WO2019201495A1 - Method for opening a door - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a door, comprising an automatically openable door, a door control system, and at least one camera, wherein the door control system reads a code detected by means of a camera and decodes an identification number encoded therein, compares the decoded identification number with entries in a database and, if there is a match, opens the door for a determined period of time.

Description

 Process for opening the door

The invention relates to a method for door control with an automatically openable gate, a gate control, and at least one camera.

Parcel shipping has increased dramatically, especially in times of online commerce. The successful delivery of parcels requires the presence of a person at the place of reception. This presents difficulties for working people or individual households.

To circumvent this problem, for example, central parcel stations of the supplier are offered, to which the customer can send his parcel delivery, or corresponding postboxes can be operated by the customer at the delivery address itself. These can be opened by means of key or number code by the deliverer to insert the package there. One disadvantage is the physical limited space available for subcontracting, also not all logistics companies support such delivery alternatives so far. Furthermore, by issuing the code / key to external persons (deliverer), there is always a certain security risk since the access is not subject to any time restrictions. Comparable problems arise when using a garage as a storage location for parcel deliveries in the absence of the recipient. Here, too, the issuing of the access authorization to the garage, for example by handing over a key, access codes or a remote control, represents an enormous security risk, especially since valuable items are often stored in the garage.

Therefore, a suitable solution is sought in order to eliminate the aforementioned safety concerns when using the garage as a storage location.

This object is achieved by a method according to the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the method are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, it is proposed to capture at least one code by means of the camera of the door system. The gate controller provides corresponding image processing means to recognize the code and to obtain the coded identification number. The latter then compares the gate control with database entries of a database. In case of a successful match, the gate can be opened for a certain time by the gate control.

The identification number is preferably the usual parcel number or tracking number that is used by logistics companies for shipping. Accordingly, the invention provides a solution to allow garage opening through code printed on the package itself. On delivery, the deliverer only has to keep the parcel code in the detection area of the installed camera of the door system. For the positive authorization, a corresponding database entry with identical identification number or tracking number is necessary. The gate control can detect by comparison whether the package is destined for delivery and the gate for the delivery of the package is to be opened. The aforementioned code may be, for example, a barcode, in particular a code 128. Likewise, the use of a 2D code, such as a QR code or a data matrix code is conceivable.

The database can be an internal database of the gate system, which is administered via a corresponding interface, i. Authorized identification numbers can be transmitted to the database via the interface. It is also conceivable to use an external database to which the gate control can access by means of an Internet connection.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the corresponding identification number is generated during an Internet purchase of the goal holder. During the ordering process or shortly after the completion of the ordering process, it is taken into account that the identification number, for example the tracking code, is automatically transmitted to the addressed database. A corresponding generation or transmission of the identification number to the database need not necessarily occur during or shortly after the ordering process. In general, it is sufficient that the identification number is generated and transmitted to the database as soon as the logistics company is instructed by the seller to deliver the ordered product. Of course, it is conceivable that the recipient must issue a corresponding release of the identification number before it is actually stored in the database.

In practice, it is already known that the buyer is informed by e-mail or SMS on the current order status, in particular, the buyer will be provided by e-mail after shipping the ordered product, the corresponding tracking number. At the same time, the necessary update of the addressed database can follow this measure, in particular this update can be triggered by the receiver. Alternatively or additionally, manual administration of the database, preferably the internal database of the gate control, may additionally be possible in order for example to be able to manually enter one or more identification numbers into the database via a section of the gate control.

It is also conceivable that one or more identification numbers or associated codes can be generated by means of a special application. In this case, the garage owner himself can initiate the necessary authorization for a parcel delivery attempt in his absence. By means of the application, a corresponding logistics company can be temporarily authorized by generating a suitable identification number together with the corresponding code and sending it to the logistics company by e-mail. On the other hand, an authorization can be given to the neighbors, so that he borrows in example the lawnmower, or to a craftsman, so he deposited for example a repaired piece of furniture. Ideally, an appropriate user manual is provided together with the code in order to provide the message receiver with the necessary instructions for the authorization and subsequent door opening. Simultaneously with the generation of the identifi cation number and the corresponding code, the corresponding entry is ideally also added to the database for the identification number.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, provision can be made for one or more conditions to be stored in the database in addition to the identification number. When matching the identification number with the scanned code or the decoded identification number, the door control can also take into account the supplementary stored conditions, for example, the special instructions for the door opening ready. As conditions, for example, one or more time windows for the door opening can be defined, ie the corresponding identification number has limited validity in time, during which a door opening can be successfully triggered by means of the identification number. The time window allows for a daytime or date-related restriction. The time window can also be generated during the ordering process and stored in the database together with the identification number. It is also conceivable that the seller or the logistics company can manually deposit the time window within the database, in which case the deliverer transmits information regarding the intended delivery period to the database, then automatically using this as the corresponding time window Identification number linked.

It is also conceivable that the gate controller automatically inquires about intended delivery periods with respect to the identification numbers stored in the database at the respective logistics company or in the private sector and then creates suitable conditions in the database. For this purpose, based on the stored identification number or related information a conclusion on the underlying logistics company must be possible.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method can be provided that the gate control generated after positive verification of the identification number and subsequent door operation a status message that is sent to one or more recipients. For example, the receivers can be stored in the door control and / or in the database together with the identification number. This opens up the possibility of informing the garage owner and / or the logistics company about the successful delivery in real time. It is conceivable to send the status message by e-mail, short message in the mobile network or by means of another suitable communication channel.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the camera of the gate system detects the gate area or gate passage area for the duration of the opening operation until the closing operation and the image data is kept by the gate control in a memory for later retrieval in order to obtain evidence of misuse - to have available. Likewise, it is conceivable that the gate control establishes an audio and / or video connection with a mobile terminal as soon as an identification number has been successfully recognized. Such a connection could also be constructed after Actuate supply of a corresponding control element, or even if there are difficulties in the verification of the identification number.

It is particularly advantageous if, after initialized audio and / or video connection, remote control of the gate by the connected terminal is possible. As a mobile device, for example, a smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc. applies.

In addition to the method according to the invention, the present invention also relates to a door control for a gate, in particular for a garage door, with suitable means for carrying out the method according to the present invention. In addition, the invention also relates to a gate system with a corresponding gate control. Consequently, the door control and the door system are characterized by the same advantages and properties as have already been explained above with reference to the method according to the invention. A repetitive description is omitted for the reason.

Further advantages and features of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. Show it:

1 shows a sketch of the door system according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention,

2 shows a flowchart to illustrate the process steps to be carried out for the use of the garage as the delivery location; and

Fig. 3: another sketch of the gate system of FIG. 1 during the manual

Programming the gate control. The idea of the invention is to use the garage door as a delivery location for Paketanliefe- ments. For this purpose, the electrically driven garage door should be opened by a printed on the package barcode. The door system 17 encloses the door leaf 18, which can be opened and closed automatically by a door drive (not shown). The gate control 14 is connected via the control connection 16 to the door drive in order to transmit the necessary control commands to the door drive.

The gate controller 14 is further connected via the data link 13 with at least one camera 12 in communication, which is positioned in the gate area. The gate control

14 receives from the camera 12 the recorded image data to analyze it by means of image processing. In particular, a barcode 31 stored on the package 30 can be recognized and decoded so as to obtain the packet tracking number contained in the barcode 31 in coded form. The barcode 31 is, for example, a code 128. The use of a 2D code is also possible, for example a QR code or data matrix code. The gate control 14 is also provided with a database

15, which can be accessed via a communication link 33 to the Internet 32.

The sequence of the entire procedure from the initial ordering process to the final delivery of the package is shown in the flowchart of FIG. After the user has placed an order in a mail order company (block 40), after picking the order (block 41) by the mail order company or the logistics company, a so-called tracking code is generated together with shipping data (block 42) and the customer in in most cases by email (block 43). Usually, the customer can follow the current delivery status of the parcel via a web interface by entering the tracking code.

At the same time, this tracking code is sent via the Internet 32 via the cable-connected or radio-linked data connection 33 to the computing unit 14, which stores the tracking code in the database 15 from this data. In addition, the shipping label of the packet is supplemented by a barcode 31 containing the tracking code in coded form (block 44).

The parcel 30 is then transported to the customer (block 45) and the parcel delivery service provider holds the parcel 30 with the data code 31 in front of the camera 12 (block 46). The latter acquires an image which contains the data code 31 and transmits it to the door controller 14 via the wired or wireless data connection 13. The arithmetic unit 14 analyzes the camera image and extracts at least one data code 31. This is decoded by the evaluable text sequence of the tracking code to obtain (block 47). Subsequently, the decoded text sequence is compared with the tracking codes stored in the database 15 (block 48).

If at least one of these text sequences coincides with a tracking code within the database 15, the door control 14 transmits an opening command to the door system 17 via a cable or radio-linked control connection 16, whereby the door 18 is opened for a certain time to deposit the package 30 (Block 49). Otherwise, access to the garage is denied (block 50). Finally, a status email is generated for the recipient / garage owner and the logistics company and sent to them by the gate controller 14. This informs the parties about the successful or unsuccessful delivery of the package 30.

By means of a transportable device 19 (see FIG. 3), adjustments can be made to the camera 12, the gate control 14, or a manual administration of the database 15 can take place.

Preferably, after the first opening of the garage, the tracking code is deleted from the database 15. Flierdurch a misuse of a once used barcode is excluded. Optionally, the process from opening to closing of the gate 18 can be fixed and stored with the same technique with proper positioning of the camera 12. In this way, an abuse can be recorded, for example by recording a successful door opening without depositing the package 30 or the removal of objects stored behind the gate.

In most cases, the confirmation email (block 43) informs when the customer can count on the receipt of the parcel 30. This information could also be obtained via a separate request from the door controller 14 to the service of the logistics provider available on the Internet 32. In practice, it is not uncommon for logistics companies to be able to estimate in advance the planned allocation window in the range of 1 to 3 hours in advance. This additional information could be used to provide the tracking code with a limited time validity, for example, it is stored in the database 15 with the corresponding time window. A door opening is then possible only within the specified time window. This continues to severely limit the abuse.

The system can also generate an e-mail containing a unique data code (barcode (eg code 128) or 2D code (eg QR code, data matrix code)) and a handling manual. This can be held up to the camera 12, so that thereafter the gate 18 is opened. This opening, too, can be afflicted with a time window, which can only be used for a single use within this time window. This can very safely grant someone access to large parts of the access.

Optionally, a video access control via video could be performed. With a "ringing" an audio and video connection is established to a smartphone, on this then the camera image is displayed with the respective person. The smartphone can then be used to remotely control the garage door The advantages of the invention can be briefly summarized as follows.

The stored in the garage package 30 is protected from theft and the environment A quick handover can be realized because the deliverer does not have to wait for a door opening by the recipient.

 The keys can be invalidated, which is not possible with real keys and PINs.

 The keys can be assigned features.

Claims

claims 1. A method for door control with an automatically openable gate, a gate control, and at least one camera, the gate controller reads a camera-detected code and decodes an encoded identification number, comparing the decoded identification number against entries in a database and a Coincidence the door opens for a certain time. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the code is mapped to a packet to be delivered. 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the gate control checks an internal or external database on existing entries for Identifikati onsnummer, the gate controller preferably receives access to an external database via the Internet or information, in particular the identification number, to be retrieved or received for storage within the internal database via the linternet. 4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification number generated in an Internet purchase and automatically after the order process is transmitted to the database. 5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification number is entered manually via an interface of the door control in an internal database. 6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that via a special application, an identification number or corresponding code is generated and transmitted by email / short message to a recipient, the code is ideally transmitted together with an instruction manual to the recipient , and optimally at the same time the generated identification number is stored in the database. 7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in connection with the identification number at least one further condition is stored in the database, in particular wenigs- tes a time window for the door opening. 8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the time window during the ordering process automatically generated and transmitted to the database and / or manually deposited by the seller / deliverer in the database and / or queried by the gate control at the manufacturer / supplier becomes. 9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gate control after the verification of the identification number and the door operation a status and / or acknowledgment message ge neriert and sent, in particular by email or SMS, the message is ideally transmitted to the Torinhaber and / or the deliverer / seller. 10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the camera records the gate or gate passage area for the duration of the opening process until closing and deposited the recorded image data in a database. 11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after actuation of a control elements in the door area by means of the door control an audio and / or video connection is established with a mobile terminal, ideally a remote control of Toran drive through the connected terminal he follows. 12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is the code is a bar code, in particular code 128, or a 2D code, for example. QR code or data matrix code is. 13. Door control for a gate, in particular garage door, with means for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims. 14. Gate system with at least one gate control according to claim 13 for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 12.