INTELLIGENT ENCLOSURES

ENCEINTES INTELLIGENTES

English Abstract

This invention relates to a fastener system for an enclosure having one or
more walls wherein at least one wall provides
an opening to the enclosure comprising at least one fastener for fastening a
first wall to a second wall upon receiving a suitable
signal and releasing the first wall from the second wall upon receiving a
suitable signal, electronics, and a user interface.

French Abstract

L'invention porte sur un système de dispositif de fixation pour une enceinte comprenant une ou plusieurs parois, dans laquelle au moins une paroi constitue une ouverture pour l'enceinte, comprenant au moins un dispositif de fixation pour fixer une première paroi à une deuxième paroi lors de la réception d'un signal approprié et pour libérer la première paroi de la deuxième paroi lors de la réception d'un signal approprié, des circuits électroniques, et une interface utilisateur.

Claims

CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1) A fastener system for an enclosure having one or more walls wherein at
least on
of the walls provides an opening to the enclosure comprising:
at least one fastener for fastening a first wall to a second wall upon
receiving a suitable signal and releasing said first wall from said second
wall upon receiving another suitable signal;
at least one set of electronics for controlling signal communication; and
a user interface.
2) The fastener system of Claim 1 wherein the fastener comprises smart memory
alloy wire.
3) The fastener system of Claim 1 wherein said user interface is a touch-
sensitive
computer screen linked to said electronics.
4) The fastener system of Claim 3 wherein a user utilizing the user interface
with an
access code to send the suitable signal from the electronics to release the
first wall
from the second wall or to fasten the first wall to the second wall.
5) The fastener system of Claim 4 wherein said electronics monitor and log
access to
said enclosure and are able to send messages to users giving notice as to the
fastener status.
6) The fastener system of Claim 1 wherein the electronics is two or more
electronics
set in an arrangement to control multiple fasteners.
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Description

WO 2010/118037 PCT/US2010/030107
Intelligent Enclosures
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a closure for a compartment. More specifically, this
invention relates fastener or system of fasteners for an intelligent
enclosure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Arrays of lockers or similar enclosures are widely known and found in a
variety
of locations, such as in schools, public transportation depots, shopping
malls, etc. There
is a high demand to provide people a location to secure personal belongings.
Current
locker systems utilize a key lock, a combination lock, or a similar manual
locking system
for providing security to the locker space. The problem is that keys go
missing and
combination codes are forgotten thereby locking a user out of accessing
his/her
belongings. Therefore there is a demand for a keyless and combination free
solution to
locking an enclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a fastener system for an enclosure having one or
more
walls wherein at least one wall provides an opening to the enclosure
comprising at least
one fastener for fastening a first wall to a second wall upon receiving a
suitable signal
and releasing the first wall from the second wall upon receiving a suitable
signal,
electronics, and a user interface. For purposes of describing this invention,
the first wall
will be a locker door and the second wall will be a wall on the locker body
but one skilled
in the art will recognize that a wide variety of elements may comprise the
first and second
wall.
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The fastener preferably further comprises material adapted to contract when
activated. The material adapted to contract when activated is preferably shape
memory
alloy wire and has crimped lead attached. Shape memory alloys are known and
are
usually made predominantly or wholly of titanium and nickel. They may also
include
other material, such as aluminium, zinc and copper. A shape memory alloy is
capable of
adopting one shape below a predetermined transition temperature and changing
to a
second shape once its temperature exceeds the transition temperature.
Conversely, when
the shape memory alloy cools below the transition temperature, it is capable
of adopting
the first shape again. In connection with the various aspects of the present
invention, the
shape memory alloy contracts when heated in situ. Shape memory alloy wire
currently
available, such as that sold under the trade mark Nitinol, is capable of
contracting by
about 3% when activated by heating.
Activation of the material adapted to contract when activated is preferably
achieved through electrical resistance heating, with a wire feed to the
assembly.
Activation of the shape memory alloy wire can be initiated from a central
location, using
the wiring system of, for example, the home the lockset is located in. It is
also within the
scope of this invention that the activation is initiated by remote means, such
as a hand
held tool operating through the use of any suitable form of energy, including
microwave,
electric magnetic, sonic, infra-red, radio frequency and so on.
The scope of the invention in its various aspects is not necessarily limited
to the
use of shape memory alloy. Other material may also be useful. Also, while
activation
may take place through heating, other means of activation may be suitable and
are within
the scope of this invention.
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For purposes of this invention, the fastener is built into an adjustable shelf
for use
within the enclosure (i.e. locker). By building the fastener into a shelf,
this makes the
fasteners system easily retrofitted for most locker assemblies. One skilled in
the art will
recognize that this invention is also suitable for newly built locker
assemblies.
One the front of the locker or in the vicinity of a plurality of lockers is a
user
interface. This interface is in the form of a computer screen and offers a
user any
number of choices for the use of the locker assembly. In one setting, a
package may be
stored within the locker by either that particular user or a different user
and the user now
has a need to access the package. Once a user desires access to the enclosure
and makes
the desired selection for activity, the user interface will prompt for an
access code. Only
users with the proper access code will be granted access. Once the code is
accepted the
interface will prompt a user as to the locker that is to be accessed and it is
possible that
time that a message may be delivered to the user. At the same time this
happens a signal
is sent to the fastener from the controlling electronics to unlock the first
wall from the
second wall allowing the user access inside the enclosure. As the user takes
the contents
from the locker, a log will be kept as to when/how the user accessed the
enclosure. It is
also possible for other factors to be measured, such as what was taken by
measuring
weights, how long the user was accessing the enclosure, etc. Any number of
factors may
be monitored and stored by the electronics depending on a user's needs.
In another setting a user may be leaving a package for a different user to
pick up
at a later date. When dropping a package into a locker, the user will
encounter other
options for the locker. An access code as described above is still needed, but
a user will
need to select the type of enclosure that is needed to house the package. Once
that
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selection is made, a user will put the package in the enclosure and the locker
will fasten.
An email or other type of electronic message can also be sent via controlling
electronics
to the recipient notifying them that the package is ready for pickup.
In all situations, the administrator of the fastening system can be granted
access
to the enclosures. This is particularly useful in emergency settings where is
it imperative
that a locker is opened or in schools for example when teachers or other
school officials
must have access to a locker.
The signals to and from the fastener and other monitoring capabilities can be
transmitted wirelessly or through hard wiring via controlling electronics.
Wireless
transmission can occur through any acceptable means.
One skilled in the art will recognize that the electronics may be in the form
of a
computer with appropriate software. One skilled in the art will also recognize
that the
electronics may be one or more set of electronics arranged in a desired
fashion to control
the fastener system.
Other advantages and aspects of the present invention will become apparent
upon
reading the following description of the drawings and the detailed description
of a
preferred embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a view of the locker in a closed position.
Figure 2 is a view of the locker in an open position.
Figure 3 is an angled view of the locker in a closed position.
Figure 4 is an angled view of the locker in an open position.
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Figure 5 is a screen shot from a typical first page of the user interface.
Figure 6 is a screen shot of the user interface prompting for an access code.
Figure 7 is a screen shot of the user interface relaying a message to a user
picking
up a package.
Figure 8 is a screen shot of the user interface assisting a user dropping of a
package.
Figure 9 is a screen shot of the user interface assisting a user to send a
message to
a package recipient.
Figure 10 depicts a schematic view of an arrangement of a number of lockers
controlled by multiple electronics.
Figure 11 depicts a view of a locker in the opened position.
Figure 12 depicts a detailed view of the fastener in the open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figures 1-4 and 10-12 depicts a fastener system for an enclosure 2 such as a
locker. One the front of the locker 2 is a user interface 4. This user
interface assists a
user in accessing the locker 2. The fastening system comprises a fastener 6
for fastening
or unfastening a first wall 12 to/from a second wall 14. The fastener 6 can be
contained
within an adjustable shelf 10 that is able to retrofitted into existing
lockers 2 as seen in
Figs. 1-4 or built into the locker 2 as seen in Figs 10-12.
Figures 5-9 detail possible screenshots that may be produced by the user
interface
4. If a user desires access to a locker 2, then he/she must follow the prompts
on the the
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user interface 4. In situations where the locker 2 must be unlocked to access
a package, a
user will operate the fastener system through the user interface 4 and the
user interface
will communicate with the fastener 6 via a signal from electronics 8 that the
fastener 6
should unlock releasing the first wall 12 from the second wall 14 and the
allowing the
user access.
When the user needs to secure the locker 2 the first wall 12 is joined the
second
wall 14 by way of the fastener 6 joining its parts 6a and 6b and the user
interface 4
receives the signal via the controlling electronics 8 and responds
appropriately.
It will be appreciated that changes may be made to the embodiments described
herein without limiting the spirit and scope of the invention.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the various arts, the
invention
disclosed herein is not limited to the examples set out and has wide
applications in many
areas, representing significant advances in the relevant art. In particular,
the invention
provides a fastener system which is far more sophisticated compared to prior
art fastener
systems for enclosures, permitting the application of modem technology.
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Representative Drawing