Smart Locker Management System Using IoT 2018 Proceedings/Main/papers/23… · locker system Solenoid will be used for secured locking and reed relays to count the frequency. While

Proceedings of the 12th

INDIACom; INDIACom-2018; IEEE Conference ID: 42835

2018 5th

International Conference on “Computing for Sustainable Global Development”, 14th

- 16th

March, 2018

Bharati Vidyapeeth's Institute of Computer Applications and Management (BVICAM), New Delhi (INDIA)

Smart Locker Management System Using IoT

Parth Parab

Dept. Computer Engineering

Shree L. R Tiwari College of Engineering

Mira Road(E), Thane - 401107, India.

[email protected]

Manas Kulkarni

Dept. Computer Engineering



[email protected]

Dr. Vinayak Shinde

HOD, Dept. Computer Engineering



[email protected]

Abstract— The Smart Locker management system is a

relatively new concept. It focuses on easy management and

assignment of lockers to users by taking the entire hassling system

online using the fundamentals of Internet of Things (IOT) by connecting the entire mechanism to the cloud by means of cloud

computing technologies like Amazon web services or Google

cloud platform. This proves to be so much more efficient and

convenient than the traditional locking system which required

maintaining a lock and key along with a directory of its use. This microcontroller based system uses electronic devices to implement

its application in a very cost-efficient method while providing

advanced functionality to the user and the person managing this

system as well. This proposed system thus provides an overall

reliable and secure locker system simplifying the actual process

involved by making it digital [3].

Keywords—Smart Locker System; Microcontroller; Security; cloud

computing; Internet of Things; Amazon Web Services.

I. INTRODUCTION

Everywhere around us, Internet of Things (IOT) and cloud

computing technology are creating breakthroughs by

introducing automation and ease of use applications for our

daily lives. One such problem we face every day is the

management of analog manual locker systems. Lack of space

playing a major ro le in this, it’s more important to use to

existing lockers efficiently than to add new ones. Other

problems which we face in this traditional system include

safety, security and reliab ility of usage.

The solution to this is to shift the approach from analog to

digital and connecting the mechanism to the internet using

fundamentals of IOT and Cloud Computing. Along with using

different electronic devices and microcontrollers for the same.

This smart locker management system provides features like

easy assignment of new lockers to users, management of

existing lockers and maintenance for the same. Most of the

functions involved are automated so the process is faster,

easier and more efficient. There are also several challenges

faced in the system like loss of registered phone, security and

unable to open lock without internet or electricity which is

discussed further in the following parts.

In this paper, a smart locker system prototype using Internet of Things (IOT) will be presented to analyze the regularity of the

locker being used and remotely use the lockers for optimizing

the existing resources and convenience of the user. In this locker system Solenoid will be used for secured locking and

reed relays to count the frequency. While the microcontroller will be used to trigger the locking system and decide which

lockers should be unlocked. Along with an android application that interfaces with the security system. Controlling the door

locking system using the application itself. To share easy and secured access with other individuals. To make it effort less to

lock and unlock our door lock. To get simple installation

system. [8] [10]

II. EXISTING SYSTEM

The traditional locking system includes maintaining a ‘lock and key’ based mechanism for all its lockers. Managing such a

locker system is also a hard task because the person in charge has to physically check and maintain a list of lockers in use

which is not an efficient method and can create a lot of issues. The problem occurs in maintain ing multip le keys for multip le

lockers and to make sure each one of them is used efficiently. This traditional locker system as we all know has been there

for over a century and its implementation hasn't changed much

and so hasn't the lock which does not meet the security requirements needed for today’s world. [4]

Although automated digital locker systems are now availab le in the market which provide features like key cards, pins and

other biometric locking mechanism, but these lockers usually focus on a single lock system and not management of multip le

lockers which is the ideal goal of the proposed system in this

paper. Another drawback which is focused on is with the key card based locker system which is the loss of the card and

Copy Right © INDIACom-2018; ISSN 0973-7529; ISBN 978-93-80544-28-1 1894



2018 5th


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March, 2018

regular charging of the card. All these systems are expensive

and also provide very min imal security as compared to the system proposed in this paper

In today’s world where we are moving far ahead from analog things to more convenient and digital implementations, it’s the

need of the hour to make things around us more smart and efficient for our own use. This where the proposed system of a

smart locker system comes in place as a solution to the legacy

locker p roblem and digital locker systems available to provide a centralized mechanism to manage multip le lockers while

creating ease of use as well to provide an improved implementation and to replace the existing system. [10]

III. PROPOSED SYSTEM

For better understanding, the system is divided in specific

domains and each one is explained separately. These domains are – The Locker, The system, The admin and the User.

The Locker

As an overview, the locker chosen for this project will be a

standard metal locker and the additional components will be

attached to it to make it ‘Smart’. The Locker will have the following components – Reed relay, solenoid latch, permanent

magnets, spring and the microcontroller ch ip.

The reed relay is present on the inner cover of the locker at the

same place where the permanent magnet is present on the door of the locker. The relay notifies the microcontroller if the door

is locked or unlocked.

The solenoid is present right above the reed relay with its latch

on the inside of the door. The solenoid entirely fits in the latch

and is released when the door is to be unlocked by user. A powerful solenoid is used in this case since it compiles to the

main part of the locking system.

The use of the permanent magnet is to make sure the door of

the locker is unlocked unless the microcontroller receives an unlock request from the user, which is when the magnet pushes

the door to open it.

The spring is used to create tension between the door and the locker so that the door is automatically released once the user

requests to open the locker.

The microcontroller is the heart of the entire system as it is

responsible for all the controlling of the hardware and maintaining the dig ital requests and data. The chip is placed

behind the locker so that it’s not visible by the user. [4]

The System

The microcontroller system (Arduino/Raspberry) here acts as

the bridge between the hardware and the software device and is essentially used to link them so that they can work together.

This chipset connects the reed relay response and the energy pulse of the solenoid to the cloud either through the ethernet

cable or wireless connection.

All the process done by the hardware in the locker is process

and sent by the microcontroller. [5]

The Admin

The Admin here acts as a super user and is given most of the

rights of the user as well. Essentially the Admin is connected to the main frame cloud where all the processed data is stored.

Being a super user, it can also unlock the locker without the presence of the user.

The admin receives the log details, available and used lockers,

and also assigns new lockers to the users to use by providing the pin with which the specific locker can be opened.

The user

The user is the person for whom this entire proposed is

actually built. The locker can unlock the locker by entering the pin provided by the Admin. The user is also provided with the

logs of every time the locker was used so that he/she is aware of the usage of the system. The user himself has to entire a pin

as a login id to use the application software to ensure that a

level of security is maintained.

IV. SYSTEM ANALYSIS

System overview block diagram:



Fig 1: Functional block diagram of the proposed system

Front-end layout for the user based application:

Fig 2: Mobile based application for the user

Proposed system algorithm:

Notations:

1. Door Sense: To sense if the door is open or closed using

Reed switch signal 1 or 0. Signal 1 represents door is open

whereas signal 0 represents door is closed.

2. Solenoid: Used to lock the system securely till it has no

power. Once solenoid receives power it opens the latch.

3. Microcontroller: Controls all the software mechanism and

works as a bridge between the hardware and software

components.

4. Locker: The main hardware of this proposed system which

the user uses.

5. User: The person for whom the proposed system is built

and the one who primarily interacts with him.

6. Admin : The superuser who controls all the locker systems

and has a direct access to the cloud platform.

Algorithm:

1. Start.

2. User enter login details in application.

3. If [details entered are correct]:

then login into account and display details and

operations.

else:

send error notification and request to re-enter details.

4. If [user selects to view log]:

then connect to project service cloud to display log

details.

else if [user selects to open lock]:

then: i) Send request to corresponding

microcontroller.

ii) Microcontroller acknowledges request from

the user.

iii) It then sends two seconds of power to the

associated solenoid to create opposite flux to

open the latch.

iv) The spring tension releases the door once

the latch is open.

v) if [Door sense sends signal ‘1’ to

microcontroller]:

then: a) Notify microcontroller

that door is opened

successfully.

b) Microcontroller notifies

the user that door is

opened and creates a log.

else if [Door sense signal remains ‘0’]:

then: a) Notify user that door

cannot be opened due to

fault and try again.

b) Create a log.

c) Notify admin about fault in

locker.

5. If [Door sense changes to ‘0’]:

then consider door closed by user and update

corresponding log.

else:

End session.

6. Logout of application.

7. Stop. [8] [3]




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V. DESIGN AND REQUIREMENT ANALYSIS

In order to build the proposed system, the fo llowing hardware and software requirements are specified:

1. Microcontroller (Arduino/Raspberry pi) :

A microcontroller is a small computer on a lone integrated

circuit containing one or more CPUs, memory and programmable input/output peripherals. In the context, it

is used to link the software to the hardware. Various

microcontrollers are availab le in market such as Arduino, Raspberry PI, Orange PI, Intel Joule, Ada Feather,

Autonomo, Beagle Bone, etc. [3]

2. Electronic Solenoid latch:

Latching Solenoids utilize the internal permanent magnet

material to maintain a set position without the constant

application of an electrical current. 3.

To release the solenoid from this hold position, the

“holding” magnet’s attraction has to be cancelled by sending a current back through the coil field in the

opposite direction. This technique is used to securely lock

the lockers.

Fig 3:Block diagram of solenoid latch [1]

4. Reed relay:

A reed switch is a small electromechanical device generally having two ferromagnetic leads that are

separated internally in a hermetically sealed glass envelope. When the reed switch is brought into a magnetic

field, the reed leads will close creating a switching function. This ability of reed relay to act as a switch is

used to inform the microcontroller if the locker is closed

of open.

Fig 4: Diagram of Reed switch [2]

5. Permanent magnet:

Permanent magnet is used to manipulate the read relay as a switch. When the magnet and the reed switch are

connected it sends a positive signal to the microcontroller and negative when not connected.

6. Spring: High compression spring is used to automatically

open the locker when the solenoid latch opens. This feature is added for ease of use for the user.

7. Ethernet / Wireless Network: Ethernet or wireless network is to connect the whole system to the internet, thus

enabling to use lockers over mobile devices and strong the data on cloud.

8. Desktop software used by Admin to manage the system

which is connected to the cloud using cloud platform services like Amazon web services, Microsoft Asure,

Google Cloud Platform or any similar cloud computing platform.

9. Mobile Applicat ion Software used by User to unlock the locker which is traditionally built on the android platform

which is linked to the cloud platform to perform its

operation. [6]

VI. IMPLEMENTATION OF SYSTEM

The actual mechanism of the system is divided in two parts -

When the door of the locker is closed and when it is closed.

These two scenarios are further exp lained below.

When the door is closed

In this scenario, it is assumed that no input from the user is received and the system is in id le state. During this, the reed

relay is connected to the permanent magnet on the door of the locker and the reed relay sends ‘1’ sends one signal to the

micro controller notifying that the door is closed. This helps the microcontroller maintain a log of number of times the door

was opened and closed.

The solenoid is latched at this point and effect of this is that the locker door is closed. The solenoid at this point is not supplied

any power.

As the door is closed the spring inside is compressed creating a

tension ready to be released for when the door is to opened. [6]

When the door is opened

When the user logs into the application by providing required

credentials, and sends a request to automatically open the door, it actually sends a signal to the microcontroller to complete the

task.

The microcontroller on receiving the code from the user

authenticates it and checks if the correct code is entered or not. If the code is incorrect the microcontroller notifies the user

about this and does not allow to open the door.

Although, if the code entered matches with the criteria the transaction between and user and microcontroller is complete



and microcontroller then initiates the process to open the

locker.

After this the microcontroller sends provides the s olenoid with

a voltage of 12V for only two seconds which is enough for the solenoid to generate the required magnetic field to release the

latch. Once the latch is released the compressed spring releases its tension and the door is opened.

Once the door is opened the connection between the permanent

magnet and the reed relay is lost due to which the reed relay sends a ‘0’ signal to the microcontroller notifying the door is

open. The microcontroller then notifies the user and stores a log of this transaction on the cloud which is available for the

user to view.

Once the user is done using the locker he/she has to manually

close the door in order for the solenoid to get latched again so that the door is closed successfully.

Once the door is closed and the user wants to reopen it again

he/she will have to revisit the same process.

The data on the cloud can only be accessed by the admin

whose job is to maintain a record of all the transactions which take place all the lockers and also maintain a list of all the

lockers in use. The admin is also responsible to assign new lockers to new users as per the requirement. As discussed

above the admin is the super user so it can surpass the rights of

the user and is capable to open the locker when required. [9]

VII. ADVANTAGES

1. Can be accessed from anywhere : Locker can be accessed

easily with just one tap from anywhere in the world, this

makes it easier for the user to share their valuables with

someone, if they wish to.

2. Double security option: This guarantees user the safety of

his/her valuables, as both users as well as administrative

consent is required to open the locker.

3. Recording the frequency of locker being used: Reed relay

implemented at the locker door, can keep track of how

frequently the locker is being used. If the use of locker is

very less and there is a need of a locker, then the owner of

the locker can be notified to empty the locker.

4. Energy efficient: Electricity plays its role only to trigger

the inside lock system to unlock the locker. Thus, wastage

of energy is avoided.

VIII. LIMITATIONS

1. Locker access cannot be granted if there is no electric

supply. Since the inner system cannot be triggered in the

absence of electricity. Thus, the complete system fails if

the power supply drains cut.

2. In case, the smartphone is lost or stolen, the one operating

or using that very mobile can have easy access to the

locker. Thus, there is threat to the valuables if the user

doesn’t take care of his smartphone. Although this can be

avoided using anti-theft protection.

3. Since the door of the locks needs to be manually closed

because closing mechanism is present in the system it can

happen that the door is left open to potential threats until it

is physically closed.

IX. APPLICATION AND ANALYSIS

This particular proposed system is designed to help institutions

and organizations which provide locker based services to the

users. Since the number of users accessing the locker system is

a huge number, maintaining it manually becomes a really

difficult task. Dig itizing this mechanis m to provide a better

and secured management system is the main goal of this

proposed system.

Possible analytics with system (Cloud based Services):

1. How many users actively use lockers.

2. Day/ Month/ Year which individual lockers were

accessed.

3. Identificat ion of passive users for reallocation of lockers

to other users.

4. Locker allocation based on request queue and already

available users based on period constraints.

5. Frequency of faults in particu lar locker.

6. Future locker requirements based on demand and supply.

X. FUTURE SCOPE

Given the current working and design of the proposed systems,

there is definitely place for future enhancements. As better and more reliable technology comes ahead of us, more security can

be added by providing better encryption and data handling

techniques. Two-step verification including unlocking the locker using the both the biometric sensor as well while

conveniently fitting all this technology along with the locker.

Since internet is required to unlock the locker, an alternate

offline method using OTP. Along with a more user-friendly user interface of the applicat ion software.

Lastly, a proposed enhancement is for the user to get a

snapshot of the inside of the locker at real time so that he or she is aware of the contents present inside it.

XI. CONCLUSION

This above proposed system is designed to provide easy

management of lockers by dig itizing them and connecting them to the Internet by means of cloud computing and Internet

of things to provide a smarter user interface between the user who is using the lockers and the admin managing it. IoT along

with the new age microcontroller act as a perfect blend to help us connect two different types of technology and to help them

work flawlessly This proposed system has a huge scope in its

implementation and new changes and features can be added easily to provide better functionality the system also provides

better security and ease of use compared to all the existing systems currently being used by bridging the gap between

hardware and software provider much more reliable system which is also easily affordable.




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The main goal focused on this proposed system is how to

manage mult iple lockers at one place easily and efficiently. Having least limitations and more superior level of safety

attribute makes it more reliable. The overall system being real time and interactive with the user helps it to be an overall

innovative proposed idea which can be easily implemented providing an overall satisfaction to the customer. customer.

[7] [3]

XII. REFERENCES

[1] "TLX Technologies, LLC," [Online]. Available:

https://www.tlxtech.com/uploads/images/Latching-Solenoid-Image.gif.

[2] "Pickering Electronics," [Online]. Available: http://www.pickeringrelay.com.server205.ukservers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Reed_Relay_Diagram.jpg.

[3] S. N. Basha, D. S. A. Jilani and M. S. Arun, "An Intelligent Door System

using Raspberry Pi and Amazon Web Services IoT," International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT), 2016.

[4] A. A. Sayar and D. S. A. Pawar, "Review of Bank Locker System Using

Embedded System," International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer and Communication Engineering (IJARCCE), 2016.

[5] B. Sarp, T. Karalar and H. Kusetogullari, "Real Time Smart Door System for Home Security," International Journal of Scientific Research in

Information Systems and Engineering (IJSRISE), 2015.

[6] D. M. Kumar, D. M. Hanumanthappa, D. T. V. Suresh Kumar and M. A. K. Ojha, "Android Based Smart Door Locking System with Multi User and Multi Level Functionalities," International Journal of Advanced

Research in Computer and Communication Engineering (IJARCCE), 2016.

[7] G. S. Subhramanya and R. R. Gangi, "LOCKER OPENING AND CLOSING SYSTEM USING RFID, FINGERPRINT, PASSWORD

AND GSM," International Journal of Emerging Trends & Technology in Computer Science (IJETTCS), 2013.

[8] D. A. M. Bakry and R. D. Resan, "Smart Phone-Arduino based of Smart

Door Lock/unlock using RC4 stream Cipher Implemented in Smart Home," International Journal of Advanced Computer Technology (IJACT), 2016.

[9] R. Ramani, S. Valarmathy, S. Selvaraju and P. Niranjan, "Bank Locker

Security System based on RFID and GSM Technology," International Journal of Computer Applications (0975 – 8887), 2012.

[10] M. R. Srilekha and M. R. Jayakumar, "A Secure Screen Lock System for Android Smart Phones using Accelerometer Sensor," IJSTE -

International Journal of Science Technology & Engineering, 2015.


Smart Locker Management System Using IoT 2018 Proceedings/Main/papers/23… · locker system Solenoid will be used for secured locking and reed relays to count the frequency. While

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