Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a suggestion letter management device for corporate that is capable of receiving suggestion letters from the employee to send them to the concerned authorities in an electronic form to avoid piling up all letters together making it less hectic for the concerned authorities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The letterbox or suggestion box has always been a part of any office or working space to take employees' input. When the employees share their feedback, they feel connected and involved in the company. The input or feedback of an employee is also an important part of making the work environment and office space good. But the employee sometimes wants to convey some message to the authorities but in fear of disclosure of identity, the employee doesn’t reach out to them. The suggestion boxes are installed to avoid such conditions and make the employees comfortable in offices to share their thoughts.

[0003] The simple letter or suggestion boxes have existed forever but now there are innovations available even in simple suggestion boxes. The idea of the suggestion box is that people can put their thoughts in a letter which could be later accessed by the concerned person. But, there existed problem of any other person trying to open the lock of the suggestion box. For this problem, now many similar devices exist that work as smart letter boxes or parcel boxes.

[0004] CN106974538B discloses a kind of letter box arrangements, including babinet, it is parallel up and down in the babinet that a partition board is installed, it is provided with letter box between each partition board, mounting shell and illuminator are installed at the top of the box, left sliding chamber is provided in the mounting shell, in the mounting shell, it is additionally provided with right sliding chamber on the right side of the left sliding chamber, the jack of right sliding chamber described in communications and liaison is provided on the right side of the mounting shell, a power transmission chamber opposite with the jack is provided on the left part of the right sliding chamber, be provided in the right sliding chamber can control translation first slide move block；The overall structure of the present apparatus is relatively simple, and the circuit passband attended operation between fixing body and power transmission chamber is all automatically performed by first motor work, energization grafting is simple between mounting shell and illuminator, and electric shock accidents will not occur during energization grafting, it is easy to operate, it is suitble to promote the use of. Although CN’538 discloses a device which is a letter box for assisting user to put the letter in the required chamber but lacks in providing a box that can be used in any place for receiving a letter and send it in an electronic form.

[0005] US10817824B2 discloses a parcel box includes a weather resistant housing, a temperature control system, a communication module, and electrical circuitry. The weather resistant housing includes a lockable door for providing access to a protected cavity configured for receiving a parcel for temporary secure storage of the parcel. The temperature control system selectively controls a temperature inside the protected cavity. The communication module receives delivery data including an estimated delivery time for the parcel. The electrical circuitry operates the temperature control system to adjust the temperature of the protected cavity to within a preferred temperature range prior to the estimated delivery time of the parcel and maintains the temperature for at least a specified period of time. Although US’824 discloses a parcel box for receiving the parcel and keeping it in a lock state while maintaining a temperature inside the box and safeguarding it from the weather. However, the cited invention lacks in a providing a suggestion box to receive letters from the associated people and send it in an electronic form to the concerned person.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices existed that are capable of making the suggestions boxes better but they are still functioning in manual manner. The devices are still not working in a smart and automated manner. The concerned person has to come to the box to take out the letter and go through them manually.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of collecting the letter into the suggestion box to send those letters to the concerned authority in an electronic form.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is capable of receiving a letter by detecting the presence of a person near the suggestion box in an automated manner.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is capable of saving time of the person receiving the letter by sending the content of the letter in an electronic form.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is capable of assisting a user in deciding whether to disclose the name while sending the letter or keep it anonymous to make the user comfortable while sending the letter.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a suggestion letter management device for corporate capable of receiving suggestion letters from employees to send them in electronic form to the concerned authorities to save their time and make the process less hectic. The device also keeps the sender's name anonymous if a user decides to not disclose it.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a suggestion letter management device for corporate comprises of a cuboidal body installed on a vertical fixed surface via a plurality of suction cups arranged with the body for adhering the body to the fixed surface for allowing employees to drop suggestion letters within the body, an IR (Infrared) sensor arranged on the body for detecting the presence of the employee in proximity to the body, a plate installed with an opening carved on the body via a motorized hinge, a microcontroller linked with the proximity sensor to actuate the hinge to tilt the plate for uncovering the opening to allow the employee to drop the letter within the body, a touch enabled screen installed on the body for enabling the employee to select whether the letter is to be sent with details of sender or as anonymous, a first artificial intelligence-based imaging unit paired with a processor mounted on the body for capturing and processing multiple images of the employee in case letter is to be sent with details of sender, a database linked with the microcontroller for storing imaging and details of the employees and the microcontroller compares the processed images with pre-saved images stored in the database for fetching details of the employee.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a second artificial intelligence-based imaging unit paired with a processing unit mounted within the body for capturing and processing multiple images within the body for detecting the exact location of the letter, a pair of telescopically operated gripper arranged within the body to work in collaboration with second imaging unit for gripping and opening the letter, an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) module installed within the body working in sync with the second imaging unit for detecting text written on the letter which is saved in the database and sent in an electronic form on a first computing unit of concerned authorities, a fingerprint sensor fabricated on the body for enabling a concerned person to feed fingerprints for accessing the letters and the microcontroller compares the fed fingerprints with pre-saved fingerprints stored in the database for authentication of the person, a weight sensor embedded within the chamber for detecting weight of the letters, and as soon as weight matches a threshold value, the microcontroller sends an alert on a second computing unit for notifying the person to collect the letters from the body.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a suggestion letter management device for corporate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to a suggestion letter management device for corporate that is capable of receiving suggestion letters from employees to send them in electronic form to the concerned authorities. Additionally, it enables users to choose that letter has to be sent with the details of the user or as anonymous

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of a suggestion letter management device for corporate comprises of a cuboidal body 101 installed on a vertical fixed surface via a plurality of suction cups 102, a plate 103 installed with an opening carved on the body 101, a touch enabled screen 104 installed on the body 101, a first artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 105 paired mounted on the body 101, a second artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 106 mounted within the body 101, a pair of telescopically operated gripper 107 arranged within the body 101, a chamber 108 positioned within the body 101 and a fingerprint sensor 109 fabricated on the body 101.

[0023] The present invention includes a cuboidal body 101 developed to be installed on a vertical fixed surface. The vertical surface here is a wall of an enclosed space preferably an office or a working space. The body 101 is installed on the vertical surface via a plurality of suction cups 102 arranged with the body 101. The suction cup 102 ensures the adhering of the body 101 to the fixed surface for allowing employees to drop suggestion letters within the body 101. The suction cup 102 is made up of rubber material. The suction cup 102 works on the principle of negative pressure that is when the cup 102 is pushed on the surface, the air inside the cup 102 is escaped which creates a partial vacuum inside it. The air pressure outside is high in comparison to the partial vacuum inside the cup 102 which keeps the cup 102 attached to a surface. The rim of the suction cup 102 maintains an airtight seal between the cup 102 and the fixed surface by stopping the outside air from entering the cup 102.

[0024] The body 101 is arranged with an IR (Infrared) sensor for detecting the presence of the employee in proximity to the body 101. IR sensors work on the principle of radar technology. The sensor emits the radiation that hits the person if standing near the body 101 and bounces back to the receiver of the sensor. The change in the radiation is detected and the change is translated into an electrical signal that is further translated a microcontroller.

[0025] The microcontroller which is wirelessly linked with a first and a second computing unit via a communication module that includes, but not limited to Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) module, Bluetooth module, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) module. The sensor detects the presence of the employee in the surroundings. Upon detection, the linked microcontroller actuates the opening of a plate 103 installed on the body 101 to uncover the opening and allow the employee to drop the letter within the body 101.

[0026] The plate 103 is installed on the body 101 via a motorized hinge. The plate 103 opens and closes with the help of the motorized hinge. The motorized hinge comprises of a DC motor and a flap. Upon actuation, the DC motor is actuated and the flap moves in the desired direction which leads to the opening of the plate 103.

[0027] The body 101 is installed with a touch-enabled screen 104 to allow contact with the user. The screen 104 enables the employee to select whether the letter is to be sent with details of the sender or anonymous. If the user decides to send the letter as anonymous, it is just accepted by the body 101. But if the user decides to send the letter with mentioning their details, a first artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 105 paired with a processor mounted on the body 101 is activated. The first imaging unit 105 captures multiple images of the employee and processes them to extract the details of the sender.

[0028] The first imaging unit 105 captures the image of the person standing in the proximity of the body 101 and the processor processes it. The first imaging unit 105 comprises a camera that captures the image and sends the image to the processor. The processor further processes the image to detect a person’s identity in the proximity of the body 101. The processor includes the first pre-processing of the image which involves noise reduction and considering only the required parts of the captured image of the platform. Then, the processor extracts the required feature from the image. Finally, the processor classifies the extracted features of the image with the help of the linked microcontroller.

[0029] The microcontroller is linked to a database for storing imaging and details of the employees. The microcontroller compares the processed images with pre-saved images from the database to determine the identity and fetches the details of the employee. The employee details are extracted from the database and sent with the electronic form of the letter to the concerned authorities.

[0030] The body 101 is mounted with a second artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 106 paired with a processer for capturing and processing multiple images within the body 101. The second imaging unit 106 works in the same way as the first imaging unit 105. The second imaging unit 106 determine the exact location of the letter within the body 101. The body 101 is arranged with a pair of telescopically operated grippers 107 to work in collaboration with the second imaging unit 106. The gripper 107 is actuated by the microcontroller to pick up the letter by gripping the letter. The gripper 107 also opens up the letter for further processing.

[0031] The pneumatic unit powers the telescopic rods. The pneumatic unit embodies an air compressor, air cylinder, air valves, and piston which work in collaboration to perform the extension and retraction of the rods. The rod comprises a hollow cylindrical arrangement that contains multiple hollow cylinders connected concentrically. The air cylinder is attached to the bottom of the hollow cylindrical arrangement which consists of an air piston attached to the topmost part of the cylindrical arrangement from within the rod. The air cylinder is integrated with two valves where one is the inlet valve and one is the outlet valve. The valves are connected to the air compressor configured with an exhaust fan. The air compressor draws the air from the surroundings and compresses it. The pressurized air enters the inlet valve and provides a force to the piston making it move in a forward direction and sequentially opening the concentrically connected cylinders from top to bottom that leads to the extension of the gripper 107. The gripper 107 then picks up a letter received inside the body 101.

[0032] The body 101 is installed with an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) module to work in sync with the second imaging unit 106 for detecting text written on the letter. The text is saved in the database and an electronic form of the letter is sent to a first computing unit of concerned authorities. An OCR module works by storing many different font and text image patterns as templates. After analysis, the system converts the extracted text data into a computerized file which is sent to a computing unit of concerned authorities.

[0033] After the electronic form of the letter is sent, the microcontroller sends the signal for re-actuation of the grippers 107 for placing the letter in chamber 108 positioned within the body 101. The chamber 108 is attached to contain the sent letter to distinguish between the sent and new letters.

[0034] The chamber 108 is embedded with a weight sensor for detecting the weight of the letters. The weight is matched to a pre-defined threshold limit by the microcontroller and as soon as the weight matches a threshold value, the microcontroller sends an alert to a second computing unit to notify the person to collect the letters from the body 101.

[0035] The weight sensor comprises of a transducer and a strain gauge. The force applied on the sensor due to weight load leads to the deformation of the strain gauge. The deformations are measured and the transducer converts the force to the electrical resistance which is sent as an electrical output to the microcontroller. The sensor detects the weight and as the weight recedes a pre-defined threshold limit, the signal is sent to the microcontroller. The microcontroller sends an alert to the computing unit to notify the user to take out the letters from the body 101.

[0036] To access the chamber 108 for taking out the letter, the body 101 is fabricated with a fingerprint sensor 109 to enable a concerned person to feed fingerprints for accessing the letters from the body 101 and chamber 108. The microcontroller compares the fed fingerprints with pre-saved fingerprints stored in the database for authentication of the person. The fingerprint sensor 109 here is an optical fingerprint sensor 109. The optical scanner works by shining a bright light over the fingerprint upon placing the finger in the given slot and taking a digital photo. The light-sensitive microchip makes the digital image by looking at the ridges and valleys of the fingerprint and converting them into 1’s and 0’s. With the binary digits, a unique code is created for each person. This unique code is saved and allows only a specific person to collect the letter from chamber 108.

[0037] The microcontroller compares the fed fingerprints with pre-saved fingerprints stored in the database for authentication of the person. Upon authentication, a motorized lid attached to the body 101 is actuated by the microcontroller, the lid opens up and allows the person to collect the letters from chamber 108.

[0038] A battery is associated with the device to supply power to electrically powered components associated with the device. The battery is comprised of a pair of electrodes, a cathode, and an anode that produce a voltage between them and thus produces electrical energy that is used to do work in the device.

[0039] The present invention works best in the following manner, a cuboidal body 101 installed on a vertical fixed surface acting as a suggestion box adhered to the fixed body 101 via a plurality of suction cups 102 arranged with the body 101 for allowing employees to drop suggestion letters within the body 101. The body 101 is installed with an IR (Infrared) sensor for detecting the presence of the employee in proximity to the body 101. The body 101 is carved with an opening and a plate 103 is installed on the opening via a motorized hinge to open for putting the letter inside the body 101 and a microcontroller linked with the IR proximity sensor actuates the hinge to tilt the plate 103 to allow the employee to drop the letter within the body 101. The body 101 is installed with a touch enabled screen 104 to enable the employee to select whether the letter is to be sent with details of the sender or anonymous. If the employee decides a letter is to be sent with the details, a first artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 105 paired with a processor mounted on the body 101 gets activated for capturing and processing multiple images of the employee. A database is present linked with the microcontroller for storing imaging and details of the employees and the microcontroller compares the processed images with pre-saved images stored in the database for fetching details of the employee. Meanwhile, a second artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 106 paired with a processing unit mounted within the body 101 for capturing and processing multiple images within the body 101 for detecting the exact location of the letter, a pair of telescopically operated grippers 107 arranged within the body 101 to work in collaboration with second imaging unit 106 for gripping and opening the letter, an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) module installed within the body 101 working in sync with the second imaging unit 106 for detecting text written on the letter. The content of the letter is saved in the database and sent in an electronic form to the first computing unit of concerned authorities. After sending the letter in electronic form, the microcontroller re-actuates the grippers 107 for placing the letter in a chamber 108 positioned within the body 101. The chamber 108 is embedded with a weight sensor within the chamber 108 for detecting the weight of the letters, and as soon as the weight matches a threshold value, the microcontroller sends an alert to a second computing unit to notify the person to collect the letters from the body 101. The body 101 comprises of a fingerprint sensor 109 to enable a concerned person to feed fingerprints for accessing the letters. The microcontroller compares the fed fingerprints with pre-saved fingerprints stored in the database for authentication of the person. Upon authentication, a motorized lid attached to the body 101 opens up and allows the person to collect the letters from the chamber 108.

[0040] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) A suggestion letter management device for corporate, comprising:

i) a cuboidal body 101 developed to be installed on a vertical fixed surface within an enclosure for allowing employees to drop suggestion letters within said body 101, wherein an IR (Infrared) sensor is arranged on said body 101 for detecting presence of said employee in proximity to said body 101;
ii) a plate 103 installed with an opening carved on said body 101, via a motorized hinge, wherein upon detecting presence of said employee in surroundings, a microcontroller linked with said proximity sensor actuates said hinge to tilt said plate 103 for uncovering said opening to allow said employee to drop said letter within said body 101;
iii) a touch enabled screen 104 installed on said body 101 for enabling said employee to select whether said letter is to be sent with details of sender or as anonymous, wherein in case said letter is to be sent with details of send, said microcontroller activates a first artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 105 paired with a processor mounted on said body 101 for capturing and processing multiple images of said employee, respectively, to obtain processed images of said employee;
iv) a database linked with said microcontroller for storing imaging and details of said employees, wherein said microcontroller compares said processed images with pre-saved images stored in said database for fetching details of said employee;
v) a second artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 106 paired with a processing unit mounted within said body 101 for capturing and processing multiple images within said body 101, respectively, for detecting exact location of said letter, wherein said microcontroller actuates a pair of telescopically operated gripper 107 arranged within said body 101 to work in collaboration for gripping and opening said letter;
vi) an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) module installed within said body 101 that works in synchronization with said second imaging unit 106 for detecting text written on said letter which is saved in said database, wherein said microcontroller sends said letter in electronic form on a first computing unit of concerned authorities, followed by re-actuation of said grippers 107 for placing said letter in a chamber 108 positioned within said body 101; and
vii) a fingerprint sensor 109 fabricated on said body 101 for enabling a concerned person to feed fingerprints for accessing said letters, wherein said microcontroller compares said fed fingerprints with pre-saved fingerprints stored in said database for authentication of said person, and upon successful authentication, said microcontroller actuates a motorized lid configured with said body 101 to open for allowing said person to collect said letters from said chamber 108.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein plurality of suction cups 102 are arranged with said body 101 for adhering said body 101 with said fixed surface.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a weight sensor is embedded within said chamber 108 for detecting weight of said letters, and as soon as said detected weight matches a threshold value, said microcontroller sends an alert on a second computing unit for notifying said person to collect said letters from said body 101.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said microcontroller is wirelessly linked with said first and second computing unit via a communication module which includes, but not limited to Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) module, Bluetooth module, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) module.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said telescopically operated grippers 107 are powered by a pneumatic unit that includes an air compressor, air cylinder, air valves and piston which works in collaboration to aid in extension and retraction of said grippers 107.

6) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for supplying power to electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.