special key, so for example, a PIN code can be provided to someone other than the resident to retrieve the package.

[0008] However, with these conventional delivery boxes, the PIN can be freely set, which means there is a possibility that a child might tamper with it and set the PIN without permission. In this case, the door of the delivery box may be locked even when there are no packages inside, rendering the box unusable.

[0009] In one aspect, the present invention aims to provide a delivery box management system and control device that prevents the door of a delivery box from being locked when the package is empty. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To solve the above problems, a delivery box management system is provided. The delivery box management system includes a delivery box, a first antenna installed inside the delivery box, a communication device that detects a first tag via wireless communication through the first antenna and reads first identification data from the first tag, a storage unit that stores the identification information of the delivery box, and a control unit that locks the door of the delivery box if the first identification data is already registered as identification information, and unlocks the door of the delivery box if the first tag is not detected or the first identification data is not registered as identification information.

[0011] Furthermore, a control device is provided to solve the above problems. The control device includes a storage unit that stores identification information of the delivery box, and a control unit that, when a first tag is detected by wireless communication via a first antenna installed inside the delivery box and first identification data is read from the first tag, locks the door of the delivery box if the first identification data has already been registered as identification information, and unlocks the door of the delivery box if the first tag is not detected or the first identification data has not been registered as identification information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] One aspect of this design is that it prevents the door of the delivery box from being locked when it is empty. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating an example of a delivery box management system. [Figure 2] This diagram shows an example of the arrangement of components included in a delivery box management system. [Figure 3] This diagram shows an example of how to connect the components of a delivery box management system. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a table structure stored in a database. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a table structure stored in a database. [Figure 6]This is a diagram for explaining an example of the transition state of information registered in a table. [Figure 7] This is a diagram for explaining an example of the transition state of information registered in a table. [Figure 8] This is a diagram for explaining an example of the transition state of information registered in a table. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing an example of an operation of locking a delivery box. [Figure 10] This is a diagram showing an example of an operation of locking a delivery box. [Figure 11] This is a diagram showing an example of an operation of unlocking a delivery box.

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a delivery box management system. The delivery box management system 1-1 includes a delivery box 2a, a first antenna a1, a communication device ③a, and a control device 40.

[0016] The first antenna a1 is provided inside the delivery box 2a. The communication device 3a performs wireless communication via the first antenna a1. As the wireless communication, for example, short-range wireless communication of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is performed. The control device 40 is, for example, a computer terminal and includes a control unit 41 and a storage unit 4a. The function of the control unit 41 can be realized, for example, by a processor (not shown) included in the control device 40 executing a predetermined program.

[0017] [Step S1] The communication device 3a detects the first tag t1 via wireless communication through the first antenna a1 and reads the first identification data from the first tag t1. Since the first antenna a1 is installed inside the delivery box 2a, it is wirelessly connected to the first tag t1 located inside the delivery box 2a.

[0018] [Step S2] The memory unit 4a stores the identification information of the delivery box 2a. [Step S3] The control unit 41 determines whether the first identification data read from the first tag t1 has already been registered as identification information stored in the storage unit 4a.

[0019] [Step S4] If the control unit 41 determines that the first identification data has already been registered as identification information stored in the storage unit 4a, it locks the door of the delivery box 2a. [Step S5] If the control unit 41 determines that the first tag t1 is not detected, or that the first identification data is not registered as identification information stored in the storage unit 4a, it leaves the door of the delivery box 2a unlocked.

[0020] Thus, in the delivery box management system 1-1, if the first identification code written on the first tag inside the delivery box is registered as the identification information for that delivery box, the door of that delivery box is locked. If the first tag is not detected or the first identification data is not registered, the door of that delivery box is left unlocked.

[0021] With this configuration, the door of the designated delivery box will only be locked if a package with the first tag attached is placed inside. Furthermore, the door will not be locked if no package with the first tag is placed inside, or if a package with a tag other than the first tag is placed inside. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the delivery box door from being locked when the box is empty.

[0022] Next, we will explain in detail the delivery box management system that utilizes RFID wireless communication. Figure 2 shows an example of the arrangement of the components of the delivery box management system. The delivery box management system 1-1 includes a delivery box unit 20, an RFID reader (RFID reader / writer) 30, a control device 40, an RFID printer 50, a numeric keypad 60, an RFID antenna a1 (first antenna), and an RFID antenna a2 (second antenna).

[0023] The delivery box section 20 is equipped with multiple delivery boxes, and in the example shown in Figure 2, there are 12 delivery boxes numbered 1 to 12. The RFID antenna a1 is an antenna for reading the RFID tag (first tag) attached to the package. In this example, the delivery box unit 20 has 12 delivery boxes, so an RFID antenna a1 is installed inside each delivery box numbered 1 to 12. The RFID antenna a1 is installed on the upper wall inside the delivery box, for example.

[0024] Furthermore, an RFID printer 50, an RFID antenna a2, and a numeric keypad 60 are positioned around the delivery box section 20. The RFID printer 50 issues an RFID tag (first tag) to be attached to the package and an RFID tag (second tag) to be attached to the delivery notice. Alternatively, it may issue a shipping label with an RFID tag to be attached to the package and a delivery notice with an RFID tag.

[0025] The RFID antenna a2 is an antenna for reading the RFID tag attached to the delivery notice. The numeric keypad 60 is a keyboard for numerical input. The RFID printer 50, RFID antenna a2, and numeric keypad 60 are placed, for example, on a desk next to the delivery box unit 20.

[0026] The control device 40 includes a control unit 41 and a DB (database) 42, where DB 42 corresponds to the storage unit 4a in Figure 1. The RFID reader 30 corresponds to the communication device 3a in Figure 1. The RFID reader 30 scans the inside of the delivery box through an RFID antenna a1 installed inside the delivery box to detect the RFID tag attached to the package and reads the information (EPC: Electronic Product Code) written on the RFID tag.

[0027] Furthermore, the RFID reader 30 detects the RFID tag attached to the delivery notice held over the RFID antenna a2 and reads the information written on the RFID tag. The control unit 41 controls the locking / unlocking of the delivery box door based on the information read by the RFID reader 30. The control device 40 and the RFID reader 30 are placed, for example, in a storage shelf or similar location that is not visible from the outside around the delivery box unit 20.

[0028] Figure 3 shows an example of the connections of the components of the delivery box management system. The control device 40, RFID printer 50, and numeric keypad 60 are connected to the RFID reader 30 via the concentrator of the HUB 7.

[0029] The RFID reader 30 is connected to the RFID antenna a2, and further connected to each of the RFID antennas a1 installed inside the delivery boxes numbered 1 to 12. The control device 40 is connected to the lock mechanism of each delivery box door numbered 1 to 12, and controls the locking and unlocking of the delivery box doors.

[0030] Figures 4 and 5 show an example of the table structure stored in the database. DB42 stores the delivery box management table T1 (first table) and the serial number management table T2 (second table).

[0031] The delivery box management table T1 shown in Figure 4 has attributes with the column names Delivery Box Number, Availability Information, and ID. The Delivery Box Number is where the number of the delivery box is registered. Availability Information indicates whether the delivery box is empty (no packages are placed inside) or occupied (packages are placed inside). For example, 0 is registered if it is empty, and 1 is registered if it is occupied.

[0032] The ID is registered with unique identification information to identify the delivery box. This identification information includes, for example, a delivery box code that differs for each installation location, a delivery box number, and at least one of the serial numbers.

[0033] Note that attributes No. 1 through No. 3 in the delivery box management table T1 represent a single delivery box table record, and the delivery box management table T1 has a number of table records equal to the number of delivery boxes. Therefore, if there are 12 delivery boxes, the number of table records containing attributes No. 1 through No. 3 is 12.

[0034] The serial number management table T2 shown in Figure 5 has an attribute where the column name is the serial number. The serial number management table T2 registers the final serial number assigned after the delivery box has been used.

[0035] The serial number is also used as a sequential number indicating how often the delivery box has been used, and the value is updated when the delivery box door is locked. The updated value is then registered as the final serial number in the serial number management table T2.

[0036] Figures 6 to 8 illustrate an example of the transition state of information registered in the tables. The control unit 41 controls the registration of table values ​​for the delivery box management table T1 and the serial number management table T2.

[0037] [Step S11: Figure 6] This shows the initial state of the delivery box management table T1 and the serial number management table T2. In the initial state, all delivery boxes with delivery box numbers 1 to 12 are empty.

[0038] In this case, 0 is registered in the availability information. Therefore, all delivery boxes numbered 1 to 12 are unused, and their IDs are NULL. On the other hand, the serial number management table T2 has 00001 registered as its initial value.

[0039] [Step S12: Figure 7] Assume that a package has been placed in delivery box number 5, the door has been locked, and the box is in use. In this case, the availability information for delivery box number 5 in the delivery box management table T1 will be set to 1. Also, the ID for delivery box number 5 will be set to, for example, "123450500001".

[0040] "12345" corresponds to a different delivery box code for each installation location. "05" corresponds to the delivery box number. "00001" corresponds to the serial number. Meanwhile, in the serial number management table T2, when the delivery box with delivery box number 5 is locked, "00001" is incremented by +1 and "00002" is registered.

[0041] [Step S13: Figure 8] Assume that the door of the delivery box with delivery box number 5 has been unlocked and the package has been removed. In this case, 0 will be registered in the available information for delivery box number 5 in the delivery box management table T1. Also, the ID for delivery box number 5 will become NULL. On the other hand, the serial number management table T2 will maintain the registration of "00002".

[0042] Figures 9 and 10 show examples of the locking process for delivery boxes. [Step S21] The delivery company confirms the delivery box number of an available delivery box.

[0043] [Step S22] The delivery company enters the desired delivery box number into the numeric keypad 60. [Step S23] The control unit 41 recognizes the delivery box number entered on the keypad and determines whether the delivery box corresponding to the entered delivery box number is available for use. If it is available, the process proceeds to step S24; otherwise, the process returns to step S22.

[0044] A delivery box is considered "available" when the availability information on the delivery box management table T1 is 0, meaning there are no packages in the delivery box and the door is unlocked. Conversely, a delivery box is considered "unavailable" when the availability information on the delivery box management table T1 is 1, meaning a package with the designated RFID tag is already in the delivery box and the door is locked.

[0045] Let's assume that 3 is entered as the delivery box number using the numeric keypad. In this case, if the delivery box management table T1 has 1 registered as available for delivery box number 3, then delivery box number 3 is unavailable, so the process returns to step S22, and the delivery person will use the numeric keypad 60 to enter another delivery box number.

[0046] Furthermore, if the delivery box management table T1 has a record of 0 for the available delivery box number 3, then the delivery box with delivery box number 3 is available, and the process proceeds to the next step S24.

[0047] [Step S24] The control unit 41 reads the last serial number registered in the serial number management table T2. [Step S25] When the control unit 41 recognizes an available delivery box number entered via the keypad, it instructs the RFID printer 50 to issue an RFID tag. Upon receiving the instruction from the control unit 41, the RFID printer 50 issues two RFID tags: one for attaching to the package and one for attaching the delivery notice.

[0048] The RFID tag attached to the package has the identification information of the delivery box corresponding to the available delivery box number entered via the keypad written as the first identification data. Similarly, the RFID tag attached to the delivery notice has the identification information of the delivery box corresponding to the available delivery box number entered via the keypad written as the second identification data. In other words, the same identification information is written to both RFID tags.

[0049] The identification information written to the RFIDI tag corresponds to the ID in the delivery box management table T1, and includes the delivery box code, delivery box number, and serial number (the last serial number read in step S24).

[0050] [Step S26] The control unit 41 registers the delivery box number entered via the keypad into the delivery box number column of the delivery box management table T1. Furthermore, the control unit 41 registers the identification information (delivery box code + delivery box number + serial number) written on the RFID tag issued by the RFID printer 50 into the ID column of the delivery box management table T1.

[0051] [Step S27] The delivery company attaches the first RFID tag to the package, and the package with the RFID tag is placed in the designated delivery box and the door is closed. [Step S28] The RFID reader 30 detects the RFID tag attached to the package via the RFID antenna a1 installed inside the delivery box, reads the first identification data from the RFID tag, and transmits the read first identification data to the control unit 41.

[0052] [Step S29] The control unit 41 determines whether the first identification data is registered in the identification information of the corresponding delivery box. That is, the control unit 41 determines whether the first identification data written on the RFID tag attached to the package placed in the corresponding delivery box is registered as the ID of the corresponding delivery box in the delivery box management table T1. If it is not registered, the process proceeds to step S30; if it is registered, the process proceeds to step S31.

[0053] [Step S30] The control unit 41 leaves the door of the delivery box unlocked, not locked. The process returns to step S21. [Step S31] The control unit 41 locks the door of the corresponding delivery box. Here, assume that a package is placed in the delivery box with delivery box number 3, and that "123450300001" is registered as the ID of the delivery box with delivery box number 3 in the delivery box management table T1. Then, assume that the RFID printer 50 issues an RFID tag on which the ID of the delivery box "123450300001" is written.

[0054] If the door of delivery box number 3 is closed and a package with an RFID tag containing "123450300001" is placed inside that delivery box, the ID matches the one registered in the delivery box management table T1, and therefore the door of delivery box number 3 is locked.

[0055] Furthermore, if an RFID tag with an ID other than "123450300001" is attached to a delivery box with delivery box number 3, or if data reading via RFID antenna a1 is not possible, the door of the delivery box with delivery box number 3 will remain unlocked.

[0056] [Step S32] The control unit 41 registers 1 in the availability information for the locked delivery box in the delivery box management table T1, setting it to the status of being in use. [Step S33] The control unit 41 updates the last serial number registered in the serial number management table T2 by incrementing it by +1, and registers the updated value as the last serial number.

[0057] [Step S34] The delivery company attaches a second RFID tag to the delivery notice and places it in the recipient's mailbox. Figure 11 shows an example of the process of unlocking a delivery box.

[0058] [Step S41] The recipient holds the delivery notice with the RFID tag attached over the RFID antenna a2. [Step S42] The RFID reader 30 detects the RFID tag attached to the delivery notice via the RFID antenna a2, reads the second identification data from the RFID tag, and transmits the read second identification data to the control unit 41. The second identification data consists of the delivery box code + delivery box number + serial number.

[0059] [Step S43] The control unit 41 determines whether the second identification data written to the RFID tag read by the RFID reader 30 is already registered in the identification information of the corresponding delivery box.

[0060] In other words, the control unit 41 determines whether the second identification data written on the RFID tag attached to the delivery notice is registered as the ID of the corresponding delivery box in the delivery box management table T1. If it is not registered, the lock on the door of the corresponding delivery box is maintained and the process returns to step S41; if it is registered, the process proceeds to step S44.

[0061] [Step S44] The control unit 41 unlocks and opens the door of the delivery box with the corresponding delivery box number registered in the delivery box management table T1. [Step S45] The control unit 41 registers 0 in the availability information of the delivery box whose door has been unlocked in the delivery box management table T1, setting it to an available state. It also sets the ID of the corresponding delivery box number to NULL.

[0062] Let's assume that a package with an RFID tag attached is placed in delivery box number 3, and the door is locked. Let's also assume that the ID written on the RFID tag attached to the package is, for example, "123450300001", and that this ID is registered in the delivery box management table T1. Furthermore, let's assume that the RFID tag attached to the delivery notice that the recipient took out of the mailbox is held up to the RFID antenna a2.

[0063] In this case, if the second identification data read from the RFID tag attached to the delivery notice is "123450300001", it means the delivery is already registered, so the door of the delivery box with delivery box number 3 will be unlocked and the package will be retrieved.

[0064] Furthermore, if data cannot be read via RFID antenna a2, or if the read second identification data is anything other than "123450300001", the door of the delivery box with delivery box number 3 will remain locked.

[0065] As explained above, this embodiment makes it possible to prevent situations where the door of a delivery box becomes locked when there are no packages inside, rendering the delivery box unusable. Furthermore, the recipient can unlock the door of the delivery box containing the package simply by holding the delivery notice over the RFID antenna used for reading the delivery notice, eliminating the need for the conventional code matching required to unlock the box and allowing for easy retrieval of the package.

[0066] Furthermore, once a package is placed in the designated delivery box, it automatically locks and cannot be retrieved until unlocked by the recipient. This ensures the safe storage of packages left unattended and reduces the number of redeliveries for delivery companies. Moreover, it prevents situations where delivery companies intentionally set arbitrary numbers to reserve a delivery box, rendering it unusable.

[0067] Although the above describes the control of locking / unlocking the door of a delivery box, the same locking / unlocking control as the present invention can be applied to various storage boxes used for purposes other than delivery.

[0068] Although embodiments have been illustrated above, the configurations of each part shown in the embodiments can be replaced with others having similar functions. Furthermore, other arbitrary components or processes may be added. Moreover, any two or more configurations (features) from the embodiments described above may be combined. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 1-1 Delivery Box Management System 2a Delivery box 3a Communication equipment 40 Control device 41 Control Unit 4a Storage section a1 First antenna t1 First tag

Claims

1. Delivery box and The first antenna installed inside the aforementioned delivery box, A communication device that detects a first tag via wireless communication through the first antenna and reads first identification data from the first tag, A control device including a storage unit for storing identification information of the delivery box, and a control unit that locks the door of the delivery box if the first identification data is already registered as the identification information, and unlocks the door of the delivery box if the first tag is not detected or the first identification data is not registered as the identification information, A delivery box management system.

2. The system further includes a second antenna located near the delivery box. The communication device detects the second tag via wireless communication through the second antenna and reads the second identification data from the second tag. The control unit unlocks the door of the delivery box if the second identification data is registered as the identification information, and locks the door of the delivery box if the second tag is not detected or the second identification data is not registered as the identification information. The delivery box management system according to claim 1.

3. The area surrounding the aforementioned delivery box is further equipped with a numeric keypad and a printer, When the number of an empty delivery box is entered into the numeric keypad, the printer issues a first tag to be attached to a package placed in the empty delivery box, and a second tag to be attached to a delivery notice. The delivery box management system according to claim 2.

4. The control unit, Availability information, including the state in which the delivery box is unlocked and empty, and the state in which the delivery box is locked and in use, is stored and managed in the storage unit. If the number entered on the numeric keypad matches the number of an available delivery box, the printer is instructed to issue a first tag on which the identification information of the delivery box with the matching number is written as first identification data, and a second tag on which the identification information of the delivery box with the matching number is written as second identification data. The delivery box management system according to claim 3.

5. The delivery box management system according to claim 1, wherein the identification information includes at least one of the delivery box code, the delivery box number, and the serial number, which differs for each installation location, and the identification information is registered in the first table and stored in the storage unit.

6. The delivery box management system according to claim 5, wherein the serial number is updated each time the delivery box is locked, and the updated serial number is registered in the second table and stored in the storage unit.

7. A storage unit that stores the identification information of the delivery box, A control unit, which detects a first tag via wireless communication via a first antenna installed inside the delivery box and reads first identification data from the first tag, locks the door of the delivery box if the first identification data is already registered as identification information, and unlocks the door of the delivery box if the first tag is not detected or the first identification data is not registered as identification information, A control device having

8. The control unit, upon detecting a second tag via wireless communication through a second antenna located near the delivery box, and reading second identification data from the second tag, unlocks the door of the delivery box if the second identification data is already registered as identification information, and locks the door of the delivery box if the second tag is not detected or the second identification data is not registered as identification information. The control device according to claim 7.

Images