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Patent 2300440 Summary

Third-party information liability

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(12) Patent Application: (11) CA 2300440
(54) English Title: COMPUTERIZED AND NETWORKED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
(54) French Title: SYSTEME DE DISTRIBUTION INFORMATISE ET RESEAUTE
Status: Deemed Abandoned and Beyond the Period of Reinstatement - Pending Response to Notice of Disregarded Communication
Bibliographic Data
Abstracts

English Abstract


This invention relates to systems, processes and facilities for pick -up, drop
-off and delivery, of
commodities.


Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege
is
claimed are defined as follows:
Claim 1:
A computerized pick -up and drop -off information system for the purpose of
displaying, recording,
processing, storing and transmitting records containing commodity pick-up or
commodity drop -off related
information, which will comprise all or any of
a) An input and display component presented on any displays connected to
computers connected over
the Internet or on any displays connected to another computer system or on any
displays on any
independent computer system or to work on any displays of computers operating
in any of these
modes, to present input and or display screens to users over the Internet,
over a dedicated network, at
a stand alone computer console or any combination of these, to offer a choice
of and to accept input of
and to communicate, to the processing component described in Claim 1 b), pick-
up or drop -off
locations, pick-up or drop -off times, pick-up or drop -off related charge
details and user details, user
payment mechanism details, consignor and consignee identification details,
pick -up or drop -off
commodity details, or any combination of these, through any input device
connected by any means
whatsoever to the computer to which the displaying device is connected.
b) A processing component, operating independently or integrated with Claim 1
a) , said component
including program instructions integrated or not integrated with a standard
business data storage and
management component operating upon said system - to operate on computer
processors integral to
computers connected over the Internet or on computer processors integral to
computers connected to
another computer network or on computer processors integral to an independent
computer system or
to operate on any computer processors integral to computers operating in any
of these modes - to
process existing records and to create new records by linking the data input
by the user to consignor
and consignee identification details, payment mechanisms and details,
identification mechanisms ,
pick-up and drop -off related payment arrangements, pick-up or drop -off
locations, pick-up or drop -off
times or any combination of these, either to records newly entered by the user
within the input
component in Claim 1a) or to records previously established by the user,
details of which may reside
on integrated or associated systems. The recording, immediate and further
processing, storage,
display, printing, transmission and use of records thus created.
c) A networking component either operating independently within this system or
interfacing with system or
network components resident on any computers operating Claims 1 a) and b) and
using the standard
networking hardware and communication protocols available to the computers on
which the processes
described in Claims 1 a) and b) are performed, for the purpose of linking this
system to integrated or
associated systems, either through the Internet or through dedicated lines, to
receive information
required for the operations integral to Claims 1 a) and b) and to transmit the
results of the operations
performed by to Claims 1 a) and b)
13

d) A standard computer memory hardware and memory management component to
support the
functionality defined in Claim 1 a), Claim 1 b) and Claim 1 c), said component
resident on any system
on which the functionality defined in Claim 1 a), Claim 1 b) and Claim 1 c) is
operating or on networked
or otherwise connected systems to store, either permanently or temporarily,
all or any of the
information required by or created in the display, processing, or networking
components defined in
Claims 1 a), b) and c).
e) An output component comprising any standard computer output devices
connected to the said system
for the purpose of printing or otherwise outputting any or all records created
by the processes of this
claim.
f) A standard computer operating system component resident on the computer
system on which this
system will operate having program and command instructions to enable the
functioning of Claims 1 a),
b), c), d) and e).
Claim 2:
A computerized pick -up, drop -off, consignment, consignor and consignee
information processing system
for the purpose of displaying, recording, combining, processing, storing and
transmitting records containing
pick-up or drop -off related information gathered through Claim 1 with all or
any of consignment details
such as sizes, weights, dimensions , quantities, consignor and consignee
details and any or all other
details relating to consignments , which may reside on integrated, associated
or related systems or which
may be entered directly into this system comprising all or any of
a) An input and display component to be presented on any displays connected to
computers connected
over the Internet or on any displays connected to another computer system or
on any displays on any
independent computer system or to work on any displays of computers operating
in any of these
modes, to present input and or display screens to users over the Internet,
over a dedicated network, at
a stand alone computer console or any combination of these, to offer a choice
of pick-up or drop -off
locations, pick-up or drop -off times, pick-up or drop -off related charge
details and consignor and
consignee details, consignor and consignee payment mechanism details, pick -up
or drop -off
commodity details, consignor and consignee identification details or any
combination of these, and to
accept input through any input device connected to the computer to which the
displaying device is
connected by any means whatsoever and to communicate to the processing
component described in
Claim 1 b)
b) A processing component, capable of operating independently or integrated
with Claim 2 a), , said
component including program instructions integrated or not integrated with a
standard business data
storage and management component operating upon said system - to operate on
computer processors
integral to computers connected over the Internet or on computer processors
integral to computers
connected to another computer network or on computer processors integral to an
independent
computer system or to operate on any computer processors integral to computers
operating in any of
14

these modes - to process existing records and to create new records by
combining and processing
information gathered through Claim 1 with all or any of details relating to
consignments for pick -up or
drop -off including consignor and consignee details, consignor and consignee
identification details,
pick-up or drop -off locations and any or all other details relating to
consignments for pick -up or drop -
off, which may reside on integrated, associated or related systems or which
may be entered directly
into this system through 2 a). The recording, immediate and further
processing, storage, display,
printing, transmission and use of records thus created.
c) A networking component either operating independently within this system or
interfacing with system or
network components resident on any computers operating Claims 2 a) and b) and
using the standard
networking hardware and communication protocols available to the computers on
which the processes
described in Claims 2 a) and b) are performed, for the purpose of linking this
system to integrated or
associated systems, either through the Internet or through dedicated lines, to
receive information
required for the operations integral to Claims 2 a) and b) and to transmit the
results of the operations
performed by to Claims 2 a) and b)
d) A standard computer memory hardware and memory management component to
support the
functionality defined in Claims 2 a), b) and c), said component either
resident within this system or
resident on integrated or associated systems to store, either permanently or
temporarily, all or any of
the information required by or created in the display, processing, or
networking components defined in
Claims 2 a), b) and c).
e) An output component comprising any standard computer output devices
connected to the said system
for the purpose of printing or otherwise outputting any or all records created
by the processes of this
claim.
f) A standard computer operating system component resident on the computer
system on which this
system will operate having program and command instructions to enable the
functioning of Claims 2 a),
b), c), d) and e)
Claim 3:
A computerized system combining all or any of the functionality of the systems
described in Claims 1 and
2.
Claim 4:
A process for the creation and use of a link between the consignment and the
details established in
Claims 1 and 2 or by Claim 3 comprising
a) Program instructions , said program instructions integrated or not
integrated with a standard business
data storage and management component operating upon said system - for the
creation of a unique record
of the link between the actual consignment and the consignment and consignee
details processed by the
processes established in Claims 1 and Claim 2 or by Claim 3, for the purpose
of generating a unique
consignment code. Said program instructions creating a unique record by
generating a unique identifying

code for each consignment and operating within the system described in Claim 2
or by Claim 3 or within
integrated, associated or related systems.
b)The creation and use of a physical link between the consignment and the
details established in Claims
1 and 2 or by Claim 3, by creating a barcode label or any other identification
label using an output
component comprising any standard or special computer output devices connected
to the any of the
systems upon which Claim 4 may operate, for the purpose of printing or
otherwise outputting any or all
records containing this unique code, created by said process, and affixing
said label to the consignment.
The recording, immediate and further processing, storage, display, printing,
transmission and use of
records created by said process.
Claim 5:
A process for the creation and use of a link between the consignment and a
container containing more
than one consignment comprising
c) Program instructions , said program instructions integrated or not
integrated with a standard business
data storage and management component operating upon said system, for the
purpose of relating a
consignment to a container containing grouped consignments by generating a
unique container code
to relate the said container to said consignments and to be used as a means
for generating a grouped
consignment code or, to relate a predefined container code to consignments to
held within the said
container by specifying which of the said consignments are to be contained in
which of the said
predefined containers and the use of the predefined code associated with the
said container as a
means of generating a grouped consignment code. Said program instructions
operating within the
system described in Claim 2 or by Claim 3 or within integrated, associated or
related systems.
d) The creation and use of a physical link between the consignment and a
container containing more
than one consignment, by creating a barcode label or any other identification
label containing the
grouped consignment code created by Claim 5 a), using an output component
comprising any standard
or special computer output devices connected to the any of the systems upon
which this claim may
operate, and affixing this label to the container and then scanning the
container code label and the
consignment code labels as a means of establishing the grouped consignment
code.
The recording, immediate and further processing, storage, display, printing,
transmission and use of
records created by said process.
Claim 6:
The use of containers pre -labeled with a barcode or by other means,
disposable or reusable, for the
process described in Claim 5.
16

Claim 7:
A commodity distributing locker apparatus comprising:
A plurality of lockers of the same or different dimensions each identified and
labeled with a barcode or by
other means with an unique identifying code, for holding and dispensing
consignments therein, collectively
or individually accessible from the rear, Each having some, any or all of the
following features: refrigerated
or otherwise temperature controlled, an electronic display panel on the front,
a locking mechanism on the
front with automated combination setting mechanisms with a control means for
controlling the setting of the
locking mechanism to the same code for more than one locker . An
electromagnetic, mechanical or optical
key or any other key mechanism to allow opening of the front door of the
locker using a suitable key
containing the code to open the lock, a detection sensor built into the door
and frame of the locker to
determine if the locker is open or closed, an electro-mechanical door opening
and closing mechanism,
Red, Yellow and Green electronic indicators at the front and rear doors of the
locker , an audio signal
emitting device, an electromagnetic or electronic mike and speaker system,
object sensors within the
locker, An automated system for loading and unloading the lockers. Built in
readers, scanners or sensors to
read the labels on consignments deposited therein and sensors to assist
automated loading and unloading
functions. Each locker connected to the processing setup described in Claim
11, or to one or more
electronic data processing and control units with resident memory, input and
output devices and one or
more terminals and resident and remotely accessed program instructions for
localized processing or for
networking with other computers through the Internet or through dedicated
lines for the purpose of
communicating information about the contents of the lockers, setting the
electronic lock combinations for
the locker, to sense the outputs from the sensors built into the lockers and
to communicate information to
set the state of the indicators and displays built into the front and rear
doors of the lockers and to provide
input to the control means for automated mechanical loading and unloading
equipment operating upon the
locker.
Claim 8:
A commodity distributing storage facility comprising:
A plurality of defined locations of the same area and dimensions or of
different areas and dimensions, each
identified and labeled with a barcode or by other means with an unique
identifying code, for storing
packages therein, each defined location having some, any or all of the
following features: Refrigerated or
otherwise Temperature controlled, Shelving, Built in readers or scanners to
read the labels on
consignments deposited therein and sensors to assist automated loading and
unloading functions, built in
automated mechanical loading and unloading equipment. Each defined location
connected to the
processing setup described in Claim 11, or to one or more electronic data
processing and control units with
resident memory, input and output devices and one or more terminals and
resident and remotely accessed
program instructions for localized processing or for networking with other
computers through the Internet or
through dedicated lines for the purpose sensing the outputs from the sensors
located in the defined spaces
and to communicate information to determine the state of the indicators and
displays located within, or in
17

the vicinity of the defined spaces and to and to provide input to the control
means for automated
mechanical loading and unloading equipment operating upon the defined
location.
Claim 9:
A process and program instructions , said program instructions integrated or
not integrated with a standard
business data storage and management component operating upon said system -
for linking of the locker
information or defined location information with the one or more commodities
being deposited within the
lockers as defined in Claim 7 or in defined locations as defined in Claim 8,
using a label scanner or any
other sensor or by predefining the locker or defined location which will
contain the commodity. The
recording of this information and linking this information to related,
previously recorded transactions and
records stored in integrated or associated programs for the purpose of
creating new records using the
system described in Claim 10. The recording, immediate and further processing,
storage, transmission and
use of records thus created.
Claim 10:
A pick -up and drop -off facility processing system comprising one or a
plurality of computers, and program
instructions operating upon these , said program instructions integrated or
not integrated with a standard
business data storage and management component operating upon said system and
total command
means for performing any of the processes within the facility as described in
Claim 17 , connected to one or
a plurality of lockers as described in Claim 8 and to one or a plurality of
defined locations as described in
Claim 9 and connected to one or a plurality of computer input, display and
output devices within the facility
at which the lockers and defined spaces are situated, these connected to
integrated or associated
computer systems on connected computers, through one or a plurality of
dedicated networks or through the
Internet, for the purpose of performing the actions defined in Claim 1 and
Claim 2 or by Claim 3, Claim 4,
Claim 5 , Claim 9, Claim 10, Claim 11, Claim 12, Claim 13 and Claim 14 and for
the purpose of accepting
input from users and communicating information to users.
Claim 11:
The use of one, or more of a plurality of input systems, connected to the
system described in Claim
1l,such as magnetic card readers, smartcard readers, retinal or fingerprint
scanners, voice recognition
systems, keyboards, keypads, computer pointing devices, barcode readers,
optical character readers,
wireless signals and other identification entry mechanisms to accept one or
more of a plurality of inputs
such as credit/debit cards, magnetic cards, smartcards retinal or fingerprint
scans, or voice, or barcode, or
optical characters, or wireless signals or other identification or any other
data input through a keypad or
keyboard or by any other means connected to the system described in Claim 10
or otherwise connected to
the locker system or to the predefined location systems, as a means of
identifying and linking one or more
users to the lockers or defined locations containing commodities related to
said user at that facility and
placed there either by a service company or by the user. The recording of this
information, creating new
18

records based on this information and linking this information to related and
previously recorded
transactions and records created by any, some or all of the processes defined
in Claim 1, Claim 2 or by
Claim 3, Claim 4, Claim 5 and by Claim 9. The recording, immediate and further
processing, storage,
transmission and use of records thus created.
Claim 12:
The use of any of the input as defined in Claim 10 either or both as a
mechanism for the purpose of
payment identification as a means to debit or credit the user as per
established commercial practices and
for the purpose of linking the user to consignments and to lockers or defined
locations as a means of
effecting pick-ups or drop-offs of commodities from or to the lockers or
defined locations.
Claim 13:
The activation of one or more of a plurality of output systems such as
printers, computer screens,
automated voice systems or any other output systems connected to the
processing system described in
Claim 10 and the control means for the activation of physical mechanisms such
as setting of the locker
combinations and displays, preparation and issue of locker keys and activation
of locker and defined
location loading and unloading mechanisms and transportation of commodities
from the defined location by
manual or mechanical means to a loading bay as defined in Claim 14. upon input
described in Claim 10
and Claim 11 , to facilitate delivery and pick-up of the commodities
Claim 14:
A loading bay comprising space for parking of a transport vehicle and a
console connected to the
processing utility described in Claim 10 for effecting the processes defined
in Claim 11, Claim 12 and Claim
13 and incorporating a manual or an automated mechanical delivery system to
effect pick ups or deliveries,
to lockers or predefined locations, by the user, from said loading bay. The
loading bay may include
dispensing or vending machines to dispense or vend commodities to the user
when at that location.
Claim 15:
A receptacle incorporating a scanning device or sensor, for receiving or
dispensing containers as described
in claim 6, and connected to the processing facility described in Claim 10 for
reading the bar code or any
other label affixed to the container described in Claim 5 and in Claim 6 and
to record return of the bin and
to link the return to the records created as described in Claims 1 and Claim 2
or Claim 3.
Claim 16:
A Pick -up and drop -off facility either situated on its own premises or
incorporated into other premises for
the physical transfer of goods and commodities for the purpose of commercial
and other transactions
incorporating all or any of, in whole or part thereof, of details of Claims 1
through 15 both inclusive.
19

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


CA 02300440 2000-02-25
This vention relates to systems, processes and facilities for p
commoditl
Description of the Invention
It is common for commodities ordered over the Internet to be delivered by a
courier or some other delivery
agency to the customer's location. This method has certain disadvantages in
that the customer has to be
physically present to receive secure delivery of goods from the delivering
agent and in that it is effort
intensive in that the delivery agent has to arrive at a location at a time
specified by the customer and that
the customer has to be present at that location and time in order to effect a
secure and recorded delivery.
This method also has disadvantages in that it is difficult to co-ordinate a
number of deliveries by different
agents to the same location at the same time. The delivery of perishable goods
such as frozen or heated
commodities are also constrained by the delivery agent's method of
transportation and delivery having to
have facilities to maintain the desired temperatures.
I have found that these disadvantages may be overcome by the use of a set of
processes,systems and
facilities integrated around lockers or bays in a pick -up and drop -off
system which will allows for easy pick
-up and drop -of of commodities.
The system comprises a set of system components. The system comprising these
components and the
interactions and relationships between said system components, is described
below:
COMPONENT 1 - THE COMPUTERIZED PICK -UP AND DROP -OFF PROCESSING AND
INFORMATION SYSTEM
COMPONENT:
This system component provides a means for recording choices of pick -up or
drop -off instructions for the
purpose of linking them to order or return details and to other user and
consignment details input online or
already existing on connected systems by using a computerized pick -up and
drop -off information and
processing system for the purpose of displaying, inputting, recording,
processing, storing and transmitting
records containing commodity pick-up or commodity drop -off and user related
information, said component
will comprise:
a) An input and display component, presented as an interface to said system as
a part of the ordering
process or return process as presented to the user by a commodity provider's
order input system or
returns handling system, on any displays connected to computers connected over
the Internet or on
any displays connected to another computer system or on any displays on any
independent computer
system or to work on any displays of computers operating in any of these
modes, to present input and
or display screens to users over the Internet, over a dedicated network, at a
stand alone computer
console or any combination of these, to offer a choice of and to accept input
of and to communicate to
a processing component described in b), pick-up or drop -off locations, pick-
up or drop -off times, pick-
2

CA 02300440 2000-02-25
up or drop -off related charge details and user details, user payment
mechanism details, consignor and
consignee identification details, pick -up or drop -off commodity details, or
any combination of these ,
through any input device connected by any means whatsoever to the computer to
which the displaying
device is connected.
b) The processing component will operate independently or integrated with the
setup described in a) and
include program instructions integrated or not integrated with a standard
business data storage and
management component operating upon said system - to operate on computer
processors integral to
computers connected over the Internet or on computer processors integral to
computers connected to
another computer network or on computer processors integral to an independent
computer system or
to operate on any computer processors integral to computers operating in any
of these modes - to
process existing records and to create new records by creating linking keys
for the purpose of linking
the data input by the user to consignor and consignee identification details,
payment mechanisms and
details, identification mechanisms , pick-up and drop -off related payment
arrangements, pick-up or
drop -off locations, pick-up or drop -off times or any combination of these,
either to records newly
entered by the user within the input component in 1 a) or to records
previously established by the user,
details of which may reside in the memory of integrated or associated systems.
c) A networking component, either operating independently within this system
or interfacing with system
or network components such as hardware, software and communication protocols,
resident on any
computers on which the operations described in 1 a) and 1 b) will be
performed, and using the standard
networking hardware and communication protocols available to the computers on
which the processes
described in 1 a) and 1 b) are performed, for the purpose of linking this
system to integrated or
associated systems, either through the Internet or through dedicated lines, to
receive any information
required for the operations integral to the operation of 1a) and 1b) and to
transmit the results of the
operations performed by 1 a) and 1 b)
d) A standard computer memory hardware and memory management component to
support the
functionality defined in 1 a),1 b) and 1 c) said component resident on
networked or otherwise connected
systems to store, either permanently or temporarily, all or any of the
information required by or created
in the display, processing, or networking components defined in 1a), 1 b) and
1 c).
e) An output component comprising any standard computer output devices
connected to the said system
for the purpose of printing or otherwise outputting any or all records created
by the processes of this
system A standard computer operating system component resident on the computer
system on which
this system will operate having program and command instructions to enable the
functioning of
COMPONENTS 1 a),1 b), 1 c),1 d) and 1 e)
f) A standard computer operating system component resident on the computer
system on which this
system will operate having program and command instructions to enable the
functioning of 1 a), 1 b), 1
c), 1 d) and 1 e)
3

CA 02300440 2000-02-25
COMPONENT 2 - THE COMPUTERIZED PICK -UP, DROP -OFF, COMMODITY, CONSIGNMENT,
CONSIGNOR AND
CONSIGNEE PROCESSING AND INFORMATION SYSTEM COMPONENT:
This component provides the means for linking user related details records,
consignment related records
and delivery related records and to connect these linked records to the
physical commodity by generating a
unique record for the purpose of this link and creating a label, using an
output component comprising any
standard or special computer output devices, containing this record in a bar-
coded or any other form and
by affixing said label to the ordered commodity or to a group of commodities
to link the physical
consignment to the aforementioned details, using said component for the
purpose of printing, displaying,
recording, combining, newly creating, processing, storing and transmitting
records containing consignment
or commodity related, pick-up or drop -off related or user related information
gathered through processes
and systems described in 1 ) with all or any of consignment details such as
sizes, weights, dimensions ,
quantities, consignor and consignee details including identification details,
payment mechanism details and
any or all other details relating to consignments such as sizes, weights,
dimensions, storage temperature
and handling instructions which may reside on integrated, associated or
related systems which are
connected to this system over the Internet or otherwise networked or, to any
records which may be entered
directly into this system . This system will comprise all or any of
a) An input and display component to be presented on any displays connected to
computers connected
over the Internet or on any displays connected to another computer system or
on any displays on any
independent computer system or to work on any displays of computers operating
in any of these
modes, to present input and or display screens to users over the Internet,
over a dedicated network, at
a stand alone computer console or any combination of these, to offer a choice
of pick-up or drop -off
locations, pick-up or drop -off times, pick-up or drop -off related charge
details and consignor and
consignee details, consignor and consignee payment mechanism details, pick -up
or drop -off
commodity details, consignor and consignee identification details or any
combination of these, and to
accept input through any input device connected to the computer to which the
displaying device is
connected by any means whatsoever and to communicate to the processing
component described in 2
b)
b) A processing component capable of operating independently or integrated
with 2 a) - including program
instructions integrated or not integrated with a standard business data
storage and management
component operating upon said system, to operate on computer processors
integral to computers
connected over the Internet or on computer processors integral to computers
connected to another
computer network or on computer processors integral to an independent computer
system or to operate
on any computer processors integral to computers operating in any of these
modes - to process existing
records and to create new records by combining and processing information
gathered through the
processes described In COMPONENT 1 with all or any of details relating to
consignments for pick -up or
drop -off including consignor and consignee details, consignor and consignee
identification details, pick-
up or drop -off locations and any or all other details relating to
consignments for pick -up or drop -off,
4

CA 02300440 2000-02-25
which may reside on integrated, associated or related systems or which may be
entered directly into this
system through 2 a) .
c) A networking component either operating independently within this system or
interfacing with system or
network components resident on any computers operating 2 a) and 2 b) and using
the standard
networking hardware and communication protocols available to the computers on
which the processes
described in 2 a) and 2 b) are performed, for the purpose of linking this
system to integrated or
associated systems, either through the Internet or through dedicated lines, to
receive information
required for the operations integral to 2 a) and 2 b) and to transmit the
results of the operations
performed by 2 a) and 2 b)
d) A standard computer memory hardware and memory management component to
support the
functionality defined In COMPONENTS 2 a), 2 b) and 2 c), said component either
resident within this
system or resident on integrated or associated systems to store, either
permanently or temporarily, all
or any of the information required by or created in the display, processing,
or networking components
defined in 2 a), 2 b) and 2 c).
e) An output component comprising any standard computer output devices
connected to the said system
for the purpose of printing or otherwise outputting any or all records created
by the processes
described in 2 a), 2 b) and 2 c).
f) A standard computer operating system component resident on the computer
system on which this
system will operate having program and command instructions to enable the
functioning of 2 a), 2 b), 2
c), 2 d) and 2 e)
COMPONENT 3 - THE COMPOSITE COMPUTERIZED PICK -UP, DROP -OFF, COMMODITY,
CONSIGNMENT, CONSIGNOR
AND CONSIGNEE PROCESSING AND INFORMATION SYSTEM COMPONENT:
This component will combine all or any of the features defined in COMPONENT 1
and COMPONENT 2 to fulfil
all or any of the functionality of COMPONENT 1 and COMPONENT 2 in addition to
any other desired
functionality.
COMPONENT 4 - THE CONSIGNMENT AND CONSOLIDATING CONTAINER LINKING COMPONENT:
This component provides the means for the creation and use of a link between
the consignment and a
container containing more than one said consignment and comprises of
a) Program instructions for the purpose of relating a consignment to a
container containing grouped
consignments by generating a unique container code to relate the said
container to said consignments
and to be used as a means for generating a grouped consignment code or, to
relate a predefined
container code to consignments to held within the said container by specifying
which of the said
consignments are to be contained in which of the said predefined containers
and the use of the
predefined code associated with the said container as a means of generating a
grouped consignment
code. Said program instructions operating within the system described in
COMPONENT 1 In COMPONENT
2 Or In COMPONENT 3 or within integrated, aSSOClated or related Systems.

CA 02300440 2000-02-25
b) The creation and use of a physical link between the consignment and a
container containing more
than one consignment, by creating a barcode label or any other identification
label containing the
grouped consignment code created by 4 a), using an output component comprising
any standard or
special computer output devices connected to the any of the systems upon which
this said means may
operate, and by affixing this label to the container and then scanning the
container code label and the
consignment code labels as a means of establishing the grouped consignment
code.
COMPONENT 5 - THE PRE -LABELED CONTAINER COMPONENT:
This component allows for the use of containers pre -labeled with a barcode or
by other means, disposable
or reusable, for use in COMPONENT 4.
COMPONENT 6 - THE PICK -UP AND DROP -OFF FACILITY STORAGE COMPONENT:
This component comprises a pick -up and drop -off facility either situated on
its own premises or
incorporated into other premises for the physical transfer of goods and
commodities for the purpose of
commercial and other transactions incorporating all or any of, in whole or
part thereof, of the following
a) A commodity distributing locker apparatus comprising many lockers of the
same or different
dimensions each identified and labeled with a barcode or by other means with
an unique identifying
code, for holding and dispensing consignments therein, collectively or
individually accessible from the
rear, Each having some, any or all of the following features: refrigerated or
otherwise temperature
controlled, an electronic display panel on the front, a locking mechanism on
the front with automated
combination setting mechanisms with a control means for controlling the
setting of the locking
mechanism to the same code for more than one locker . An electromagnetic,
mechanical or optical or
any other key mechanism to allow opening of the front door of the locker using
a suitable key
containing the code to open the lock, a detection sensor built into the door
and frame of the locker to
determine if the locker is open or closed, an electro -mechanical door opening
and closing mechanism,
Red, Yellow and Green electronic indicators at the front and rear doors of the
locker , an audio signal
emitting device, an electromagnetic or electronic mike and speaker system,
object sensors within the
locker, and automated systems for loading and unloading the lockers. Built in
readers, scanners or
sensors to read the labels on consignments deposited therein and sensors to
assist automated loading
and unloading functions. Each locker connected to the processing setup
described in COMPONENT 7 or
to one or more electronic data processing and control units with resident
memory, input and output
devices and one or more terminals and resident and remotely accessed program
instructions for
localized processing or for networking with other computers through the
Internet or through dedicated
lines for the purpose of communicating information about the contents of the
lockers, setting the
electronic lock combinations for the locker, to sense the outputs from the
sensors built into the lockers
and to communicate information to set the state of the indicators and displays
built into the front and
rear doors of the lockers and to provide input to the control means for
automated mechanical loading
and unloading equipment operating upon the locker.
6

CA 02300440 2000-02-25
b) A commodity distributing storage facility comprising many defined locations
of the same area and
dimensions or of different areas and dimensions, each identified and labeled
with a barcode or by other
means with an unique identifying code, for storing packages therein, each
defined location having
some, any or all of the following features: Refrigerated or otherwise
temperature controlled, shelving,
built in readers or scanners to read the labels on consignments deposited
therein and sensors to assist
automated loading and unloading functions, built in automated mechanical
loading and unloading
equipment. Each defined location connected to the processing setup described
In COMPONENT 7 or to
one or more electronic data processing and control units with resident memory,
input and output
devices and one or more terminals and resident and remotely accessed program
instructions for
localized processing or for networking with other computers through the
Internet or through dedicated
lines for the purpose sensing the outputs from the sensors located in the
defined spaces and to
communicate information to determine the state of the indicators and displays
located within, or in the
vicinity of the defined spaces and to and to provide input to the control
means for automated
mechanical loading and unloading equipment operating upon the defined
location.
c) Loading bays comprising space for parking of a personal or other transport
vehicle and a control
console connected to the processing set -up described in COMPONENT 7 and
incorporating a manual or
an automated mechanical delivery system to effect pick ups or deliveries, from
or to lockers or defined
locations within the said facility, by the user from said loading bay. The
loading bay may include
dispensing ,vending machines or service machines either connected or
unconnected to the processing
facility described In COMPONENT 7, to dispense and/or vend commodities and to
provide services to the
user when at that location.
d) Receptacles incorporating a scanning device or sensor, for receiving or
dispensing containers as
described in said COMPONENT 6 , and connected to the processing facility
described In COMPONENT 7 for
reading the bar code or any other label affixed to the container described In
COMPONENT 4 and in
COMPONENT 5 and to record return of the bin and to link the return to the
records created as described
In COMPONENT 1, COMPONENT 2 , COMPONENT 3, COMPONENT 5 and by COMPONENT $.
e) The facility may include dispensing ,vending or service machines either
connected or unconnected to
the processing facility described in COMPONENT 7 to dispense and/or vend
commodities and to provide
services to the user when at the facility.
COMPONENT 7 - THE PICK -UP AND DROP -OFF FACILITY PROCESSING SET -UP
COMPONENT:
This component comprises of a pick -up and drop -off facility processing
system comprising one or a
plurality of computers, and program instructions integrated or not integrated
with a standard business data
storage and management component operating upon said system operating upon
these and total
command means for performing any of the processes within the facility
described as COMPONENT 6 and
connected to one or a plurality of lockers as described in COMPONENT 6 a) to
one or a plurality of defined
locations as described In COMPONENT 6 b) and to one or a plurality of loading
bays as described in
COMPONENT 6 c) and connected to one or more computer input, display and output
devices within the
7

CA 02300440 2000-02-25
facility at which the lockers and defined spaces are situated, these connected
to integrated or associated
computer systems on connected computers, through one or a plurality of
dedicated networks or through the
Internet as a command means for controlling various operations and processes
within the said facility and
for the purpose of accepting input from users and for communicating
information to users located both
within and outside the facility described In COMPONENT 6.
COMPONENT 8 - THE PICK -UP AND DROP -OFF FACILITY PROCESSES COMPONENT:
This comprises processes carried out upon the processing set -up described In
COMPONENT 7
as a means for controlling the operation of the components connected to said
processing set -up and for
the purpose of creating and maintaining records essential to the working of
the system as described below
and comprises of some or any of the following processes and program
instructions for effecting these
processes
a) A process and program instructions for creating an unique record of a link
for the purpose of linking the
locker information or defined location information, with one or more labeled
commodities as described
and established In COMPONENT 2 and/or one or more labeled containers as
established In COMPONENT
4, being deposited within the lockers or in defined locations as defined in
COMPONENT 6 by using a
barcode scanner or any other label scanner or any other sensor to scan the
unique identifying code on
the commodities or containers and by scanning the unique identifying labels
defined In COMPONENT 6
and by creating an unique record for use as link between the locker and the
commodity or container
being deposited within said locker or, by predefining the locker or defined
location which will contain the
commodity or container and creating an unique record of this relationship for
use as a link between the
locker and the commodity or container being deposited within said locker. Said
process and program
instructions will also link the said unique record of the link to related,
previously recorded transactions
and to records stored in integrated or associated programs for the purpose of
creating new records
b) A process and program instructions to link the user using identification
input using COMPONENT 9 to the
lockers or defined locations containing commodities related to the user at the
facility and placed there
either by the service company or by the user, by creating relational records
for the purpose of relating
previously recorded transactions and records created by any, some or all of
the processes defined in
COMPONENT 1, COMPONENT 2 , COMPONENT 3, COMPONENT 4, COMPONENT 5, and by
COMPONENT H USlng
said identification as a key record for the purpose of establishing the said
relationship.
c) Processes and program instructions for the activation of one or more of a
plurality of output systems
such as printers, computer screens, automated voice systems or any other
output systems connected
to the processing setup described In COMPONENT 7 to prepare and issue locker
keys and displays or
printouts of locker locations and access codes and to activate all control
means for the control of the
physical mechanisms of COMPONENT 6 such as setting of the locker combinations
and displays,
activation of locker and defined location loading and unloading mechanisms and
transportation of
commodities from the defined location by manual or mechanical means to a
loading bay as defined in
8

CA 02300440 2000-02-25
COMPONENT 6 c) upon input described in 8 b), to facilitate delivery and pick-
up of the commodities by
or to the user.
d) Processes and program instructions to record the state of various sensors
built into the components of
the facility described In COMPONENT 6 communicate these states t0 COMPONENT 7
for further
processing , and Command means to set the state of various displays and
mechanisms defined in
COMPONENT 6.
e) A process and program instructions to link the user using identification
input using COMPONENT 9 to
consignments to the lockers or defined locations to contain deposits by users,
by creating a unique
code as a record of this transaction and/ or generating relational records for
the purpose of relating
previously recorded transactions and records created by any, some or all of
the processes defined in
COMPONENT 1, COMPONENT 2 , COMPONENT 3, COMPONENT 4, COMPONENT 5, and by
COMPONENT 8 using
said identification as a key record for the purpose of establishing the said
relationship.
f) Physical linking of a deposited consignment to user's earlier transactions
for processing, by affixing a
label containing an unique code generated by 8 e) to the deposited consignment
or by using a coded
label already affixed to the container containing more than one consignment
and by establishing a link
between the consignment and the locker or predefined location deposited during
the drop -off, by
predefinition or by scanning these labels at some point either during loading
or unloading of the locker
or defined locations, and by further linking this to details in the user's
previously established
transactions.
g) Process and program instructions to link lockers or defined locations
containing commodities related
to many users to a multiple user grouping record created in COMPONENT 2 or in
COMPONENT 3 or on an
aSSOClated system to records created in COMPONENT 1, COMPONENT 2 , COMPONENT
3, COMPONENT 4,
COMPONENT 5, and by COMPONENT 8 as a means of activating the processes of 8
e).
COMPONENT 9 - THE USER IDENTIFICATION COMPONENT:
This comprises:
a) The use of one or more of many input systems, connected to the system
components described in
COMPONENT 1, COMPONENT 2 Or by COMPONENT 3 and by COMPONENT 7, SUCK as
magnetic card
readers , smartcard readers, retinal or fingerprint scannners, voice
recognition systems, keyboards,
keypads, computer pointing devices, barcode readers, optical character
readers, wireless receivers
and other any identification entry mechanisms to accept one or more of many
inputs such as
credit/debit cards, magnetic cards, smartcards, retinal or fingerprint scans,
or voice, or barcode, or
optical characters, or wireless signals or other identification mechanism or
any other data input
through a keypad or keyboard or by any other means connected to the aforesaid
system components
or otherwise connected to the locker system defined in or to the predefined
location systems defined
In COMPONENT 6, as a means of recording user identification and for the use of
the processes
described In COMPONENT 1, COMPONENT 2 , COMPONENT 3, COMPONENT 4, COMPONENT 5,
and by
COMPONENT 8)
9

CA 02300440 2000-02-25
b) The use of any of the said input either or both as a mechanism for the
purpose of user identification
and as a payment mechanism to debit or credit the user as per established
commercial practices by
processes integral to or linked to the processes described in COMPONENT 1,
COMPONENT 2,
COMPONENT 3, by COMPONENT 4, COMPONENT 5, and by COMPONENT 8
c) The input of a pre-established user grouping record code created and
established in COMPONENT 2 or
COMPONENT 3 or on an associated system, through one or more of many input
systems connected to
the system component described In COMPONENT 7 as a means of invoking the
processes of
COMPONENT 8 g) .
Description of the process and the system using the said components
Commodities for rental or for purchase are selected from a variety of choices
presented through a vendor's
computerized sales system accessed over the Internet , on a dedicated network
or at a stand alone
computer system where the user inputs details of an order for transmission to
the vendor. As part of the
ordering process the user may be presented with COMPONENT 1 and performs all
or any of the required
operations upon said component. The said component may also be presented as a
part of the vendor's
return or commodity acceptance system. The order or return is confirmed with
the provider. These details
are then linked to details of the order and details of the commodities being
ordered by using COMPONENT 2
or COMPONENT 3. An user grouping record may also be created by combining sets
of consignments for
users based on pick -up locations and times to provide means for a delivery
agent to pick -up
consignments for a number of users at the same time as described in COMPONENT
9 c) AND COMPONENT 8
9)~
The ordered commodities are packaged with a label created by COMPONENT 4
containing a code to link the
physical consignment to the delivery details by means of said label being
affixed to the package or the
commodities are packed in a labeled bin as described in COMPONENT 5 . A link
is established between the
commodities and the container containing more than one packaged commodity by
scanning the labels on
the commodities and the container or by generating and affixing a label
containing a linking code for the
container or by predefining the container as described In COMPONENT 4. The
package is then transported to
a facility having either lockers or predefined locations or a combination of
these as described in COMPONENT
6 and connected to a computerized processing system described In COMPONENT 7,
empty lockers or
predefined locations, some of which may be refrigerated or otherwise
temperature controlled are loaded
with the consignments or containers containing consignments. Consignments or
containers containing
consignments are either loaded manually or by mechanical means, means for
these defined in COMPONENT
6, into pre-designated lockers or pre-defined locations or an association is
established between the locker
or pre-defined location and the consignment or container containing
consignments by scanning the labels
on the package and on the filled locker or pre -defined location as defined in
COMPONENT 8 a). The
association created as defined in COMPONENT 8 a) between the
packages/containers and the locker or pre

CA 02300440 2000-02-25
-defined location is updated on one or more computer systems integrated into
this computerized system as
defined in COMPONENT 7, using either wireless or wired data transmission and
is available to the facility's
computerized processing systems and to all systems connected to the said
system. The state of displays
and mechanisms of relevant components of COMPONENT 6 will also be set by the
processes of COMPONENT
8 d).
The facility will contain one or more system interface terminals, connected to
a computerized processing
system as defined in COMPONENT 7 and will provide the ability for the user to
communicate with the facility's
processing components as described in said COMPONENT 7. When the user arrives
at the facility to pick up
or deposit commodities, the user is identified to the processing facility by
scanning a credit/debit
mechanism or any other ID mechanism previously recorded by the service company
as described by
COMPONENT 8 b) and COMPONENT 9. The user is then provided with details of the
lockers containing
consignments awaiting pick -up and is provided access to the lockers by the
processes described in
COMPONENT 8 c) said actions will also activate the processes of COMPONENT 8
d). Depending on the level of
security installed by the service company at that location the user finds the
lockers already unlocked, or
unlocks the lockers by entering the access mechanism presented along with the
locker number and
location.
At some facilities all or part of the consignments awaiting the user will be
stored in defined locations and
delivered, using a mechanical conveyor system, as defined in COMPONENT 6b) and
COMPONENT 6c), or
manually, or by using a combination of the processes, to the loading and
unloading bay described in
COMPONENT 6 c) where the user is located within the facility, as identified to
the system and to the user
through a terminal located at the facility or by pre-arrangement, or by
determining where the identification
process described in COMPONENT 8 b) is initiated by the user.
If the user's consignment is in a locker as described in COMPONENT 6a), the
user takes the consignment out
of the locker and shuts the locker door activating sensors and mechanisms
which provides input to the
system as to the state of the locker by the processes of COMPONENT 8 d). The
state of the locker is also
communicated to processing systems linked to the locker by any means by said
of COMPONENT 8 d) and
related components.
If the package is contained in a returnable bin, as described In COMPONENT 5,
the user deposits the bin in a
receptacle and this return is recorded using a label scanner built into the
receptacle to read the label on the
container. The receptacle will also incorporate container dispensing
mechanisms and record the label of
the dispensed container for the purpose of linking this to other records and
transactions as described as
COMPONENT 6 d)
11

CA 02300440 2000-02-25
The user can make arrangements for deposits for pickup and processing by pre-
arrangement with the
service company through COMPONENT 1, COMPONENT 2 and COMPONENT 3 or through
the system interface
terminals at the facility described In COMPONENT 7. The process for
identification for deposits in will be as
deSCrlbed In COMPONENT 8 f) and COMPONENT 9.
The user will specify requisite details related to the commodity being dropped
off using COMPONENT 6 and
requirements for the type of locker and containers, said details being
processed by COMPONENT 8 e) and
COMPONENT 8 f).
All arrangements for pick -up and drop -off can be made either at a system
interface terminal as described
In COMPONENT 7 located at the facility or located elsewhere and connected to
any other system connected
to any system which in turn is connected to the facility's processing systems
by any means as described in
COMPONENT 1, COMPONENT 2, COMPONENT 3 and COMPONENT 7.
An user will also be able to access dispensing ,vending or service machines
either connected or not
connected to the processing facility described in COMPONENT 7 to dispense
and/or vend commodities and to
provide services to the user when at that location as specified in COMPONENT 6
c) and In COMPONENT 6 e).
All computerized processing systems used in this system are interconnected,
either through the Internet or
by other means to facilitate availability of any information at any point and
at any time where required within
this system or to other systems
12

Representative Drawing

Sorry, the representative drawing for patent document number 2300440 was not found.

Administrative Status

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Please note that "Inactive:" events refers to events no longer in use in our new back-office solution.

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Event History , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Event History

Description Date
Inactive: IPC expired 2023-01-01
Inactive: IPC deactivated 2012-01-07
Inactive: First IPC from PCS 2012-01-01
Inactive: IPC from PCS 2012-01-01
Inactive: IPC expired 2012-01-01
Inactive: IPC assigned 2011-08-24
Inactive: IPC removed 2011-08-16
Inactive: IPC deactivated 2011-07-29
Inactive: IPC from MCD 2006-03-12
Inactive: IPC from MCD 2006-03-12
Inactive: IPC from MCD 2006-03-12
Inactive: IPC from MCD 2006-03-12
Inactive: First IPC derived 2006-03-12
Time Limit for Reversal Expired 2003-02-25
Application Not Reinstated by Deadline 2003-02-25
Inactive: Adhoc Request Documented 2002-12-02
Inactive: Adhoc Request Documented 2002-09-19
Deemed Abandoned - Failure to Respond to Maintenance Fee Notice 2002-02-25
Application Published (Open to Public Inspection) 2001-08-25
Inactive: Cover page published 2001-08-24
Inactive: First IPC assigned 2000-04-20
Inactive: Office letter 2000-04-04
Inactive: Filing certificate - No RFE (English) 2000-03-29
Filing Requirements Determined Compliant 2000-03-29
Application Received - Regular National 2000-03-28

Abandonment History

Abandonment Date Reason Reinstatement Date
2002-02-25

Fee History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Paid Date
Application fee - small 2000-02-25
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
BHASKARA SHYAMSUNDAR
Past Owners on Record
None
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Claims 2000-02-25 7 433
Abstract 2000-02-25 1 5
Description 2000-02-25 11 692
Cover Page 2001-08-17 1 19
Filing Certificate (English) 2000-03-29 1 163
Notice: Maintenance Fee Reminder 2001-11-27 1 121
Courtesy - Abandonment Letter (Maintenance Fee) 2002-03-25 1 182
Second Notice: Maintenance Fee Reminder 2002-08-27 1 117
Notice: Maintenance Fee Reminder 2002-11-26 1 115
Correspondence 2000-03-29 1 9