Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
DEVICE FOR USE WITH AN AUTOMATED SECURED PACKAGE
DELIVERY SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for use with an
automated secured package delivery system, and, more
particularly, to a device for use in conjunction with a parcel
receptacle apparatus in an automated secured package delivery
system, which can provide simultaneous confirmation and data to
the purchaser, shipper and others, if desired, and which can
immediately inform both a purchaser and shipper of situations
where delivery items are placed at a point of delivery which are
too large to be accommodated within the parcel receptacle
apparatus (a container).
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
It is well known that parcel or package delivery services
have become commonplace in recent years, however in some cases
these services have difficulty delivering to individual homes
as, for example, the occupant of the home is often not there at
the time of delivery and thus a carrier may have to visit the
home multiple times to effect delivery. In other situations, a
parcel delivery person may leave a parcel unattended, which may
be stolen, causing inconvenience for the occupant and cost for
the retailer. As such, parcel theft and the security of
parcels/packages has become a challenge for both retailers and
consumers.
It is known that some retailers have resorted to placing
containers at a predetermined location, such as a grocery store
or post office. The parcel recipient then receives a message
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that the parcel has been delivered to the predetermined
location. The parcel recipient then travels to and retrieves the
parcel from the predetermined location. However, this can be
inconvenient to the purchaser. In other situations it is also
known to place package/parcel deliveries in a lockable container
present at a home upon delivery. However, this generally
requires manual locking and unlocking of such a container which
may not be convenient for either the delivery person or a
purchaser, who may wish to have someone else retrieve the
delivered package sooner than when the purchaser returns to the
home. Further such systems do not provide each of the shipper
and purchaser with definitive confirmation that safe and secure
delivery has been effected. Moreover, such systems do not also
provide the use of a device which can safely and immediately
inform both a purchaser and shipper of situations where delivery
items are placed at a point of delivery which are too large to
be accommodated within a container for such receiving purposes.
Accordingly, there is a need for a device for use with an
automated secured package delivery system, and, more
particularly, to a device for use in conjunction with a parcel
receptacle apparatus in an automated secured package delivery
system, which can provide simultaneous confirmation and data to
the purchaser, shipper and others, if desired, and which can
immediately inform both a purchaser and shipper of situations
where delivery items are placed at a point of delivery which are
too large to be accommodated within a container. To this end,
the present invention effectively addresses this need.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A general object and advantage of the present invention is
to provide an improved device for use with an automated secured
package delivery system, which can safely and immediately inform
both a purchaser and shipper of situations where delivery items
are placed at a point of delivery which are too large to be
accommodated within a container.
A still further object and advantage of the present
invention is to provide an improved device for use in
conjunction with a parcel receptacle apparatus in an automated
secured package delivery system which can provide simultaneous
confirmation and data to the purchaser, shipper and others, if
desired.
A still further object and advantage of the present
invention is to provide an improved automated secured package
delivery system, and an apparatus for receiving a delivery item,
which can receive and protect temperature and humidity sensitive
packages and to record and transmit status of said package, and
which has anti-vandal and anti-theft features.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an automated package delivery system utilizing a device
comprising the steps of delivering an item to a purchaser
accessible entity for a purchaser of the item, the purchaser
accessible entity and the device being constructed and arranged
to be accessible over a network and in communication with each
other; delivering to at least each of the purchaser and a
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shipper of the item a confirmation of the delivery of the item
over the network; and wherein, when the item to be delivered
exceeds a capacity of the purchaser accessible entity to be
stored therein, the item can be positioned proximate to the
purchaser accessible entity and detectable by the device, and
the purchaser and the shipper of the item are notified of the
non-secure delivery of the item over the network when within a
pre-set range.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an automated package delivery system utilizing a
device comprising the steps of delivering an item to a purchaser
accessible entity for a purchaser of the item, the purchaser
accessible entity and the device being constructed and arranged
to be accessible over a network and in communication with each
other; delivering to at least each of the purchaser and a
shipper of the item a confirmation of the delivery of the item
over the network; providing at least one of an RFID tracking tag
and NFC tracking tag to the item; and wherein, when the item to
be delivered exceeds a capacity of the purchaser accessible
entity to be stored therein, the item can be positioned
proximate to the purchaser accessible entity and detectable by
the device, and the purchaser and the shipper of the item are
notified of the non-secure delivery of the item over the network
when within a pre-set range.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a device for confirming delivery of a delivery item
to a package receptacle apparatus at a site proximate to the
apparatus, the device comprising a processor; a network
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connection in communication with the processor; and a
confirmation module in communication with the processor and the
network connection for delivering to at least each of a
purchaser and a shipper of the delivery item a confirmation of
the delivery of the delivery item to the site proximate to the
apparatus.
According to a still further aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a kit for providing an automated
package delivery system comprising a purchaser accessible entity
for a purchaser of a delivery item; a device for confirming
delivery of the delivery item to the purchaser accessible entity
at a site proximate to the purchaser accessible entity, the
purchaser accessible entity and the device being constructed and
arranged to be accessible over a network and in communication
with each other, and being operably able to deliver to at least
each of the purchaser and a shipper of the delivery item a
confirmation of the delivery item over the network; and wherein,
when the delivery item to be delivered exceeds a capacity of the
purchaser accessible entity to be stored therein, the delivery
item can be positioned proximate to the purchaser accessible
entity and detectable by the device, and the purchaser and the
shipper of the delivery item are notified of the non-secure
delivery of the delivery item over the network when within a
pre-set range.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described
below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
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Figure I illustrates a first embodiment of the automated
secured package delivery system and weathertight receptacle
apparatus of the present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates an overview of the arrival of the
delivery of the delivered item to the receptacle apparatus
of the present invention;
Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of a device for use in
conjunction with the receptacle apparatus in the automated
secured package delivery system of the present invention;
and
Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of a user receiving
confirmation of the delivery of a delivery item over the
network.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention relates to a device for use with an
automated secured package delivery system that can provide
simultaneous confirmation to the purchaser, shipper and others of
the delivery of an item, if desired, and which can immediately
inform both a purchaser and shipper of situations where delivery
items are placed at a point of delivery which are too large to be
accommodated within a receptacle container for use with the
automated secured package delivery system.
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to
Figures 1 and 2, the automated package delivery system, generally
designated by the reference numeral 1 in Figure 1, will firstly
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now be described, with the device 25 (as seen in Figure 3) for
use in conjunction with such system being described shortly. It
will be understood however, that both the device for use in
conjunction with the parcel receptacle apparatus in the automated
secured package delivery system, will each have the same
features, unless otherwise noted.
As seen in Figure 1, the customer 3, places an order for a
delivery item that is received by the supplier/distributor 5, who
then, in one embodiment, forwards the order to a dispatch company
7, who will later forward this order to the customer 3. It will
be understood however, that the supplier can merely dispatch such
an order themselves, such as through a shipping arm of their own
organization, such as Amazon utilizes, for example. Once this
order has been placed, a package for shipping is prepared
sporting, in one embodiment, an RFID (radio frequency
identification) tracking tag, or, in an exemplary embodiment, a
combination of an RFID tracking tag and NFC tracking tag (near
field communication (NFC) both of which are a wireless radio
communications standard. GPS tracking, bar codes, etc. could also
be utilized.
It is well known that retailers and parcel shipping
companies in particular prefer, as an example, barcodes and RFID
as a way to keep tabs on inventory supplies and shipments, as
they can be encoded with a unique code.
Once the delivery item is en route 11 to its destination 27,
the tracking tags 9 then provide the tracking (shipment)
information 13 to each of the purchaser/customer 3, and the
shipper/supplier 5. It will be understood that, with respect to
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the present invention, delivering an item entails shipping an
item 17 to a purchaser accessible entity for a purchaser of the
item 17, such as a container apparatus, bag or the like, which
could be located at, but is not limited to, a house, an
apartment, a mailbox, a lockbox, a vehicle or a place of
employment.
It will also be understood that the delivery system of the
present invention, and apparatus therefor (as well as the device
25 designed as a separate entity for use with such system, as
seen in Figure 3), is electronically connected to each other and
the Internet and/or other communications systems via wifi, radio,
router, bluetooth, etc., for example, through means of an
accessible network and processor interconnected therewith. In
respect of both the apparatus/receptacle 15 and the device 25, it
will be understood that these two units can each be supplied with
battery power, or hard wired for electrical power supply.
It will also be understood that, in one embodiment, the
delivery apparatus/receptacle 15 further comprises a door to
allow access to an interior part of the apparatus and comprises
an accessible lock, which can either be opened by keypad access
using a PIN number, for example, or a manual locking device, and
that the apparatus could come in numerous sizes and variations,
as would be apparent to one skilled in the art. It will also be
understood that access to the delivery receptacle 15 containing
the delivered item 17 can be via a key, a manually typed code, an
RFID or similar encoded tag (NFC tracking tag), biometrically
scanned fingerprint, iris reading or the like; or other data
transfer system or recipient recognition device that will unlock
the delivery apparatus/receptacle 15.
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In an exemplary embodiment, once a courier company or other
transport mode (even a drone) carries the delivery item 17 to the
destination, once this item is within, for example only, 100
meters of the destination 27 the customer's delivery apparatus,
as well as device 25, senses the impending delivery by means of
the tracking tag(s) sensed by the purchaser's network connection.
In such manner, the delivery item 17 is identified by this
tracking code sent to the customer 3 upon placement of the order.
At this point, the delivery service using the tracking tags is
notified that there is a delivery item 17 at the customer's
location 27, whereupon the electronic tag signal activates a
switch to unlock the apparatus 15, whereby the delivery item 17
can be delivered by the delivery service.
Once delivery has occurred, the tracking tags confirm the
delivery of the item 17, whereby, through the network and
processor associated with the receptacle apparatus 15, the
receptacle apparatus 15 receiving the item 17 may be closed and
locked 19. When a confirmation module of the processor can
confirm that secured delivery 21 has been effected, the network
connection delivers a verification of the recipient 23 to each of
the customer 3 and the shipper 5. It will be understood that, the
delivered item 17 must be confirmed to be in the receptacle
apparatus 15, through the NFC or RFID, before it can be locked.
After the container is locked, the network connection then
delivers a verification of the recipient 23 to each of the
customer 3 and the shipper 5.
In an exemplary embodiment, if the item 17 to be delivered
arrives and the container/apparatus 15 (or bag or the like) is
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full and the package (or packages) is too large in size to be
delivered within such a container/apparatus 15 (even if it
possesses multiple compartments within), the item can be laid
beside the container/apparatus 15. The RFID tag (since RFID-radio
frequency identification is a form of wireless communication that
incorporates the use of electromagnetic or electrostatic coupling
in the radio frequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum to
uniquely identify an object) on the parcel/item to be delivered
is operably able to communicates with the container 15 and the
device 25, (or bag or the like) when it is within a desired range
for example, under 1.5m or 5ft, though of course variations to
this range are possible). The container/apparatus 15, and the
device 25, in such circumstances, can identify the parcel/item 17
to be delivered and, based on what was described previously
herein, is able to ascertain exactly what the parcel/item 17
being delivered is, where it came from, and who it is to be
delivered to, (in the exact same manner for deliveries placed
within the container/apparatus 15, as previously described
herein). In this situation, the customer and shipper (eg.
Walmart, Loblaws or Amazon, for example purposes only) are
notified of the successful delivery and that the item
17 itself has been delivered unsecured, and is not in the
container/apparatus 15.
In this embodiment, the container/apparatus 15 will emit,
for example, an intermittent, continuous signal (such as beeping)
indicating that the externally placed package is still within the
desired range of the container/apparatus 15. It should be noted
that, in this situation, the onus is on the customer to retrieve
the item immediately in such an unsecured delivery scenario. In
the event that this externally placed package is removed by
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anyone not having or utilizing the previously described means of
access to the container/receptacle 15, then an alarm (audible
and/or otherwise) will sound and the customer and shipper of the
item will be immediately advised via the network connection by
either of the container/receptacle 15 or, more preferably, device
25. If there is surveillance video at the delivery
site at the time of theft, any particulars thereof will be
noted on the video/camera recording for later retrieval by either
(or both) of container/receptacle 15 or device 25.
In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 15 or device
25 (or both) further comprises a camera (whether within the
apparatus 15 or device 25, or remotely located within proximity
of each of these) in communication with each of the processor and
the network connection, whereby, once delivery has been effected,
the camera delivers to at least each of the purchaser 3 and the
shipper a confirmation of the delivery of the delivery item 17,
which is sent over the network connection, to provide a visual
proof of the delivery of the delivery item 17.
In an alternative embodiment proof of delivery that can be
sent by either the apparatus 15 or device 25 can include a packet
of information including the temperature & humidity within the
container apparatus 15 from time of delivery to the moment the
container apparatus 15 is opened by the authorized person.
Expanding upon this embodiment, the container apparatus 15 can be
environmentally controlled (heat, cooled and/or humidity),
whereby the container apparatus 15, by means of the processor and
its connection to the network, can be remotely activated by any
of the shipper or recipient 3 to ready the container's internal
environment for packages requiring a climate controlled
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environment. Moreover, the device 25 can further comprise a
temperature reader, to monitor the internal temperature of
apparatus 15. Further, the container's environment history can be
sent to any of the recipient 3 and shipper by either the
apparatus 15 or device 25 via the network connection (to verify
that conditions for such a delivery item 17 were maintained while
in the apparatus 15.
In addition, a barcode or a "smart chip" could also be
printed and placed on the exterior of the delivery item 17, to
aid in the shipping/scanning process. In a further embodiment,
the system and apparatus of the present invention (as well as the
device 25 for use in conjunction therewith) could encompass anti-
vandal and anti-theft features, whereby an alarm would sound, for
example, if unauthorized retrieval of the delivery item 17 is
attempted, and notification of such could be sent over the
network to any of the recipient 3 and shipper by either the
apparatus 15 or device 25.
As previously noted, the automated secured package
delivery can comprise delivery of a package/item without delivery
to a securable apparatus 15, enclosure, container or the like.
Delivery of the item 17 could be placed near/proximate to a
stand-alone, Internet connected, small device (or beside
apparatus 15) that simply confirms and identifies the
package delivery near/proximate to the device. In this scenario,
it should be noted that, the onus is on the customer to retrieve
the item immediately in such an unsecured delivery scenario. The
RFID tag or equivalent radio frequency tag on the parcel/item to
be delivered is operably able to communicate with the stand-
alone, Internet and network connected, small device 25 when it is
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within a desired, pre-set range, which be varied as needed. The
device 25, in such circumstance, can identify the parcel/item to
be delivered and, based on what was described previously herein,
is able to ascertain exactly what the parcel/item 17 being
delivered is, where came from, and who it is to be delivered to
(in the exact same manner for deliveries placed within or
proximate to the apparatus 15, as previously described herein).
In this situation, the customer 3 and shipper are notified of the
successful delivery and that the item itself has been delivered
unsecured, and is not in a container, but rather in proximity to
the device 25, as noted in Figure 4.
The device 25 itself would comprise numerous lights and
visual markers indicating activation, on/off status, whether a
package is present, or whether surveillance is activated, for
example, though it will be understood numerous variations to this
are possible. The device can also, if desired, possess a
push button option 29, which can be activated either physically
on the device itself or remotely, which would then activate the
device 25 to notify the customer 3 and shipper that the item 17
is present.
As can be seen in Figure 3, the device 25 is wall mounted
outside of a residence so as to be in proximity to the apparatus
15. However, configurations of the device, and placements
thereof, can be numerous and varied, as would be apparent to one
skilled in the art.
The device 25 can also emit, for example, an intermittent,
continuous signal (such as beeping) indicating that the
externally placed package is still within the desired range of
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the device. Such desired range determination could be effected by
means of a proximity sensor located on the device 25. In the
event that this externally placed package is removed by anyone
not having or utilizing the previously described means of access
to the delivered package, then an alarm (audible and/or
otherwise) will sound and the customer and shipper of the item
will be immediately advised. In a still further embodiment, the
device 25 also optionally includes a voice recognition component
(as would be understood by one skilled in the art) that could be
provided to at least one of the device 25 or the apparatus 15,
whereby electronic handshake communication between the device,
the apparatus 15, and associated other devices involved in the
system can be activated through a voice command code. One skilled
in the art would recognize that electronic handshake
communication entails signals being exchanged between devices to
establish a communication link.
It will also be understood that the delivery system of the
present invention, and apparatus and device therefore, could be
implemented and utilized through use of "blockchain" or bluetooth
technology. Of course, in this embodiment, it would be understood
by one skilled in the art that a "blockchain" is a decentralized,
distributed and public digital ledger used to record transactions
across many computers so that any involved record cannot be
altered retroactively, without the alteration of all subsequent
blocks. Such a system would allow the participants to verify and
audit transactions independently and relatively inexpensively,
and the blockchain database could be managed autonomously using a
peer-to-peer network and a distributed timestamping server.
In a still further embodiment, the delivery system of the
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present invention, and apparatus and device therefore, may
feature lights and/or sounds that indicate the readiness of the
apparatus to accept packages, and to indicate whether or not a
package has been secured. In a further embodiment, the system and
apparatus may also be utilized have a scale function associated
therewith to provide confirmation of a package's weight.
In a still further embodiment, the device 25 further entails
a "return to shipper" option, whereby customers returning items
to the shipper would have the device 25, through either itself or
by means of a network connection to a printer, print off a bar
code to be placed on the to be returned package. In addition, the
apparatus 15 itself can also provide the same function. In this
"return to sender" scenario, the bar code would be scanned and
any of the device 25 or apparatus 15 would notify the shipper to
arrange for pickup of the item 17. It will be understood that, in
addition to a bar code, various other utilizations could be
effected, such as a label, a QR code, a datamatrix code, or other
machine readable optical labels that contain information about
the item to which it is attached, or other contemplations, as
would be apparent to one skilled in the art.
In a still further embodiment of the present invention, the
device 25 (or apparatus 15), provides a feature, for example,
whereby home residences or home based businesses would
be able to ship from their doorstep. In this scenario, either of
these devices would facilitate that a label be printed off,
either on their own or over the Internet connection/network,
and attached to a package to be delivered. The device 25 (or
apparatus 15) would scan and read the label, the courier or
delivery service would be automatically notified, and the package
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would then be picked up.
The present invention has been described herein with regard
to preferred embodiments. However, it will be obvious to persons
skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications
can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as
described herein.
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