GB2350222A - Sorting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus 10 for sorting objects such as locker keys has an enclosed housing with an entry aperture 16, an object recognition device (34, fig 3), an accepted object store 24 and a rejected object exit aperture 20. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus has means 18 for releasing a coin or token when a key has been accepted, and means 14 for resetting an electronic code on the key, which may incorporate a Dallas chip circuit. The apparatus may be used in combination with a plurality of lockers and locker keys, and the lockers may have a central console which can give information about the availability of lockers. In use, keys can be reset before insertion into the entry aperture, and then directed using motor driven flaps (36,40, fig 3) towards either the object store or the exit aperture.

Description

h Sorting Apparatus This invention relates to sorting apparatus for

sorting objects into accepted and rejected categories. Accepted objects are to be stored in the apparatus; rejected objects are to be ejected.

The apparatus is particularly, but not exclusively, intended for use in accepting paid-for locker keys, once the period of use has expired so that those locker keys can be re-issued to future users. The term "key" used in this specification is not limited to mechanical keys but includes, for example, electronic keys which can produce signals to open or close a lock through interaction of electronic/magnetic signals. An example of such a key is described in British patent specification 2 314 584.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for sorting objects into accepted and rejected categories, the apparatus comprising an enclosed housing, an entry aperture through which objects can be inserted into the housing, an object recognition device within the housing positioned so that inserted objects pass through the detection field of the device, an accepted object store within the housing, a rejected exit aperture, and means for directing accepted inserted objects to the store and for directing rejected inserted objects to the exit aperture.

The apparatus may also include means f or releasing a_coin or a token when an inserted object has been accepted.

The objects to be sorted are preferably reusable- lockfar keys, which are issued to a user against payment.;: of"i.W.a deposit. The deposit can be returned to the usee after 2 - the key has been inserted in the sorting apparatus and accepted as a valid key.

Where the keys are electronic keys, and the lockers have electronically operated locks, the sorting apparatus may also include means for resetting the lock and key combination ready for a new user, prior to the insertion of the key into the sorting apparatus. This resetting device can be mounted externally on the apparatus, and the means for directing objects within the apparatus may only become active once the key has been reset. In this way a user can only obtain refund of the key deposit by first resetting the key and then inserting it through the entry aperture so that it is recognised, whereupon refund of the user's deposit will follow automatically.

Objects preferably fall through the apparatus under gravity, and the apparatus preferably includes two internal motor driven flaps which control the direction of movement of objects through the apparatus. The f irst, upper flap is associated with the object recognition device, and the second, lower f lap is movable to direct objects either to the store or to the exit aperture.

In the inactive condition, the upper flap is preferably open and the lower flap is set to direct objects towards the exit aperture. Any object inserted through the entry aperture will thus pass straight through and will fall under the influence of gravity out of the exit aperture.

When a valid key is placed against the resetting device, the upper f lap is raised to a position in which it closes the passage through the apparatus. This flap then supports an inserted object whilst the recognition device decides whether to accept or reject the object whereupon the second flap is set to direct the object in the 3 corresponding direction. Once the second flap has been set, the first flap is released and the object falls under gravity either into the store or out through the exit aperture.

The resetting device may be provided with either an audible or a visual signal indicator to indicate that resetting has successfully taken place.

In a particularly preferred form, the keys incorporate a Dallas chip circuit which produce a signal in a corresponding receiver (either on a lock on a locker door or on the resetting device) to confirm the presence of the correctly authorised key.

As the invention will normally be used in a situation where there is a very large number of lockers, and each key should only allow access to one of those lockers, the chips may be encoded so that each chip is unique to one 20 locker.

The resetting device can be linked into locker management sof tware so that information can be given at a central console of which lockers are in use and which are available for use.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a floor-standing sorting apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a front view of certain internal components of the device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the same internal components; and Figure 4 shows an electronic key.

The apparatus shown in Figure 1 comprises a housing 10 with a f ront f ace 12. The housing may be floor-standing and can have proportions similar to those of the lockers with which it is associated, but is not restricted to these proportions or dimensions.

On the f ront f ace 12 there is:

i. a key resetting station 14 ii. an object entry aperture 16 iii. a coin refund tray 18 1V. an exit aperture 20.

Indicated by dotted lines within the housing 10 are a coin dispenser 22 and a storage location 24 for returned keys.

When a locker user returns their key, they first of all press that part of the key containing an electronic chip against the resetting station 14. On successful resetting, a light 26 will light up, or a sound signal will be emitted. The key is then inserted through the entry aperture 16 and drops into a chamber within the housing where there is an object recognition device. This object recognition device is a non-contact recognition device which may recognise the presence of the electronic locking/unlocking circuitry on the key, or may recognise some other feature which is part of a genuine key.

If the object is recognised, it passes under gravity through passages within the housing to the store 24. if it is not recognised, it passes through a different set of passages and leaves through the exit aperture 20. A catching basket may be provided below the exit aperture 20 to catch rejected objects.

The front face 12 of the housing can be hinged (at 28) to the housing, and may be held closed by a key operated lock 30. This enables authorised personnel to open the housing to recover the accepted valid keys from the store 24 and to refill the coin dispenser 22.

Figures 2 and 3 show those parts of the interior of the housing 10 located between the resetting station 14 and the entry aperture 20. Behind the entry aperture 16 is a chamber 32 in which a detector schematically indicated at 34 is located. At the bottom of the chamber 32 is a flap 36, and this flap can be pivoted by a motor 38 between the horizontal position shown in Figure 2 and a vertical position in which it lies against the side of the chamber.

Below the flap 36 is a further flap 40, the bottom edge 42 of which is above the bottom edge of the exit aperture 20. The flap 40 is hinged at its lower edge and can be moved between two positions (40 and 40a) as indicated in Figure 3, by a motor 44.

Turning now to Figure 3, the lower flap 40 is shown first of all in an upright position (applicable to rejected objects) and secondly in a forwardly inclined position 40a (applicable to accepted objects). Below the f lap 40 is a ramp 46 leading from the bottom of the flap to the exit aperture 20.

Figure 4 shows a key 48 of the type f or which the sorting apparatus described here is primarily intended. The key consists of a flexible wrist strap 50, with a circular electronic key element 52 mounted in the strap. The key element 52 can be a Dallas chip, and details of the construction and capability of this type of key are described, for example, in UK patent application 2 314 584.

In use of these systems, a locker user is issued with a key 48 on entry. The key is used to unlock a locker so that that person can make use of the locker. The key then becomes associated with that particular locker. When that use is finished, the user empties the locker and returns the key 48 to retrieve what is probably a monetary deposit. To do this the circuit 52 on the f ront of the wrist strap 50 is placed in contact with the resetting circuit 14. When a correct response is received, the flap 36 is moved by the motor 38 into its horizontal position. The user then inserts the key (after unf astening the strap, and with one end of the strap leading) through the aperture 16 into the space 32. The detector 34 inside the space will detect whether what has been inserted is really a key or another object. If it really is a key, the lower flap 40 will be set into position 40a by the motor 44. Once the flap 40 is set, the flap 36 will swing down to allow the key to drop onto the inclined surf ace of the flap 40 and into the key store 24.

On the other hand, if the user omits the preliminary step of using the resetting station 14, on insertion of the object through the aperture 16, the flaps 36 and 40 will both be in their inactive position which means that the flap 36 will be down and the flap 40 will be up so that the object will fall right through. If it is a genuine key, the user can then start again, remembering on this occasion to commence with the resetting station 14.

The coin mechanism is not shown in detail in Figures 2 and 3 as this would be a proprietary item. However when the recognition device 34 recognises a correctly inserted key, it will also send a signal to the coin store to allow a coin to be released and to fall under gravity along a coin path which is not shown in detail to the returned coin tray 18.

The housing may be provided with a decorative front panel with suitable graphics and/or instructions for use.

It is possible that the recognition device 34 could carry out the function of the resetting device 14 as well as the setting of the positions of the flaps 36 and 40 and in this case a separate resetting device 14 may be unnecessary.

The apparatus described allows the management of those facilities where lockers are available to members of the public to collect used locker keys in an economical and ef f icient manner. The apparatus will encourage people to return keys rather than taking them away from the premises.

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Claims (16)

Claims

1 Apparatus f or sorting reusable locker keys f rom other objects, the apparatus comprising an enclosed housing, an entry aperture through which objects can be inserted into the housing, an object recognition device within the housing positioned so that inserted objects pass through the detection field of the device, an accepted object store within the housing for receiving keys, a rejected exit aperture, and means for directing accepted keys to the store and for directing rejected inserted objects to the exit aperture.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, including means for is releasing a coin or a token when a key has been accepted.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in combination with a plurality of lockers and a plurality of keys, wherein the keys are electronic keys, the lockers have electronically operated locks, and the apparatus includes a device for resetting the lock and key combination ready for a new user, prior to the insertion of the key into the sorting apparatus.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the resetting device is mounted externally on the apparatus.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the means for directing objects within the apparatus only becomes active once the key has been reset.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein objects fall through the apparatus under gravity.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, including two internal motor driven flaps which control the direction of movement of objects through the apparatus.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, wherein a first upper flap is associated with the object recognition device, and a second, lower flap is movable to direct objects either to the store or to the exit aperture.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein in the inactive condition, the upper flap is open and the lower flap is set to direct objects towards the exit aperture so that an object inserted through the entry aperture will pass straight through the apparatus and will fall under the influence of gravity out of the exit aperture.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 9, wherein placing of a valid key against the resetting device, causes the upper flap to be raised to a position in which it closes the passage through the apparatus so that it can support an inserted object whilst the recognition device decides whether to accept or reject the object whereupon the second flap is set to direct the object in the corresponding direction.

11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the first flap is released once the position of the second flap has been set and the object falls under gravity either into the store or out through the exit aperture.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 11, wherein the resetting device is provided with either an audible or a visual signal indicator to indicate that resetting has successfully taken place.

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13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 12, wherein the keys incorporate a Dallas chip circuit which produce a signal in a corresponding receiver (either on a lock on a locker door or on the resetting device) to 5 confirm the presence of the correctly authorised key.

14. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the chips are encoded so that each chip is unique to one locker.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 14, wherein the resetting device is linked into locker management software including a central console, so that information can be given at the central console of which lockers are in use and which are available for use. is

16. Apparatus for sorting objects into accepted and rejected categories substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.