Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for deactivating the locking of at least one door of an accommodating device, said method comprising: effecting the unlocking of the at least one door, measuring the time since at least one event detected by an access-monitoring device of the accommodating device has occurred, and effecting, if the at least one door is open and the measured time exceeds a specified time threshold value, the deactivation of the locking of the at least one door in such a way that the at least one door cannot be locked. The invention further relates to an access-monitoring device, a computer program, an accommodating device, a system, and a use of the accommodating device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application is a continuation of PCT/EP2014/076587, filed Dec. 4, 2014, which claims priority to German Application No. 10 2013 113 554.4, filed Dec. 5, 2013, and German Application No. 10 2014 105 244.7, filed Apr. 11, 2014, the entire teachings and disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to a method for deactivating locking of at least one door of a housing. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Access control systems are used in many respects, for example for controlling the access of persons to rooms of a building, as is the case in hotels, office complexes or laboratories for example, to events or else in an abstract form to functions, resources or services, for example computer functions or resources or server services. 
         [0004]    A specific use of access control systems is also that of controlling the access of persons to openings of containers, for example deposit boxes or goods delivery containers, in particular parcel boxes. Parcel boxes allow a novel form of delivering/collecting parcels for persons who also wish to receive or send parcels at or in the vicinity of their residence even in their absence. For this purpose, parcel boxes are usually installed in front of the residence belonging to the parcel box user—similar to a mailbox, but with a larger volume capacity—and parcels are then delivered by the delivery agent by placing them in the parcel box or are collected by removing them from the parcel box. In order to prevent misuse and theft, the parcel box must have a lock which can be used to lock the doors of the parcel box. For example, the lock has a latch function, with the result that the door is automatically locked upon closing. However, the problem is that the parcel boxes are installed outside and are not continuously supervised, with the result that there could be the risk of playing children, for example, inadvertently getting locked in the parcel boxes. 
       SUMMARY OF SOME EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The object of the present invention is therefore, inter alia, to overcome these problems. 
         [0006]    The invention discloses a method for deactivating locking of at least one door of a receiving apparatus, which method comprises the following: causing unlocking of the at least one door of the receiving apparatus, measuring the time since at least one event captured by an access control apparatus of the receiving apparatus took place, and, if the at least one door is open and the measured time exceeds a predetermined time threshold value, causing deactivating of locking of the at least one door in such a manner that the at least one door is not lockable. 
         [0007]    For example, the method according to the invention is performed at least partially by an access control apparatus and/or by respective means of the access control apparatus, for example an access control apparatus of the receiving apparatus. 
         [0008]    The invention discloses an access control apparatus which comprises the following: means configured to perform and/or control the method according to the invention or respective means for performing and/or controlling the steps of the method according to the invention (for example all steps which are not performed by a user). For example, the means of the access control apparatus according to the invention are configured to perform and/or control the method according to the invention or its steps (for example apart from the steps which are performed by a user). One or more of the steps of the method according to the invention can also be performed and/or controlled by the same means. For example, one or more of the means of the access control apparatus may be at least partially formed by one or more processors. 
         [0009]    For example, the apparatus according to the invention comprises at least one processor and at least one memory which comprises program code, the memory and the program code being configured to cause the apparatus having the at least one processor to perform and/or control at least the method according to the invention. In this case, either all steps of the method according to the invention can be controlled or all steps of the method according to the invention can be performed, or one or more steps can be controlled and one or more steps can be performed. 
         [0010]    For example, the access control apparatus according to the invention is an access control apparatus for a receiving apparatus. 
         [0011]    The invention also discloses a receiving apparatus which comprises the following: a housing, at least one door for closing at least one housing opening, locking means configured to lock and unlock the at least one door, and the access control apparatus according to the invention. 
         [0012]    The invention discloses a system which comprises the following: the receiving apparatus according to the invention, and an access authorization verification apparatus. 
         [0013]    The invention also discloses a computer program which comprises the following: program instructions which cause a processor to perform and/or control the method according to the invention when the computer program runs on the processor. 
         [0014]    A processor is intended to be understood as meaning, for example, control units, microprocessors, microcontrol units such as microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). In this case, either all steps of the method according to the invention can be controlled or all steps of the method according to the invention can be performed, or one or more steps can be controlled and one or more steps can be performed. The computer program according to the invention can be distributable, for example, via a network such as the Internet, a telephone or mobile radio network and/or a local area network. The computer program according to the invention may at least partially be software and/or firmware of a processor. It may likewise be at least partially implemented as hardware. The computer program according to the invention may be stored, for example, on a computer-readable storage medium, for example a magnetic, electrical, electromagnetic, optical and/or any other type of storage medium. The storage medium may be, for example, part of the processor, for example a (non-volatile or volatile) program memory and/or main memory of the processor or a part of the latter. 
         [0015]    The invention also discloses a use which comprises the following: use of the receiving apparatus according to the invention in such a manner that the at least one door of the receiving apparatus is closed in order to prevent the causing deactivating of locking of the at least one door in such a manner that the at least one door is not lockable. 
         [0016]    The invention also discloses a user method which comprises the following: closing the at least one door of the receiving apparatus according to the invention. 
         [0017]    The features of the method according to the invention, of the access control apparatus according to the invention, of the receiving apparatus according to the invention, of the system according to the invention, of the computer program according to the invention, of the use according to the invention and of the user method are described below, partially by way of example. 
         [0018]    An access control apparatus such as the access control apparatus according to the invention is intended to be understood as meaning, for example, an apparatus at which access control is performed, for example access to rooms of buildings (for example hotels, office complexes, laboratories) or spaces of apparatuses (for example receiving apparatuses), to events (for example concerts, sports events), to functions (for example of a computer, for example via a login), to resources or to services (for example to a service provided by a server, for example online banking, social networks, email accounts) is controlled there. Examples of access to spaces of apparatuses are access to receiving spaces of receiving apparatuses, for example deposit boxes, lockers, refrigerators, goods delivery containers, mailboxes, parcel boxes which are each closed with doors and are secured using locking means, for example. A parcel box may have, for example, at least one receiving compartment for parcels. A parcel box may also be provided, for example, with a letter slot and possibly with a receiving compartment for letters. 
         [0019]    Access control may involve, for example, deciding, at least partially on the basis of access authorization information obtained at the access control apparatus, whether access can be granted. If it is decided that access can be granted, access is, for example, granted, for example by transmitting a control signal, for example to a locking means, in order to unlock and/or open, for example, a door to one or more spaces (for example receiving spaces of a receiving apparatus) in order to enable access to the one or more spaces. 
         [0020]    The access authorization information can be obtained at the access control apparatus, for example by means of corresponding inputs by a user on input means of the access control apparatus. The input means are configured, for example, to record inputs by a user. An example of such input means is a keyboard, a microphone, a scanner, a camera and/or a touch-sensitive display. 
         [0021]    Alternatively or additionally, the access authorization information can be obtained at the access control apparatus by receiving the access authorization information at communication means of the access control apparatus. The communication means are configured, for example, to wirelessly communicate with an access authorization verification apparatus belonging to a user. One example of such communication means is a communication interface, for example a communication interface of a wireless communication technology. An example of a wireless communication technology is radio-frequency identification (RFID) and/or near field communication (NFC) and/or Bluetooth (for example Bluetooth Version 2.1 and/or 4.0). RFID and NFC are specified, for example, according to the ISO standards 18000, 11784/11785 and the ISO/IEC standards 14443-A and 15693. The Bluetooth specifications are available from www[dot]Bluetooth[dot]org. 
         [0022]    The access authorization verification apparatus is, for example, a portable electronic device and/or a portable electronic unit. The access authorization verification apparatus is configured, for example, to communicate with the communication means of the access control apparatus, for example to communicate access authorization information to the communication means. For example, the access authorization verification apparatus may comprise corresponding communication means, for example an analog circuit for transmission and reception (also referred to as a transmitter/receiver or transceiver), a circuit (for example a digital circuit and/or a processor) and a memory (for example an EEPROM—electrically erasable programmable read-only memory). One example of an access authorization verification apparatus is, for example, a user device such as a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a media player (for example an iPod) and/or a navigation device. A further example of an access authorization verification apparatus is, for example, a delivery agent device belonging to a delivery agent of a delivery service such as a handheld scanner such as the Honeywell LXE Tecton MX7 (for example if the access control apparatus controls access to a receiving apparatus such as a parcel box). Another example of an access authorization verification apparatus is, for example, a “tag” such as an RFID or NFC tag such as the MiFARE family from NXP. 
         [0023]    The access control apparatus may comprise, for example, one or more control means which are configured to check whether access can be granted. For example, the control means are configured to at least partially control the means of the access control apparatus and/or one or more locking means of the at least one door and therefore to be able to cause, for example, unlocking of the at least one door and/or locking of the at least one door. One example of such control means are one or more processors. 
         [0024]    One example of locking means of a door is an electronically controllable lock and/or an electronically controllable locking unit. For example, the control means may be configured to control such a lock and therefore to be able to cause, for example, opening of the lock (that is to say unlocking of the door) and/or closing of the lock (that is to say locking of the door). It is conceivable, for example, for the access control apparatus to comprise the locking means. However, the locking means may also be separate from the access control apparatus. 
         [0025]    Deactivating locking of the at least one door is intended to be understood as meaning, for example, that the door is not lockable (that is to say can be opened from inside and from outside, for example can be opened by pushing against the door or pulling on the door). For example, locking of the at least one door is deactivated if the function of the locking means described above is at least partially deactivated and/or blocked in such a manner that they cannot lock the door and/or cannot be changed to a latched position and/or closed position. For example, a locking cylinder, a locking hook and/or a bolt of the lock is mechanically blocked. For example, an electrical drive of the lock for moving a locking cylinder, a locking hook and/or a bolt is deactivated. Deactivating locking of the at least one door is also intended to be understood as meaning, for example, that closing of the door (and therefore also locking of the door) is mechanically blocked. For example, a locking cylinder, a locking hook and/or a bolt of the lock is moved into a closed position in such a manner that closing of the door is mechanically blocked. It is also conceivable, for example, for a blocking element arranged on the door or the housing opening to be moved into a blocking position in such a manner that closing of the door is mechanically blocked. For example, the control means of the access control apparatus are configured to cause deactivating of locking of the at least one door (for example by means of corresponding control signals to the locking means and/or a blocking element). 
         [0026]    An event captured by the access control apparatus is intended to be understood as meaning, for example, any event which is capturable by the access control apparatus and indicates the presence of a user in the environment of the receiving apparatus. For example, such an event is an event associated with a user activity. If such an event associated with a user activity initiates measuring of the time, the measured time is, for example, a measure of the time elapsed since the last user activity. If the event captured by the access control apparatus is an event associated with a user action, the measured time is a user inactivity time, for example. A user inactivity time indicates, for example, the time which has elapsed since the last event associated with a user action captured by the access control apparatus. 
         [0027]    For example, the at least one event captured by the access control apparatus (for example an event associated with a user activity) is detecting a presence of an access authorization verification apparatus in the environment of the access control means, obtaining information such as an item of access authorization information from an access authorization verification apparatus and/or from a user, interacting with a user such as recording an input by the user, causing unlocking of the door and/or opening of the door. For example, the access control apparatus comprises capture means which are configured to capture the at least one event. One example of such a capture means is a sensor such as a door opening sensor and/or an input means and/or a communication means. 
         [0028]    A door opening sensor is, for example, a capture means which is configured to capture opening of the at least one door (for example opening of the door by a user) and/or to capture that the at least one door is open. The at least one door is open, for example, when it stands open (for example stands open in such a manner that a receiving compartment of the receiving apparatus which can be closed by the door is freely accessible). 
         [0029]    For example, the access control apparatus comprises time measuring means for measuring the time (for example a timer circuit and/or a timer function, for example a timer circuit and/or a timer function of the control means). 
         [0030]    The time threshold value is selected or predetermined, for example, in such a manner that the probability of the user (for example the user/delivery agent) who has opened the door still being in the vicinity of the access control apparatus is low. Deactivating locking of the door at this time can therefore prevent the door being locked without supervision and/or unintentionally (for example by children playing). For example, this makes it possible to prevent playing children themselves or others getting locked inside. As additional protection, it is conceivable, for example, to combine the invention with an emergency unlocking function which makes it possible to unlock the door, for example, from a housing opening (for example a receiving compartment) closed by the door, but not from outside the housing opening (for example a receiving compartment). 
         [0031]    Shortly before deactivating locking, there may be, for example, a warning signal, for example an acoustic and/or optical warning signal. Deactivating locking of the door is associated, for example, with an increased energy consumption, for example because a latch has to be permanently held in an open position by a drive and/or a blocking element must be moved into a blocking position by a drive in order to deactivate locking. It is therefore advantageous to prevent deactivating of locking of the door. This can be achieved, for example, by closing of the door by a user (for example a delivery agent) (for example as part of the use according to the invention and/or the user method according to the invention). Further advantages of the disclosed invention are described below using exemplary embodiments, the disclosure of which is likewise intended to apply to the respective categories (method, apparatus, system, computer program). 
         [0032]    According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the receiving apparatus comprises locking means which are configured to lock the at least one door. The locking means comprise, for example, a latch or a latch function which is configured to automatically lock the at least one door upon closing. For example, the electronically controllable lock can be equipped with such a latch, with the result that the control means have to control, for example, only opening of the lock, whereas the lock is locked manually by a user by virtue of the latter using the latch and causing automatic locking of the lock by the latch by shutting the door, for example. When opening the lock for example, the latch is at least temporarily changed to an open position (for example an unlocked position and/or a release position), for example by means of an electric motor, and the latch is changed to a closed position (for example a locked position and/or a closed position), for example by means of spring loading, after the door has been opened. When shutting the door, the latch is displaced from the closed position to the open position and the latch automatically returns to the closed position again after ending the process of shutting the door, for example by means of spring preloading of the latch, with the result that the closed door is locked. A snap closure, for example, has such a latch function. Locking of the at least one door is deactivated, for example, if the latch is held in an open position against the spring loading. 
         [0033]    As described above, the control means of the access control apparatus may control a lock of the at least one door, for example. The control means can control the lock, for example, to change a latch of the lock to an open position, with the result that the latch no longer automatically locks the door upon closing. As long as the latch is in the open position, locking of the door is therefore deactivated, for example. Another possible way of deactivating locking of the door is to block the latch, for example, in such a manner that the latch cannot be changed from the closed position to the open position. 
         [0034]    According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the at least one event captured by the access control apparatus is an event associated with a user activity. As described above, an event associated with a user activity is intended to be understood as meaning, for example, any event which can be caused by a user and/or indicates the presence of a user in the environment of the receiving apparatus. An event associated with a user activity is triggered by a user activity and/or is a user activity, for example. One example of such a user activity is, for example, a presence of a user (for example a user having an access authorization verification apparatus) in the environment of the access control apparatus, obtaining information such as an item of access authorization information from an access authorization verification apparatus belonging to a user and/or from a user, interacting with a user such as recording an input by the user, opening the at least one door and/or closing the at least one door. 
         [0035]    According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises obtaining access authorization information for granting access (for example if the at least one door is closed and locked), deciding whether access can be granted, at least partially on the basis of the access authorization information obtained, and causing unlocking of the at least one door only if it has been decided that access can be granted. 
         [0036]    As described above, the access authorization information is obtained, for example, from a user at the access control apparatus (for example a user wishing to have access). For example, the user inputs the access authorization information at the access control apparatus (for example at input means of the access control apparatus) and/or communicates it from an access authorization verification apparatus to the access control apparatus (for example to communication means of the access control apparatus). The access authorization information can be communicated from the access authorization verification apparatus to the access control apparatus, for example, according to a wireless communication technology, for example according to RFID, NFC or Bluetooth. The process of obtaining access authorization information from an access authorization verification apparatus is therefore an event which is capturable by the access control apparatus and is caused by a user. The process of obtaining access authorization information is therefore advantageous for triggering measuring of the time. 
         [0037]    Deciding whether access can be granted is intended to be understood as meaning, for example, that a check is performed in order to determine whether the access authorization information obtained authorizes access (for example by the access control apparatus). For example, the control means of the access control apparatus are configured to check whether the access authorization information obtained authorizes access. 
         [0038]    The access authorization information can be understood as meaning, for example, information which is evaluated during a check which is performed by the access control apparatus in order to determine whether access can be granted to an entity. The check of the access authorization information need not be the only check as part of the access control; further necessary conditions may be required, for example, so that access can be granted. Examples of access authorization information are, for example, a code or a key which is communicated to the access control apparatus and is compared with a code or a key stored in the access control apparatus in order to decide whether access can be granted in the event of a match. The code or key may additionally be protected against spying, for example by means of encryption. The code or key can be used permanently, for example, or can be changed at regular or irregular intervals. For example, a new code can be generated according to a predetermined rule according to time specifications (for example every day) or each time a code is used. This can be performed both in the access control apparatus and in the access authorization verification apparatus so that both each have corresponding pairs of codes or keys, or can be performed in the access control apparatus and in a unit from which the access authorization verification apparatus receives the code or key. 
         [0039]    An alternative exemplary form of access authorization information is described, for example, in EP 1 024 239 A1 in which the access authorization information is in the form of an access token t ij  which defines access rights a ij , for example in the form: “Grant user u i  access to lock l j  until 2/1/2001”. The access rights are then transmitted to a lock and are double-checked. A check is therefore performed, for example, in order to determine whether the user u i  who presents the access token is involved, whether the access token is valid for the lock l j  and whether the validity period “until 2/1/2001” of the lock has not yet expired. The access rights a ij  may additionally be provided with a message authentication code (MAC), for example an HMAC according to the Request for Comments (RFC) document 2104. The MAC is based on a key s j  which is known both in a unit which generates the access token and in the lock. The access token t ij  then comprises the HMAC and the access rights a ij , for example in concatenated form. The lock can then confirm the authenticity of the access token using the received MAC, the received access rights a ij  and the key s j  and can then check the access rights a ij . Alternatively, the access rights can also be defined as follows according to EP 1 024 239 A1: “Grant the user who knows k access to lock l j  until 1/1/2001”. The user must then have both the access token t ij  and knowledge of k (a key) in order to gain access to the lock l j  and is provided with both (for example in encrypted form) by a unit which generates the token. 
         [0040]    Access is granted, for example, by causing unlocking of the at least one door of the receiving apparatus (for example a parcel box) (for example by the access control apparatus). As described above, the control means may be configured to control the lock and therefore, for example, to be able to cause opening of the lock (that is to say unlocking of the door) and/or closing of the lock (that is to say locking of the door). 
         [0041]    The operation of causing unlocking of the at least one door is therefore an event which is capturable by the access control apparatus and is caused by a user (for example by communicating the access authorization information). The process of obtaining access authorization information is therefore an event associated with a user action and is advantageous for triggering measuring of the time. 
         [0042]    According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises detecting a presence of an access authorization verification apparatus in an environment of the access control apparatus (for example by the access control apparatus). 
         [0043]    Detecting a presence of an access authorization verification apparatus in an environment of the access control apparatus is intended to be understood as meaning, for example, that the access control apparatus determines that an access authorization verification apparatus is in the environment of the access control apparatus, at least with a high degree of probability. 
         [0044]    Detecting by the access control apparatus (for example the communication means) is preferably intended to be performed without any communication between the access control apparatus and the access authorization verification apparatus. For example, the presence of the access authorization verification apparatus in the environment of the access control apparatus changes at least one physical quantity which is capturable by the access control apparatus. For example, the physical quantity is changed in the state in which the access authorization verification apparatus is present in the environment of the access control apparatus in comparison with the state in which the access authorization verification apparatus is not present in the environment of the access control apparatus. For example, the physical quantity is changed solely by introducing the access authorization verification apparatus into the environment of the access control apparatus. If a change in this physical quantity is determined, there is therefore an at least high degree of probability of an access authorization verification apparatus (and a user to whom the access authorization verification apparatus belongs) being in the environment of the access control apparatus. 
         [0045]    One example of such a physical quantity is, for example, a current intensity of a current in an antenna of the communication means of the access control apparatus when transmitting a signal and/or when generating an electrical, magnetic and/or electromagnetic field. For example, a resistance of the antenna is changed if an object (for example with ferromagnetic properties, for example with a relative permeability of greater than 1) is moved into the environment of the access control apparatus. For example, a signal with the same power is always transmitted during detecting, with the result that the current in the antenna when transmitting the signal changes if the resistance of the antenna changes. For example, the current is the antenna current when transmitting the signal. For example, the current is the driver current when transmitting the signal (for example the driver current of a driver circuit for the antennas). The signal is a burst signal, for example. It is also conceivable, for example, for the voltage and/or the resistance of the antenna during transmission to be measured instead of the current intensity of the current in the antenna. 
         [0046]    An antenna is intended to be understood as meaning, for example, any component which is suitable for emitting (for example radiating) an electrical signal, a magnetic signal and/or an electromagnetic signal to the environment. A component for radiating/emitting a magnetic signal is, for example, a magnetic antenna such as a conductor loop (for example a planar conductor loop) and/or a coil (for example a planar coil). A component for radiating/emitting an electromagnetic signal is, for example, a patch antenna and/or a linear antenna such as a dipole antenna. In particular, a component for generating and/or emitting an NFC signal such as an NFC antenna and/or an NFC coil is also intended to be understood as meaning an antenna. 
         [0047]    The environment of the access control apparatus in which a presence of an access authorization verification apparatus is detectable by the access control apparatus can be limited, for example, by reducing the power of a signal transmitted by the communication means. For example, the environment of the access control apparatus is restricted to a spatial region at a distance of less than 5 m, preferably less than 1 m, particularly preferably less than 0.5 m, from the access control apparatus (for example from an antenna of the communication means). 
         [0048]    If a presence of an access authorization verification apparatus is detected in this manner, there is therefore at least a high degree of probability of a user actually being in the environment of the access control apparatus. Detecting a presence of an access authorization verification apparatus in an environment of the access control apparatus is an event associated with a user action and is therefore advantageous for triggering the measurement of the time. 
         [0049]    According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises capturing opening of the at least one door (for example by the access control apparatus). As described above, the access control apparatus comprises, for example, a door opening sensor for capturing opening of the door. The door is normally also opened by a user, with the result that it is an event associated with a user action and is therefore advantageous for triggering measuring of the time. 
         [0050]    According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises capturing the event, and starting measuring of the time. 
         [0051]    According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises ending measuring of the time if at least one new event captured by the access control apparatus has taken place, and measuring the time since the at least one new event captured by the access control apparatus took place. In this case, a new event may be any of the events described above, in particular an event associated with a user activity. For example, a new time measurement is started each time the access control apparatus captures a new event (for example a new event associated with a user action). For example, a first measurement of the time since a first event is ended if a new (that is to say a subsequent, second) event takes place after the first event and is captured by the access control apparatus. The time since the new event is now measured instead, for example. This is advantageous, for example, in order to ensure that the measured time always represents the time since the last event captured by the access control apparatus (for example the time since the last event associated with a user action). 
         [0052]    According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the time threshold value is less than or equal to 60 minutes, preferably less than or equal to 15 minutes, particularly preferably less than or equal to 5 minutes (for example, the time threshold value is less than or equal to 2 minutes). For example, the time threshold value is a user inactivity time threshold value for a user inactivity time. If the user inactivity time exceeds the time threshold value, deactivating of locking of the door is caused, for example. 
         [0053]    According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises measuring (for example by the access control apparatus) the unlocking time since the causing of unlocking of the at least one door, and, if the at least one door has not been opened since the causing of unlocking and the measured unlocking time exceeds a predetermined unlocking time threshold value, causing locking of the at least one door (for example by the access control apparatus). 
         [0054]    The unlocking time threshold value is selected, for example, in such a manner that no opening of the unlocked door can be expected. The unlocking time threshold value is, for example, less than 60 minutes, preferably less than 15 minutes, particularly preferably less than 5 minutes (for example, the unlocking time threshold value is less than or equal to 2 minutes). 
         [0055]    This is advantageous, for example, in order to counteract unwanted unlocking and/or to protect objects in a receiving apparatus. 
         [0056]    For example, the method further comprises causing the access control apparatus to switch to an energy-saving mode if the measured unlocking time exceeds the unlocking time threshold value. 
         [0057]    It is also conceivable for a different measured time (for example a user inactivity time) and/or a different time threshold value (for example a user inactivity time threshold value) to be used to switch the access control apparatus to an energy-saving mode. For example, the access control apparatus switches from an active mode to the energy-saving mode. 
         [0058]    An active mode is, for example, an operating mode in which at least all main functions of an apparatus are active. A main function of the access control apparatus is the access control function, for example. For example, the access control apparatus is in the active mode if all of its means and/or components are in the active mode. For example, the access control apparatus is in the active mode if at least the control means, the input means and the communication means of the access control apparatus are in the active mode. 
         [0059]    An energy-saving mode is, for example, an operating mode in which an apparatus consumes less energy than in the active mode. For example, at least some functions of an apparatus are reduced and/or deactivated in the energy-saving mode. For example, the input means and/or the communication means of the access control apparatus are deactivated in the energy-saving mode. 
         [0060]    The practice of switching to the energy-saving mode is advantageous, for example, in order to reduce the energy consumption of the access control apparatus. 
         [0061]    According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises obtaining access authorization information for activating locking of the at least one door if locking of the at least one door is deactivated, deciding whether access can be granted, at least partially on the basis of the access authorization information obtained, and causing activating of locking of the at least one door only if it has been decided that access can be granted. 
         [0062]    The process of obtaining access authorization information for activating locking of the at least one door corresponds, for example, to the above-described process of obtaining access authorization information for granting access. However, the access authorization information is obtained in this embodiment if locking of the at least one door is deactivated. 
         [0063]    As described above, the access authorization information is obtained from a user (for example a user wishing to have access) at the access control apparatus, for example. For example, the user inputs the access authorization information at the access control apparatus (for example at input means of the access control apparatus) and/or communicates it from an access authorization verification apparatus to the access control apparatus (for example to communication means of the access control apparatus). 
         [0064]    As described above, deciding whether access can be granted is intended to be understood as meaning, for example, that a check is performed in order to determine whether the access authorization information obtained authorizes access (for example by the access control apparatus). For example, the control means of the access control apparatus are configured to check whether the access authorization information obtained authorizes access. 
         [0065]    Only if it has been decided that access can be granted is activating of locking of the at least one door caused. As described above, the control means of the access control apparatus, for example, can control a lock of the at least one door. For example, the control means can control the lock to change a latch of the lock from an open position to a closed position, with the result that the latch automatically locks the door again upon closing. As long as the latch is in the open position, locking of the door is deactivated, for example. Changing the latch to a closed position therefore activates locking again. Further possibilities for activating locking of the at least one door are conceivable. 
         [0066]    This embodiment is advantageous, for example, in order to make it possible to activate locking of the at least one door if locking has been deactivated. In this case, the decision regarding whether access can be granted can be used to ensure that only authorized users can cause activating of locking of the door (and not playing children, for example). 
         [0067]    According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises opening the at least one door (for example by a user), and/or closing the at least one door (for example by a user). As described above, locking of the door is deactivated only if the door is open. Closing the door can therefore prevent deactivating of locking of the door, for example. This is advantageous, for example, if a latch for deactivating locking has to be permanently held in an open position by a drive and/or a blocking element has to be moved into a blocking position, since such “holding open” and/or “moving” increases the energy consumption of the receiving apparatus. 
         [0068]    The above-described exemplary embodiments and exemplary configurations of the present invention are also intended to be understood as having been disclosed in all combinations with one another. 
         [0069]    Further advantageous exemplary configurations of the invention can be gathered from the following detailed description of some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in particular in conjunction with the figures. However, the figures accompanying the application are intended to be used only for the purpose of illustration, but not to determine the scope of protection of the invention. The accompanying drawings are not necessarily true to scale and are intended to reflect, by way of example, only the general concept of the present invention. In particular, features which are included in the figures are not at all intended to be considered to be a necessary part of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0070]    In the drawings: 
           [0071]      FIG. 1  shows a view of an exemplary embodiment of a parcel box according to the invention; 
           [0072]      FIG. 2  shows a three-dimensional view of a locking element module for the first door of the parcel box according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0073]      FIG. 3  shows a sectional drawing through the locking element module according to  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0074]      FIG. 4  shows a three-dimensional view of a locking element module for the second door of the parcel box according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0075]      FIG. 5  shows a side view of the locking element module according to  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0076]      FIG. 6  shows a sectional drawing through the locking element module according to  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0077]      FIG. 7  shows an exploded illustration of the locking element modules according to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4  before they are mounted; 
           [0078]      FIG. 8  shows a mounting support for mounting the connecting element modules; 
           [0079]      FIG. 9  shows a three-dimensional view of locking element modules according to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4  mounted on the mounting support according to  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0080]      FIG. 10  shows a block diagram of the electronic components of an exemplary embodiment of an access control apparatus according to the invention; 
           [0081]      FIG. 11  shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention; 
           [0082]      FIG. 12  shows a flowchart of an example of a method according to the invention; and 
           [0083]      FIG. 13  shows a flowchart of an example of a use according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0084]      FIGS. 1 to 9  are used to describe a receiving apparatus according to the invention on the basis of a particularly preferred embodiment as a parcel box  1  for receiving letters and parcels to be delivered. However, it is pointed out that, although the parcel box  1  is a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the latter is not restricted to use in parcel mailboxes; in particular, the access control apparatus according to the invention is not restricted to use in a parcel box such as the parcel box  1  but rather can generally be used in access control systems. 
         [0085]    The parcel box  1  comprises a housing  2 , a locking unit  3  and an access control apparatus  30  according to the invention. The housing  2  has a first housing opening  4  for a first receiving compartment for parcels and a second housing opening  5  for a second receiving compartment for letters. The parcel box  1  also comprises a first door  6  for closing the first housing opening  4  and a second door  7  for closing the second housing opening  5 . The second door  7  has a slot  8  for posting letters without opening the second door  7  of the second receiving compartment. The slot may be provided, for example, with a flap (not illustrated) which is openable outward or inward and is not locked. Both doors  6 ,  7  are lockable using the locking unit  3 . 
         [0086]    The locking unit  3  respectively has a locking element module  9 ,  10  with at least one locking body  11  for each door  6 ,  7 , which is in the form of a locking hook in the example illustrated, and with a locking drive  12  for actuating the locking bodies  11 . 
         [0087]    In the parcel box  1 , the locking element module  9  for the first door  6  has two locking bodies  11 , and the locking element module  10  for the second door  7  has only one locking body  11 . The locking drive  12  for each of the two locking element modules  9 ,  10  has a common drive element  13  which is designed as a rotatable shaft in the form of a rod. The rod  13  as a common drive element is designed to be movable (rotatable) around an adjustment path. 
         [0088]    In a first adjustment position, the rod  13  changes only the locking body  11  for the first door  6  into an unlocked position. In the second adjustment position, which is reached by further rotating the rod  13  as a common drive element, the locking bodies  11  for all doors  6 ,  7  are changed into an unlocked position. An electromotive drive  14  is provided for the common drive element  13  of the locking drives  12  of the respective locking element modules  9 ,  10 , which electromotive drive is operatively coupled to the common drive element  13  (rod) by means of a coupling  15  in such a manner that the electromotive drive  14  can move the rod  13  (rotatable shaft as a common drive element) between the different adjustment positions. 
         [0089]    The structure of the locking unit  3  is described in more detail below with reference to  FIGS. 2 to 9  using the example of the parcel box  1  having two doors  6 ,  7 . As is readily apparent to a person skilled in the art, the features described and/or illustrated can also be applied to other housings  2  with possibly more than two housing openings  4 ,  5  by virtue of the individual locking element modules  9 ,  10  being combined with one another or coupled to one another in an accordingly larger number. 
         [0090]    The locking element module  9  for the first door  6 , illustrated in  FIG. 2 , has, as a locking drive  12 , a first rod part  16  which is connected to a second rod part  17  of the locking element module  10  illustrated in  FIG. 4  in order to form the common drive element  13  of the locking unit  3 . 
         [0091]    Two locking bodies  11  in the form of locking hooks are arranged on the first rod part  16  by virtue of these locking bodies  11  (locking hooks) being secured to the first rod part  16  in an immovable manner, that is to say in a fixed manner and in a non-rotatable manner with respect to the first rod part  16 . The first rod part  16  therefore forms the locking drive  12  of the first locking element module  9  for the first door  6  by virtue of the locking hook  11  being immediately concomitantly rotated as a result of rotation of the rod part  16 , to be precise from the locked position illustrated in  FIG. 2  to an unlocked position in which the locking hook  11  releases a bolt element (not illustrated) of the first door  6 , with the result that the door  6  can be opened. 
         [0092]    In order to automatically open the first door  6  when the locking hook  11  releases the bolt element of the first door, guide holders  18  for receiving an ejection ram  19  prestressed by means of a compression spring or the like are respectively provided above and below the locking hook in the axial direction. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , an ejection ram  19  is generally sufficient to automatically open the door after locking has been released. 
         [0093]    A door opening sensor, for example a permanent magnet interacting with a magnet sensor, may be arranged on the ejection ram  19  in order to detect an open state of the door. This can be used, for example, for a logbook function of the access control apparatus  30 , which records the opening and closing of the doors  6 ,  7  of the housing  2  in a logbook. Such a logbook can be retrieved and checked by the user. 
         [0094]    It can be gathered from the sectional drawing according to  FIG. 3  that the locking bodies  11  in the form of locking hooks are connected to the first rod part  16  of the first locking element module  9  via a mounting sleeve  20 , with the result that the mounting sleeve  20  and the locking body  11  cannot be rotated with respect to the shaft (as part of the common drive element  13 ) formed by the first rod part  16 . The forces of a rotation of the first rod part  16  are therefore directly transmitted to the locking hook (locking body  11 ). 
         [0095]    Therefore, it would also be possible, in principle, to connect the locking hook  11  to the first rod part  16  directly, that is to say without providing a mounting sleeve  20 . However, the use of the mounting sleeve  20  has the advantage that the same locking body  11  can be used for the first locking element module  9  and the second locking element module  10 , which is also described in detail below with reference to  FIGS. 4 to 6 , using the mounting sleeve  20 . 
         [0096]    The first locking element module  9  is in the form of a snap closure. This means that the locking bodies  11  are prestressed in the closing direction, that is to say in the locked positions illustrated in  FIG. 2 . For this purpose, a restoring spring  21  is provided on the first rod part  16  adjacent to the locking body  11 , one end of which restoring spring is secured to the first rod part  16  and the other end of which is secured to a locking element module body  22  which carries the elements of the first locking element module  9 . If the first rod part  16  is rotated from the closed position of the locking body  11  illustrated in  FIG. 2  into an adjustment position in which the locking body  11  releases a bolt element (not illustrated) of the first door  6 , the restoring spring  21  is stressed further, with the result that the rod part  16 , if it is no longer held in the release adjustment position by the electromotive drive  14 , rotates back until the locking body  11  is in the locked position illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0097]    If an open door  6  is now closed, the locking body  11  is pushed out of the locked position by the bolt element present on the door  6  by virtue of the rod part  16  being rotated counter to the force of the restoring spring  21 . As soon as the door  6  is in the closed position, the locking hook in the form of the locking body  11  can surround the bolt element of the door  6 , with the result that the rod part  16  is returned to the locked position on account of the restoring force of the restoring spring  21  and the bolt element of the door  6  engages in the hook opening of the locking hook  11 . This is referred to as a snap closure. However, other configurations of a snap closure are also conceivable, for example configurations in which a latch is moved in a linear manner counter to the force of a restoring spring when closing a door (for example as in the case of a mortise lock for a room door or apartment door). 
         [0098]    The second locking element module  10  for the second door  7  illustrated in detail in  FIGS. 4 to 6  has a second rod part  17  which can be coupled to the first rod part  16  via a coupling  23  (also referred to as coupling pieces). For this purpose, elements of the coupling  23  are formed both on the first rod part  16  and on the second rod part  17 , which elements engage in one another in a form-fitting manner during connection of the two rod parts  16 ,  17  and transmit the rotational movement of one rod part  16 ,  17  directly to the other rod part  16 ,  17 . In a manner similar to the locking element module  9  for the first door  6 , the locking element module  10  for the second door  7  also has a locking body  11  which is in the form of a locking hook and can be adjusted between a closed position illustrated in  FIG. 4  and an unlocked or release position in which the locking hook  11  releases a bolt element (not illustrated) of the second door  7  by rotating the second rod part  17 . 
         [0099]    In the unlocked position, the second door  7  is automatically opened by an ejection ram  19  which is provided in a guide holder  18 . As in the case of the first locking element module  9  as well, two guide holders  18  are situated on both sides of the locking body  11  in the axial direction, in which case an ejection ram  19  has to be provided only in one of the two guide holders in order to reliably open the second door  7  after it has been unlocked. 
         [0100]    Unlike in the first locking element module  9 , the locking body  11  of the second locking element module  10  is mounted such that it is rotatable with a defined play about the rotatable shaft  13  formed by the second rod element  17  in the region of the second locking element module  10 . This results in a locking body  11  rotatably mounted on the second rod part  17  being concomitantly moved only when the play in the adjustment path of the common drive element  13  or of the second rod part  17  has been exceeded. Only then does the rotational movement of the locking body  11  start, which disengages the locking hook (locking body  11 ) from the bolt element of the second door  7 . Only then is the second door  7  therefore opened and the second housing opening into the receiving compartment for letters enabled. 
         [0101]    In order to provide the play, the locking body  11  of the second locking element module  10  is rotatably mounted on the second rod part  17  via a bearing sleeve. For this purpose, the bearing sleeve  24  has a recess  25  which is movably guided on the shaft  13  which is formed by the rod part  17  and is also itself rotatable. For this purpose, a pin  26  radially projecting on the shaft  13  engages in the recess  25  in the bearing sleeve  24 . This defines the play for rotating the bearing sleeve  24  on the shaft  25  because the pin  26  can rotate in the recess  25  until it reaches the edge of the recess  25  before the bearing sleeve  24  is concomitantly rotated during a movement of the rod part  17 . The locking hook  11  is fixedly connected to the bearing sleeve  24 . 
         [0102]    As can be gathered from the side view of the locking element module  10  for the second door  7  according to  FIG. 5 , the bearing sleeve  24  has two recesses  25  at the opposite axial ends of the bearing sleeve  24 , in which a pin  26  radially projecting on the rotatable shaft  13  formed by the second rod part  17  respectively engages. This causes the bearing sleeve  24  to be axially fixed by the two pins  26  engaging in the recesses  25 , and the play for rotating the bearing sleeve  24  about the shaft  13  is predetermined by the recess  25  in which the pins  26  are accommodated. 
         [0103]    In the closed position which is illustrated in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  and in which the locking hook  11  is in the locked position, the pins  26  are accommodated in a central region of the recess  25  which defines the play for rotating the bearing sleeve  24  on the shaft. This results in two regions of play  27 ,  28  in the recess  25  for each direction of rotation of the shaft  13  or of the second rod part  17 . The first region of play  27  means that the first rod part  17  can be initially rotated in the direction of an opening movement without the locking body  11  being rotated away out of its locked position in which it releases the bolt element of the second door  7 . On the other hand, as already explained, the locking body of the first rod part  16  in the first locking element module  9  is already changed to an unlocked position during the rotational movement of the rotatable shaft  13  as the common drive element, with the result that the first door  6  already opens. The first region of play  27  in the recess  25  therefore means that the second door  7  opens only after the first door  6 . 
         [0104]    If the rotatable shaft  13  as the common drive element is therefore changed only into a first adjustment position in which the radially projecting pin  26  in the recess  25  uses only the first region of play  27  without butting against the edge of the recess  27  and concomitantly moving the bearing sleeve  24 , only the first door  6  is unlocked and the second door  7  remains locked. An accordingly controlled rotational movement of the rotatable shaft  17  can therefore deliberately release only the first door  6  for opening. 
         [0105]    Only if the rotatable shaft  13  is rotated further into a second adjustment position does the radially projecting pin  26  butting against the edge of the recess  25  entrain the bearing sleeve  24  and therefore the locking hook  11  in order to also unlock the second door  7 . 
         [0106]    If, in contrast, the second door  7  is open and the rotatable shaft  13  or the second rod part  17  is in the locked position shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the locking body  11  is pushed out of the locked position illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , when shutting the door into its locked position, by virtue of the bolt element of the door butting against the locking body  11 . In this case, the bearing sleeve  24  is rotated on the rotatable shaft  13  or the second rod part  17  until the second door  7  is in its closed position and the bolt element of the second door  7  can be surrounded by the locking hook  11 . In this position, the locking hook  11 , driven by the restoring spring  21 , snaps back into the closed position in a similar manner to the case described above for the first locking element module  10 . 
         [0107]    The second region of play  28  of the recess  25  is provided for this purpose, which second region of play allows a movement of the bearing sleeve  27  (and of the locking body  11  permanently connected to the bearing sleeve  27 ) without the common drive  26  being concomitantly rotated. 
         [0108]    As can be gathered from the sectional drawing according to  FIG. 6 , the bearing sleeve  24 , apart from the pins  26  guided in the recess  25 , is mounted in a freely movable manner on the second rod part  17 . 
         [0109]    In order to couple  23  the second rod part  17  to the first rod part  16 , the second rod part  17  has an axial bore with a radially running recess, in which a shaft core (illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) with a radially running pin engages, with the result that the first and second rod parts  17  can be easily plugged into one another in the axial direction and directly transmit a rotation to one another. The shaft core and the axial bore are also referred to as coupling pieces which suitably interact in order to effect the coupling  23 . 
         [0110]    The coupling pieces of the coupling  23  on the first rod part  16  and the second rod part  17  are formed symmetrically about the horizontal central shaft, with the result that there is left/right exchangeability of the first locking element module  9  and of the second locking element module  10 . As a result, the module can be easily changed from a right-hand stop of the door to a left-hand stop of the door or vice versa by means of a rotation through 180°. 
         [0111]    In order to also achieve this exchangeability with respect to the engagement of the locking bodies  11  with the bolt elements (not illustrated) of the doors  6 ,  7 , provision is also made for the one or more locking bodies  11  to be arranged on a rod part  16 ,  17  in a mirror-symmetrical manner in the axial direction based on the horizontal central shaft of the rod part  16 ,  17 . That is to say, the locking bodies are symmetrically arranged on both halves of the rod part  16 ,  17  based on the center of the rod part  16 ,  17 . The locking bodies  11  are therefore each at the same height axially after a rotation of the locking element module 9, 10 through 180°, with the result that they can accordingly engage with the bolt elements of the doors  6 ,  7 . 
         [0112]      FIG. 7  shows an exploded illustration of the locking element module  9  for the first door and the locking element module  10  for the second door  7 , which modules have already been explained in detail above with reference to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 . The locking element modules  9 ,  10  accordingly have a first rod part  16  and a second rod part  17  which can be plugged into one another via the coupling  23  described above, with the result that, when one rod part  16 ,  17  is rotated, the other rod part  17 ,  16  concomitantly rotates. 
         [0113]      FIG. 7  illustrates the two elements shortly before they are plugged together. After being plugged together, the first rod part  16  and the second rod part  17  together form the common drive element  13  (rotatable shaft) which can be connected to the electromotive drive  14  via the coupling  15  (cf.  FIG. 1 ). The electromotive drive  14  may also contain a controller with an authentication function which, depending on authentication which has been performed, adjusts the rotatable shaft  13  as the common drive element in such a manner that either only the first door  6  (in particular of the parcel compartment) is opened or the first door  6  and the second door  7  (in particular of the parcel compartment and of the mailbox together) are opened together. 
         [0114]    In order to make the snap closure effective, provision may be made for the rotatable shaft  13  to be rotated back into the closed position again, in which the locking bodies  11  have the positions shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , by the electromotive drive  14  after the doors  6  and/or  7  have been opened, in a manner verified, for example, by means of a corresponding door opening sensor in conjunction with the ejection ram  19  for each door  6 ,  7 . 
         [0115]    After the locking element modules  9 ,  10  have been plugged together, they can be mounted on the mounting support  29  in the form of a mounting plate shown in  FIG. 8 , the locking element modules  9 ,  10  being able to be fitted in each of the two possible positions rotated through 180° for a right-hand stop or a left-hand stop of the doors  6 ,  7 . 
         [0116]      FIG. 9  shows the mounting support  8  with the locking element modules  9 ,  10  mounted thereon, the first and second rod parts  16 ,  17  of which have been joined to form the common drive element  13  (rotatable shaft). 
         [0117]    The proposed locking unit  3  proposes a locking mechanism which is easy to handle for a housing  2  with housing openings  4 ,  5  which are each closable and lockable by means of doors  6 ,  7 , a first group of doors  6  being able to be unlocked separately by changing a common drive element  13  of the locking unit  3  into a first adjustment position. The two doors  6 ,  7  are then unlocked together when the common drive element  13  is changed into a second adjustment position. This use is particularly well suited to a parcel box in which a parcel delivery agent can open and close the first door of the parcel compartment independently of the second door of the letter compartment. 
         [0118]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the access control apparatus  30  according to the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the access control apparatus  30  may be arranged, for example, inside the parcel box  1 , for example in the vicinity of the drive  14  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0119]    Processor  31  of the access control apparatus is in the form of a microcontroller, in particular. Processor  31  executes program instructions stored in program memory  32  and stores intermediate results or the like, for example, in main memory  33 . For example, program memory  32  is a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, a magnetic memory, an EEPROM memory, a persistent memory such as a ROM memory and/or an optical memory. Main memory  33  is, for example, a volatile or non-volatile memory, in particular a random access memory (RAM) such as a static RAM memory (SRAM), a dynamic RAM memory (DRAM), a ferroelectric RAM memory (FeRAM) and/or a magnetic RAM memory (MRAM). 
         [0120]    Program memory  32  and main memory  33  are preferably arranged together with processor  31  in a module. 
         [0121]    Program memory  32  stores, for example, program instructions which cause the processor  31  to at least partially perform and/or control the methods illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12  when it executes the program instructions. The program memory  32  or a separate (for example persistent) memory can also store information which is used when checking the authorization of a person to open one or more doors  6 ,  7  of the parcel box  1  (for example an identifier of the parcel box  1  and/or of the access control apparatus  30 , one or more keys for checking an item of access authorization information, etc.). 
         [0122]    The communication interface  34  is configured, for example, to communicate according to a wireless communication technology. It is assumed below by way of example that the wireless communication technology is NFC. For example, the communication interface  34  is at least partially formed by an integrated NFC transceiver such as the CR95HF NFC transceiver from ST Microelectronics and an NFC antenna (for example a magnetic antenna). Optionally, the access control apparatus may also comprise, for example, one or more further communication interfaces, for example a further communication interface which is configured to communicate according to Bluetooth. For example, this further communication interface is at least partially formed by a Bluetooth transceiver and a Bluetooth antenna. 
         [0123]    The processor  31  may communicate with other apparatuses such as an access authorization verification apparatus via the communication interface  34 , for example. Processor  31  is operatively connected to the communication interface  34 , for example. The communication interface  34  may receive or request information from other apparatuses, for example, and can forward said information to processor  31  and/or may receive information from processor  31  and may transmit said information to other apparatuses. For example, processor  31  at least partially controls the communication interface  34 . 
         [0124]    The processor also controls a drive controller  35  which is configured to control the drive (see  FIG. 1 ). The drive controller is part of the drive  14 , for example. However, it is also conceivable for the drive controller not to be part of the drive  14 . For example, control signals from the processor  31  are converted into voltage signals for the drive  14  in the drive controller  35  in order to move the common drive element  13  coupled to the drive  14  into a first or second adjustment position or into the closed position. The movement position assumed by the common drive element  13  can be checked, for example, using one or more of the sensors  36  (for example a magnetic field sensor, as already stated above) and can be included in the control process, for example. 
         [0125]    Further ones of the optional sensors  36  are used, for example, to capture whether respective ones of the doors  6 ,  7  are open or closed. As explained above, these may be door opening sensors, for example, which are each fitted to the ejection rams  19 , for example. The sensors  36  forward corresponding information to the processor  31 , for example, or provide the processor  31  with corresponding information for retrieval. 
         [0126]    Processor  31  can also control one or more optionally present input/output units  37 . An input/output unit  37  is, for example, a keyboard, a display unit, a microphone, a touch-sensitive display unit, a loudspeaker, a reader, a disk drive, a luminaire, a light-emitting diode, an optical capture means (for example a scanner) and/or a camera. An input/output unit  37  may record inputs by a user, for example, and may forward said inputs to processor  31  and/or may receive and output information for the user from processor  31 . 
         [0127]    The components  31  to  37  may be formed together as a module, for example, or may be at least partially formed as individual modules in order to ensure easy exchangeability in the event of any defects. In addition to the components  31  to  37 , access control apparatus  30  may comprise further components and is not restricted to these components. For example, the access control apparatus may comprise one or more energy supply means such as a battery as a further component. 
         [0128]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart  1100  which illustrates, by way of example, the steps of a method according to the invention. The steps illustrated in the flowchart  1100  are performed and/or controlled by components of the access control apparatus  30 . For example, the steps are at least partially performed and/or controlled by the processor  31  of the access control apparatus  30 . 
         [0129]    In a step  1101 , unlocking of at least one of the doors  6 ,  7  of the parcel box  1  is caused. For example, the processor  31  causes unlocking of at least one of the doors  6 ,  7 . The doors  6 ,  7  are unlocked, for example, if the bolt elements of the doors  6 ,  7  are released and the doors  6 ,  7  can be opened (for example are automatically opened). 
         [0130]    For example, the processor  31  is configured to control the drive controller  35  in such a manner that the drive  14  rotates the rod  13  into the first adjustment position, with the result that the locking hook  11  of the first locking module  9  releases a bolt element of the door  6  and the door  6  can be opened. For example, the processor  31  is configured to control the drive controller  35  in such a manner that the drive  14  rotates the rod  13  into the second adjustment position, with the result that the locking hook  11  of the first locking module  9  releases a bolt element of the door  6  and the door  6  can be opened and the locking hook  11  of the second locking module  10  releases a bolt element of the door  7  and the door  7  can be opened. 
         [0131]    In a step  1102 , the time since at least one event captured by the access control apparatus  30  of the parcel box  1  took place is measured. For example, the time is measured by the processor  31 . 
         [0132]    As described above, an event captured by the access control apparatus  30  is intended to be understood as meaning, for example, any event which is capturable by the access control apparatus  30  and indicates the presence of a user in the environment of the parcel box  1 . For example, such an event is an event associated with a user activity. If such an event associated with a user activity initiates measuring of the time, the measured time is, for example, a measure of the time elapsed since the last user activity. For example, the at least one event captured by the access control apparatus  30  (for example an event associated with a user activity) is detecting a presence of an access authorization verification apparatus in the environment of the access control apparatus  30 , obtaining information such as an item of access authorization information from an access authorization verification apparatus and/or from a user, interacting with a user such as recording an input by the user, causing unlocking of the door and/or opening of the door. 
         [0133]    For example, the processor  31  is configured to start measuring the time when an event is captured by the access control apparatus  30  and to measure the time. For example, the access control apparatus captures the at least one event by means of the communication interface  34 , the sensors  36  and/or the input/output unit  37 . 
         [0134]    In a step  1103 , deactivating of locking of at least one of the doors  6 ,  7  is caused in such a manner that the at least one door is not lockable if the at least one of the doors  6 ,  7  is open and the measured time exceeds a predetermined time threshold value. For example, the processor  31  causes deactivating of locking. 
         [0135]    Deactivating locking of the at least one of the doors  6 ,  7  is intended to be understood as meaning, for example, that the door is not lockable (that is to say can be opened from inside and from outside, for example can be opened by pushing against the door or pulling on the door). For example, locking of the door  6  is deactivated if the rod  13  is rotated from the closed position into the first adjustment position by the drive  14  and is held there against the tensioning force of the restoring spring  21 . This is because, in this adjustment position, the bolt element of the door  6  cannot engage in the hook opening in the locking hook  11  of the locking module  9  in order to lock the door upon closing. Locking of the doors  6 ,  7  can be deactivated in a similar manner if the rod  13  is rotated from the closed position into the second adjustment position by the drive  14  and is held there against the tensioning force of the restoring spring  21 . For example, the processor  31  is configured to accordingly control the drive controller  35 . 
         [0136]    The time threshold value is selected, for example, in such a manner that the probability of the user (for example the user/delivery agent) who has opened the door still being in the vicinity of the access control apparatus is low. Deactivating locking of the door at this time can therefore prevent the door being locked without supervision and/or unintentionally (for example by children playing). 
         [0137]    One possible configuration of measuring the time and causing deactivating of locking of the at least one of the doors  6 ,  7  is described below with reference to steps  1204  to  1209  of the flowchart  1200  (see  FIG. 12 ). 
         [0138]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart  1200  which illustrates the steps of one example of a method according to the invention. The steps illustrated in the flowchart  1200  are performed and/or controlled by components of the access control apparatus  30 . For example, the steps are at least partially performed and/or controlled by the processor  31  of the access control apparatus  30 . 
         [0139]    It is assumed by way of example below that a user (for example a delivery agent or a user) of the parcel box  1  wishes to have access to the first receiving compartment of the parcel box. 
         [0140]    In a step  1201 , access authorization information is obtained. For example, the communication interface  34  obtains the access authorization information from an access authorization verification apparatus belonging to the user in step  1201 . 
         [0141]    In a step  1202 , it is decided whether access can be granted, at least partially on the basis of the access authorization information obtained. For example, the processor  31  checks in step  1202  whether the access authorization information obtained authorizes access. Various configurations of the access authorization information and its checking have already been explained above. 
         [0142]    If it is decided in step  1202  that access can be granted, the flowchart  1200  is continued with step  1203 . Otherwise, the flowchart  1200  ends. 
         [0143]    In a step  1203 , unlocking of the door  6  of the parcel box  1  is caused. For example, the processor  31  causes unlocking of the door  6 . For example, processor  31  controls the drive controller  35  in step  1203  in such a manner that the drive  14  rotates the rod  13  into the first adjustment position, with the result that the locking hook  11  of the first locking module  9  releases a bolt element of the door  6  and the door  6  can be opened. Step  1202  corresponds to step  1103  described above, for example. 
         [0144]    A step  1204  checks whether the opening of the door  6  is captured. For example, the processor  31  checks in step  1204  whether one of the sensors  36  captures whether the door  6  is opened. For example, one of the sensors  36  described above (for example a door opening sensor arranged on an ejection ram  19 ) captures the opening of the door  6  in step  1204  and forwards a corresponding piece of information to the processor  31 . As described above, the doors  6 ,  7  of the parcel box  1  are automatically opened if they are locked. However, configurations in which the doors  6 ,  7  are not automatically opened or in which the automatic opening of the doors  6 ,  7  of the parcel box  1  is blocked are also conceivable. 
         [0145]    After opening the door, the rod  13  is for example changed by the drive  14  from the first adjustment position into the closed position again in order to activate the latch function of the snap closure. For example, the processor  31  is configured to accordingly control the drive controller  35 . 
         [0146]    As described above, the opening of a door is an event associated with a user activity. If opening of the door  6  is captured in step  1204 , the flowchart  1200  is continued with steps  1205  to  1209  in order to possibly be able to cause deactivating of locking of the door  6 . Otherwise, the flowchart  1200  is continued with steps  1210  to  1213  in order to be able to possibly lock the unopened door  6  again. 
         [0147]    In a step  1205 , measuring of the user inactivity time is started. For example, the processor starts measuring of the user inactivity time and measures the user inactivity time (for example by means of a timer function and/or a clock). 
         [0148]    A step  1206  checks whether a new event associated with a user activity is captured. For example, the processor  31  checks in step  1206  whether one of the sensors  36 , the communication interface  34  and/or the input/output unit  37  capture(s) a new event associated with a user activity. 
         [0149]    As described above, an event associated with a user activity is intended to be understood as meaning, for example, any event which can be caused by a user and/or indicates the presence of a user in the environment of the parcel box. An event associated with a user activity is triggered by a user activity and/or is a user activity, for example. One example of such a user activity is, for example, a presence of a user (for example a user having an access authorization verification apparatus) in the environment of the access control apparatus  30 , obtaining information such as an item of access authorization information from an access authorization verification apparatus and/or from a user, interacting with a user such as recording an input by the user on the input/output unit  37 , opening the door  6  and/or closing the door  6 . 
         [0150]    If a new event associated with a user action is not captured in step  1206 , the flowchart  1200  is continued with step  1207 . Otherwise, measuring of the user inactivity time is ended, for example, and the flowchart  1200  jumps to step  1205  in which new measuring of the user inactivity time is started. 
         [0151]    A step  1207  checks whether the measured user inactivity time is greater than a user inactivity time threshold value. For example, the processor  31  checks whether the measured user inactivity time is greater than a user inactivity time threshold value stored in program memory  32 . 
         [0152]    If the measured user inactivity time in step  1207  is greater than the user inactivity time threshold value, measuring of the user inactivity time is ended, for example, and the flowchart  1200  is continued with step  1208 . Otherwise, the flowchart  1200  jumps to step  1206  and measuring of the user inactivity time is continued. 
         [0153]    A step  1208  checks whether it is captured that the door  6  is open. For example, the processor  31  checks in step  1208  whether one of the sensors  36  captures whether the door  6  is open. For example, one of the sensors  36  described above (for example a door opening sensor arranged on an ejection ram  19 ) captures whether the door  6  is open in step  1208  and forwards a corresponding piece of information to the processor  31 . 
         [0154]    If the door  6  in step  1208  is open (or it is captured in step  1208  that the door  6  is open), the flowchart  1200  is continued with step  1209 . Otherwise, the flowchart  1200  is ended. 
         [0155]    In step  1209 , deactivating of locking of the door  6  is caused. For example, the deactivation of the latch function of the snap closure is caused in step  1209 . For example, the processor  31  causes deactivating of locking. Step  1209  corresponds, for example, to step  1103  of the flowchart  1100 . The flowchart  1200  then ends. 
         [0156]    As described above, deactivating of locking of the door  6  can be reversed, for example, if an item of access authorization information which authorizes access to the first receiving compartment of the parcel box  1  is obtained. For example, the processor  31  is configured in this case to cause activating of locking of the door  6 . Locking of the door  6  is activated, for example, if the rod  13  is rotated from the first adjustment position into the closed position by the drive  14 . For example, the processor  31  accordingly controls the drive controller  35 . 
         [0157]    As described above, the flowchart is continued with steps  1210  to  1213  after step  1204 , if no opening of the door  6  is captured in step  1204 , in order to be able to possibly lock the unopened door  6  again. 
         [0158]    Measuring of the unlocking time is started in a step  1210 . For example, the processor  31  starts measuring the unlocking time and measures the unlocking time (for example by means of a timer function or a clock). 
         [0159]    A step  1211  again checks whether the opening of the door  6  is captured. Step  1211  corresponds to step  1204 , for example. 
         [0160]    If opening of the door  6  is captured in step  1211 , measuring of the unlocking time is ended, for example, and the flowchart  1200  jumps to step  1205 . Otherwise, the flowchart  1200  is continued with step  1212 . 
         [0161]    A step  1212  checks whether the measured unlocking time is greater than an unlocking time threshold value. For example, the processor  31  checks whether the measured unlocking time is greater than an unlocking time threshold value stored in program memory  32 . 
         [0162]    If the measured time in step  1212  is greater than the unlocking time threshold value, measuring of the unlocking time is ended, for example, and the flowchart  1200  is continued with step  1213 . Otherwise, the flowchart  1200  jumps to step  1211  and measuring of the unlocking time is continued. 
         [0163]    In step  1213 , locking of the door  6  is caused. For example, the processor  31  causes locking of the door  6 . The flowchart  1200  then ends. 
         [0164]    The door  6  is locked, for example, if the rod  13  is rotated from the first adjustment position into the closed position by the drive  14 . This is because, in this closed position, the bolt element of the door  6  can engage in the hook opening in the locking hook  11  of the locking module  9  in order to lock the door  6 . For example, the processor  31  is configured to accordingly control the drive controller  35 . 
         [0165]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart  1300  which illustrates the steps of an example of a use according to the invention. The steps illustrated in the flowchart  1300  are performed by a delivery agent for the parcel box  1  and are described below from the perspective of the delivery agent. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the delivery agent wishes to open the door  6  of the parcel box  1  in order to be able to place a parcel in the first receiving compartment and therefore deliver said parcel. In this example, it is assumed that the delivery agent uses a handheld scanner (for example Honeywell&#39;s LXE Tecton MX7) as the access authorization verification apparatus. 
         [0166]    In a step  1301 , the delivery agent prepares for the delivery of the parcel in the parcel box  1 . 
         [0167]    For example, the delivery agent scans a barcode applied to the parcel using the handheld scanner in step  1301 . As a result, the handheld scanner can identify the parcel, for example, and can retrieve the shipment information assigned to the parcel. The shipment information contains, for example, information relating to possible delivery of the parcel to a parcel box belonging to the recipient. For example, one or more parcel boxes to which the parcel can be delivered are indicated to the delivery agent on the handheld scanner. 
         [0168]    For example, the delivery agent confirms the parcel box  1  in which he would like to place the parcel or chooses the parcel box  1  in which he would like to place the parcel from the parcel boxes indicated in step  1301 . As a result, it can be ensured, for example, that the delivery agent also places the parcel in a parcel box assigned to the parcel or to the recipient of the parcel and the search comprising many data records is simplified. Furthermore, the handheld scanner can use the confirmed or selected parcel box  1  to retrieve or generate an item of access authorization information authorizing access to the first receiving compartment of the parcel box  1 . 
         [0169]    In a step  1302 , the delivery agent brings the handheld scanner into the environment of the access control apparatus  30  of the parcel box  1 . 
         [0170]    For example, the delivery agent holds the handheld scanner in the environment of the access control apparatus  30  in such a manner that the handheld scanner is detectable by the communication interface  34  and can communicate with the communication interface  34 . The handheld scanner then communicates the access authorization information to the communication interface  34  for example (for example via Bluetooth, in which case the MAC address of the access control apparatus was disclosed to the handheld scanner in order to avoid Bluetooth pairing). For example, as described above, the door  6  of the parcel box  1  is unlocked and opened when the access authorization information authorizes access to the first receiving compartment of the parcel box  1 . The delivery agent receives corresponding feedback, for example, from the handheld scanner (for example a message stating that access is granted is displayed). 
         [0171]    Solely by virtue of the delivery agent bringing the handheld scanner into the environment of the access control apparatus  30  of the parcel box  1  can he therefore cause unlocking and opening of the door  6  of the parcel mailbox  1 . 
         [0172]    As described above, the opening of the door  6  is captured, for example, and measuring of the user inactivity time is started. 
         [0173]    In a step  1303 , the delivery agent places the parcel in the first receiving compartment of the parcel box  1 . 
         [0174]    In a step  1304 , the delivery agent closes the door  6  of the first receiving compartment of the parcel box  1 . For example, the delivery agent closes the door  6  before the measured user inactivity time exceeds the user inactivity time threshold value. As described above, the door  6  is automatically locked, for example, on account of a latch function of the snap closure and the causing of deactivating of locking of the door  6  is prevented. 
         [0175]    The exemplary embodiments of the present invention described in this specification are also intended to be understood as having been disclosed in all combinations with one another. In particular, the description of a feature included in an embodiment—unless explicitly explained to the contrary—is also not intended to be understood in the present case as meaning that the feature is imperative or essential for the function of the exemplary embodiment. The sequence of the method steps described in this specification in the individual flowcharts is not compulsory and alternative sequences of the method steps are conceivable. The method steps can be implemented in various ways; an implementation in software (by means of program instructions), hardware or a combination of the two in order to implement the method steps is thus conceivable. Terms used in the patent claims such as “comprise”, “have”, “include”, “contain” and the like do not exclude further elements or steps. The wording “at least partially” includes both the case of “partially” and the case of “completely”. The wording “and/or” is intended to be understood as meaning the fact that both the alternative and the combination are intended to be disclosed, that is to say “A and/or B” means “(A) or (B) or (A and B)”. In the context of this specification, a plurality of units, persons or the like means a plurality of units, persons or the like. The use of the indefinite article does not exclude a plurality. An individual device may perform the functions of a plurality of units or devices mentioned in the patent claims. Reference symbols indicated in the patent claims should not be considered to be restrictions of the means and steps used.