EP3438941A1

EP3438941A1 - Autonomous locker with synchronized lock, system and procedure for the delivery and collection of goods associated with said locker

Info

Publication number: EP3438941A1
Application number: EP17382543.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: David BERNABEU MOLINER
Original assignee: Citibox Smart Services SL
Current assignee: Citibox Smart Services SL
Priority date: 2017-08-03
Filing date: 2017-08-03
Publication date: 2019-02-06
Also published as: WO2019025616A1

Abstract

The present invention describes an autonomous locker (1) with a synchronized lock (12), comprising a door (11) and an electronic lock (12) provided with a keypad (121) for inputting opening codes, storage means (122) and processing means (123), where: the storage means (122) store at least one set (A) of opening codes, or a generation seed for generating said set (A) of codes. Advantageously, the lock (12) of the locker (1) also comprises processing means (123) implemented by means of hardware and/or software, where said processing means (123) of the lock (12) are configured with a selection algorithm for identifying when the lock (12) of the locker (1) is open or closed, and for automatically assigning a new opening code from the set (A) to the lock (12) upon opening or closing said lock (12) of the locker (1).

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention belongs to the field of lockers for temporary storage of products received, for example, by means of e-commerce, although there is no limitation with respect to other forms of commerce involving the delivery and collection of goods. More specifically, a first object of the present invention relates to a locker provided with a lock the opening codes of which are configured for being changed after each use of said locker, such that these codes provide a dynamic layer of security for the users thereof, but without requiring the activation of or connection with elements external to the locker.
Another object of the invention relates to a system and a method for the delivery and collection of products and goods, which comprise using a locker according to the embodiments herein described.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

E-commerce is being increasingly used by the general population for purchasing a wide variety of products. Under this form of trading, products are first selected through web pages or mobile applications, for example, and after making the corresponding payment, a courier company transports the purchased product from a shop or warehouse to the address or collection point indicated by the buyer.
An important drawback related with this way of making purchases, i.e., when deliveries are made to the address of the buyer, is that the buyer must be at home to receive the package containing the purchased product. Furthermore, courier companies usually perform most of their deliveries in the morning, which makes it necessary for the buyer to stay at home during what would normally be their working hours. This entails an important obstacle preventing e-commerce from being able to be used in a widespread manner among individuals for purchasing products.
To solve this problem, lockers prepared for installation in common areas, such as hallways of residential buildings, in order to allow receiving products in the absence of the buyer, are available today. These lockers usually have an electronic lock connected to a processing center through an external network, such as for example, the Internet or a mobile telephony network. As a result of this connection, the processing center can synchronize the opening code of the lock of each particular locker every time a package is received. In other words, the processing center establishes a specific first opening code in a particular locker of the block of lockers, and at the same time sends said first opening code to a delivery staff of the courier company, for example. The delivery staff can therefore open the locker in question to deliver the product. Next, the processing center communicates with the locker to change the opening code, and then sends the new code to the buyer who can therefore collect the product at a time that is the most convenient to them.
These known blocks of lockers present an important security-related problem. In fact, since the lock of said lockers is connected to an external communication network, there is a possibility of third parties breaking the security of the system and gaining access to the codes, where they will be able to access the stored products. Likewise, the use of these systems makes it necessary to equip each locker with a device for communication to the network, which adds significant complexity from the technical viewpoint, and substantially increases the associated installation and maintenance costs.
To avoid using external connection in each locker, several alternatives based on autonomous lockers such as the one described in Japanese patent application JP 201551788 A , have been considered in the state of the art. In said lockers, the means for dynamically generating access codes are configured in the actual lock of the lockers, therefore making them independent from an external communication service. Nevertheless, in these systems, in order to generate each access code for the buyer to access the locker, the person delivering the good (for example, the employee of the courier company) must establish a locker unlocking and assignation code for the corresponding buyer to whom the good will be delivered. With said assignation, a unit code associated with said buyer, for subsequent use by the buyer to access the products stored in the locker, is thereby generated.
Although the mentioned alternatives of the state of the art therefore allow solving, to a certain extent, the problem associated with the technical complexity of the systems with external communication, they are still limited in terms of the security assurances they provide. This is because the codes assigned to the locker always depend on the data input by the person in charge of delivery, where they are subject to a risk of incorrect assignation due to human error, which in practice can lead to many collection difficulties. These alternatives furthermore mean that the person delivering the good must receive beforehand certain information relating to the person collecting the good, and this can constitute a drawback from the legal or delivery security viewpoint, as it may involve transmission of the buyer's personal data to people and/or companies not related with the company installing the mailboxes.
In view of these unresolved technical problems, the present invention is considered as a solution to these problems, as a result of a novel locker the closure mechanism of which, in addition to being autonomous with respect to external communications, allows keeping the processes of assigning access codes to delivery staff and buyers independent, thereby increasing the security conditions of the service with respect to the known techniques.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As described in the preceding section, the present invention solves the mentioned problems of the state of the art as a result of a new configuration of the lock of a locker which does not require an external data connection. Furthermore, the locker of the invention is a much safer / more secure alternative compared to that of the earlier systems, since it completely eliminates the risk of the person delivering the good and of any other third parties accessing the data of the locker buyer, or preventing the buyer from accessing the delivered products as a result of an assignation error.
In this sense, a first aspect of the present invention relates to a locker with a synchronized lock, comprising a door and an electronic lock provided with a keypad for inputting opening codes, storage means and processing means, where:

the storage means of the lock store, by means of hardware/software, at least one set of opening codes or a generation seed for generating said set of codes;
and where advantageously, the lock also comprises processing means implemented by means of hardware and/or software, where said processing means of the lock are configured with a selection algorithm for identifying when the lock of the locker is open or closed, and for automatically assigning a new opening code from the set to the lock upon opening or closing said lock of the locker.

In this context, the term "active code of the lock" refers to the code or codes which allow opening the electronic lock at a given time. A significant advantage of using an electronic lock is that the active code can be changed as many times as desired depending on a specific selection algorithm.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the door or another outer region of the locker comprises a code for identification by means of an alphanumeric code, a QR or BIDI label, an image and/or a barcode.
A second aspect of the invention relates to a system for the delivery and collection of goods comprising at least:

a locker according to any of the embodiments herein described;
a remote server equipped with storage means configured for storing at least the set of opening codes or the corresponding generation seed thereof; and processing means implemented by hardware/software, said processing means being configured with the same opening code selection algorithm as the one comprised in the processing means of the lock of the locker;
one or more terminals connected to the remote server through a communication network.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a method of operating an autonomous locker with a synchronized lock, where the locker comprises a door closed by means of an electronic lock provided with a keypad for inputting codes, storage means and processing means. This method generally comprises the following steps:

1) In a first step, establishing a first code as the active code of the lock. This first code can be obtained in any way provided that an external connection is not required to that end. For example, the first code can be stored in the storage means, or computed in the processing means according to a known mathematical relation which depends, for example, on the number of locker opening cycles, or is generated with any other pre-established seed. Therefore, in this step the locker is in a standby state in which it will only open when said first code is input through the keypad.
2) Next, opening the lock only once when said first code is input through the keypad and keeping it closed if any other code is input.
3) Next, establishing as the active code of the lock a second code which is related with the first code, for example, through one or more sort criteria assigned in the set of codes, or through the generation seed itself. Therefore, like the first code, the second code can be stored in the storage means, or computed in the processing means according to a known mathematical relation which depends on the seed and chosen code selection algorithm. In any case, the second code is established without requiring external connection of the locker.
4) Next, opening the lock only once when said second code is input through the keypad and keeping it closed if any other code is input.
5) Returning subsequently to the first step.

This method therefore determines a specific sequence for changing the opening code of the locker according to a known, predetermined algorithm. Therefore, by externally reproducing in a parallel manner the algorithm for changing the opening codes, it is possible to know which code is valid in the lock at any given time. In other words, a control center which lacks connection with the locker but knows the sequence for changing the codes will know which code is active at any given time in the locker, and can therefore send the first code and the second code, respectively, to a delivery staff who will leave the good in the locker and to a buyer who will collect it. The sending of the opening codes can be performed according to any known means, such as a specific mobile application, web page, SMS, or any other means, for example. A locker system for e-commerce can thus be operated without requiring the lockers to have an external connection.
As can be seen from the preceding description, within the generic method described, it is possible to implement a large variety of specific operations. Specifically, in an especially preferred particular embodiment of the invention, the storage means store two or more sets of codes, the codes of said sets being related with one another by using one or more sort criteria assigned in the set of codes, or through the generation seed itself, for example. In principle, each set of codes must include a large enough number of codes so as to allow using different codes for each delivery process for a relatively long time period.
Therefore, in this especially preferred particular embodiment the main steps of the method of the invention are as follows:

1. In the first step, establishing all the codes from one of the sets of codes as the active codes of the lock.
2. Next, opening the lock only once when any code from the first set of codes is input through the keypad and keeping it closed if any other code is input.
3. Next, establishing a particular code from the same or from another one of the sets of codes as the active code of the lock, where said particular code is related with the code from the first set of codes input in the first step.
4. Next, opening the lock only once when said particular code from the set of codes established in the preceding step is input through the keypad, and keeping it closed if any other code is input.
5. Returning subsequently to the first step.

Therefore, this particular embodiment starts from an initial situation in which the active code of the lock of the locker in question is any code from the first set of codes. So, when a package is delivered, an application managed from a control center or the like will send a specific code to the delivery staff. The delivery staff arrives at the locker, inputs said specific code from the set of codes, and the lock opens. The delivery staff puts the good in the locker and closes the locker. At the moment in which the door of the locker closes, the active code of the lock automatically changes, said code becoming a new particular code from any of the defined sets of codes, which is associated with the previously input first code through one or more sort criteria assigned in the set of codes, or through the generation seed itself. Therefore, once the locker is closed, the delivery staff will no longer be able to open it since the active code is now a particular code not known by the delivery staff. An application for managing the locker of the invention informs, at a suitable moment, the buyer of the particular code from the set of codes which now constitutes the active code. So, when the buyer inputs said new particular code through the keypad of the locker, the lock opens. The buyer collects the good and closes the door of the locker. At the moment in which the door of the locker closes, the active code of the lock automatically changes again, said particular code from the set of codes again becoming any established new code belonging to one of the defined sets of codes. The locker thereby returns to the initial situation, ready for the delivery of a new product.
In an especially preferred particular embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises opening the lock when a master code is input through the keypad, without affecting the code of the lock that is active at that moment. The master code therefore allows accessing the locker regardless of what the active code at that particular moment is. It is a code envisaged for use by the operators of the system in the case of repair works, loss of the current active code, etc. The use of the master code does not alter the sequence of the method for operating the locker. In other words, if, when inputting the master code, the active code was a particular code from one of the sets of codes, after opening the locker with the master code, the active code will still be said particular code from the mentioned set of codes.
In another especially preferred particular embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises opening the lock when the master code is input through the keypad, and returning subsequently to the first step of establishing all the codes from one or more of the sets of codes used as the active codes of the lock. The user (delivery staff or buyer) can thus be offered a master code which allows opening the locker, regardless of the point of the process at which the lock is at that moment, the locker returning to the initial state of the method once closed. In other words, if the master code is input in the initial state in which the active codes are all the codes from one of the sets, after the opening and closing of the locker, the operation method will continue to be in the initial state in which all the codes from said set, or from another one of the sets if it has been pre-established as such, are active.
According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the step of opening the lock further comprises the subsequent automatic closing thereof after a predetermined time interval. The automatic closure takes place after an interval of 30 seconds, for example, and prevents the possibility of the locker staying open if the delivery staff or the buyer forgets to close it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the external appearance of a block of lockers according to the present invention.
Figure 2 shows a diagram of the main inner elements making up the lock of a locker according to the present invention, according to a preferred embodiment thereof.
Figure 3 shows a diagram of the system for the delivery and collection of goods of the invention, according to a preferred embodiment thereof.
Figure 4 shows a flow chart depicting the method of delivery and collection using a locker according to the present invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A particular example of the invention is described below in reference to the attached drawings. It must be borne in mind that it is merely a particular example, and that the invention could be implemented in many other ways, without departing from the content of the invention described in the attached claims.
Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a block of lockers according to the present invention formed by a plurality of lockers (1), preferably of different shapes and sizes. The arrangement of lockers (1) of different shapes and sizes allows providing space for the users to manage products of different volume. Therefore, in each delivery process, an operator of the system can assign a locker (1) with a suitable volume for the product in question, for example, large lockers (1) for bulky products, such as suits from the dry cleaners and the like, and smaller lockers (1) for products such as bread or the like. Each of these lockers (1) has a door (11) the opening of which is controlled by means of an electronic lock (12). The doors (11), or other significant regions of the lockers (1), are preferably externally identified (for example, by means of alphanumeric codes, QR- or BIDI-type labels, images, barcodes, etc.), such that the users can easily identify the locker assigned to them for the collection of products, both visually and by means of a mobile reader for reading said codes or labels, for example. Said reader can be, for example, a tablet- or smart phone-type device equipped with reading and processing means for identifying the mentioned codes.
Figure 2 schematically shows the internal configuration of an electronic lock (12) according to the invention which comprises, as can be seen, at least one keypad (121) and storage means (122) for storing information associated with the opening codes generated by the lock (12). The keypad (121) is configured for inputting the opening codes of the door (11) which can be used by different users (preferably including both delivery staff and buyers). In turn, the storage means (122) store at least one set (A) of opening codes. Said storage can comprise, for example, a closed list of opening codes, but can also comprise other similar sources, such as one or more seeds for generating said codes by means of corresponding generation algorithms. Said algorithms are in turn implemented in processing means (123) equipped in the lock (12), which can adopt different hardware/software combinations or the like, associated with the storage means (122) of the lock (12) and the keypad (121).
Advantageously in the present invention, the processing means (123) of the lock (12) are adapted and configured for identifying when the door (11) of the locker (1) is open or closed, and also for automatically assigning to the lock (12) a new opening code within the set (A), when the door (11) undergoes a change in "open/closed" state (i.e., the lock (12) goes from being open to being closed, or from being closed to being open). Said assignation will be done by means of an opening code selection algorithm implemented in the processing means (123). It is therefore possible, for example, to automatically assign a new opening code to the lock (12) after the delivery staff has accessed the locker (1) (by means of a prior opening code, different from the new one) and placed the corresponding product in said locker. Once the delivery staff opens or closes the door (11) of the locker (1), the processing means (123) will identify the change in state (from being closed to being open, upon opening the door (11), or from being open to being closed, upon closing the door) and assign a new opening code to the lock (12), either by selecting it from the set (A) of codes contained in the storage means (122), or generating a new code from the corresponding seed stored in the mentioned set (A). Therefore, once the delivery staff placed the product in the locker (1), the opening code will change to a new code which the buyer must use to again open the door (11) and collect their product. Again, once the buyer opens or closes the door (according to the "change in state" configuration in the processing means (123)), the opening code will change again, to be used by the delivery staff to perform subsequent delivery to the locker (11). The locker (1) therefore remains in the initial situation, ready for a new delivery process.
In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the storage means (122) can additionally store the "used" or "not used" situation of each of the codes of the set (A), and also one or more bypass codes and/or master codes for use, for example, if the delivery staff or buyers forget their opening code.
In another embodiment of the invention (shown in Figure 2), the storage means (122) can also comprise one or more additional sets of opening codes, where the corresponding codes thereof are related through one or more sort criteria assigned in the set of codes, or through the generation seed itself. This embodiment may have additional advantages when there is need to differentiate, for example, the opening codes used by the buyers from those used by the delivery staff where different sets are assigned to the latter.
To suitably communicate respective opening codes to the delivery staff and buyers, the present invention also relates to a system for the delivery and collection of goods using one or more lockers (1) according to any of the embodiments described in the present document (Figure 3). Said system comprises, in addition to the mentioned lockers (1), a remote server (2) equipped with storage means (21) configured for storing at least one set (A) of opening codes or the corresponding generation seeds thereof; and processing means (22) in the form of hardware/software or the like, said processing means (22) being configured with the same opening code selection algorithm as the one comprised in the processing means (123) of the lock (12) of the locker (1). The server (2) will therefore be capable of applying an opening code path identical to that followed by the lock (12) of the locker (1) in the corresponding assignation thereof.
The active code of the server (2) will preferably be synchronized with the active code of the locker (1), such that said code can be communicated to the users (3, 3') of the system (i.e., delivery staff or buyers) from the server (2), by means of one or more terminals (4, 4') (for example, computers or tablet- or smart phone-type mobile devices) connected to said server (2) through a communication network (5). The server (2) can therefore inform the different users (3, 3') of which opening code is active at any given time, in a manner synchronized with the lock (12) of the locker (1). In order to maintain said synchronization over time, the users (3, 3') will be required to provide a confirmation of the delivery or collection to the server (2) through the terminals (4, 4'), such that the server can update its processing means (22) with a new opening code for use in the subsequent delivery/collection by the corresponding user (3, 3'). This new user will thus be informed of the new applicable code corresponding to the selection with respect to the set (A) of codes that are stored and synchronized with the active code of the locker (1).
Figure 4 shows a flow chart depicting the method for the delivery and collection of goods based on the operation of one of these lockers (1). It starts from an initial situation in which all the opening codes of the set (A) constitute possible codes of the lock (12). In this state, a first user (3) inputs an opening code. The first user (3) is usually a delivery staff who has received, through an application for managing lockers (1) configured in their terminal (4), said specific code from the set (A) of codes of the lock (12), through the server (2). Therefore, the delivery staff inputs said code belonging to the set (A) of codes. As a result, the lock (12) opens for a predetermined time, for example 30 seconds, and then closes. The lock (12) can also emit a sound, such as a beep, for example, identifying the opening. If the delivery staff gets the code wrong and inputs one that does not coincide with one of the active codes, the lock (12) remains closed and emits a sound, such as two beeps, for example, identifying the input of an incorrect code.
Once the lock (12) is open, the delivery staff places the good in the locker and closes the door (11) thereof. After the door (11) is closed, a change in the active code of the lock (12) occurs automatically, whereby it becomes another particular code from said set (A) (or from another additional set of codes which is related with the code from the first set (A) of codes previously input, depending on the different embodiments described above). Given that the remote server (2) knows the codes of the sets used, as well as the relation between them, it can send a new particular active code to a second user (3'). The second user (3') is usually the buyer of the product in question. Therefore, the buyer inputs the new active code they have received through the keypad (121), and the locker (1) opens again as a result. The lock (12) can also emit a sound, such as a beep, for example, identifying the opening. The input of any other code different from the new active code will not cause the lock (12) to open. For example, if the buyer gets the code wrong and inputs a code that does not coincide with the new active code, the lock (12) will remain closed and emit a sound, such as two beeps, for example, identifying the input of an incorrect code.
It must be borne in mind that that this diagram of changing the active code of the lock (12) can be reproduced in parallel by the application for managing lockers (1) via remote server (2). To that end, it is sufficient for the latter to know set (A) (and, optionally, the additional sets of codes and the relation thereof with set (A), if they are used). The system of the invention can therefore manage the dynamic selection and communication of opening codes for the users (3, 3') in a comprehensive manner and in the absence of any connection whatsoever with the lockers (1).

Claims

An autonomous locker (1) with a synchronized lock (12), comprising a door (11) and an electronic lock (12) provided with a keypad (121) for inputting opening codes, storage means (122) and processing means (123), where:
the storage means (122) of the lock (12) store, by means of hardware/software, at least one set (A) of opening codes or a generation seed for generating said set (A) of codes;

the locker (1) being characterized in that the lock (12) also comprises processing means (123) implemented by means of hardware and/or software, where said processing means (123) of the lock (12) are configured with a selection algorithm for identifying when the lock (12) of the locker (1) is open or closed, and for automatically assigning a new opening code from the set (A) to the lock (12) upon opening or closing said lock (12) of the locker (1).
The autonomous locker (1) according to the preceding claim, where the storage means (122) likewise store one or more additional sets of codes, the codes from said sets being related with one another through one or more sort criteria assigned in the set of codes, or through the generation seed itself.
The autonomous locker (1) according to the preceding claim, where the selection algorithm implemented in the processing means (123) of the lock (12) is configured for automatically assigning to the lock (12) a new opening code within one of the additional sets upon opening or closing said lock (12) of the locker (1), after an opening code from the initial set (A) has been previously used.
The autonomous locker (1) according to any of the preceding claims, where the door (11) or another outer region of said locker (1) comprises a code for identification by means of an alphanumeric code, a QR or BIDI label, an image and/or a barcode.
A system for the delivery and collection of goods, comprising at least:
- one locker (1) according to any of the preceding claims;

- one remote server (2) equipped with: storage means (21) configured for storing at least the set (A) of opening codes or the corresponding generation seeds thereof; and processing means (22) implemented by hardware/software, said processing means (22) being configured with the same opening code selection algorithm as the one comprised in the processing means (123) of the lock (12) of the locker (1);

- one or more terminals (4, 4') connected to the remote server (2) through a communication network (5).
A method for the delivery and collection of goods, which comprises using a locker (1) according to any of claims 1-5, and performing the following steps:
- establishing a first code as the active code of the lock (12), where said first code is stored in the storage means (122) or computed in the processing means (123) from the set (A);

- opening the lock (12) only once when said first code is input through the keypad (121) and keeping it closed if any other code is input;

- establishing, by means of the selection algorithm of the processing means (123), a second code as the active code of the lock (12) and where said second code is stored in the storage means (122) or computed in the processing means (123) from the set (A);

- opening the lock (12) only once when said second code is input through the keypad (121) and keeping it closed if any other code is input; and

- returning subsequently to the first step.
The method according to the preceding claim, where the storage means (122) store a first set (A) of codes and one or more additional sets of codes, and where the mentioned method comprises the following steps:
- establishing a code from the set (A) of codes as the active code of the lock (12);

- opening the lock (12) only once when the active code from the first set (A) of codes is input through the keypad (121), and keeping it closed if any other code is input;

- establishing a particular code from one of the additional sets of codes as the active code of the lock (12), where said particular code is related with the code from the first set (A) of codes input in the preceding step, through one or more sort criteria assigned in the set of codes, or through the generation seed itself;

- opening the lock (12) only once when said particular code from the additional set of codes is input through the keypad (121) and keeping it closed if any other code is input; and

- returning subsequently to the first step.
The method according to any of claims 6-7, which further comprises opening the lock (12) when a master code is input through the keypad (121), without affecting the active code of the lock (12).
The method according to any of claims 6-8, which further comprises opening the lock (12) when a master code is input through the keypad (121), and returning subsequently to the first step of establishing all the codes from the first set of codes as the active codes of the lock (12).
The method according to the preceding claim, where the master code is made up of codes from two or more sets of codes stored in the storage means (122).
The method according to any of claims 6-10, where the step of opening the lock (12) further comprises the subsequent automatic closing thereof after a predetermined time interval.
The method according to any of claims 6-11, which comprises using a system according to claim 5 and where, after establishing a new active code in the lock (12), confirmation information is sent to the remote server (2) of the system by means of a mobile terminal (4, 4') through the communication network (5).
The method according to the preceding claim, where after sending the confirmation information to the remote server (2) of the system, the latter updates its active opening code in a manner synchronized with the lock (12) of the locker (1) and sends it through the communication network (5) to a new user (3, 3') of the system.