Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates, in general, to secure locker systems, and more specifically, relates to an internet of thing (IoT) based digital bank lockers.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Several locker systems are commercially available for storage of personal items at differing venues including banks, health clubs, schools, businesses, transportation terminals, amusement parks and the likes. Some locker systems are controlled by a mechanical key while others are electronic systems that may be networked together.
[0003] In few existing locker systems, customers may use his/her bank lockers to store unaccounted/undeclared cash, jewellery documents and the likes. Also, the bank lockers that are allocated to the customers by the bank have a certain capacity. However, often people misuse the same and place his/her belongings, which are much higher than the capacity of the locker allocated for the customer. Another security hassle in the bank lockers is that in the case of joint lockers, one partner may access the locker without the knowledge of the other partners. Further, another limitation of the locker system is that the locker owner is unable to locate, where a particular article/item is placed i.e., whether it is at his/her home or is in the locker.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a means that allows the owner to use the locker as per the capacity of the locker, provides confirmation about any article present in the locker and check the presence/absence of a particular article inside the locker by solving the aforementioned problems.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0005] An object of the present disclosure relates, in general, to secure locker systems, and more specifically, relates to an internet of thing (IoT) based digital bank lockers.
[0006] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus that can use one or more locker compartments based on the capacity of the one or more locker compartments.
[0007] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus that reduces the undeclared/unaccounted assets.
[0008] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus that can access the weight of the one or more items placed in the one or more locker compartments by the user and the concerned authorities
[0009] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus that prevents unauthorized entry to access the one or more locker compartments.
[0010] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus that checks the presence/absence of a particular item inside the one or more locker compartments.

SUMMARY
[0011] The present disclosure relates, in general, to secure locker systems, and more specifically, relates to an internet of thing (IoT) based digital bank lockers.
[0012] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for securing one or more items, the apparatus comprising one or more locker compartments adapted for storage of a corresponding one or more items, each the one or more locker compartments provided with a door of one or more doors operable to provide access to the corresponding one or more items stored in the one or more locker compartments, one or more sensors configured in a frame of the one or more locker compartments, the sensors capture one or more images of the one or more items stored in the one or more locker compartments, a measurement device configured in the one or more locker compartments, and operable to measure weight attributes of one or more items stored in the one or more locker compartments and a processor operatively coupled to one or more locker compartments, one or more sensors, and measurement device, the processor operatively coupled to memory, the memory storing instruction executable by the processor to receive, from a user interface, an input signal from a user; and extract, from the received input signal, an access code to unlock the corresponding one or more locker compartments wherein, based on the received access code, the processor is configured unlock the corresponding one or more locker compartments to facilitate access to the corresponding any of the one or more lockers adapted for storage of the one or more items.
[0013] According to an embodiment, the user interface configured in the one or more lockers, the user interface allows authorized users to communicate with the apparatus by entering the access code received from a computing device.
[0014] According to an embodiment, an electronic message of the received access codes is sent to other associated computing devices over a communication network.
[0015] According to an embodiment, the electronic message is a short message service (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS) and any combination thereof.
[0016] According to an embodiment, the one or more sensors captures the one or more images of the one or more items stored in the one or more locker compartments, the user can access the captured images, upon verification of the access code, received in the computing device.
[0017] According to an embodiment, the access code is password, identification number (ID) number, one-time password (OTP) and any combination thereof.
[0018] According to an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a display unit located on front portion of the one or more doors of the corresponding locker compartments, the display unit displays the weight attributes of one or more items stored in the one or more locker compartments,
[0019] According to an embodiment, the display unit is any or a combination of light emitting diode (LED) and liquid-crystal display (LCD).
[0020] In an aspect, the present disclosure a method for securing one or more items, the method comprising capturing, from one or more sensors, one or more images of one or more items stored in one or more locker compartments, the one or more sensors configured in a frame of the one or more locker compartments, wherein the one or more locker compartments adapted for storage of corresponding one or more items, each the one or more locker compartments provided with a door of one or more doors operable to provide access to the corresponding one or more items stored in the one or more locker compartments, measuring, by a measurement device, weight attributes of one or more items stored in the one or more locker compartments, the measurement device configured in the one or more locker compartments, receiving, at a computing device, from a user interface, an input signal from a user; and extracting, at the computing device, from the received input signal, an access code to unlock the corresponding one or more locker compartments wherein, based on the received access code, the computing device is configured unlock the corresponding one or more locker compartments.
[0021] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further illustrate aspects of the present disclosure. The disclosure may be better understood by reference to the drawings in combination with the detailed description of the specific embodiments presented herein.
[0023] FIG. 1A illustrate an exemplary representation of digital locker system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 1B illustrate an exemplary functional components of digital locker system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrate an exemplary method for securing one or more items, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0027] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0028] The present disclosure relates, in general, to secure locker systems, and more specifically, relates to an internet of thing (IoT) based digital bank lockers. The present disclosure can be described in enabling detail in the following examples, which may represent more than one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 1A illustrate an exemplary representation of digital locker system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1A, digital locker system 100 (also referred to as system 100, herein) configured to secure one or more items (also referred to as items, herein) placed in a locker 102 (also referred to as an apparatus 102, herein). The locker 102 can include a frame, one or more locker compartments 104, one or more sensors 106 (also referred to as sensors 106, herein), a measurement device 110 also interchangeably referred to as weighting device 110, one or more doors 112, a display unit 108 and a user interface114. The present disclosure can be employed in a wide range of applications such as banks, workplace and the likes.
[0031] In an embodiment, the one or more locker compartments 104 adapted for storage of a corresponding one or more items, each the one or more locker compartments 104 provided with the door of one or more doors 112 operable to provide access to the corresponding one or more items stored in the one or more locker compartments 104. The one or more items can include jewellery, documents, cash and the likes. The measurement device 110 configured in one or more locker compartments 104, and operable to measure weight attributes of one or more items stored in one or more locker compartments 104.
[0032] In another embodiment, the display unit 108 configured in the one or more locker compartments 104, the display unit 108 displays the weight attributes of one or more items stored in the one or more locker compartments 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the display unit 108 can be any or a combination of light-emitting diode (LED) and liquid-crystal display (LCD). In an embodiment, the user interface114 configured in one or more locker compartments 104, where the user interface114 allows authorized users to communicate with the locker 102 by entering an access code in the user interface114 to unlock the corresponding one or more locker compartments 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the user interface114 is a keypad.
[0033] For example, in a bank, each locker compartment 104 can be made in such a way that the jewellery, cash, documents when placed inside the locker 102 the weight of the stored items and the total weight of the items can be displayed in the LED fixed on the front door of the one or more locker compartments 104. Only the owner/customer and higher authorities of the bank can check the current weight of material inside the locker compartment 104 by pressing the access code of 4–6-digit passkey. This ensures that the customers do not misuse the capacity of the locker 102 and the bank can take appropriate action against the defaulters.
[0034] In another embodiment, one or more sensors 106 configured within the frame of the one or more locker compartments 104, one or more sensors 106 captures one or more images of the one or more items stored in the one or more locker compartments 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more sensors 106 is a scrolling camera. To overcome the problem of locating a particular article/item, the scrolling camera captures the images of the items in the one or more locker compartments 104 that can be accessed by the user. The locker owner/user can check the images over a smartphone by verifying the authenticity of the user using a password i.e., a one-time password that is sent to the smartphone of the user. This can allow the owner/user to have a confirmation about any items present in the locker compartment 104.
[0035] FIG. 1B illustrate an exemplary functional components of digital locker system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 1B, the locker 102 can include a processor 118 operatively coupled to one or more locker compartments 104, the sensor 106, and the measurement device 110. The processor 118 coupled to a memory 120, the memory 120 storing instruction executable by the processor 118 to receive an input signal from the user interface 114. The processor 118 extract, from the received input signal, an access code to unlock the corresponding one or more locker compartments 104. Based on the received access code, processor 118 is configured to unlock the corresponding one or more locker compartments 104 to facilitate access to the corresponding any of the one or more locker compartments 104 adapted for storage of the one or more items.
[0037] The user interface 114 configured in the one or more locker compartments 104, the user interface 114 allows authorized users to communicate with the apparatus 102 by entering the access code received from a computing device associated with the user. An electronic message of the received access codes is sent to other associated computing devices over a communication network 122.
[0038] In an embodiment, the access code is a password, identification number (ID) number, one-time password (OTP) and any combination thereof. The electronic message is a short message service (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS) and any combination thereof. The communication network 122 can include a cellular provider, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), an IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) network and any combination thereof.
[0039] For example, when the customer/user accesses the locker compartment, an OTP is be sent to his/her phone number using which he/she can open the locker by entering the OTP using the keypad. Also, another electronic message is flashed to all the customers who are the joint holders of the particular locker compartment to indicate that their locker has been accessed. In case of wrongful access, the customer/user can contact the bank to take appropriate action.
[0040] The processor 118 is in communication with each of a memory 120, and input/output devices. The processor may include a microprocessor or other devices capable of being programmed or configured to perform computations and instruction processing in accordance with the disclosure. Such other devices may include microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSP), complex programmable logic device (CPLD), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), application-specific assimilated circuits (ASIC), discrete gate logic, and/or other assimilated circuits, hardware or firmware in lieu of or in addition to a microprocessor.
[0041] The memory 120 includes programmable software instructions that are executed by the processor. The processor may be embodied as a single processor or a number of processors. The processor and a memory may each be, for example located entirely within a single computer or other computing device. The memory, which enables storage of data and programs, may include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory and any other form of readable and writable storage medium.
[0042] In an exemplary implementation, the weight of one or more items can be displayed on the LCD on the front door of locker 102, where the display unit 108 indicates 0.0 initially. Once the customer/user starts placing his/her belongings, the weight of the material can be displayed in the display unit 108 located at the front door. Bank authorities can see the weight of material kept for all the lockers 102 in the bank branch. Customers can see the weight of material kept in his/her locker 102 only. Every time the customer accesses locker 102, the OTP is sent to his/her mobile number, by entering the OTP in the user interface 114 of the locker, the user can access locker 102. Simultaneously, all the owners of that locker can get an SMS alert that their locker has been accessed. Further, to check the presence of the items inside the locker 102, the owner/user may activate the camera 106 of the locker via smartphone. He/she can receive an OTP on a registered mobile number. The OTP once verified can allow the user to check the contents of the locker 102.
[0043] The embodiments of the present disclosure described above provide several advantages. The one or more of the embodiments provides apparatus 102 that can use one or more locker compartments 104 based on the capacity of the one or more locker compartments. The present disclosure provides apparatus 102 that reduces the undeclared/unaccounted assets. The apparatus 102 can access the weight of one or more items placed in one or more locker compartments 104 by the user and the concerned authorities and prevents unauthorized entry to access the one or more locker compartments 104. Further, apparatus 102 checks the presence/absence of a particular item inside one or more locker compartments 104.
[0044] FIG. 2 illustrate an exemplary method for securing one or more items, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 2, at block 202, the one or more sensors can capture one or more images of one or more items stored in one or more locker compartments, the one or more sensors configured in a frame of the one or more locker compartments. The one or more locker compartments adapted for storage of corresponding one or more items, each the one or more locker compartments provided with a door of one or more doors operable to provide access to the corresponding one or more items stored in the one or more locker compartments.
[0046] At block 204, the measurement device measures the weight attributes of one or more items stored in the one or more locker compartments, the measurement device configured in the one or more locker compartments.
[0047] At block 206, a computing device can receive from a user interface, an input signal from a user and at block 208, the computing device can extract from the received input signal, an access code to unlock the corresponding one or more locker compartments wherein, based on the received access code, the computing device is configured unlock the corresponding one or more locker compartments to facilitate access to the corresponding any of the one or more items.
[0048] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the system 100 of the disclosure may be provided using some or all of the mentioned features and components without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, it will be clear that the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the disclosure, as described in the claims.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0049] The present disclosure provides an apparatus that can use the one or more locker compartments based on the capacity of the one or more locker compartments.
[0050] The present disclosure provides an apparatus that reduces the undeclared/unaccounted assets.
[0051] The present disclosure provides an apparatus that can access the weight of the one or more items placed in the one or more locker compartments by the user and the concerned authorities
[0052] The present disclosure provides an apparatus that prevents unauthorized entry to access the one or more locker compartments.
[0053] The present disclosure provides an apparatus that checks the presence/absence of a particular item inside the one or more locker compartments.

We Claims:

1. An apparatus (102) for securing one or more items, the apparatus comprising:
one or more locker compartments (104) adapted for storage of a corresponding one or more items, each the one or more locker compartments (104) provided with a door of one or more doors (112) operable to provide access to the corresponding one or more items stored in the one or more locker compartments (104);
one or more sensors (106) configured in a frame of the one or more locker compartments (104), the sensors (106) capture one or more images of the one or more items stored in the one or more locker compartments;
a measurement device (110) configured in the one or more locker compartments, (104) and operable to measure weight attributes of one or more items stored in the one or more locker compartments (104); and
a processor (118) operatively coupled to one or more locker compartments (104), one or more sensors (106), and the measurement device (110), the processor (118) operatively coupled to memory (120), the memory storing instruction executable by the processor to:
receive, from a user interface (114), an input signal from a user; and
extract, from the received input signal, an access code to unlock the corresponding one or more locker compartments (104);
wherein, based on the received access code, the processor (118) is configured to unlock the corresponding one or more locker compartments (104) to facilitate access to the corresponding any of the one or more locker compartments (104) adapted for storage of the one or more items.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user interface (114) configured in the one or more locker compartments (104), the user interface allows authorized users to communicate with the apparatus (102) by entering the access code received from a computing device (116).
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein an electronic message of the received access codes is sent to other associated computing devices over a communication network (122).
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the electronic message is a short message service (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS) and any combination thereof.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors (106) captures the one or more images of the one or more items stored in the one or more locker compartments (104), wherein the user access the captured images, upon verification of the access code, received in the computing device.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the access code is a password, identification number (ID) number, one-time password (OTP) and any combination thereof.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a display unit (108) located on front portion of the one or more doors of the corresponding locker compartments (104), the display unit (108) displays the weight attributes of one or more items stored in the one or more locker compartments (104).
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the display unit (108) is any or a combination of light emitting diode (LED) and liquid-crystal display (LCD).
9. A system (100) for securing one or more items, the system comprising:
an apparatus (102) having one or more locker compartments (104) adapted for storage of a corresponding one or more items, each the one or more locker compartments (104) provided with a door of one or more doors (112) operable to provide access to the corresponding one or more items stored in the one or more locker compartments (104);
one or more sensors (106) configured in a frame of the one or more locker compartments (104), the sensors (106) capture one or more images of the one or more items stored in the one or more locker compartments;
a measurement device (110) configured in the one or more locker compartments, (104) and operable to measure weight attributes of one or more items stored in the one or more locker compartments (104); and
a processor (118) operatively coupled to one or more locker compartments (104), one or more sensors (106), and measurement device (110), the processor (118) operatively coupled to memory (120), the memory storing instruction executable by the processor to:
receive, from a user interface (114), an input signal from a user; and
extract, from the received input signal, an access code to unlock the corresponding one or more locker compartments (104);
wherein, based on the received access code, the processor (118) is configured to unlock the corresponding one or more locker compartments (104) to facilitate access to the corresponding any of the one or more locker compartments (104) adapted for storage of the one or more items.
10. A method (200) for securing one or more items, said method comprising:
capturing (202), from one or more sensors, one or more images of one or more items stored in one or more locker compartments, the one or more sensors configured in a frame of the one or more locker compartments, wherein the one or more locker compartments adapted for storage of corresponding one or more items, each the one or more locker compartments provided with a door of one or more doors operable to provide access to the corresponding one or more items stored in the one or more locker compartments;
measuring (204), by a measurement device, weight attributes of one or more items stored in the one or more locker compartments, the measurement device configured in the one or more locker compartments;
receiving (206), at a computing device, from a user interface, an input signal from a user; and
extracting (208), at the computing device, from the received input signal, an access code to unlock the corresponding one or more locker compartments wherein, based on the received access code, the computing device is configured unlock the corresponding one or more locker compartments to facilitate access to the corresponding any of the one or more locker compartments (104) adapted for storage of the one or more items.