Smart item retrieval system equipment

Abstract

A smart item retrieval system includes a cabinet, an electronic lock, a detection device, and a control device. The cabinet has a front-to-back item removal end and an item placement end. The electronic lock is integrated into the cabinet to lock the item removal end and can be unlocked under control. The detection device is integrated into the cabinet to detect an item being placed into the cabinet via the item placement end and generates an item placement signal accordingly. The control device is electrically connected to the electronic lock and the detection device, receives the item placement signal, sends an item placement notification to a user device, and controls the electronic lock to unlock according to an unlocking mechanism. This facilitates item placement, eliminates queuing for retrieval, and prevents the wrong item from being retrieved.

Description

Smart item retrieval system equipment Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a system device that enables self-retrieval of items, and more particularly to a smart item retrieval system device. Prior Technology

[0002] Traditional light meal or fast food restaurants typically use manual or automated methods to call customers to the food counter. When orders are plentiful, this often results in the counter being cluttered with food, making it inconvenient for staff to arrange items, causing queues and slowing down customer pickup, and even potentially leading to customers taking the wrong items. Therefore, finding a way to facilitate item placement, eliminate queues, and prevent mistakes has become a crucial challenge for the relevant technical field. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem this invention aims to solve is to provide a smart object retrieval system device that addresses the shortcomings of existing technologies.

[0004] An embodiment of this invention provides a smart item retrieval system device, including: a cabinet having an item removal end and an item placement end facing each other; an electronic lock, integrated with the cabinet to lock the item removal end, the electronic lock being controllable for unlocking; a detection device, integrated with the cabinet to detect an item placed into the cabinet by the item placement end, and correspondingly generating an item placement signal; and a control device, electrically connected to the electronic lock and the detection device, receiving the item placement signal, sending an item placement notification to a user device accordingly, and controlling the electronic lock to unlock according to an unlocking mechanism.

[0005] In one optional embodiment, the unlocking mechanism used by the control device is one of a proximity unlocking mechanism, a QR code unlocking mechanism, a remote unlocking mechanism, and a proximity unlocking mechanism.

[0006] In an optional embodiment, the control device further determines whether the duration of the received signal for placing the item has reached a predetermined duration. If the duration of the received signal for placing the item has not reached the predetermined duration, the unlocking of the electronic lock is forcibly stopped.

[0007] In an optional embodiment, the detection device is a weight detector and is integrated into the bottom area of ​​the cabinet to detect the item being placed into the cabinet by the item placement end, and generate a corresponding weight detection signal, which is the item placement signal.

[0008] In an optional embodiment, the detection device is a resistive thin-film pressure sensor, which is integrated into the bottom region of the cabinet to detect the item being placed into the cabinet from the item placement end, and generates a pressure detection signal accordingly, which is the item placement signal.

[0009] In one optional embodiment, the detection device is an infrared distance detector, which is integrated into the top area of ​​the cabinet to detect the item being placed into the cabinet by the item placement end, and generates an infrared distance detection signal accordingly, which is the item placement signal.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, the detection device is an image detector and is integrated into the top area of ​​the cabinet to detect the item being placed into the cabinet by the item placement end, and generate an image detection signal accordingly, which is the item placement signal.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, the detection device is an ultrasonic detector, which is integrated into the top area of ​​the cabinet to detect the item placed into the cabinet by the item placement end, and generates an ultrasonic detection signal accordingly, which is the item placement signal.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, the detection device is a time-of-flight (TOF) rangefinder, which is integrated into the top area of ​​the cabinet to detect the item being placed into the cabinet from the item placement end, and generates a corresponding TOF rangefinder signal, which is the item placement signal.

[0013] In one alternative embodiment, the detection device is a mechanical trigger switch and is integrated into the bottom area of ​​the cabinet to detect the item being placed into the cabinet by the item placement end, and generate a corresponding trigger switch signal, which is the item placement signal.

[0014] To further understand the features and technical content of this invention, please refer to the following detailed description and drawings of this invention. However, the drawings provided are for reference and illustration only and are not intended to limit this invention. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a smart object retrieval system device according to an embodiment of this invention.

[0016] Figure 2 is a side view of a smart object retrieval system device according to an embodiment of this invention.

[0017] Figure 3 is a side view of a smart object retrieval system device according to an embodiment of this invention.

[0018] Figure 4 is a block diagram of a smart object retrieval system device according to an embodiment of this invention. Implementation

[0019] The following specific embodiments illustrate the relevant implementation methods disclosed in this invention. Those skilled in the art can understand the advantages and effects of this invention from the content disclosed in this specification. This invention can be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified and changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the concept of this invention. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings of this invention are for simple illustrative purposes only and are not depictions of actual dimensions, as stated beforehand. Also, the same or similar parts in the drawings are labeled with the same reference numerals. The following embodiments will further describe the relevant technical content of this invention in detail, but the disclosed content is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention.

[0020] It should be understood that while terms such as "first," "second," and "third" may be used in this document to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are primarily used to distinguish one component from another. Furthermore, the term "or" as used herein should, as appropriate, include any combination of one or more related listed items.

[0021] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4. This invention provides a smart item retrieval system device. The smart item retrieval system device provided by this invention basically includes a cabinet 10, an electronic lock 20, a detection device 30, and a control device 40. The architecture of the smart item retrieval system device described here only refers to the components related to this invention, but it does not mean that the smart item retrieval system device is limited to this, and components can be added or removed according to different usage requirements.

[0022] The number, shape, and size of the cabinets 10 are not limited, and each cabinet 10 has a front-to-back item removal end 11 and an item placement end 12. The end of the cabinet 10 facing the user can be considered the front end, and the other end of the cabinet 10 facing the item provider can be considered the rear end. The rear end of the cabinet 10 is the item placement end 12, which is an open end with an opening 121 that is always open, allowing the item provider to easily place items 800 (such as meals or drinks) directly into the cabinet.

[0023] As mentioned above, the front end of the cabinet 10 is the item removal end 11, and the item removal end 11 is normally a closed end. The item removal end 11 may have a cabinet door 111.

[0024] The state of the electronic lock 20 is not limited, and the electronic lock 20 is integrated with the cabinet 10 to lock the item removal end 11 of the cabinet 10, that is, to lock the cabinet door 111 of the item removal end 11, and the electronic lock 20 can be unlocked in a controlled manner.

[0025] The detection device 30 is integrated into the cabinet 10 to detect the item 800 placed into the cabinet by the item placement end 12 and generate an item placement signal accordingly.

[0026] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG2, the detection device 30 can be a weight detector and is integrated into the bottom area inside the cabinet 10, thereby detecting the item 800 placed into the cabinet 10 by the item placement end 12 and generating a corresponding weight detection signal, so that the weight detection signal generated by the detection device 30 in one embodiment can be used as an item placement signal.

[0027] In one embodiment, the detection device 30 illustrated in FIG2 can also be a resistive thin-film pressure sensor, also known as a force-sensitive resistor (FSR), and is integrated into the bottom area inside the cabinet 10, so as to detect the item 800 placed into the cabinet 10 by the item placement end 12 and generate a pressure detection signal accordingly, so that the pressure detection signal generated by the detection device 30 in one embodiment can be used as an item placement signal.

[0028] In one embodiment, the detection device 30 illustrated in FIG2 can also be a mechanical trigger switch (such as a micro switch, limit switch, etc.) and is combined with the bottom area of ​​the cabinet body, so as to detect the item 800 placed into the cabinet body 10 by the item placement end 12 and generate a corresponding trigger switch signal (a signal of internal circuit being turned on or off), so that the trigger switch signal generated by the detection device 30 in one embodiment can be used as an item placement signal.

[0029] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG3, the detection device 30 can be an infrared distance detector and is integrated into the top area inside the cabinet 10, thereby detecting the item 800 placed into the cabinet 10 by the item placement end 12 and generating an infrared distance detection signal accordingly, so that the infrared distance detection signal generated by the detection device 30 in one embodiment can be used as an item placement signal.

[0030] In one embodiment, the detection device 30 illustrated in FIG3 can be an image detector, integrated into the top area inside the cabinet 10, thereby detecting the item 800 placed into the cabinet 10 by the item placement end 12 and generating an image detection signal accordingly. Thus, the image detection signal generated by the detection device 30 in one embodiment can serve as an item placement signal. In practice, the image detector can capture images inside the cabinet, and image differences can be compared or specific object features can be identified to determine whether an item has been placed inside.

[0031] In one embodiment, the detection device 30 illustrated in Figure 3 can be an ultrasonic detector, integrated into the top area inside the cabinet 10. This allows it to detect items 800 placed into the cabinet 10 by the item placement end 12 and generate a corresponding ultrasonic detection signal. Thus, the ultrasonic detection signal generated by the detection device 30 in one embodiment can serve as an item placement signal. In practice, items can be detected by the reflection of ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic detector to determine whether an item has been placed inside.

[0032] In one embodiment, the detection device 30 illustrated in FIG3 can be a time-of-flight (TOF) rangefinder, integrated into the top area inside the cabinet 10. This allows it to detect items 800 placed into the cabinet 10 by the item placement end 12 and generate a corresponding TOF rangefinder signal. Thus, the TOF rangefinder signal generated by the detection device 30 in one embodiment can serve as an item placement signal. In practice, the change in distance detected by the time-of-flight of the TOF rangefinder can be used to determine whether an item has been placed.

[0033] The control device 40 is electrically connected to the electronic lock 20 and the detection device 30. The control device can be installed at a suitable location inside or outside the cabinet 10, or it can be electrically connected to the electronic lock 20 and the detection device 30 via wired or wireless means. The control device 40 can receive the item placement signal generated by the detection device 30, and send an item placement notification to a user device 900 accordingly. The item placement notification can be presented on the user device 900 in the form of sound (ringtone, music, or voice), vibration, text, or image.

[0034] Furthermore, the control device 40 can control the electronic lock 20 to unlock according to an unlocking mechanism, thereby allowing the user to retrieve the item 800 from the item retrieval end 11 of the cabinet 10. The unlocking mechanism used by the control device 40 can be a proximity unlocking mechanism, a barcode unlocking mechanism, a remote unlocking mechanism, or a proximity unlocking mechanism. In practice, the control device 40 is implemented, for example, through a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller (MCU), or a dedicated integrated circuit (ASIC), using software or firmware in conjunction with hardware.

[0035] In one embodiment, the unlocking mechanism used by the control device 40 is a proximity unlocking mechanism. Further, the control device 40 can be a control device with Bluetooth communication functionality, that is, a control device with an internal Bluetooth communication chip or related circuitry. The user device 900 can be a portable device with Bluetooth communication functionality, that is, a portable device with an internal Bluetooth communication chip or related circuitry, such as a mobile phone, a smart bracelet, etc., without limitation. The control device 40 and the user device 900 can be connected via Bluetooth communication, and the Bluetooth communication method includes, but is not limited to, Bluetooth 3.0, Bluetooth 4.0, Bluetooth 5.0, or Bluetooth 6.0 communication protocols. Through Bluetooth communication, the control device 40 can determine that the user device 900 is approaching the cabinet 10 when the measured Bluetooth signal strength emitted by the user device 900 is greater than a strength threshold value, so that the control device 40 can control the electronic lock 20 to unlock according to the proximity unlocking mechanism. The aforementioned strength threshold value (RSSI value) is -50Bm, which can be adjusted according to actual needs and is not restricted.

[0036] In one embodiment, the control device 40 and the user device 900 can also be connected via a Wi-Fi communication method. The control device 40 can determine that the user device 900 is approaching the cabinet 10 if the measured Wi-Fi signal strength emitted by the user device 900 is greater than a strength threshold value.

[0037] In one embodiment, the unlocking mechanism used by the control device 40 is a QR code unlocking mechanism. More specifically, the control device 40 may be a control device with scanning functionality, meaning it has internal scanning components or related circuitry. The user device 900 may be a mobile phone, wristband, etc. The control device 40 scans the unique two-dimensional barcode (QR code) on the user device 900 to read the corresponding identification information, enabling the control device 40 to control the electronic lock 20 to unlock according to the QR code unlocking mechanism.

[0038] In one embodiment, the unlocking mechanism used by the control device 40 is a remote unlocking mechanism. Furthermore, the control device 40 may be a network-connected control device, meaning it has network-connected components or related circuitry. The user device 900 may be a mobile phone, wristband, etc., which receives unlocking commands sent from a remote server via the control device 40 (e.g., after the user operates on a mobile app / APP, triggering the cabinet door to open via MQTT / HTTP), allowing the control device 40 to control the electronic lock 20 to unlock according to the remote unlocking mechanism.

[0039] In one embodiment, the unlocking mechanism used by the control device 40 is a proximity unlocking mechanism. Furthermore, the control device 40 may be a control device with a reading function, that is, a control device with internal reading (NFC / RFID) components or related circuitry. The user device 900 may be a mobile phone, wristband, etc., and the control device 40 reads the identification information corresponding to the user device 900 at the proximity end, enabling the control device 40 to control the electronic lock 20 to unlock according to the proximity unlocking mechanism.

[0040] Furthermore, the control device 40 can further determine whether the duration of the received item placement signal has reached a predetermined time. If the duration of the received item placement signal has not reached the predetermined time, the electronic lock 20 is forcibly stopped from unlocking. That is, if the item provider (sales or service personnel) accidentally places the item 800 into the cabinet 10 that is not the corresponding user device 900 and immediately takes it out, or accidentally puts their hand into the cabinet 10 and immediately pulls it out, causing the control device 40 to determine that the duration of the received item placement signal has not reached the predetermined time, for example, less than 5 seconds, the electronic lock 20 is forcibly stopped from unlocking, and a waiting notification can also be sent to the user device 900 to inform the user that the item cannot be retrieved from the item retrieval end 11 of the cabinet 10 at this time. In addition, if the item 800 is not placed in the correct cabinet 10 or the cabinet 10 has not yet received an order signal, no action is required even if the item 800 is detected being placed in.

[0041] Alternatively, when receiving the item placement signal generated by the detection device 30, the control device 40 may determine whether the duration of the received item placement signal has reached a predetermined duration. Only when the duration of the received item placement signal has reached the predetermined duration will the control device 40 send an item placement notification to the user device 900 to notify the user to come to the cabinet 10 to retrieve the item.

[0042] Finally, the control device 40 can send a retrieval completion notification to the user device 900 after the user completes the retrieval action, that is, after the item 800 has been taken out and the item placement signal disappears, so that the user knows that the item 800 has indeed been taken out by the item retrieval end 11 of the cabinet 10.

[0043] Furthermore, the control device 40 can lock the electronic lock 20 and enter standby mode after the item 800 is removed from the item removal end 11 of the cabinet 10, causing the item placement signal to disappear, for example, after a period of time after the weight detection signal disappears, in order to save system energy consumption.

[0044] In summary, the smart item retrieval system provided by this invention includes a cabinet 10, an electronic lock 20, a detection device 30, and a control device 40. The cabinet 10 has an item removal end 11 and an item placement end 12 facing each other. The electronic lock 20 is integrated into the cabinet 10 to lock the item removal end 11, and the electronic lock 20 can be unlocked under control. The detection device 30 is integrated into the cabinet 10 to detect an item 800 placed into the cabinet 10 by the item placement end 12, and generates an item placement signal accordingly. The control device 40 is electrically connected to the electronic lock 20 and the detection device 30, receives the item placement signal, sends an item placement notification to a user device 900, and controls the electronic lock 20 to unlock according to an unlocking mechanism. This allows item providers to easily place items, eliminates queuing for users, and prevents the wrong item from being retrieved.

[0045] The above-disclosed content is only a preferred and feasible embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the patent application of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical changes made using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings are included in the scope of the patent application of the present invention.

[0046] 10: Cabinet 11: Item Retrieval End 111: Cabinet door 12: Item placement end 121: Opening 20: Electronic lock 30: Detection device 40: Control device 800: Items 900: User Equipment

Claims

1. A smart item retrieval system device, comprising: A cabinet with an item removal end and an item placement end facing each other at the front and back; An electronic lock, integrated into the cabinet, locks the item removal end and is controllable for unlocking; a detection device, integrated into the cabinet, detects an item placed into the cabinet from the item placement end and generates an item placement signal accordingly; and a control device, electrically connected to the electronic lock and the detection device, receives the item placement signal, sends an item placement notification to a user device, and controls the electronic lock to unlock according to an unlocking mechanism.

2. The intelligent item retrieval system device as described in claim 1, wherein, The unlocking mechanism used by the control device is one of a proximity unlocking mechanism, a barcode unlocking mechanism, a remote unlocking mechanism, and a proximity unlocking mechanism.

3. The intelligent item retrieval system device as described in claim 1, wherein, The control device further determines whether the duration of the received signal for placing the item has reached a predetermined duration. If the duration of the received signal for placing the item has not reached the predetermined duration, the electronic lock unlocking is forcibly stopped.

4. The intelligent item retrieval system device as described in claim 1, wherein, The detection device is a weight detector, which is integrated into the bottom area of ​​the cabinet to detect the item being placed into the cabinet from the item placement end, and generates a weight detection signal accordingly. The weight detection signal is the item placement signal.

5. The intelligent item retrieval system device as described in claim 1, wherein, The detection device is a resistive thin-film pressure sensor, which is integrated into the bottom area of ​​the cabinet to detect the item being placed into the cabinet from the item placement end, and generates a pressure detection signal accordingly. The pressure detection signal is the item placement signal.

6. The intelligent item retrieval system device as described in claim 1, wherein, The detection device is an infrared distance detector, which is integrated into the top area of ​​the cabinet to detect the item being placed into the cabinet from the item placement end, and generates an infrared distance detection signal accordingly. The infrared distance detection signal is the item placement signal.

7. The intelligent item retrieval system device as described in claim 1, wherein, The detection device is an image detector, which is integrated into the top area of ​​the cabinet to detect the item being placed into the cabinet from the item placement end, and generates an image detection signal accordingly. The image detection signal is the item placement signal.

8. The intelligent item retrieval system device as described in claim 1, wherein, The detection device is an ultrasonic detector, which is integrated into the top area of ​​the cabinet to detect the item being placed into the cabinet from the item placement end, and generates an ultrasonic detection signal accordingly. The ultrasonic detection signal is the item placement signal.

9. The intelligent item retrieval system device as described in claim 1, wherein, The detection device is a time-of-flight rangefinder, which is integrated into the top area of ​​the cabinet to detect the item being placed into the cabinet from the item placement end, and generates a time-of-flight rangefinder signal accordingly. The time-of-flight rangefinder signal is the item placement signal.

10. The intelligent item retrieval system device as described in claim 1, wherein, The detection device is a mechanical trigger switch, which is integrated into the bottom area of ​​the cabinet to detect the item being placed into the cabinet from the item placement end, and to generate a corresponding trigger switch signal, which is the item placement signal.

Images