Modular parcel machine

Abstract

 This invention relates to a modular parcel machine, a device that can work with ATM, payment terminal, control module or any other computer device with an Internet access, and with a monitor or a touch screen monitor for remote communication, while maintaining the functionality of an ordinary parcel machine as well as its visual monitoring and sound and light alarm.
The modular parcel machine has a control unit (1) connected to the locker box modules (11), (12), (13), (22), (23), with one communication cable (3) and one power cord (4) and are equipped with a locker containing one master module (2) consisting of at least a power supply system, an image recording device(6), the modem / router with an extended functionality (7) the alarm siren (8) and the cooling and heating system (9).

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a modular parcel machine, a device that can work with ATM, payment terminal, control module or any other computer device with an Internet access, and with a monitor or a touch screen monitor for remote communication, while maintaining the functionality of an ordinary parcel machine as well as its visual monitoring and sound and light alarm.

[0002] The currently developed parcel machine has been equipped with a control unit operated via the Internet, that cooperates with a system of locker boxes to send and collect shipments by clients/couriers and without participation of a third party. The process of sending and information on collecting shipments are generated via the Internet based on the account of a person logged into the system/website of the parcel machine owner.

[0003] The aim of the invention is to combine the ATM, payment terminal, control unit of the parcel machine, computer device equipped with a monitor or a touch screen monitor with a module or locker box modules, and thus to transform the existing device dedicated exclusively to financial transactions into the postal device enabling to send and collect mail and parcels.

[0004] The open structured modular parcel machine enabling to connect additional modules, according to the invention, is characterized by: a control unit connected to the locker box modules with one communication cable and one power cord, wherein the locker box modules are equipped with one locker containing one master module consisting of at least a power supply system, an image recording device, the modem / router with an extended functionality, the alarm siren, and the cooling and heating system, wherein the modem / router with an extended functionality is connected to the control unit via Ethernet, and the image recording device, the service connector and with the locks' driver in parallel, the shock sensor, the dusk sensor, the alarm siren, and the data transmitter which is connected to the lighting in parallel, and a network of lock's mini-modules. The ATM, or the payment terminal, or the control module of the parcel machine, or the computer device with a monitor and Internet access, or the computer device with a touch-screen monitor and Internet access is used as the control unit. The master module is installed in the locker box equipped with a pull-out extension arm. The locker box modules have a connection topology and the system of cables and plugs to connect the locker box modules to each other and add another locker box modules.

[0005] An advantage of the invention is to provide a maximum independence and non-invasiveness of hardware in relation to the control units - terminals, to which the locker box modules are to be connected. This connection of the locker box module and the central unit - terminal involves only the supply of electricity to the locker box module and connection to the Ethernet or RS485 or any other communication port.

[0006] The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 illustrates a connection topology in a block layout, and the power distribution of terminal and locker box modules, Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of the master module.

[0007] As illustrated by the above mentioned figure, this is an open structured modular parcel machine enabling to connect additional modules. The sample device has a control unit 1 juxtaposed with a free standing single-column locker box module 11, and the combination of single-column module 10 with a four-column locker box module 22 on the left side, powered by a cord 26 and controlled by the cord 27, whereas on the right side there is a four-column locker box module 12, single-column module 13, and a combination of single-column locker box module 14 with a single-column locker box module 23 powered by a cord 28 and controlled by a cord 29. The control unit 1 has at most one communication cable 3 and one power cord 4 and a locker box module / modules 11, 12, 13, 22 and 23 with a locker box containing one master module 2 consisting of at least the power supply system, an image recording device 6, modem / router with an extended functionality 7, the alarm siren 8, and the cooling and heating system 9. The cooling and heating system 9 has a fan 24, the heater 25, and temperature sensor 21. Modem / Router with an extended functionality 7 can be connected to the central unit 1 via Ethernet, using a socket 5. The control unit 1 can be a payment terminal, or ATM, or parcel machine control unit or a computer device with Internet access equipped with a monitor or a computer device with Internet access equipped with a touch screen monitor. Modem / Router with an extended functionality 7 is connected to a service connector 18 and with the locks' driver in parallel 15, the shock sensor 16, the dusk sensor 17, the alarm siren 8, and the data transmitter 20, in the form of an autonomous RS 485 expansion module, with the connected lighting 19 and a network of the lock's mini-modules 30. The master module 2 is installed in one of the locker boxes 11, 12, 13, 22 and 23 equipped with a pull-out extension arm.

Claims

1. The open structured modular parcel machine enabling to connect additional modules, is characterized by: a control unit (1) connected to the locker box modules (11), (12), (13), (22), (23), with a communication cable (3) and one power cord (4), the locker box modules (11), (12), (13), (22), (23) are equipped with a locker containing one master module (2) consisting of at least a power supply system, an image recording device (6), the modem / router with an extended functionality (7) the alarm siren (8), the cooling and heating system (9), and the modem / router with an extended functionality (7) is connected to the control unit via Ethernet (1), and the image recording device (6), the service connector (18) and with the locks' driver in parallel (15), the shock sensor (16), the dusk sensor (17), the alarm siren (8) and the data transmitter (20) which is connected to the lighting in parallel (18) and a network of the lock's mini-modules (30).

2. The parcel machine according to claim 1, wherein the ATM is used as the control unit (1).

3. The parcel machine according to claim 1, wherein the payment terminal used as the control unit (1).

4. The parcel machine according to claim 1, wherein the control module used as the control unit (1).

5. The parcel machine according to claim 1, wherein the computer device with a monitor and Internet access is used as the control unit (1).

6. The parcel machine according to claim 1, wherein the computer device with a touch-screen monitor and Internet access is used as the control unit (1).

7. The parcel machine according to claim 1, wherein the master module (2) is installed in the locker box equipped with a pull-out extension arm.

8. The parcel machine according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7, wherein the locker box modules (10), (11), (12), (13), (14) have a connection topology and the system of cables and plugs to connect the locker box modules (10), (11), (12), (13), (14) to each other and add another locker box modules.

Drawing