Locker device camera

Abstract

To provide a camera that can be attached to an existing locker device. [Solution] A camera 200 for a locker device is attached to a locker device 100 which has a plurality of storage sections 21 capable of storing luggage, storage section doors 21a for accessing the inside of the storage sections 21, and a lock section for locking the storage section doors 21a. The locker device 100 has a camera mechanism section 210 for photographing the user, a locker section 20 in which the storage sections 21 are provided, and a user operation section 10 which allows the user to open and close the storage sections 21. The camera 200 is equipped with a holding bracket 220 attached to the top of the user operation section 10 to hold the camera mechanism section 210, and a flat cable 215 connected to the camera mechanism section 210 for communicating with a storage device.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a camera for a rocker device. [Background technology]

[0002] Locker devices (coin lockers), which are widely installed in train stations and other locations, have lockable doors and the ability to temporarily store and keep luggage. In recent years, more and more lockers can be paid for with transportation IC cards, and their usage is expanding. However, as their usage expands, it has become necessary to anticipate the various ways in which users will use them. To increase convenience, a system has been proposed that connects to a network, allowing users to check the availability of locker devices and make reservations from remote locations.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses technology related to a parcel delivery service system. A parcel delivery box device capable of communicating with a server is equipped with a communication device and a software module, and has a usage status determination unit that checks the locking status to determine whether the box is in use, and a parcel-related information receiving unit that receives various information input by the user, making it possible to communicate with a user terminal held by the user and to inform the user of the availability of the box. At this time, by connecting multiple box devices to a network and grasping the usage status, the user can grasp the real-time box usage status. The box is equipped with a camera that takes pictures of parcels, which is used to calculate the usage fee.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses technology relating to a usage status confirmation device, a usage status confirmation program, and a usage status confirmation method. The device includes a locker, a camera installed in a position where the locker is captured, an image information storage unit that records image information obtained from the camera, a locker discrimination unit that reads out unused image information from the image information storage unit, a usage status discrimination unit that compares the unused image information with the current image information, and a usage status presentation unit that presents the determined usage status, allowing users to check the availability of lockers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7534835 [Patent Document 2] JP 2017-4047 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, as the number of users increases, there are cases where it is necessary to check the usage status of users, and there is a demand to film users. There is also a demand to record for the purpose of monitoring inappropriate usage. The technologies disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 also introduce examples of using cameras in locker devices, but both are used for the purpose of checking the usage status of the locker device, and are not positioned to film the user from the front, so it may be difficult to use them to identify the user.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a camera that can be retrofitted to an existing locker device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a camera for a rocker device according to one aspect of the present invention has the following features.

[0009] (1) A camera for a locker device is attached to a locker device having a plurality of storage compartments capable of storing luggage, storage compartment doors for accessing the interiors of the storage compartments, and a locking unit for locking the storage compartment doors, a camera mechanism for photographing a user; a locker unit in which the storage unit is provided and a user operation unit in which the user opens and closes the storage unit; and a holding metal fitting attached to an upper portion of the user operation unit so as to hold the camera mechanism; a flat cable connected to the camera mechanism for communicating with a storage device; The retaining metal fitting can be used to hook and fix the upper side of a maintenance door provided on the user operation unit. It is characterized by:

[0010] According to the aspect described in (1) above, it is possible to provide a camera for a locker device that is installed in the locker device for the purpose of photographing a user. This is because, when opening and closing the door of a locker device having a plurality of storage compartments using a user operation unit, the user needs to stand in a specific place to open and close the door of the storage compartment. By utilizing this, the user can be photographed by the camera mechanism, and the data can be used for purposes such as crime prevention. There is a demand for a camera for a locker device that can be retrofitted to locker devices that have been introduced up to now. Also, in many cases, a maintenance door for performing maintenance is provided on the user operation unit. For this reason, by providing a retaining metal fitting that can be attached to this maintenance door, it becomes possible to accommodate many locker devices.

[0011] The information captured by the locker device camera is either captured by a device installed in the user operation unit, or uploaded and stored on an external server. By capturing a photo of the user operating the user operation unit, for example, if the user realizes that they have accidentally put something in the locker that they did not need to leave behind just after depositing their luggage in the locker device and closing the storage unit door, it would be possible to confirm that the user is the same as the one photographed beforehand, and take measures such as allowing the luggage in the locker device to be removed for a certain period of time. It can also be used for security purposes.

[0012] (2) In the camera for a locker device according to (1), The retaining metal fitting is holding the camera mechanism unit so that an optical axis of a camera lens provided in the camera mechanism unit passes through the user who operates the user operation unit; a hook portion provided on the edge of the retaining metal fitting is hooked onto an upper side of the maintenance door provided on the user operation unit; is preferred.

[0013] (3) In the camera for a locker device according to (2), The shape of the holding metal fitting is determined so that the optical axis of the camera lens is at 70°±5° with respect to the storage unit door; is preferred.

[0014] (4) In the camera for a locker device according to (2) or (3), The shape of the holding metal fitting is determined so that the height from the floor surface of the intersection of the optical axis and the camera lens is 1790 mm ± 50 mm. is preferred.

[0015] According to any one of the above (2) to (4), it becomes possible to reliably capture an image of the user. This is because it has been found that by appropriately setting the mounting position and angle of the locker device camera, it is possible to adjust it so that it can capture an image of the user operating the user operation unit, and the applicant has conducted repeated tests to confirm the positions and angles at which the locker device camera can capture an image of the user.

[0016] (5) In the camera for a locker device according to any one of (2) to (5), The flat cable is routed through a wiring space provided between the hooks, a thickness of the steel plate used for the hook portion is set to be thicker than a thickness of the flat cable, a tape having a friction reducing function is attached between the flat cable and the upper edge of the maintenance door; is preferred.

[0017] The above aspect (5) makes it possible to provide a camera for a locker device that can be easily attached using a maintenance door. This is because a hook is hooked onto the maintenance door and fixed in place, and the hook is provided with a wiring space for passing the flat cable through, protecting the flat cable. Therefore, the flat cable will not be damaged even when the maintenance door is opened and closed.

[0018] (6) In the camera for a locker device according to (5), the retaining metal fitting is composed of a base metal fitting and a cover metal fitting, the hook portion is provided on the cover metal fitting side, and a recess is formed in the base metal fitting at a position corresponding to the wiring space; is preferred.

[0019] The above-mentioned (6) embodiment makes it possible to prevent interference between the flat cable and the metal retainer, which in turn makes it easier to attach the camera to the locker device and protects the flat cable. This is because a recess is formed in the base metal in the area corresponding to the wiring space. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rocker device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the camera for the rocker device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which a camera for a rocker device is attached according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a camera mechanism according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is a perspective view of a locker device camera according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to a door. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the rear side of the maintenance door in this embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment in a state where the base metal fitting is attached to the door. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] First, an overview of a locker device camera according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the locker device of this embodiment. Fig. 2 shows an enlarged perspective view of the locker device camera. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of part A in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the locker device camera attached. The locker device 100 comprises a user operation unit 10 and a locker unit 20. The locker device camera 200 is attached to the top of the user operation unit 10.

[0022] Locker device 100 is a cashless type device that uses an IC card or the like for payment, and is divided into a user operation unit 10 and a locker unit 20. Locker unit 20 is provided with a plurality of storage units 21, and storage unit doors 21a provided in each storage unit 21 are opened and closed by user operation unit 10. A maintenance door 15 is attached to user operation unit 10. Maintenance door 15 is a door for accessing the back side of user operation unit 10 to perform maintenance, and has the function of opening and closing to the front side of user operation unit 10.

[0023] The maintenance door 15 is provided with an operation screen 11 and a card reader 12 so that they can be operated from the front, that is, the side where the user stands. The operation screen 11 is a touch panel type screen using a liquid crystal panel, and enables the user to check the usage status of the locker section 20, open and close a specific storage section door 21a provided in the locker section 20, and lock and unlock it using a key unit (not shown). Note that in addition to the operation screen 11, physical buttons (not shown) may be provided separately as necessary.

[0024] A control device 16 is provided on the back of the operation screen 11, and has the function of acquiring and providing information by communicating with a data center (not shown). By sorting the data provided by this control device 16 at the data center, a user can check the availability of locker devices 100 in a remote location using a mobile terminal. Therefore, a user can select a locker device 100 having an unused storage section 21 from among the multiple locker devices 100 installed, and reach the locker device 100.

[0025] A plurality of storage units 21 in the locker unit 20 are provided with lockable storage unit doors 21a, and the storage unit doors 21a are opened and closed by the user operation unit 10. The storage units 21 are always kept closed, and the user operates the operation screen 11 on the user operation unit 10 to unlock the storage unit doors 21a of the storage units 21 that are available for use.

[0026] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the camera mechanism. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the locker device camera attached to the door. The locker device camera 200 is made up of a camera mechanism 210 and a holding metal fitting 220, and the holding metal fitting 220 is made up of a cover metal fitting 201 and a base metal fitting 202. The camera mechanism 210 uses "KBCR-S03MU" manufactured by Shikino High-Tech Co., Ltd. Of course, this does not prevent the use of a camera module with equivalent functions as necessary.

[0027] In the camera mechanism section 210, as shown in Fig. 4, a lens unit 212 equipped with a camera lens 211 is attached to a camera board 213, and a port 214 is provided on the camera board 213. The port 214 complies with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard. A connector section 215a of a flat cable 215 is inserted into this port 214, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 3, the cover metal fitting 201 is provided with a pillar 201b for fixing the camera mechanism unit 210 therein. A lens window 201d is provided so that the camera lens 211 provided on the camera mechanism unit 210 is exposed from the outside of the cover metal fitting 201. Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the inside of the user operation unit. Of the locker device camera 200, the camera mechanism unit 210 is fixed and held by a holding metal fitting 220.

[0029] 6, a hook portion 201a is provided on the upper side of the cover metal fitting 201, which is formed by bending an extension portion 201c, so that the cover metal fitting 201 can be attached by hooking it onto the door upper edge 15a of the maintenance door 15. In addition, two extension portions 201c are provided, and a wiring space 205 is formed between them.

[0030] The wiring space 205 is formed as a gap where the door upper edge 15a of the maintenance door 15 is exposed and through which the flat cable 215 connected to the camera mechanism part 210 inside the holding metal fitting 220 can pass, and has a width corresponding to the recess 202d of the base metal fitting 202. Also, the door upper edge 15a corresponding to the wiring space 205 has the abrasion-resistant tape 221 affixed thereto as described above.

[0031] A fastening hole 201e corresponding to the screw hole 202c provided in the base metal fitting 202 is formed in the upper surface of the cover metal fitting 201. This fastening hole 201e is used for fixing to the base metal fitting 202 with a bolt 204 as shown in Fig. 3. A flat cable 215 extends from the camera mechanism unit 210 and is connected to the control device 16 installed inside the user operation unit 10. The control device 16 is provided with a storage device and can store image data obtained from the camera mechanism unit 210. A separate storage device may be provided, or the image data may be sent to a data center for recording as necessary.

[0032] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the base metal fitting attached to the door. The base metal fitting 202 attached to the outer surface 15b of the maintenance door 15 is a component formed by bending a plate material, and has projections 202a and hook portions 202b at two locations in the width direction. The base metal fitting 202 is attached to the outer surface 15b of the maintenance door 15 as shown in Fig. 7, and is fixed by covering the cover metal fitting 201 from above. There are no particular limitations on the method of attachment, and for example, highly adhesive double-sided tape may be used, or fasteners such as bolts and rivets may be used. In this embodiment, an example is introduced in which double-sided tape 203 is used for fixing.

[0033] The protrusions 202a are provided so that the ends of the base metal fitting 202 protrude towards the maintenance door 15, making it possible to determine the positioning in the height direction when attaching the base metal fitting 202 to the maintenance door 15. In other words, the two protrusions 202a protruding towards the door upper edge 15a of the base metal fitting 202 are bent at a right angle towards the maintenance door 15 side.

[0034] Hook portions 202b provided at both ends of the base metal fitting 202 in the width direction are shaped to receive pin portions (not shown) provided on the cover metal fitting 201, and are structured to be able to support the weight of the cover metal fitting 201. Screw holes 202c for screwing the cover metal fitting 201 with bolts 204 are provided in two places on the top of the base metal fitting 202.

[0035] Furthermore, recesses 202d are provided between the protrusions 202a, and friction-resistant tape 221 made of a highly self-lubricating material such as a fluororesin adhesive tape is affixed to the door upper edge 15a of the maintenance door 15 to correspond to this portion. If necessary, the friction-resistant tape 221 may be affixed on top of the flat cable 215 after it has been wired, to protect the flat cable 215. By affixing the friction-resistant tape 221, consideration is given to preventing the flat cable 215 from being damaged when the maintenance door 15 is opened and closed.

[0036] The locker device camera 200 of this embodiment has the above-described configuration and therefore provides the following functions and effects.

[0037] First, a camera 200 for a locker device that can photograph a user by attaching it to an existing locker device 100 can be provided. This camera 200 for a locker device is attached to a locker device 100 that has a plurality of storage compartments 21 capable of storing luggage, a storage compartment door 21a for accessing the inside of the storage compartment 21, and a locking unit for locking the storage compartment door 21a. The camera 200 for a locker device includes a camera mechanism unit 210 for photographing a user, a locker unit 20 in which the storage compartments 21 are provided, and a user operation unit 10 where the user opens and closes the storage compartments 21. The camera 200 includes a holding metal fitting 220 attached to the top of the user operation unit 10 to hold the camera mechanism unit 210, and a flat cable 215 connected to the camera mechanism unit 210 for communicating with a storage device.

[0038] The retaining metal fitting 220 holds the camera mechanism 210 so that the optical axis CL of the camera lens 211 provided in the camera mechanism 210 is at 70°±5° with respect to the storage unit door 21a and the optical axis CL passes through the user operating the user operation unit 10, and a hook portion provided on the edge of the retaining metal fitting 220 is hooked and fixed to the door upper side 15a of the maintenance door 15 to which the user operation unit 10 is attached. By employing such a configuration, it becomes possible to easily attach the locker device camera 200 that photographs the user to the locker device 100.

[0039] As described in the problem, locker device 100 often does not have a means for photographing a user. Therefore, by providing a locker device camera 200, it becomes possible to photograph a user. Since a user operates the storage unit door 21a of the storage unit 21 used by the user operation unit 10 to open and close the storage unit door 21a, the user must stand in front of the operation screen 11 to perform the operation. Therefore, the locker device camera 200 can be placed in a fixed position to photograph the user.

[0040] The user operation unit 10 of the locker device 100 is provided with a maintenance door 15, making it easy to attach the locker device camera 200. If the locker device 100 is provided with a user operation unit 10, it is often the case that a similar structure is adopted, making it possible to attach the camera without any problems.

[0041] When the locker device camera 200 is attached to the locker device 100, the optical axis CL of the camera lens 211 provided in the camera mechanism section 210 is positioned at 70°±5° with respect to the maintenance door 15 as shown in Fig. 3. Also, the height a from the floor surface of the intersection of the optical axis CL and the camera lens 211 is 1790 mm±50 mm. Conversely, the retaining metal fitting 220 is designed so that the locker device camera 200 is at such a position and angle when attached to the maintenance door 15.

[0042] As a result, the camera mechanism unit 210 is held so that the optical axis CL passes through the user who operates the user operation unit 10. This makes it possible to reliably photograph or record the user's appearance (hereinafter referred to as "image data"). The height of the user is assumed to be about 130 cm to 190 cm.

[0043] Image data can be used for crime prevention, but can also be used for identity verification. For example, by photographing a user who operates the user operation unit 10, if the user realizes after depositing luggage in the locker device 100 and closing the storage unit door 21a that he or she has accidentally put something that does not need to be deposited in the locker device 100 and locked it in, the image data captured in advance can be used to identify the user, and measures can be taken, such as making the luggage stored in the storage unit 21 available for removal.

[0044] The user's identity can be confirmed using image data by the administrator of the locker device 100, or the identity can be verified using AI or the like. The locker device camera 200 can be attached to the top of the locker section 20 at a specified angle, so that the face and clothing of the user can be photographed reliably, making it easy to identify the user.

[0045] Since the locker device camera 200 can be retrofitted to a locker device 100 that does not have one, it is highly convenient for the administrator to collect data by retrofitting the locker device camera 200. Also, simply having the locker device camera 200 is expected to have a crime prevention effect, and can also be used to identify users who have used the storage section 21 in an inappropriate manner.

[0046] The above describes the locker device camera 200 according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the configuration of the locker device 100 is shown, but the locker device camera 200 is applicable without being limited to the configuration of the locker device 100. In addition, although the description has been given of the locker device camera 200 being connected to the control device 16, it is not necessarily required that the locker device camera 200 be connected to the control device 16, and a configuration such as connecting to a storage device equipped with a communication function may be adopted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10 User operation section 15 Maintenance door 15a Top of door 16 Control device 20 Locker section 21 Storage unit 100 Locker device 200 Locker device camera

Claims

1. A camera for a locker device is attached to a locker device having a plurality of storage compartments capable of storing luggage, storage compartment doors for accessing the interiors of the storage compartments, and a locking unit for locking the storage compartment doors, a camera mechanism for photographing a user; a locker unit in which the storage unit is provided and a user operation unit in which the user opens and closes the storage unit; and a holding metal fitting attached to an upper portion of the user operation unit so as to hold the camera mechanism; a flat cable connected to the camera mechanism for communicating with a storage device; The retaining metal fitting can be used to hook and fix the upper side of a maintenance door provided on the user operation unit. A camera for a locker device comprising:

2. 2. The camera for a rocker device according to claim 1, The retaining metal fitting is holding the camera mechanism unit so that an optical axis of a camera lens provided in the camera mechanism unit passes through the user who operates the user operation unit; a hook portion provided on the edge of the retaining metal fitting is hooked onto an upper side of the maintenance door provided on the user operation unit; A camera for a locker device comprising:

3. 3. The camera for a rocker device according to claim 2, The shape of the retaining metal fitting is determined so that the optical axis of the camera lens is at 70°±5° with respect to the storage unit door; A camera for a locker device comprising:

4. 3. The camera for a rocker device according to claim 2, The shape of the holding metal fitting is determined so that the height of the intersection of the optical axis and the camera lens from the floor surface is 1790 mm ± 50 mm; A camera for a locker device comprising:

5. The camera for a rocker device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, The flat cable is routed through a wiring space provided between the hooks, a thickness of the steel plate used for the hook portion is set to be thicker than a thickness of the flat cable, a tape having a friction reducing function is attached between the flat cable and the upper edge of the maintenance door; A camera for a locker device comprising:

6. 6. The camera for a rocker device according to claim 5, the retaining metal fitting is composed of a base metal fitting and a cover metal fitting, the hook portion is provided on the cover metal fitting side, and a recess is formed in the base metal fitting at a position corresponding to the wiring space; A camera for a locker device comprising:

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