DIGITAL CLOAKROOM FOR BAGGAGE STORAGE

Abstract

The invention relates to an automated bag storage and retrieval system using barcode technology, weight sensors, and GPS tracking to enhance security, efficiency, and organization in educational institutions and public spaces like malls and grocery stores. Each bag is assigned a unique barcode linked to a student's or customer’s ID, enabling secure check-in and check-out via barcode scanning. Weight sensors in storage compartments detect bag presence, while GPS devices track the location of storage racks in real-time. A central database manages bag location information, reducing errors and preventing theft. This system streamlines the process, minimizing waiting times and improving user experience during high-demand periods, such as exams or shopping. The invention offers a scalable, secure, and efficient solution for managing bag storage, ensuring both users and security staff benefit from faster, more reliable service.

Specification

Description:The present invention relates to an automated system for managing the storage and retrieval of bags in academic institutions such as colleges, universities, schools and commercial environments such as shopping malls and grocery stores utilizing barcode technology, weight sensors, and GPS tracking. Operations relating to the storage and retrieval of bags in these kinds of establishments have, until recently, always been done manually, with effects being long waiting, misplaced and lost bags, unauthorized access to personal belongings, and overburdened security staff. This innovation, offering an automated, secure, as well as efficient alternative, addresses all issues by using scanners to identify bags and also users through weight sensors with a sense of confirming the existence of a bag, as well as current status of storage racks GPS tracking, thereby making for increased efficiency in operations, as well as security.
A barcode-based identification system forms the core of the system. Each student/ customer is being assigned an ID card that carries a corresponding barcode on his/her bag; thus, on check-in, one must present a scanned ID card by the reader with the help of the barcode on the bag. This creates an entry in a centralized database that then records the ID, the barcode on the bag, and the specific storage location assigned to the bag. Each recorded entry allows for a clear association between the user and personal belongings, eliminating mix-ups and unauthorized retrieval. Therefore, barcode technology is the best option because linking each bag to the owner to avoid possible errors in both the storage and retrieval processes.
Weight sensors have been placed in each corner of the storage racks, and they are utilizing the principle of detecting the presence and absence of a bag. The sensor in the selected compartment detects the weight of the bag, which marks it as "occupied" when a user checks in his bag. If no bag is detected, the compartment been marked as "empty." This provides real-time, automated feedback of the status of every compartment, ensuring the organization of the storage system and allowing the users at any time to know where they find free space for storing their bags. With the addition of weight sensors, storage space then be optimized without any glitches as the system work pretty fine since it keeps on recording both when the compartment is under usage and when it is idle.
Further functionality that improves the system is built into the racks as GPS tracking devices. These are individual GPS units fitted on storage racks, mostly in huge and mobile systems, especially in malls and university campuses. These make it highly valuable to track the rack in its real time location. Such storage racks especially in huge establishments scatter across multiple floors of an institution. The GPS feed is an input to the central monitoring system, which tracks the storage unit in real-time, thus enabling the location of racks in case they need to be found immediately. That feature adds a layer of security because it prevents theft and unauthorized movement of racks. The security staff and the system itself monitor the movement of bags and racks across the premises.
The central database is the core of the system, which stores all the relevant information regarding the bags, their storage places, user in-checking/c-checking, and the status messages received from the weight sensors and GPS trackers. Time of Check-in, Assignment of a compartment, association of the barcode of the bag with that compartment are all recorded at the time of check-in done by the user for his/her bag. When the user returns to claim their bag, the system captures their checkout request, locates their bag, and guides him/ her to the particular compartment. The data is constantly updated to track the status of the system in real time. This is through notifications to the users and security personnel in case any of the compartments is full and empty and potential breach into the compartment as programmed. Again, this is where the efficiency both in terms of operation and also user security improves. The components and the process flow of the system is explained as:
1. Barcode Identification System
The barcode system links each student/customer to their personal belongings in a seamless, automated manner. An ID card is issued to the user that corresponds to a similar barcode on his/her bag. Upon entering the storage area, the client scans the ID card produced to a barcode scanner. The barcode scanner also captures the code on the bag and captures the user's ID, linking it to a specific storage compartment. This therefore makes sure that the user and their bag are well-linked to each other, devoid of the interchanging of bags and getting the wrong bag at the wrong end. When a bag is checked in, the system stores the details in a central database updated according to storage location of the bag and all the secondary information (for example, the check-in time, user ID, and the rack storage ID).
2. Weight Sensors
Each storage compartment in the system is equipped with a weight sensor that detects whether a compartment is occupied. When the user placed his bag in the compartment, the weight sensor measured the load and marked the compartment as "occupied". On failure to detect weight, the storage rack marks the compartment as "empty". The feature through sensors enables proper management of space used in storage racks. By monitoring the occupancy of each box, the system automatically identifies vacant spaces and thus direct the individual to a vacant box for placement of a bag. With a baggage retrieval case, when the system fails to detect weight on a given-compartment, it notifies the system and security who finally handle the situation and avoid some mistakes during retrieval.
3. GPS Tracking
The GPS tracking feature enables the system to monitor the exact location of each storage rack, particularly in larger or mobile storage setups. A GPS device is installed in each rack, with its capability to continuously send the location data to the central monitoring system. This is important for large facilities, where racks might be moved around and located between different areas, such as on different floors of a mall and a university campus. The GPS information makes it possible to do the location of the racks and their compartments quickly and easily. If a security officer and a user wants to collect a bag and doesn't know where the storage rack is, this system gives him the exact coordinates of the storage rack, thus allowing easy collection and not dragging along any delay.
4. Central Database and Monitoring System
The central database is the backbone of the entire system. It logs all the important data, including the user's ID, the bag's barcode, the time of check-in/check-out, the assigned storage location, and updates from the weight sensors. This central approach allows real-time monitoring of status by each of the compartments and ensures that the data is always up-to-date. The center monitoring system observes the status of all bags and notify problems that include full compartments and bags that have not been fetched in time. Automated notifications for security personnel can be set off due to problems with the system and unauthorized access to a bag.
5. Automated Check-in and Check-out Process
The process starts from scanning his ID card and the barcode on his bag. At the time of scanning, one and several compartments are assigned to the bag, the check-in time is captured, weight sensor is updated for marking the assigned compartment as occupied, etc. Again, at the time of returning for retrieving his bag, the system scans his ID card for authenticating him and also to retrieve the storage location of the bag. The system then takes the user to the correct compartment. As the bag is brought out, the weight sensor be signified that the compartment is empty and the system updates the database with the notation that the bag has been checked out.
The automated bag storage and retrieval system greatly improves conditions offered compared with the conventional manual systems at key issues in matters of security, organization, and efficiency. Through the linking of bags to their rightful owners by embedding the scanning barcode technology, weight sensors, and GPS tracking in the system, security is advanced; waiting times at check-in and check-out times is reduced; and maximally efficient use of space for storage is made available.
According to one of the embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 illustrates the step by step process of the working of the system (100) detailing about start of the system (101) where the users arrives at the storage area (102), followed by check-in process (103) where the student's ID and bag gets scanned (104), get saved into database of the system (105), placing the bag in the compartment (106), compartment status marked as "occupied" (107), user requests the check-out (108), retrieve the location of the bag (109), retrieve the bag for the user (110), the compartment status marked as "Empty" (111) that marks the end of the cycle (112). The working flow of the system disclosed in the present invention is explained as:
• User Check-in: A user scans their ID card and the barcode on their bag. The system records the data and assigns a compartment for the bag.
• Weight Sensor Activation: The weight sensor detects the bag's presence, marking the compartment as occupied.
• GPS Tracking: The GPS device on the rack tracks its location, and the central system monitors the data in real-time.
• User Retrieval: The user scans their ID card again to retrieve the bag. The system identifies the location and guides the user to the correct compartment.
• Weight Sensor Deactivation: The weight sensor detects the absence of the bag and updates the compartment status to empty.
According to one of the embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 illustrates the flow diagram of the system structure (200) detailing about the block diagram of the system in which user (201), security (202), where user follows presents ID for check-in (203), and security guard scans ID and bag barcode (204) which is followed by storage racks with compartments (205), then the various compartments A, B and C having weight sensors and GPS tracker (206) further followed by central monitoring system (207) having dashboard displaying the relevant ID (208) and at last the compartment status (empty/ occupied) along with the notifications for full compartments (209).
The automated nature of the system reduces errors, enhances user experience, and provides a streamlined, secure solution for bag storage across a variety of environments. This scalable system is being adapted to meet the needs of both small-scale and large-scale implementations, from libraries and exam halls to malls and grocery stores, improving both operational efficiency and security.
, Claims:1. A system for managing bag storage and retrieval, comprising:
a central database for storing information related to each bag, including its unique identifier, associated with a student's ID card or a customer's ID;
a barcode scanner configured to scan both a student's ID card and a bag's barcode at check-in and check-out;
a weight sensor integrated into each storage compartment to detect the presence or absence of a bag based on weight changes, indicating whether the compartment is occupied or empty;
a GPS tracking device mounted on each storage rack, enabling real-time tracking of the rack's location;
a central monitoring system for managing and displaying real-time data regarding the status of each compartment, including occupancy and geographical location of each storage unit.
2. The system of Claim 1, wherein the central database stores historical data on the bag's storage and retrieval, including timestamps of check-in and check-out.
3. The system of Claim 1, wherein the GPS tracking device transmits location data to the central monitoring system, enabling the system to display real-time position information of each rack or storage unit.
4. The system of Claim 1, further comprising an automated notification system that alerts security staff or users when a storage compartment is full or empty, or when a bag has been retrieved.
5. The system of Claim 1, wherein the barcode scanner and weight sensors are integrated into a single device, allowing for simultaneous scanning and status detection during the check-in and check-out process.
6. The system of Claim 1, further comprising an automated sorting mechanism for directing bags to the appropriate storage compartment based on availability, using the weight sensor data to determine open and occupied compartments.
7. A method for managing bag storage and retrieval, comprising the steps of:
assigning a unique barcode to each student's ID or customer's unique ID and linking it to a corresponding bag;
scanning both the student's ID and the bag's barcode using a barcode scanner during check-in to record the bag's storage location in a central database;
monitoring the status of each storage compartment using a weight sensor to detect when a bag is placed or removed, and recording whether each compartment is occupied or empty;
using a GPS tracking device to track the real-time location of the storage rack;
scanning the student's ID or customer's unique ID at check-out to retrieve the corresponding bag's location, ensuring fast and secure retrieval.
8. The method of Claim 7, wherein the weight sensor is configured to activate a signal to the central system when a bag is placed in and removed from the compartment, updating the compartment's status to "occupied" or "empty."
9. The method of Claim 7, further comprising the step of displaying real-time status updates of each storage compartment and rack on a user interface and central dashboard for easy monitoring by security staff or users.
10. The method of Claim 7, wherein the system automatically calculates the most efficient available compartment for a bag based on the status data received from the weight sensors, optimizing space usage within the storage unit.

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