DE2700631A1 - Computer-controlled security compartments - have coin actuation and size selection to initiate search for required unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A micro-computer control system is used for the allocation of luggage compartment. The complete installation containing a large number of compartments is monitored by a single controller. Coins are inserted to activate the system. The required size of compartment is entered and displayed. The system displays both the amt. of money and the compartment. number. Once a suitable unit is located a magnetic car is produced for access.

Description

"Micro-computer-controlled locker system The invention relates to a method and a device, luggage lockers with the help of a microcomputer to close and open without having to put in the keys previously required and to save the user the search for a free subject.

Oei previously known lockers will be opened after inserting a sum of money which must be paid in matching coins, the chosen compartment to close released using the key.

The key can be withdrawn and remains in your possession for as long of the specialist user until they open their compartment again with this key. A Each of the compartments that function in this way is a high cost of mechanical parts required, e.g. 8. to everyone. Compartment a coin acceptor, mechanical or electrical Time recording (clock) and various locking mechanisms that are set when the data is exceeded Time units only allow the compartment to be unlocked after additional coins have been inserted.

This type of compartments is not secured against misuse with cache keys, this can only be made more difficult if the subject has an unlocking lock that is often set to a different combination.

Devices are also known (P 22 18956)> in which Schlie3-cloths on a central control unit manually - by pressing a button - by entering Number combinations to be locked electrically bzu. are to be opened. With one strong frequented luggage locking system, e.g. B. at airports or train stations However, such an operating process is too time-consuming, the aim of the invention is to to save the high expenditure on mechanical devices, souie the abuse with duplicate keys through the use of electronic components and through the use one; to prevent forgery-proof magnetic card instead of the key. The solution consists in the fact that a single operating unit is created for several compartments and from this operating content the closing and opening of the compartments fully automatically controlled.

The invention and its further details are illustrated by an exemplary embodiment and shown in Figures 1 to 3.

"micro-computer controlled locker system" Figure 1 represents the central operating unit with coin slot 1, occupancy display for roof sizes 2, Illuminated sign as an indication of the compartment size 3, button to select the compartment size 4, button for money return 6, illuminated display for compartment number or amount of money 7, illuminated sign "still to be paid" 8, illuminated sign "You have compartment no ..." 9, voice connection Io, "Open compartment" button 11, button for establishing the voice connection 12, liner slot for magnetic card 13, dispensing tray for remaining money and magnetic cards 14.

Figure 2 shows the locker in its home position 15, with draw-in door 16, front lock 17, draw-in springs 18, rear mechanical Locking and electrical unlocking 19, front opening magnets 20, switch for acknowledgment pulse 21.

Figure 3 shows a block diagram of the control electronics with microprocessor 22, 1 K byte RAM 23, 2 K byte PROM 24, Dutputinterface 25, driver 26 for lamps, motors, money return, relays for door magnets 27, magnetic card controller and numeric display 28, driver 29 for gate bus 36, driver 30 for address bus 37, Input interface 31, feedback 32, magnetic card controller 33, coin validator 34, button 35; Expansion options for ROM, RAM, PROM, input, output 38.

"micro-computer-controlled locker system Arbeitsueises the doors of the unoccupied compartments (16) are drawn in automatically towards the rear and are automatic mechanically locked (19). In the case of different compartment sizes, the user can use the control panel (Ab.1) select the required compartment size by pressing the "compartment size" button (4) The indicator light (7) shows the amount to be paid in DM and Pennies. At the same time, a sign "still to be paid" (8) continues to flash until after a time of about 20 seconds the additional cash register (34) the previously deposited The amount is returned to the dispensing tray (14).

Only when the displayed amount has been paid in full does the indicator light flash "You have compartment number ..." (g). If all subjects of the selected subject size are occupied, an indicator lights up "occupied" (2); singeuorfenes @eld is not accepted and falls back directly into the dispensing trough (14). If a compartment is valid a magnetic card is ejected into the output trough (14) for the user on which Rehrfach compartment number, time and key number magnetically serially recorded are.

The compartment (15) allocated to the user comes with a built-in variable Delay unlocked. It is now possible for the user to put his luggage in the compartment (15) and the door (16) by pulling it out and simply pushing it shut close. A signaling impulse signals to the computer (21,22) that the door (16 ) closed is; at this moment the storage of the occupancy time begins in memory (23). The compartment size is not checked first, but first entered, a "Select compartment size" indicator (3) flashes for 20 seconds. Does the If you do not use anything, the amount of money deposited will be transferred to the cash register after this time (34) returned to the dispensing trough (14). But if he is the subject size during this time, the process happens as described.

If the user notices that the subject (15) z. 8th.

is too small for his luggage, or that it is dirty and thereby is not usable, it can be used within one of the program "micro-computer controlled Locker system "variable thinking time to be configured by reading the card (13) and then pressing the "Open" button (11) to get his money back and select another subject (15). This user denied partition (15) is automatically blocked by the computer (22) after three refusals in a row. In this case, a signal for supervision is possible.

If the compartment (15) is within a range to be determined by the operator If the period is not occupied despite payment, the compartment will be opened again locked to prevent fraud.

For this reason, there will be no next to re-locking assigned to this subject, but instead used other free subjects.

For the purpose of opening the compartment, the magnetic card is attached to the magnetic track pushed down forwards or backwards into the reading slot (13.) and from Reader (33) retracted and extended again at the same point. Does that happen Reading the card within the paid time unit will be sent to the user at the Illuminated display (7) shows the compartment number and an illuminated sign flashes at the same time "You have Eachnumscr ..." (9). Dorch Press the "Open compartment" button (11) ufrd the compartment door (20) is pre-unlocked, but remains locked. The user can Now open the compartment door (16), this pulls itself back in and locks themselves; the luggage can be removed.

If the user has forgotten the compartment number displayed, he can have his card read in again. Only when the compartment (15) from the computer (22) has been newly issued, the card is no longer valid for this compartment (1ã), the compartment number is no longer displayed, it can only be accessed via the staff reader (33) can be read. If the billing time unit specified by the preparer is over, the sign "Still to pay" flashes after the card has been scanned ( 8th ). The Eeld amount to be paid is shown on the indicator light (7). First if this amount has been paid in full - overpayment is possible (return of remaining money) - the sign flashes "Sio have compartment number ... (9), the rest of the process as described.

If the card is read in after the expiry of the period specified by the operator Maximum occupancy time, the sign "Maximum occupancy time exceeded - at Report supervision "(6) about 20 seconds "micro-computer controlled Locker system "long. Through the message system (10) on the control panel (Ab.1) is os possible for the user to speak to dur by pressing the call button (12) Establish supervision in order to obtain information on how to proceed.

L e r s e i t e

Claims (1)

"micro-computer controlled locker system" patent claims 1.) Method and device of a microcomputer-controlled luggage locker system, characterized in that the computer (22) after the key (4) has been confirmed Memory (23) asks for free subjects for the selected subject sizes and for the Boligung displays the required fees (7) and only after full payment of the The charges displayed are those closest to the control unit (Ab. 1) and on most conveniently accessible three subject (15) and that the number of this subject displayed on the indicator light (7) and this compartment with a variable time delay is unlocked. 2.) Method and device according to claim 1, characterized in that that a card with a magnetic track is created for the user of the allocated compartment, on the multiple subject number, occupancy time and one from the program of the computer (24) Tested, multi-digit, magnetically generated key number with each compartment assignment are recorded. 3.) Method and device according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that that a start signal for magnetic card writer is triggered after saving is (28), and that the magnetic card is advanced from the roll to the length of the section and that a signal to drive the knife is triggered after the feed has taken place and that the knife is led down through the drive and the advanced one Cut off the card from the roll, and that the knife after cutting off in the lower position gives a signal for the advance of the card bor the write head and that the card is written over its entire length with the signals from the computer (22) and that another transport device for the case of the card in the output trough (14) is present. 4.) ancestors and device according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that that inserted coins were not accepted by the coin validator (34) if all Compartments of the dial tone compartment size are occupied and this is indicated to the user by means of an illuminated display (2) an- "micro-computer controlled locker system" is shown. 3.) Process and performance according to An @ pruch 1 to 4, characterized in that that the fuchs are provided with an automatically retracting door (16) which automatically locks itself mechanically at the rear stop, and only after Complete payment and allocation from the computer (22) by an electrical one Impulse is unlocked. (19) 6.) Method and device according to claim 1 to 5, characterized in that when reading the Magnat card compartment number, time and Key number from Rochner (22) in memory (23) compared uerdan and only if they match of all information, the compartment number is displayed on the indicator light (7) and this The compartment can then be opened with a variable time delay by pressing the button (11) can and that a deletion of the values in the memory (23) only takes place when the subject is reassigned by the Bechner (22). 7.) Method and device according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that that when the paid time unit is exceeded by the computer (22) only the additional payment amount on the indicator light (7) and a flashing signal (8) for payment of the amount and that only if this amount has been paid in full, the The compartment number is displayed and that this compartment is opened by pressing the button (11) can be. 8.) Method and device according to claim 1 to 7, characterized in that that if the maximum occupancy time specified in the program is passed, a compartment will be opened by the computer (22) hcr is prevented and that a light signal (6) the Lborschreiten the maximum occupancy time. 9.) The method and device according to claim 1 b18 8, characterized in that that when the signal "maximum occupancy time exceeded" (6) lights up Press the button (12) to establish a voice connection to a remote reception @ hereditary "micro-computer controlled locker system" can, 10.) Method and device according to claim 1 to 9, characterized gekennreichnet, that if the computer (22) supplied compartment (15) cannot be used, the for it Fee paid after a period of time that can be set by the program on the control panel (Ab.1) by pressing the button (5) from the return device (27) into the dispensing trough (14) is thrown, and that if this operation occurs three times in a row at a subject has repeatedly blocked this subject automatically by the computer (22) and thus not more is allocated and that a signaling to a remote receiving station (12) takes place. 11.) Vorfkihron and device according to claim 1 to 10, characterized in that that by a template over the buttons (4,5,11) and lamps (2) of the control panel (Ab.1) these buttons and lamps are recognizable for authorized persons for the purpose of querying other meaning is given. 12.) Method and Vorrichtuny according to claim 1 to 11, characterized in gu -indicates, DaO authorized persons via the parse switch (35) by pressing the key (5) can control each subject, and that the number of the selected subject on the Indicator light is displayed and that the computer (22) shows via the light indicator (2,6), whether the selected compartment is free, laid or overexploited. 13.) Method and device according to claim 1 to 12, characterized in that that a via de @ Persenalschalter (35) controlled compartment (15) by pressing the Button (4) is locked and the lock is only released by pressing button (11) can be. 1 ^.) Method and device according to claim 1 to 13, characterized in that that by pressing the switch (35) the R @ chner (22) after querying the memory (23) the target content of the cash register (34) and the Celdrilckzahereinrichtung (27) on the Indicator light (7). "micro-computer controlled locker system" 15.) ancestors and devices according to claims 1 and 14, characterized in that a printer (28) displays the Print out target stocks. 16.) Varfahren and device according to claim 1 to 15, characterized gekennzaichnet, that by pressing the switch (35) in Personaltach a reader (33) is turned on which makes it possible to access the information stored on the magnetic cards read and on the indicator light (7) also to indicate if this value is in the memory (23) are no longer available. 17.) Method and device according to claim 1 to 16, characterized in that that by pressing the switch (35) a self-test program for the computer (22), the memory (23O24) and the periphery (25,31) and the determined Values are displayed on the indicator light (7) and that by connecting a Printer (28) this information can be printed out. 1 @.) Method and performance according to claim 1 and 17, characterized in that that by pressing the switch (35) in the personnel compartment statistically @ Zahlon over the occupancy frequency and average occupancy times on the illuminated display (7) and that these values are printed out by connecting a printer (28) will.