Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SYS _________________ IEM OPERA __ TED RESPONSIVE TO DATA BEARING RECORDS
IECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a depository apparatus and system that operates to
control and record the receipt
and removal of deposit items in response to data bearing records. Exemplary
arrangements relate to systems that
facilitate the pickup and delivery of items.
BACKGROUND
Depositories that operate to accept deposit items from users have been
implemented in a number of
different business environments. Commonly depositories are implemented for
receiving items that are to be
provided to an owner of the depository. For example, depositories have been
implemented to receive financial
deposits, utility bill payments or other items of value which are to be
provided only to the bank, utility company or
other entity that operates the depository. Generally the depositories are
implemented so that once an item has been
deposited therein by the user, only an authorized representative of the
depository operator is enabled to access the
deposited items and remove them from the depository for further processing.
Various endeavors have been made to improve depositories and the processes
associated with the receipt
and removal of deposit items. However, depositories and depository systems may
benefit from improvements.
SUMMARY
The exemplary arrangements described herein relate to a depositories and
associated systems that operate
to accept and make available deposit items such as parcels to authorized users
responsive at least in part to data read
from data bearing records. Each exemplary depository includes a body that
bounds an interior area which is
configured to hold deposit items. The exemplary interior area includes a
plurality of compartments each of which is
accessible through a respective opening. Access through the opening to each
compartment interior area is controlled
by a respective door that is mounted in connection with the body and is
movable between open and closed positions.
An electronic lock is associated with each door. The lock is selectively
changeable between locked and unlocked
conditions. In the locked condition the lock is operative to hold the door in
the closed position preventing access to
the compartment.
The exemplary depository is in operative connection at least one sensor
comprising a reading device. The
reading device is configured to read indicia on items such as parcels that are
positionable within the interior area.
However, other exemplary arrangements may include other types of sensors
including multiple sensors. The
exemplary embodiment further includes at least one input device. The at least
one input device is usable to input
data which enables authorized users to access the interior area of the
depository.
In the exemplary arrangement the depository includes control circuitry. The
control circuitry is in
operative connection with the at least one reading device, the at least one
input device, each of the locks and at least
one wireless communication device. Responsive to the receipt of user
identifying information from data bearing
records through the at least one input device, the control circuitry is
operative to cause an access determination to be
made that the received user identifying information corresponds to stored data
associated with an authorized user
that is authorized to access the interior area of the depository. Responsive
at least in part to the determination that
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the data bearing record data corresponds to an authorized user, a lock
associated with at least one compartment is
changed from the locked condition to the unlocked condition such that the
authorized user can open the door and
access the compartment interior area.
The exemplary control circuitry is further operative to receive from the at
least one reading device item
indicia from a deposit item that is either being placed in or removed from the
interior area. The exemplary control
circuitry is further operative responsive to the at least one reading device
to determine an action status indicative of
whether the deposit item is removed from or placed into the interior area. An
item determination is made through
operation of the control circuitry concerning whether the item indicia that is
read from the deposit item corresponds
to stored data associated with a deposit item to be placed into or removed
from the interior area of the depository by
the authorized user.
Once the deposit item has been placed in or removed from the interior area of
the depository, the door is
closed and the control circuitry is operative to return the lock to the locked
condition. A system in operative
connection with the exemplary control circuitry is operative to track the
status of the deposit item. This may include
for example, tracking transport of the deposit item to another depository into
which the item can be deposited by the
authorized user who removed it from the first depository, so that the item may
then undergo further processing
activity. Alternatively, the system may enable a further authorized user to
access and remove a deposit item that had
been previously placed in the depository, and track the receipt of the deposit
item by an authorized user that is the
authorized recipient of the item. Alternative depositories may include one or
a plurality of interior areas the access to
each of which is selectively controlled by a respective door and a respective
lock.
Exemplary embodiments of the control circuitry associated with the depository
enable determining the
available space in the interior area. This enables evaluating whether the
depository or a compartment therein has
space available to accept a further deposit item prior to a user who is
seeking to deposit an item being directed to the
depository. Other exemplary arrangements include one or more indicators which
operate responsive to the control
circuitry and the at least one reading device, to provide indications to users
that they have placed or removed proper
deposit items from the interior area. Other exemplary arrangements include the
ability for the depository to provide
audit information that includes identifying indicia associated with deposit
items currently positioned in the interior
area, as well as data regarding items previously placed in or removed from the
depository. Exemplary arrangements
may also capture and store images of users and deposit items to further
provide records of activities conducted at the
depository. Further exemplary arrangements provide information to item
carriers that transport items between
depositories and that pickup and delivery deposit items at customer locations
In accordance with an aspect of an exemplary system, there is provided a
parcel transaction monitor, for a
monitored-access parcel depository which may alternatively or referred to
herein as a repository. The repository
may include at least one controller with a sensor/actuator array operable to
monitor parcel transactions for at least
one of parcel delivery or parcel extraction transactions in relation the
associated repository.
The exemplary monitor provides for at least one of: an incipient transaction
detection module for
prospectively detecting an incipient parcel transaction in relation to the
repository of an at least one of a possible
parcel for delivery transaction, or a possible parcel carrier intent on a
repository parcel transaction; a parcel
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transaction characterization module for differentially characterizing a parcel
transaction; or, a parcel-inventory and
transaction-recording module for sensing a change in repository parcel
inventory resulting from a repository parcel
transaction.
Aspects of the exemplary systems include an incipient transaction detection
module comprised of a
controller and sensor/actuator array for use with a controlled-access parcel
repository and including an at least one
sensor for detecting proximity of a possible parcel for delivery or a possible
parcel carrier intent on a repository
parcel transaction.
Aspects of the exemplary systems further include a parcel transaction
characterization module comprised of
a controller and sensor/actuator array for use with a controlled-access parcel
repository, and including at least one
.. automated sensor operable to facilitate at least one of package or carrier
identification sensing of a corresponding at
least one of a possible package or possible carrier presenting at said
repository, wherein said module differentiates
sensed identification sensor input thereof to characterize the impending
transaction and variously facilitate related
operations by the controller/array.
Aspects of the exemplary systems also related to a parcel-inventory and
transaction-recording module, for
use with a controlled-access parcel repository, wherein said controller/array
includes at least one sensor for sensing a
change in package inventory resulting from a repository parcel transaction.
Aspects of the exemplary systems also extend to an accessibility control, for
a controlled-access parcel
repository, and including at least one controller with a sensor/actuator array
operable to selectively control access to
said parcel repository, and comprised of at least one controller with a
sensor/actuator array operable to facilitate
.. controlled-access parcel transactions for at least one of parcel delivery
or parcel extraction transactions in relation to
said repository, and providing a parcel transaction characterization module
for facilitating selective locking and
unlocking operations of a repository lock actuator, in association with
authorized parcel transactions characterized
by said parcel transaction characterization module.
Other aspects of the exemplary systems extend to combinations of the monitor
and/or its various modules
with parcel repositories, a controller/array for use in relation to same, and
the various operations thereof attendant
parcel delivery transactions.
Other aspects of the exemplary systems extend to combinations of the
repository, wireless communications
portals, cameras, sensors, and circuitry including a clock and a data store.
In these exemplary combinations, the
exemplary system is operative to determine a plurality of occurrence types
responsive to detections of conditions by
the at least one sensor and determination of conditions by the circuit, and to
store data and take actions
corresponding to the determined occurrence type.
Numerous other features and arrangements may be used in exemplary systems to
provide reliable, cost-
effective deposit and item tracking capabilities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a depository of an exemplary embodiment with
access to the interior area
thereof closed, and a portable wireless device which may be used in
conjunction with operation of the depository.
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Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but with the interior area of the
depository accessible from outside the
depository.
Figure 3 is a schematic view of exemplary control circuitry used in connection
with the depository.
Figure 4 is a schematic view of a network in which the exemplary depository
may be operative.
Figure 5 is a plan view of a portable wireless device that is usable by an
authorized user of the depository in
connection with obtaining access thereto for placing items into or removing
items from the interior area of the
depository.
Figure 6 is a schematic view of the circuitry associated with the device of
Figure 5 and an associated
system for producing data bearing records that can be associated with deposit
items.
Figure 7 is a plan view of the portable wireless device that may be used by an
authorized user to access the
interior area of a depository for purposes of taking deposit items therein for
transport.
Figure 8 is a schematic view of circuitry associated with the device of Figure
7, including the capabilities
for tracking the device and deposit items associated with the user thereof
Figure 9 is a schematic view of types of data bearing records included in an
exemplary system related to
authorized users who transport deposit items between depositories.
Figure 10 is a schematic view listing types of data bearing records included
in an exemplary system
associated with depositories related to authorized users who place deposit
items in depositories for subsequent
transport and/or who remove items from depositories for purposes of receiving
such items.
Figure 11 is a schematic view listing types of data bearing records included
in an exemplary system which
relate to entities that are the owners of the exemplary depositories.
Figures 12 through 28 are a schematic representation of logic flow carried out
by the control circuitry of the
exemplary depository, associated central system circuitry and devices operated
by authorized users who place
deposit items into and/or remove deposit items from the depositories.
Figures 28 through 30 are a schematic representation logic flow carried out by
the control circuitry of an
exemplary depository, associated central system circuitry and devices operated
by authorized users in connection
with removing a deposit item from a depository.
Figures 31 through 34 are a schematic representation of logic flow carried out
by the control circuitry of the
exemplary depository, associated central system circuitry and devices operated
by authorized users in connection
with delivery and payment associated with a deposit item placed in the
depository.
Figure 35 is a block schematic overview depicting the modules in association
with the controller and
sensor/actuator array.
Figure 36 is a perspective view of a repository embodiment according to
aspects of exemplary systems.
Figure 37 is an exploded perspective view of the repository depicted in Figure
36.
Figure 38 is perspective view of the repository shown in Figure 36, with a
parcel delivery chute door in a
partially opened position.
Figure 39 is a perspective view of the repository shown in Figure 36, with a
parcel delivery chute door in a
fully opened position.
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Figure 40 is a block diagram representation of a controller board according to
an exemplary arrangement.
Figure 41 is a diagrammatic representation of a controller board
processor/memory and peripherals
interface.
Figure 42 is a block diagram representation of control, data, and address
messaging between a processor, a
peripherals interface and peripheral I/O devices.
Figure 43 is a block diagram of a controller board according to an exemplary
arrangement, showing various
peripherals, interface bus examples, power supply and a number of examples of
peripherals.
Figure 44 is a detailed layout of an exemplary embodiment showing a controller
board with connections to
various peripherals, a connection to a delivery lock box and its associated
peripherals.
Figures 45-48 are views of an alternative item repository including a
plurality of selectively accessible
interior areas for housing delivery items.
Figure 49 is a schematic view of a system for the delivery of delivery items.
Figure 50 is a schematic view of system circuitry associated with a delivery
item system.
Figure 51 is a perspective view of an exemplary repository according to an
alternative exemplary
arrangement including various exemplary cameras, sensors, and associated
devices and systems.
Figure 52 is a schematic view listing types of data bearing records included
in an exemplary system
according to the alternative exemplary arrangement which relate to occurrence
data corresponding to occurrence
types.
Figure 53 is a schematic view listing types of data bearing records included
in an exemplary system
according to the alternative exemplary arrangement which relate to data stored
in the data store corresponding to
actions executable by a at least one circuit in response to a determined
occurrence type.
Figure 54 is a schematic representation of logic flow carried out by at least
one circuit in operative
connection with an exemplary repository and associated sensors according to
the alternative exemplary arrangement.
Figures 55-56 is a schematic representation of an alternative logic flow
carried out by at least one circuit in
operative connection with the exemplary repository.
Figures 57-58 is a schematic representation of an alternative exemplary logic
flow.
Figures 59 are a schematic representation of logic flow carried out by at
least one circuit in operative
connection with the exemplary repository.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Figure 1, there is shown
therein an exemplary depository
generally indicated 10. A depository is alternatively referred to herein as a
repository. The exemplary depository
includes a body 12 which bounds an interior area 14 (see Figure 2). As will be
later discussed, the depository may
include a plurality of interior areas. The interior area 14 is accessible from
outside the body 12 through an opening
16. A door 18 is movably mounted in operative connection with the body through
hinged connections. The door 18
is sized for closing the opening 16 when the door is in a closed position as
shown in Figure 1. The door 18 is
movable to an open position shown in Figure 2 in which at least a portion of
the door is disposed from the opening
16 and the interior area 14 is accessible from outside the body 12. In some
exemplary arrangements, the repository
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further includes a spring 19. In exemplary arrangements, the spring 19 is in
operative connection with the door 18
and the body 12, and is operative to bias the respective door toward the open
position.
The exemplary depository 10 further includes at least one input device 20. In
the exemplary embodiment
the at least one input device includes a manually accessible input device that
is operatively accessible when the door
is in the closed position. In some exemplary embodiments the at least one
input device 20 includes a keypad
through which codes can be manually input. Further in exemplary arrangements
the at least one input device
includes a radio frequency (RF) input device that is operative to communicate
wireless signals with a portable
wireless device 22. In some exemplary arrangements the RF input device may
include a device that is operative to
communicate signals via a Bluetooth, NFC, WiFi, cellular or other wireless
communication method.
In other exemplary embodiments input devices may include other types of
readers or devices that are
operative to receive or read indicia. Exemplary input devices include without
limitation, card readers, token readers,
barcode readers, infrared readers or other types of devices that may receive
inputs that are usable to determine
whether access to the depository should be provided. Of course it should be
understood that multiple different types
of input devices may be used in operative connection with a single depository
depending on the access requirements
thereto.
The exemplary depository further includes an electrically actuated lock 24. In
the exemplary embodiment
the lock is changeable between a locked condition in which the door 18 is held
in a closed position, and an unlocked
condition in which the door is enabled to be moved from the closed position to
the open position. The exemplary
depository is in operative connection with at least one sensor which comprises
a reading device 26. The reading
device is alternatively referred to herein as a reader. In the exemplary
embodiment the at least one reading device
may include a plurality of image capture devices including at least one
camera. In other exemplary arrangements
the reader may comprise a portable wireless device. The at least one reading
device of the exemplary arrangement
is usable to read machine readable indicia 28 that is included on deposit
items 30. Machine readable indicia 28 on a
deposit item is alternatively referred to herein as parcel indicia. In
exemplary arrangements the reading devices 26
are operative to read indicia such as bar codes (including without limitation
two-dimensional bar codes and QR
codes) that are included on deposit items which are alternatively referred to
herein as parcels. Further in some
exemplary arrangements the at least one reading device is operative to capture
information usable to make a status
determination that a deposit item is removed from or placed into the interior
area of the depository. It should be
understood however that although in the exemplary embodiment the sensors
comprising reading devices operate to
read visible indicia and capture images, in other arrangements other types of
reading devices that read different
types of signals or indicia may be utilized. This may include for example,
card readers, fingerprint readers or other
types of biometric readers including cameras or microphones, LIDAR image
capture devices and readers that are
capable of communicating using wireless signals such as the wireless input
devices previously discussed.
The exemplary depository 10 further includes at least one indicator 32. As
later discussed, the at least one
indicator is an output device operative to provide an indication as to whether
a deposit item that is being placed in or
removed from the interior area of the depository is a correct item to be
removed by the particular user who has
accessed the depository. The exemplary depository further includes at least
one sensor that comprises a weight
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sensor 43. The exemplary weight sensor 43 is operative to detect the addition
or removal of weight to the interior
area 14. The exemplary at least one weight sensor is also usable to determine
the weight of one or more items that
are within an interior area of the depository. In some alternative exemplary
arrangements, the weight sensor 43 is
usable to determine a total weight of the depository so as to be able to
detect the addition or removal of weight from
any of a plurality of the interior areas within a depository.
The exemplary depository further includes a wireless communication device 34.
The wireless
communication device which is alternatively referred to herein as a wireless
communication portal or a wireless
communication interface is operative to enable the control circuitry
associated with the depository to communicate
with one or more local or remote systems, remote circuits, portable wireless
devices, or other devices as later
discussed. Exemplary depository 10 further includes solar panels 36. The
exemplary solar panels 36 are in
supported connection with the door 18 or the body 12 and are suitable for
providing electrical power to the
depository from exposure of the solar panels to sunlight. In the exemplary
arrangement a manually engageable
handle 38 is in operative connection with the door 18 to facilitate the manual
opening and closing thereof by
authorized users. Of course it should be understood that these depository
devices and configurations are exemplary
and in other embodiments other configurations may be used. Further, it should
be further understood that the
exemplary depository may be in operative connection, or associated with
numerous other types of sensors.
As shown schematically in Figure 3 the exemplary depository is in operative
correction with control
circuitry 40. The control circuitry is alternatively referred to herein as at
least one circuit. The exemplary control
circuitry includes one or more circuits which are operative to communicate
electrical signals and control the
operation of the devices of the depository. In the exemplary arrangement the
control circuitry 40 includes at least
one circuit including at least one processor schematically indicated 42 and at
least one data store schematically
indicated 44. In exemplary arrangements the processor may include a processor
suitable for carrying out circuit
executable instructions that are stored in the one or more associated data
stores. The processor includes or is in
operative connection with a non-volatile storage medium including instructions
that include a basic input/output
system (BIOS). For example, the processor may correspond to one or more of a
combination of a CPU, FPGA,
ASIC or any other integrated circuit or other type of circuit that is capable
of processing data and instructions. The
one or more data stores may correspond to one or more of volatile or non-
volatile memories such as random access
memory, flash memory, magnetic memory, optical memory, solid state memory or
other devices that are operative
to store computer executable instructions and data. Processor executable
instructions may include instructions in
any of a plurality of programming languages and formats including, without
limitation, routines, subroutines,
programs, scripts, threads of execution, objects, methodologies and functions
which carry out the actions such as
those described herein. Structures for processors may include, correspond to
and utilize the principles described in
the textbook entitled Microprocessor Architecture, Programming and
Applications with the 8085 by Ramesh S.
Gaonker (Prentice Hall 2002), which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety. Exemplary arrangements
may include processors made by Intel Corporation, Advanced Micro Devices or
other suitable processors. Of
course it should be understood that these processors are exemplary of many
types of processors that may be used.
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The exemplary data stores used in connection with exemplary embodiments may
include one or more of
several types of mediums suitable for holding computer executable instructions
which are alternatively referred to as
circuit executable instructions, and data. Such instructions and data may be
non-transitory. These may include for
example, magnetic media, optical media, solid-state media or other types of
media such as RAM, ROM, PROM,
flash memory, computer hard drives or any other form of media suitable for
holding data and circuit executable
instructions. Exemplary control circuitry may include other components such as
hardware and/or software
interfaces for communication with devices within the depository or for
communication with external devices and
systems. The exemplary control circuitry 40 further includes a clock 46. The
clock is operative to provide time
functions in connection with operation of the depository and associated
systems as later discussed.
As represented in Figure 3 the control circuitry 40 is in operative connection
with the at least one input
device 20, the lock 24 and the at least one sensor including the at least one
reading device 26. The control circuitry
40 is further in operative connection with the at least one indicator 32, the
at least one weight sensor 43 and the at
least one wireless communication device 34. In the exemplary arrangement the
devices of the depository and the
control circuitry are powered by a battery 48. The battery 48 is in operative
connection with the solar panels 36.
The control circuitry is operative to control the delivery of power to the
battery such that the battery maintains a
suitable power level for operating the depository during both light and
darkness. In addition, the battery may be
operative to provide electrical power to the at least one circuit when the at
least one circuit does not receive
electrical power from a power cord, utility line power source, or other power
source. However other embodiments
may include other power sources, including the ability to connect to a
suitable available supply of household current
or other power for purposes of operating the depository.
While the exemplary depository includes a single interior area for holding
deposit items, other depositories
may have other configurations. Such other configurations may include a
plurality of interior areas or compartments,
each of which are accessible via a respective opening, each of which opening
has an associated closable door,
drawer or other closure member, each of which is referred to herein as a door
for brevity. Exemplary arrangements
of depositories including a plurality of interior areas are discussed
hereafter in this detailed description.
Figure 4 shows schematically an exemplary network 50 in which depository 10
may be operated. It should
be understood that this exemplary network arrangement is shown schematically
and in exemplary arrangements the
network may include a plurality of interconnected networks.
In the exemplary arrangement a plurality of depositories 10, 52, 54, 56 and 58
are in operative connection
with the network. In exemplary arrangements all these depositories may be
similar to depository 10 previously
discussed. The control circuitry associated with each of the depositories is
operative to communicate in the network
through the respective wireless communication device associated with the
depository. Of course it should be
understood that in other arrangements the depositories may be in operative
connection with one or more networks
via other wired or wireless communication methods. Further it should be
understood that exemplary embodiments
.. may include a much larger number of depositories than is represented in
Figure 4.
The exemplary network 50 is in operative connection with central system
circuitry 60. The exemplary
central circuitry includes one or more processors and data stores of the types
previously discussed. In some
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arrangements the central system circuitry 60 which is alternatively referred
to herein as central circuitry or as at least
one remote circuit, may include one or more servers with associated data
stores 62 that perform the functions
hereinafter described. Exemplary arrangements may include central system
circuitry located at a single location, or
central system circuitry in a distributed arrangement of control circuitry
which operates in a cloud environment,
virtual server environment or other suitable environment for performing the
functions described herein. Numerous
different types of central system circuitry arrangements may be utilized in
connection with exemplary embodiments.
The exemplary network further includes a plurality of portable wireless
devices that are operated by users
who wish to send deposit items to others or to receive deposit items from
others through the use of the depositories
and associated system. Devices 64, 66 and 68 in Figure 4 are representative of
devices associated with individuals
who send and/or receive deposit items.
In exemplary arrangements the devices may comprise portable wireless devices
associated with users who
are registered users of the system. In some exemplary arrangements the
registered users may have stored in at least
one data store associated with the central system circuitry, user identifying
data such as an ID token that uniquely
identifies the registered user, contact data associated with a device of the
registered user such as a communication
address such as a phone number or network address associated with a user's
portable wireless device, funds source
data that corresponds to a source of funds such as a credit or debit card
account or similar monetary account which
in exemplary arrangements may be credited or debited through operation of the
system, as well as other associated
data. Of course it should be understood that this data that is associated with
registered system users is exemplary
and in other arrangements other types of registered user information may be
utilized.
Figures 5 and 6 show an exemplary portable wireless device 64 that is used by
such users in the exemplary
network. Device 64 in some exemplary arrangements may include a portable smart
phone or other portable wireless
device which includes user input devices and user output devices such as an
associated touchscreen 70. The
exemplary device 64 may include other input devices such as a camera 72, as
well as an audio input device such as a
microphone 74 and an audio output device such as a speaker 76. A biometric
reader such as the camera, the
microphone or other reader such as a fingerprint reader may also be included.
The exemplary device 64 further
includes at least one wireless communication device 78. The at least one
wireless communication device may
include a device suitable for Wi-Fi or cellular communications. The at least
one wireless communication device 78
may also include a local RF communication device for providing Bluetooth or
NFC communication. Of course
these devices are exemplary.
The exemplary device further includes control circuitry 80. The control
circuitry is similar to that
previously discussed and may include at least one processor 82 and at least
one data store like those previously
described. The exemplary control circuitry is in operative connection with the
component devices of the device 64
as shown. In addition to communicating in the network 50, the exemplary device
64 is also enabled to communicate
with other devices in other networks such as network 86. Network 86 may
include a printer 88 or other device that
is operative to produce data bearing records 90. Such data bearing records may
include labels bearing parcel
identifying indicia or other data suitable for use in connection with the
exemplary embodiments later discussed.
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The exemplary network 50 is also in communication with the plurality of
portable wireless devices
associated with individuals who are item carriers that transport deposit items
between depositories. These portable
wireless devices schematically indicated 92, 94, 96, 98 and 100 may be used by
authorized and/or registered system
users to access depositories for purposes of placing deposit items therein or
removing deposit items therefrom.
Deposit items are alternatively referred to herein as delivery items or
parcels.
As represented in Figures 7 and 8 the exemplary portable wireless devices such
as device 92, that is
operated as a carrier contact device by an individual user who is an item
carrier that transports deposit items, may
include mobile phone devices including an input output device such as a
touchscreen 102. Exemplary device 92
may further include a camera 104, as well as a microphone 106 and a speaker
108. It may also include other types of
biometric readers and other devices. The exemplary device 92 further includes
at least one wireless communication
device 110. The at least one wireless communication device 110 may include a
Wi-Fi interface, cellular phone
interface, Bluetooth, NFC or other wireless interface of the types previously
discussed. Further in the exemplary
arrangement device 92 includes a wireless communication interface suitable for
providing tracking of the device via
a global positioning system (GPS) or other device or position tracking system.
The global positioning system (GPS)
may alternatively be referred to herein as a position tracking system. The GPS
capability enables tracking the
device as well as the item carrier user and deposit items associated therewith
in a manner that is later discussed.
Alternatively, cellular tracking systems or other tracking systems may be
used. The exemplary device further
includes control circuitry 112. The control circuitry 112 includes at least
one processor and at least one data store of
the types previously described. The control circuitry 112 enables operation of
the device 92 in the manner later
discussed.
The exemplary network 50 is also in operative connection with portable
wireless devices which are
operated by entities that are owners of respective depositories or other
entities having responsibility for depositories,
which are also referred to as owners herein. Such owners are registered system
users in the exemplary arrangement.
These portable wireless devices schematically represented 114, 116 may be
similar in exemplary embodiments to
wireless device 64 previously discussed. However such devices may further
include circuit executable instructions
that additionally provide capabilities for the owner of the depository to
receive payments from the operator of the
system for the use of their depositories in connection with the storage and
transport of deposit items. In exemplary
arrangements such payments are made for the receipt, storage or delivery of
deposit items that are placed into the
depository by third parties for purposes of having the deposit items
transported to an entity other than the entity
associated with the particular depository into which the item is deposited or
received into the repository for purposes
or pick up by another delivery item recipient.
It should be understood that the network configuration 50 and the devices in
operative connection therewith
are exemplary. Numerous other types of devices, network configurations and
arrangements may be utilized in
connection with exemplary embodiments. Further while the exemplary devices
operated by users of the system
have been generally described as portable wireless devices, it should be
understood that other types of stationary or
portable computer devices may be operated in connection with the system to
carry out the functions described
herein.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
In exemplary arrangements the central system circuitry 60 is operative to
include in at least one or more
associated data stores 62, data records related to devices that are utilized
in connection with the exemplary system.
For example in exemplary arrangements the data stores include identifying data
regarding each depository and its
respective location. Data stores may include data regarding registered system
users of the types, previously
discussed. The stored data regarding depositories in exemplary embodiments
also includes data regarding the entity
that is the owner of the depository, and restrictions that the entity who is
the owner of the depository may have
placed on the use thereof For example in some arrangements the owner of the
depository may restrict use solely to
receiving therein or having removed therefrom deposit items that are received
or sent by the owner of the
depository. Other depository owners may establish rules which allow other
entities to provide deposit items into the
depository for transport elsewhere, or to receive items in the depository that
can be taken from the depository by the
authorized recipient entities.
Other exemplary rules that may be established in connection with depositories
may include only having the
depository available to be accessed by certain transport users, such as users
who have achieved a certain security
level or performance rating. This may include for example transport users for
deposit items who have achieved
above a certain rating based on background checks and/or measured metrics for
performance, reliability and
dependability. Other rules associated with depositories may include
restrictions on days of the week and/or times
during particular days when entities other than the depository owner, is
permitted to access the depository.
Numerous different restrictions may be set for depositories by depository
owners or the central system circuitry
operator for purposes of operating the depository in connection with the
system.
In addition stored data regarding depositories may include information related
to security features or other
features associated with the depository. For example in order to provide
secure communication between the central
circuitry and each depository, the depository and the central circuitry may
have respective public and private key
pairs and digital certificates that enable secure communication between the
central circuitry and the control circuitry
of the respective depository. This enables the control circuitry of the
depository and the central circuitry to identify
the system originating messages and to be assured of the origin of received
messages. In addition the central
circuitry and the control circuitry of each depository may include respective
programming that enables the sending
of instructions or other messages which enable the operation or performance of
certain functions. For example the
control circuitry of the respective depository may include programming from
the central system that is operative to
cause the locking or unlocking of the respective lock of the depository in
response to the receipt of certain messages
and/or data by the depository from the central system. Further in exemplary
arrangements the central system may be
operative to cause the control circuitry of a respective depository to operate
the plurality of reading devices therein
for purposes of determining the amount of space that is currently available in
the interior area of the depository.
Such functionality may enable the central circuitry to determine the ability
of the particular depository to accept
therein a deposit item having a particular size that may be available for
deposit into the depository.
Further in exemplary embodiments the central circuitry may operate in
accordance with its programming to
maintain data corresponding to the indicia associated with deposit items that
are currently positioned in the interior
area of each depository. Further, in exemplary arrangements the central system
may communicate with a respective
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depository so as to cause the control circuitry thereof to deliver to the
central circuitry, data corresponding to
activities that have been conducted at the depository. This may include not
only the indicia usable to identify
deposit items currently therein, but also historical record data related to
deposit items placed into the depository
and/or deposit items removed therefrom, and data associated with the users and
times associated with each
respective activity that has occurred. In exemplary arrangements each
depository may also operate to have its
control circuitry store images or data corresponding to images associated with
activities that occur at the depository.
This may include images of each user who places a deposit item into or removes
a deposit item from the interior
area of the depository. Such image data may also include item identifying
indicia included on each item that is
placed in or removed from the depository by the authorized user as well as
other data associated with each event or
activity that has occurred. Instructions or data corresponding to instructions
or actions to be taken by the at least one
circuit communicated from the central circuitry may be operative to cause the
control circuitry of a respective
depository to send image data corresponding to the captured images associated
with the activities that have occurred
at the depository. This may further enable documenting the deposit or removal
of deposit items as well as facilitate
resolving any discrepancies which may occur. Of course these functions and
capabilities, and stored record data of
the central circuitry and each depository is exemplary, and in other
embodiments other approaches may be used.
Further in exemplary embodiments the central system circuitry 60 is operative
to include in the at least one
data store 62 information or data corresponding to information regarding the
devices and authorized and/or
registered users who utilize the depositories included in the system. For
example in an exemplary embodiment the
central circuitry is operative to include the information or data
corresponding to the information shown in Figure 9
for the devices such as devices 92, 94, 96, 98 and 100 that are operated by
the authorized users who access the
depositories and transport deposit items. In the exemplary arrangements each
of the authorized and/or registered
users has included in the data store associated with their portable wireless
device, identifying data that is usable in
conjunction with the depositories to indicate that the user of the device is
an authorized and/or registered user. Such
data may include for example, ID token information which can be utilized to
identify the user as an authorized
and/or registered user. Such token information may include digital information
that can be correlated through
operation of the central circuitry with the identity of the particular
individual that is associated with operation of the
particular device. In addition such token information may include other types
of data which can be used for
identification purposes. Such other types of data may include for example,
user biometric data such as fingerprint
data, iris scan data or other data that comprises record data that is uniquely
associated with the user.
Further in other exemplary arrangements stored data regarding users may
include other record data which
may be utilized in connection with operation of the system. For example in
systems that utilize card data for
purposes of accessing depositories, the record data maintained by the central
circuitry may include the data
corresponding to the respective user's card data and other associated data for
the respective user. This enables the
system to compare the data received through the at least one input device of a
depository, to stored data so as to
identify the person seeking access to the depository as an authorized user who
is appropriately authorized to have
access thereto. Of course the approaches described in connection with the
authorized users are exemplary, and in
other embodiments other approaches may be used.
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Further as described in connection with Figure 9, the record data associated
with devices operated by users
who transport items may include information regarding payments to such users.
In the exemplary system the users
who transport items between the depositories are paid for the transport
services. The payment for services may be
based on certain information regarding the particular depository item that is
transported such as, the size of the item,
the weight of the item, the distance and timing associated with such transport
and other factors. The exemplary data
that is stored by the central circuitry further includes data regarding
payments that are made to the individuals who
perform the transport services. Such payment data may also include data such
as account data associated with a
funds source of the user which enables the making of the payments to the user
for the services provided.
Alternatively such funds source data may be associated with an account that
can be credited for amounts payable or
refundable. This may include for example, information regarding a PayPal
account, a Venmo account, a bank
account, an electronic stored value account or other accounts into which
appropriate payments to such users may be
made.
Further in the exemplary arrangement the central circuitry is operative to
include data regarding the
activities that are performed by each respective user who is an item carrier
that transports deposit items in
connection with the system. Such data may include contact data for the mobile
wireless carrier contact device of the
item carrier such as a communication address of the carrier contract device.
Such data may include metrics which
include information on the timeliness and reliability of the particular
individual. For example as later discussed,
transport activities associated with particular deposit items are assigned by
the system to the particular authorized
user, and the activity is reserved to the user for a particular time. In cases
where the particular user that is initially
assigned to the activity does not perform the activity within the allotted
time, the system is operative to reassign the
activity to another item carrier user. Such events where an activity is not
performed by a user is considered
significant to the user's performance. Likewise in situations where an
authorized user has taken longer than would
normally be expected to accomplish the transport of the deposit item to a
depository destination, such factors would
also be significant in terms of the user's associated metrics. Losses of items
and cases of misdirected deposit items
are also significant metrics. These and other metrics are recorded through
operation of the central system circuitry
with regard to each authorized item carrier transport user.
Further the exemplary central system circuitry is operative to apply ratings
to each authorized user based on
the metrics that are associated with the user's performance. Such user ratings
may be utilized in connection with
screening authorized users for purposes of accessing certain depositories
and/or handling certain types or values of
deposit items. Such ratings may also be utilized in connection with
determining the rate that is paid to the user for
the transport activities that are performed. Of course these categories that
are represented in Figure 9 are exemplary
and in other embodiments other or additional information regarding such users
may be stored and evaluated through
operation of the central circuitry.
Figure 10 shows exemplary records and data items that may be associated with
shipper and recipient users
and their associated devices that place items into depositories for purposes
of requesting deliveries to other
depositories and/or that receive items from depositories. In the exemplary
network arrangement this data would be
associated with devices 64, 66 and 68 of registered users. As is the case in
connection with individuals and devices
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that provide transport services, the data associated with these devices
include ID tokens or other identifying record
information that can be utilized to reliably identify the user or device is
one that is authorized to access the
depository. As the individuals that provide the functions of providing deposit
items to be transported to the
depositories will generally be required to pay for the transport services, the
central circuitry includes data for such
users that include a fund source such as account data for assessing charges
associated with payments for shipments.
This may include credit card accounts, bank accounts, PayPal accounts or other
suitable accounts from which
payments may be made.
Further in the exemplary system individuals in this category may choose to
travel an extended distance to a
depository in order to receive a deposit item that would otherwise be handled
by an item carrier user that is paid to
transport the item to a destination depository substantially closer to the
recipient or to a designated delivery address
that is not a depository. In the exemplary system if the recipient chooses to
conduct a substantial portion of the
transport by taking the item from a depository that is remotely located from
the destination that the person arranging
for shipment has paid to have the item delivered to, then the central
circuitry is operative to compensate the recipient
for the transport activity associated with picking up the item from the remote
destination. As such the exemplary
central circuitry includes data regarding account information which can be
credited for pickup amounts to which the
authorized user receiving an item may be entitled. This account information
may include account information for
accounts which can be credited with value to the recipient for transport and
pick up of deposit items. Of course it
should be understood that the data types shown for this category of authorized
user and their associated devices in
Figure 10 is merely exemplary of some items of information which may be
included in records of the central
circuitry.
Figure 11 shows exemplary record data that is associated with owners of
depositories and their associated
devices. The data shown in Figure 11 would generally be associated with the
devices 114, 116 that were previously
discussed in connection with the exemplary network 50. Similar to other
devices, the devices associated with
depository owners would include the identifying information which identifies
the user as an authorized or registered
shipper or recipient user. In addition in the exemplary arrangement the
records associated with the depository owner
includes data regarding the restrictions on the depositories such as those
previously discussed. The exemplary
central circuitry is operative to associate the depository owner with the
respective depository that is owned by the
depository owner and to cause the restrictions set by the owner for the
depository to be applicable to the records
associated with the depository in the one or more data stores of the central
circuitry.
Further in the exemplary arrangements the depository owners are generally
entities that engage in sending
deposit items for transport and receiving deposit items. As such the data
associated with the depository owners
includes a funds source such as account information corresponding to accounts
which can be assessed for charges
associated with transport of deposit items to remote depository destinations.
Further in exemplary arrangements the
central circuitry is operative to compensate depository owners for deposit
items that are placed in the depository of
the depository owner by other authorized user individuals for purposes of
transport to other depositories. In the
exemplary arrangement the depository owner is compensated for the use of their
depository by such third parties.
The exemplary system is operative to include in the data associated with the
depository owners, account information
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concerning accounts that are credited through operation the central circuitry
for the use of the depository by other
authorized entities.
Of course the types of record data shown as maintained by the central
circuitry for the different types of
devices and users associated with the system, is exemplary. Additional types
of information will generally be stored
in association with the various types of devices and users to facilitate
operation of the system and to provide record-
keeping and tracking for the activities that are carried out in connection
therewith. Further as can be appreciated, the
central circuitry is operative to store data associated with the whereabouts
of deposit items that are moving through
the system at all times, and to track the status of depositories, and
individuals who provide transport for the items,
such that the whereabouts of each deposit item throughout the term of its
inclusion in the system can be determined
at all times. In exemplary arrangements the central circuitry is operative to
estimate arrival times for depository
items at destination depositories and makes such data available to users
responsible for sending the items and
recipients. Further historical information on each deposit item is also
maintained for a programmed time. To assure
that any errors or loss situations can be tracked, investigated and remedied,
tracking and image data can be accessed
through the central system circuitry as well as from each of the respective
depositories.
A schematic representation of the logic flow that is carried out through
operation of the central system
circuitry, the depositories and the portable wireless devices of entities that
provide, transport and receive deposit
items, is shown in Figures 12 through 27. This exemplary logic flow of each of
the devices involved is exemplary
and is described in connection with an example that is intended to be
representative of the operation of the various
devices. Deposit items are alternatively referred to herein as delivery items
or parcels. Of course numerous other
features and operations may be utilized in connection with exemplary
embodiments.
The example of the logic flow commences with an authorized user of the system
who wishes to have a
deposit item transported to a remote destination operating their respective
portable wireless device such as wireless
device 64. In the exemplary logic flow the entity wishing to have the deposit
item transported may be referred to as
a shipper for purposes of simplicity in connection with this particular
example.
As represented in a step 118 the individual wishing to have a deposit item
transported operates their
associated device such as device 64 to provide inputs which indicate that they
wish to have an item transported. In a
next step 120 the user operates the device to provide inputs which are usable
to identify the user as an authorized
and/or registered user of the system. In a next step 122 the user is operative
to provide inputs to their device which
indicates the payment method that will be utilized to make payment for the
transport of the deposit item. In
exemplary arrangements this may include selection from a menu to indicate the
type of payment or account that the
user wishes to utilize in connection with the deposit item. The user may also
be required to provide information or
respond to certain questions regarding the item. These questions may include
providing information regarding
whether the item is flammable or otherwise hazardous. The individual may also
be required to indicate whether the
item contains perishable or fragile material. The user may also be required to
provide information regarding the
weight of the item and/or the value of the item. Of course these queries are
merely exemplary.
In a step 124 the user operates the device to indicate a delivery item
originating address which corresponds
to the origin for the transport of the deposit item. This may include the
user's business address or other address. In
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
some arrangements the originating address may include a business address
associated with the particular depository
into which the deposit item will eventually be placed for purposes of
initiating the transport activity. In a step 126
the user inputs to the device the address information for the delivery item
destination location which corresponds to
a point or area of delivery of the particular deposit item. This may include
an address associated with a remote
depository that is associated with the entity that will receive the deposit
item. Alternatively in other arrangements
the delivery address may include an address or area associated with an entity
that does not have a dedicated
depository. In such cases the delivery address may include information
regarding an authorized user of the system
that is enabled to access a depository is located in proximity to them for
purposes of receiving the deposit item to be
transported. In other arrangements the delivery location may be a commercial
or residential address which is the
address of the recipient.
In the exemplary arrangement the user wishing to arrange for transport of an
item may wish to pay an
incentive fee in order to have the item delivered more promptly or under
certain circumstances. In the exemplary
arrangement the programming associated with the user device enables the user
arranging for transport to apply an
incentive for particular delivery parameters or timing that is associated with
the particular deposit item. This is
represented in a step 128. This may be a payment for delivery within a set
time such as within one day, for example.
Of course if the user does not wish to apply an incentive, the programming
associated with the device will cause the
standard rates set through operation of the central circuitry to apply.
The exemplary programming associated with the user's device may include the
capability to capture
images of the deposit item such that the size of the deposit item can be
assessed. In some exemplary arrangements
the user device may require the user to input dimensions of the deposit item
and/or the weight thereof via a touch
screen or other input device. This is represented in a step 130. Assessing the
size of the deposit item is useful for
purposes of enabling the central system circuitry to determine depositories
where sufficient space is available in the
interior area for purposes of receiving the deposit item therein at the
present time. This may be done in the manner
previously discussed using the reading devices that are included in the
respective depositories. The size as well as
weight can also be factors in determining the charges for transport of the
deposit item.
In some exemplary arrangements the user may have circuit executable
instmctions on their mobile device
or other computer that guides a user to provide the necessary information for
shipment. In other arrangements the
central circuitry may provide an online portal which the user may access to
receive the prompts to input necessary
information, and to which the information may be supplied.
In the exemplary arrangement, once the information has been input by the user
to the device, the
information regarding the request to transport the deposit item is submitted
to the central system circuitry as at least
one transport request message represented in a step 132. The central circuitry
is then operative to verify the
identifying information associated with the user that has submitted the
request. This is represented in a step 134.
This may include comparing user identifying data stored in the user device
such as an ID token that is included in
the at least one transport request message, with stored data associated with
authorized users by the central circuitry.
The central circuitry is also operative to verify that the user who has
submitted the request has indicated a suitable
funds source which provides a payment method associated with the central
system in order to make payment for the
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transport of the deposit item. The central system circuitry may also analyze
the delivery item size data and/or
weight data included in the at least one transport request message to
determine if the delivery item is suitable for
transport through the system. This is represented in a step 136.
The central circuitry then operates to assign a parcel ID to the particular
deposit item as represented in step
138. The parcel ID is alternatively referred to herein as a delivery item
identifier. The data provided by the user
regarding the originating location and destination location for the transport
of the deposit item is also stored in at
least one data store associated with the central circuitry as represented in
step 140. The central circuitry is then
operative responsive to the originating location information to resolve an
originating depository that is considered
the most suitable for receipt of the deposit item. This is represented in a
step 142. Generally the originating
depository will be the depository located in closest geographical proximity to
the user wishing to have the deposit
item transported. However, in order to assure that space for the deposit item
is available in the nearest depository,
the central circuitry operates as represented at a step 144 to determine if
the delivery item is of a suitable size and/or
weight to be transported and communicate with the initially selected
depository to verify that sufficient space is
available to accept a deposit item of the size that was determined at step
130. If such space is not available, the
.. central circuitry operates to determine an alternative available
originating depository that has the space available to
receive the deposit item therein. The central system circuitry is operative to
evaluate at least one of the size and/or
the weight of the deposit item to determine if it is within at least one size
or weight limit. If the deposit item is not
suitable for transit due to size, weight or space factors the request is
flagged to be declined or be processed in a
manner that provides special handling.
As represented in a step 146, once the originating depository for receiving
the deposit item is resolved, the
central circuitry operates to generate a one-time code to be input by the
authorized user for purposes of accessing the
depository. The one-time code is alternatively referred to herein as an item
depositor access code. In a step 148 the
central circuitry is then operative to send the originating depository
location information and the code data to the
user's device. In exemplary arrangements the depository identifying data for
the originating depository may include
GPS coordinates, address data or other information that can be used to locate
the depository.
As represented at step 150 the user's device is operative to receive the data
from the central circuitry. In
situations where the transaction is not accepted due to an invalid funds
source or a parcel size or weight outside a set
limit, the user is notified the transaction is denied, or alternatively the
user is provided with instructions to obtain
special handling. If the transaction may proceed the user may then operate
their device in the manner represented in
Figure 6 to produce a data bearing record which includes data representative
of the origin and destination address as
well as indicia corresponding to the delivery item identifier which uniquely
identifies the deposit item. The delivery
item identifier is alternatively referred to herein as a parcel identifier.
This is represented by a step 152. In the
exemplary arrangements the delivery item identifier may be encoded in
identifying indicia that may include a
machine readable bar code, a QR code or other suitable machine readable
indicia which comprises record data
which can be read for purposes of identifying the deposit item. As represented
in a step 154 in the exemplary
arrangement the user may operate their device in association with a label
printer to produce a label which is then
applied to the deposit item. In the exemplary arrangement the label that is
applied to the deposit item is externally
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visible such that the machine readable indicia thereon that corresponds to the
delivery item identifier can be read
through operation of the reading devices such as a reader included in the
depository or a user's portable wireless
device. The label may also include human readable indicia so that the
particular deposit item can be visually
identified by item carrier users or other users who access the depository. Of
course it should be understood that in
other exemplary arrangements other types of indicia may be utilized for
purposes of providing identifying indicia.
Such indicia may include for example, programmable RFID tags, QR codes, a
signature or other manually made
indicia, an image of the deposit item, or other indicia that may be placed in
operative connection with a deposit item
for purposes of enabling the identification of the item through operation of
the system.
As represented in a step 156 the user seeking to have the deposit item
transported may utilize their device
to guide their travel to the GPS location or other location as identified to
the device, so that the user may place the
item into the originating depository. In the exemplary arrangement the user
operates their device to cause data
corresponding to a data bearing record which identifies the user, to the at
least one input device on the depository.
This is represented by a step 158. In the exemplary arrangement the user
device is operative to send user identifying
data such as the user token data to the RF input device included in the
depository. The depository receives the user
identifying data as represented in step 160. The control circuitry of the
exemplary depository is operative to enable
the keypad of the exemplary embodiment to receive a manually input code
therethrough from the user as represented
at step 162. The input code may correspond to the one-time depositor access
code. Alternatively, in some
arrangements the one time access code may be delivered wirelessly from the
user's device to the RF input device.
Further in some arrangements user identifying data and the one time code may
be replaced by a single code string or
object. As represented at step 164 the control circuitry of the depository is
operative to wirelessly transmit at least
one message including data corresponding to the received user identifying data
and the one-time code as well as
depository identifying data to the central circuitry. This may be done in a
suitably encrypted manner or using other
suitable security techniques to assure that the data is not compromised.
The central system circuitry is operative to receive the data from the
depository as represented at a step
166. The central circuitry then operates as represented at step 168 to verify
that the received user identifying
information corresponds to the authorized user, and that the one-time code
corresponds to the code provided to the
user in connection with the request to transport the deposit item. In the
exemplary arrangement the central circuitry
is operative to assign to the user an item depositor access code that can be
utilized only on one occasion for purposes
of opening the central system assigned interior area of the depository. This
prevents the authorized user from
opening other depositories or other interior areas of the same depository, or
opening the depository on multiple
occasions using the provided code. Of course it should be understood that this
approach is exemplary and in other
arrangements other approaches may be used.
Responsive to the central circuitry making a determination that the data
received by the depository from the
user is the appropriate data for the user accessing the depository in
connection with receiving the deposit item, the
central circuitry is operative to send one or more messages to the depository
as represented in step 170. The
messages include instructions and/or data which are operative to cause the
repository control circuitry of the
depository to unlock the lock which holds the designated depository door in
the closed position. At a step 172 the
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control circuitry of the depository operates to verify that the received
message data corresponds to an authorized
message from the central circuitry to unlock the lock. This may be done by an
analysis of the received message data
including decryption of the instructions and other data included in the
message which verifies the instructions as
appropriately authorized by the central circuitry.
If the control circuitry of the depository determines that the message data
from the central circuitry is
genuine, the circuitry operates to cause the lock associated with the
appropriate door and compartment to be
changed from the locked condition to the unlocked condition. This is
represented at a step 174. The exemplary
control circuitry then operates to detect the opening of the depository door.
In some arrangements the control
circuitry causes the plurality of reading devices to operate to capture images
including the indicia corresponding to
the delivery item identifier included on the depository item as represented at
step 176. The control circuitry also
operates to capture images showing the user as well as the deposit item as it
is being placed into the interior area of
the depository. These images are stored in the data store associated with the
control circuitry of the depository along
with time data to indicate when the activity occurred. In other exemplary
arrangements the user may be instructed
to operate their portable wireless device to have a camera thereon capture an
image of the item identifying indicia on
the deposit item. This is represented by a step 178.
Further in exemplary arrangements data from the at least one weight sensor may
be captured to verify
placement of the item in the depository and/or to detect weight of the item.
The additional weight added to the
depository may be used to verify that the weight indicated for the item is
accurate. If the item is substantially
heavier than specified in the at least one transport request message, the
person requesting the shipment may be
assessed an additional charge. Sensors such as image capture devices such as
cameras or LIDAR sensors may be
used to capture data that is used to determine the size of the item. This may
be done so that the central system
circuitry can verify that the parcel size is consistent with the parcel size
data included in the at least one transport
request message. Image sensors, sonic sensors or other sensors may operate to
capture other properties such as
color, sound absorption, reflectivity of light or sound waves, or other types
of signals as well as combinations
thereof. Further the weight, size and/or other property (or a combination of
properties) associated with the item may
be used by the central system circuitry as an additional identifying feature
and tracking identifier for the item. Of
course these approaches are exemplary.
In the exemplary arrangement the control circuitry of the depository is
operative to send at least one
message including data corresponding to the indicia read, detected and/or
sensed from the deposit item to the central
circuitry as represented at step 180. The central circuitry receives the data
as represented at step 182 and verifies
that the received data and read indicia corresponds to the identifying
information associated with the deposit item
and the authorized user who is authorized to place the deposit item in the
depository. This is represented by step
184. The central circuitry is then operative to send one or more messages to
the depository indicating that the
deposit item is acceptable into the depository. This is represented by a step
186. It should be understood however
that if the central circuitry determines that received data or the indicia
associated with the deposit item is incorrect
and/or does not correspond with the authorized user who has accessed the
depository, the central circuitry will send
at least one message including data which is indicative of this discrepancy to
the depository.
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In the exemplary logic flow as represented at step 188 the wireless
communication portal of the depository
receives the data indicative of whether the deposit item and its receipt into
the depository is acceptable. The control
circuitry of the exemplary depository then operates to provide an indication
if the acceptance of the deposit item is
authorized. This is represented by a step 190. In the exemplary arrangement,
the control circuitry of the depository
is operative to cause operation of the at least one indicator 32 to provide an
indication as to whether the acceptance
of the deposit item is authorized. For example in an exemplary arrangement the
indicator may be operated to
provide a green color light output when the deposit item is acceptable and a
red color light output when the deposit
item is not acceptable. In addition an audio annunciator output or other
indicator output may be output by the
depository to indicate the acceptability or unacceptability of the deposit.
Further in exemplary arrangements at least one message indicative of a
determination as to the acceptability
or unacceptability of the deposit item or the associated circumstances may
also be sent by the central system
circuitry to the portable device of the authorized user. Such information may
be sent in the form of a text message
or other suitable output to indicate to the user the acceptability or
unacceptability of the deposit item or activity.
Such approaches may be useful in some exemplary systems for purposes of
preventing users from making mistakes
in placing incorrect deposit items into depositories. Such features may be
particularly helpful in situations where an
authorized user may be handling multiple deposit items, some of which may be
intended for placement in a
particular depository while others are not. Of course these approaches are
exemplary and in other embodiments
other approaches may be used.
In the exemplary arrangement the control circuitry associated with the
depository is operative in a step 192
to evaluate the image data captured by the reading devices and/or the weight
sensors to make an action status
determination. The action status determination includes evaluating the image
data and/or weight data for purposes
of determining whether the deposit item has been placed in or removed from the
interior area of the depository. In
this exemplary logic flow the determination of action status by the control
circuitry is indicative that the deposit item
has been placed in the depository. After the action status determination that
the deposit item has been received, the
control circuitry of the depository senses for the door of the depository
being closed. This is done through
appropriate switches, detectors or the reading devices in operative connection
with the control circuitry and is
represented in a step 194. In some exemplary arrangements the repository
control circuitry will cause at least one
output device of the depository to provide outputs which instruct the user to
close the depository door in the event
that such action is not taken within a calculated time of the deposit item
being received. In other exemplary
arrangements the user's portable wireless device may receive messages from the
central circuitry that are caused to
be sent responsive to messages from the depository in the event that the user
is detected as not taking appropriate
steps towards closure of the door after the deposit item has been deposited in
the interior area.
Once the depository door is in the closed position, the control circuitry
operates to cause the lock to be
changed to the locked condition as represented in a step 196. The control
circuitry of the depository then operates to
send one or more item received messages to the central circuitry indicating
that the interior area of the depository
has been made accessible responsive at least in part to the item depositor
access code, token data and/or other input
data and the deposit item has been received in the depository as indicated at
step 198. Responsive to receiving the at
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
least one item received message from the depository, the central circuitry is
operative to update the record data
stored in its associated data store to reflect the status of the deposit item
as being within the particular depository as
represented at step 200. The central circuitry may also operate to determine
the remaining available volume of
space in the compartment or interior area in which the deposit item has been
placed.
The central circuitry then operates to take the actions necessary to arrange
for the deposit item to be
transported from the originating depository into which it has been received,
to a depository associated with the
destination location for the item. In some circumstances the central circuitry
is enabled to arrange for single
authorized user of the system to transport the deposit item from the
originating depository into which it is received
to another depository which is a destination depository that corresponds to
the delivery item destination, such as a
final destination address for the deposit item. In other arrangements the
system is operative to arrange for delivery
to a recipient address rather than a depository. However, in many situations
the central circuitry must arrange for
the transport of the deposit item to an intermediate location which
corresponds to a destination depository which is
only part way to the delivery item destination. This occurs because the
individuals available to transport the deposit
item are available only to transport the item to the intermediate destination.
The central circuitry will then later
arrange for a different authorized user to transport the item from the
intermediate destination to the depository at the
final destination depository for the deposit item. Of course it should be
understood while this example indicates that
the deposit item is transported through a destination depository at one
intermediate destination, other exemplary
deposit item transport situations will involve transport through multiple
intermediate destinations. This is
particularly true when the transport of the deposit item is over a long
distance. In some exemplary arrangements the
incentive payments which the system user arranging for the transport can make,
will help to reduce the number of
intermediate depository destinations and result in delivery of the deposit
item to the final destination more quickly.
As represented at step 202 an authorized system user that is willing to
transport deposit items may operate
their portable wireless device, such as carrier contact device 92, to indicate
their availability to transport deposit
items by initiating operation of an application on the device. Such system
users are alternatively referred to herein
as item carriers. In the exemplary arrangement the device application requires
that the user sign onto the carrier
contact device and provide appropriate carrier contact device data such as a
telephone number or email address and
user identifying information which identifies the particular user to the
central circuitry, as represented at step 204. In
exemplary arrangements the item carrier contact device data and other user
identifying information as well as
credentials such as token data for the item carrier that may be stored in the
user device and in the central circuitry,
will have been previously established through a registration process
applicable to authorized users. In the exemplary
arrangement the circuit executable instructions associated with the user's
device 92 also require that the user provide
location information such as through GPS data associated with the current
carrier contact device location to the
central system circuitry through at least one driver data message. This is
represented at step 206.
In the exemplary system a user may choose to transport deposit items based on
planned travel for other
purposes. This may include for example, the user having a daily commute to a
job that is substantially remote from
where they reside. Alternatively user may have planned travel for personal or
other purposes to a destination, and is
willing to transport deposit items in the course of their personal travel.
Alternatively a user may be willing to
21
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perform transport services of deposit items to any local location to receive
compensation for the transport services.
As represented in step 208 the user inputs to the carrier contact device their
available delivery location such as, for
example destination information related to their current travel plans, or if
the user is willing to travel to any location
within a set distance range for purposes of making deliveries of deposit
items. In some arrangements the user may
also indicate that they have specialized capabilities such as handling fragile
or perishable items, handling large
and/or heavy items, and/or may be bonded or insured for handling high value or
legally controlled items. As
represented at step 210 the control circuitry associated with the user's
portable wireless carrier contact device is
operative to send the data regarding the available item carrier transport user
in at least one driver data message to the
central circuitry for purposes of determining if the item carrier user will
receive transport job assignments which will
result in compensation being paid to the user.
As represented at step 212 the central circuitry receives the data from the
item carrier contract device and
conducts an analysis of the received data as represented at step 214. The
central circuitry is also operative to recover
the stored data regarding the rating information associated with the user as
represented in step 216. The central
circuitry is then operative to compare the data associated with the available
transport user received in driver data
messages to the data associated with available transport jobs that need to be
conducted this is represented at step
218. Of course as can be appreciated, this activity is carried out by the
central circuitry for each authorized item
carrier transport user that indicates availability to participate in providing
transport services for deposit items at the
current time. The central circuitry is enabled to match available authorized
item carriers with transport jobs in a
manner that causes the deposit items to be moved to either a respective final
delivery depository destination of the
deposit item, or an intermediate delivery depository location at a depository
that causes the deposit item to move
closer to its final delivery destination.
As represented in step 220 the central circuitry operates to match the
authorized transport item carrier
current location and the associated item carrier available delivery location
data to originating depository, destination
depository and deposit item delivery requirements. The central circuitry is
then operative to determine the
destination depository which is the endpoint destination for the available
item carrier as represented in step 222. In
other arrangements the end point for the delivery may be the address of the
recipient. In this particular example the
endpoint destination for the initial item carrier is an intermediate
destination depository that is not the final
destination for the particular deposit item. The central circuitry is then
operative to calculate the rate information for
the transport user as represented in step 224. In an exemplary arrangement
this calculation reflects an amount that
the item carrier will receive for taking the deposit item from the current
depository in which it is located,
transporting it to the designated intermediate destination depository, and
placing the deposit item in the intermediate
destination depository for subsequent transport towards its final destination.
In some exemplary arrangements the
central circuitry may operate to determine multiple parcels that can be
transported together by the item carrier as a
bundle to a destination.
As represented in step 226 the central circuitry operates to send one or more
opportunity messages to the
carrier contact device which is the portable wireless device of the item
carrier. The messages include the originating
depository for pickup, parcel, route for transport of the deposit item (or a
bundle of items), end point destination
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depository and monetary rate to be paid to the item carrier for transport of
the deposit item. The messages may also
provide an indication of the size and weight of the deposit items. The
exemplary messages may also include data to
indicate to the item carrier how far the transport job will require the item
carrier to go off their currently indicated
planned travel route to the input destination at the originating depository
and/or at the destination depository. In
operation of the exemplary system the carrier contact device receives the data
regarding the transport assignment in
at least one opportunity message as represented at a step 226. The control
circuitry of the carrier contact device is
then operative responsive to the received data in the at least one opportunity
message to provide one or more outputs
to the item carrier user indicative of the available transport assignment. The
output data is then available for review
by the item carrier user as represented at step 228. If the item carrier user
finds the transport assignment details to
be acceptable, the user operates the carrier contact device to provide one or
more inputs as represented at step 230
which indicates that the user accepts the transport assignment. The carrier
contact device then operates in
accordance with its programming to send one or more item transport acceptance
messages to the central circuitry as
represented at step 232, indicative of the user acceptance and willingness to
transport the delivery item from the
delivery depository to the destination depository (or other end point
location) in accordance with any other
conditions specified in the at least one opportunity message.
The central circuitry receives the at least one item transport acceptance
message data from the user's carrier
contact device indicating acceptance of the transport assignment as
represented at step 234. The central circuitry
then operates to reserve the transport assignment for the item carrier as
represented at a step 236. In the exemplary
embodiment the central circuitry operates in accordance with its programming
to reserve the transport assignment
for the particular item carrier user only for a limited period of time. This
helps to assure that the deposit item is
transported in a commercially prompt manner. In the event that the item
carrier to which the transport assignment
has been reserved does not act to obtain the deposit item from the depository
within the time period for which the
transport assignment has been reserved, the central circuitry operates in
accordance with its programming to
reassign the transport assignment to a different designated authorized item
carrier. As can be appreciated such a
reassignment would generally require analysis of available transport carrier
information and may change the route or
other information to which the deposit item is next transported. Of course
these approaches are exemplary and in
other embodiments other approaches to be used.
Also in an exemplary embodiment a transport item carrier may send transport
acceptance messages to
accept a plurality of opportunity messages corresponding to transport
assignments associated with the item carrier's
planned or available delivery location travel. This may include a plurality of
different deposit items, each of which
may have a respective different pickup originating depository and delivery
destination depository. The
communication between the user device and the central circuitry enables
storing the data related to each deposit item
and transport job on the user carrier contact device to facilitate the
activities that the item carrier is to perform in a
proper manner and sequence.
In the exemplary arrangement once the transport assignment has been reserved
for the authorized transport
user, by the central circuitry responsive to the at least one item transport
acceptance message, the central circuitry
operates in a step 238 to generate the one-time designated carrier access code
that will enable the authorized user to
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access the originating depository in which the deposit item is currently
located. At step 240 the central circuitry
then operates to send the at least one transport assignment message to the
carrier contact device. The at least one
transport assignment message includes data corresponding to one-time
designated carrier access code and location
data for the originating depository to the item carrier. The user's carrier
contact device operates to receive the data
as in the at least one transport assignment message represented at step 242.
The contact device then operates in
accordance with its programming to guide the item carrier such as through the
use of GPS data, to the originating
depository location at which the deposit item is to be picked up.
Once the item carrier has arrived at the originating depository, the carrier
contact device is operated by the
item carrier to wirelessly send their user identifying information from the
carrier contact device to the at least one
input device of the depository. In the exemplary arrangement as represented at
step 244, the user's wireless token
data is sent from the carrier contact device of the user item carrier to the
RF input device such as the wireless portal
of the depository. The control circuitry of the depository is operative to
receive user identifying data as represented
at step 246, and is also operative to enable the keypad of the depository to
receive an input access code which may
correspond to the one-time designated carrier access code as represented at
step 248. In other arrangements the
designated carrier access code may be received through other input devices of
the depository, such as for example,
the wireless portal. The control circuitry is then operative responsive at
least in part to receipt of the input access
code to send at least one repository access request message as represented at
step 250. The at least one repository
access request message includes data corresponding to the user identification
data, the input access code value and
depository identifying data to the central circuitry. The central circuitry
operates to receive the data in the at least
one repository access request message from the depository as represented at
step 252 and makes an authorized
access determination responsive to verifying that the user identifying data
corresponds to the authorized user who is
to receive the deposit item, and that the input access code value corresponds
to the designated access code
appropriate for accessing the depository. In some arrangements the central
circuitry is also operative to carry out the
authorized access determination responsive to the identifying data for the
depository receiving the input access, code
.. value and/or the user identification data corresponding to the origination
depository for the transport of the deposit
item. The authorized access determination is represented by step 254.
Responsive to the authorized access determination that the user identifying
data and the one-time
designated access code received at the originating depository is appropriate
for accessing the deposit item, the
central circuitry then is operative to send at least one repository access
approval message to the originating
depository as represented at step 256 to enable the interior area holding the
deposit item in the depository to be
accessed. As represented step 258 the control circuitry of the originating
depository is operative to receive and
verify the genuineness of the message data from the central circuitry.
Responsive at least in part to receipt and
verification of the at least one depository access approval message, the
control circuitry is operative to cause the
lock to be changed to the unlocked condition as represented at step 260. The
deposit item in the interior area of the
depository thereby becomes accessible to the item carrier. The exemplary
control circuitry associated with the
originating depository is then operative to detect the opening of the door and
to operate the sensors comprising
reading devices to capture the indicia such as machine readable bar code for
example, included on the deposit item
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that is removed from the interior area of the depository as represented by
step 262. Alternatively in some
arrangements the item carrier may capture an image of the item identifying
indicia using their portable wireless
device. The exemplary control circuitry is also operative to capture a
plurality of images including the user and the
deposit item, and to store the image data along with time data in the data
store associated with the depository control
circuitry. The weight sensor is also operative to indicate the weight
associated with the removed item. This is
represented by step 264.
The exemplary control circuitry is then operative to send at least one parcel
removal message to the central
system circuitry, at step 266. The at least one parcel removal message
includes parcel removal data corresponding
to the identifying indicia read by the at least one sensor from the deposit
item and the weight data. In other
exemplary arrangements the parcel removal data may include other data that can
be detected or read by one or more
sensors of the originating depository and/or through operation of the item
carrier's portable wireless device. The
central circuitry receives the parcel removal data in the at least one parcel
removal message at step 268 and is
operative at step 270 to verify that the parcel removal data corresponding to
the read indicia corresponds to the
deposit item identifying data for the delivery item that is to be taken by the
identified item carrier that has accessed
the depository. The central circuitry may also verify that the weight removed
and/or the size and/or other property
of the item removed corresponds to removal of the proper delivery item. The
central circuitry then operates at step
272 to send one or more messages correct parcel removal messages to the
originating depository, that indicate that
the deposit item identification indicia and user indicia is appropriate.
Alternatively or in addition the at least one
correct parcel removal messages may be sent to the carrier contact device. The
control circuitry of the depository
receives the message data from the central circuitry as represented at step
274 and is operative to provide an
indication to the user that the removal activity is appropriate as represented
at step 276. As previously discussed this
indication may be given through visual and/or audible indication output by one
or more output devices such as
indicators on the depository. Alternatively such indications may be provided
as outputs from the carrier contact
device. Of course if the deposit item removal activity or user data is not
appropriate, then negative indication
outputs are provided either through the depository indicators and/or through
messages that are sent by the central
circuitry to the user's portable wireless carrier contact device.
The control circuitry of the exemplary originating depository is then
operative responsive to the captured
image data from the sensors such as reading devices, and/or the detected
change in weight, to make a determination
of the action status that has been carried out by the item carrier with regard
to the identified deposit item. This
determination which is represented by step 278, is an action determination
that the deposit item has been removed
from the interior area of the depository. The control circuitry associated
with the originating depository then senses
for detection that the depository door has been closed as represented in step
280. As previously discussed the
control circuitry of the depository either alone or through communication with
the central circuitry, may operate to
prompt the user to close the depository door in the event that closure is not
detected within a programmed time. The
control circuitry then operates to cause the lock to be changed to the locked
condition once the door is closed as
represented by step 282. The control circuitry then operates to send one or
more delivery item parcel removal
messages to the central circuitry indicating that the deposit item has been
removed and taken from the depository by
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
the item carrier as represented by step 284. As can be appreciated this
process may be carried out for multiple
parcels that are to be transported by the item carrier.
Responsive to the central circuitry receiving the one or more delivery item
parcel removal messages from
the depository that the deposit item has been taken by the item carrier, the
exemplary central circuitry operates as
indicated at step 286 to update the status data for the deposit item in the
associated data store to indicate that the
deposit item is with the authorized item carrier. In the exemplary arrangement
the central circuitry then operates to
cause at least one pick up request confirmation message to be sent to the
portable wireless carrier contact device of
the item carrier who has taken the deposit item to confirm that they have the
item. This is represented by step 288.
The portable wireless carrier contact device of the item carrier operates in
accordance with its programming to cause
one or more outputs that prompt the item carrier to confirm that they have
received possession of the deposit item.
This is represented at step 290. As represented at step 292, the user's
portable wireless carrier contact device
operates responsive to at least one confirmation input from the item carrier
to send one or more wireless delivery
item possession confirmation messages to the central circuitry to confirm that
the user received possession the
deposit item. Of course it should be understood that in other exemplary
arrangements the central system circuitry
may omit the confirmation steps 286 through 292.
Responsive to the central circuitry receiving the delivery item possession
confirmation messages from the
user's portable wireless carrier contact device at step 294, or in some
arrangements more directly responsive to one
or more parcel removal messages, the central circuitry operates to recover
from memory or otherwise resolve the
destination depository for the item carrier to deliver the deposit item. This
is represented at step 296. The
.. exemplary central circuitry further operates to generate a one-time access
delivery code to be input by the item
carrier to the destination depository into which the item carrier is to place
the deposit item. This is represented by
step 298. The exemplary central circuitry is next operative to send at least
one item transport delivery message
including data corresponding to the one-time item carrier access code and the
location information for the
destination depository to the user's portable wireless carrier contact device.
This is represented by step 300. The
exemplary central circuitry continues to monitor the location of the portable
wireless carrier contact device of the
item carrier through GPS as the deposit item is transported toward the
destination depository. This is represented by
step 302.
As represented by step 304, in the exemplary system the portable wireless
device of the transport user is
operative to receive in the at least one item transport delivery message the
data regarding the depository location and
the one-time item carrier access delivery code. The portable wireless carrier
contact device operates in accordance
with its programming to direct the item carrier through use of the GPS data or
other location data to the destination
depository or other location at which the deposit item is to be deposited.
This is represented by step 306. Upon
arrival at the destination depository the item carrier operates their portable
wireless device to cause the user
identifying data including the user ID token to be sent from the user's device
to the RF input device of the
depository. This is represented by step 308.
The control circuitry associated with the destination depository is operative
to receive the wireless user
identifying information as represented by step 310. The control circuitry is
also operative to enable receipt through
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the keypad or in some arrangements the wireless portal of the destination
depository of the input access code value
corresponding to the one-time item carrier access delivery code from the item
carrier. This is represented by step
312. The control circuitry associated with the destination depository is
operative to send the received user
identifying data, the input access code value, and depository identifying data
to the central circuitry in at least one
repository access message as represented by step 314. The exemplary central
circuitry is operative to receive the
data in the at least one repository access message as represented by step 316,
and operates to verify that the received
user data corresponds to the item carrier and that the input access code value
corresponds to the one-time item
carrier access delivery code as represented in step 318. The exemplary central
circuitry is then operative to send at
least one repository access approval message to the depository which includes
data indicative that the received user
data and the code data are appropriate, and that the central system circuitry
determined interior area of the
destination depository should be unlocked so as to make the designated
interior area of the destination repository
accessible. This is represented by step 320.
The control circuitry of the exemplary destination depository is operative to
receive the repository access
approval message data from the central circuitry as represented by step 322.
Responsive to the at least one
repository message from the central circuitry being received and verified, the
control circuitry associated with the
destination depository is operative to cause the lock thereof to be changed to
the unlocked condition as represented
in step 324. As a result the designated interior area of the destination
repository is externally accessible so that the
delivery item may be placed therein by the item carrier. Responsive to
detecting that the depository door has been
opened, the exemplary control circuitry is operative to cause the reading
devices to capture the machine readable
.. indicia including the identifying indicia on the deposit item being placed
in the designated interior area of the
destination depository as represented by step 326. Alternatively the item
carrier may use their portable wireless
device to capture an image of the parcel identifying indicia and/or the
depository to document placement of the item.
The control circuitry is also operative to cause images from the reading
devices and the change in weight detected
by the at least one weight sensor to be captured and stored in the at least
one data store along with the data
corresponding to the captured identifying indicia on the deposit item, to
document the accessing of the depository
and the placement of the deposit item therein. This is represented by step
328.
The exemplary control circuitry associated with the destination depository is
next operative to send at least
one parcel insertion message to the central system circuitry as represented in
step 330. The exemplary at least one
parcel insertion message includes data corresponding to the indicia read
and/or sensed from the deposit item
including the machine readable indicia. The central circuitry receives the
data included in the at least one parcel
insertion message at step 332 and verifies that the indicia read and/or sensed
from the deposit item (size, weight or
other information or properties) corresponds to the deposit item to be
deposited in the destination depository. This
includes verifying that the read machine readable indicia read from the
deposit item placed in the destination
depository corresponds to the delivery item identifier. The central circuitry
also verifies that the identifying data
associated with the user corresponds to the user that is authorized to place
the delivery item into the depository.
This is represented by step 334. The central circuitry is then operative to
send one or more correct parcel placement
verification messages to the control circuitry of the destination depository
to indicate that the received identifying
27
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indicia on the deposit item is correct. Alternatively or in addition the at
least one correct parcel verification message
may be sent to the carrier contact device. This is represented by step 336.
The exemplary control circuitry of the
depository receives the at least one correct parcel placement verification
messages from the central circuitry as
represented in step 338 and provides one or more outputs to the user to
indicate that the indicia read and/or sensed
.. from the deposit item is appropriate as represented in step 340. The at
least one output may be provided by at least
one output device of the destination depository. The exemplary control
circuitry associated with the depository is
then operative to analyze the captured image data and/or weight data to
determine the action status associated with
the deposit item. As represented in step 342 the control circuitry is
operative to determine an action status that the
deposit item has been received into the interior area of the depository.
The control circuitry then operates in accordance with its programming to
sense for closure of the
depository door. This is represented by step 344. As previously discussed the
exemplary control circuitry may
provide different forms of prompts to the user in the event that the
depository door is not sensed as closed within a
programmed time. Responsive to detecting the closure of the depository door
the control circuitry of the destination
repository operates to change the condition of the lock to the locked
condition as represented by step 346. The
exemplary control circuitry is then operative to send one or more delivery
completion messages from the depository
to the central system circuitry to indicate that the deposit item is within
the designated interior area of the depository
as represented by step 348. The exemplary central circuitry responsive to
receiving the delivery completion
messages, operates to update the status related to the deposit item in its
associated data store to indicate that the
deposit item is located within the particular destination depository. This is
represented by step 350.
The exemplary central circuitry is next operative to send one or more delivery
confirmation request
messages to the portable wireless carrier contact device of the item carrier
requesting confirmation that the deposit
item has been placed in the destination depository. This is represented by
step 352. The portable wireless carrier
contact device of the item carrier operates responsive to the received
messages to provide outputs which prompt the
user to confirm the placement of the deposit item in the destination
depository. This is represented by step 354.
.. Responsive to receipt of at least one input from the item carrier the
portable wireless carrier contact device is
operative at step 356 to provide one or more delivery confirmation response
messages to the central circuitry
confirming that the user has placed the deposit item in the interior area of
the destination depository. In other
exemplary arrangements the confirmation steps 352 through 356 are not carried
out.
The central circuitry of the exemplary embodiment is operative responsive to
at least in part receipt of the
delivery confirmation response messages from the transport user at step 358 or
more directly responsive at least in
part to the at least one delivery completion message, to determine that the
item carrier has completed the transport
assignment and to calculate a payment that is due to the item carrier as
represented at step 360. The exemplary
central circuitry is then operative to credit the item carrier for a payment
amount corresponding to the payment that
is due as represented at step 362. This may include crediting an account
associated with the item carrier for the
amount payable. Alternatively it may include a financial transfer to an
account associated with the item carrier.
Various payment forms may be accomplished depending on the arrangement that
has been set up by the central
system circuitry for making payment to the particular item carrier. The
exemplary central circuitry then operates to
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send one or more messages to the carrier contact device of the item carrier
indicating the payment as represented at
step 364. The item carrier receives the notice of the payment through the
portable wireless carrier contact device
which outputs appropriate messages to the item carrier user as represented at
step 366. Of course it should be
understood that these steps are representative of only some exemplary payment
transactions that may be carried out
responsive to operation of the central circuitry.
In this example the initial item carrier was available only to transport the
deposit item to a destination
depository at an intermediate destination, and not to the final destination
depository for the deposit item. Therefore
responsive to the determination that the deposit item has arrived at the
intermediate destination depository, the
exemplary central circuitry is operative to determine a next destination
depository for the deposit item. This is
represented by step 368. As previously discussed the central circuitry will
try to have the deposit item reach its final
destination depository with a minimum number of intermediate destinations.
However if it is not possible with the
available item carriers to move the deposit item to its final destination with
the next transport assignment, the
exemplary control circuitry will cause the deposit item to be moved to another
intermediate destination depository
that is closer to its final destination. However for purposes of this example
the next transport assignment will result
in the deposit item reaching its final destination depository. Of course it
should be understood that in other
arrangements delivery may be made to a recipient's address rather than to a
destination repository.
The exemplary central circuitry conducts a similar analysis to that previously
discussed with regard to
available item carriers for purposes of determining the next transport
assignment which can be made for the deposit
item. The central circuitry conducts an analysis of the available item carrier
information at step 370. The central
circuitry also reviews the rating data and other information for the available
item carriers as represented at step 372.
As represented at step 374 a comparative analysis is done of the available
item carrier data to pending transport jobs
to produce a match as represented at step 376. The exemplary central circuitry
will then operate to determine the
destination depository endpoint for the deposit item delivery to be made by
the available item carrier as represented
at step 378. In this example the next destination will be the destination
depository which is the final delivery
destination for the deposit item.
The exemplary central circuitry is further operative to calculate the rate
information to be paid for the
transport by the available item carrier. This is represented at step 380. In
some exemplary arrangements the central
circuitry may operate to provide item carriers with incentives to transport
particular deposit items. For example, if
an item is not moving toward the final destination at an acceptable rate, the
central circuitry may offer a premium to
an available item carrier to transport the item. Of course this approach is
exemplary.
The exemplary central circuitry is then operative at step 382 to send one or
more opportunity messages to
the portable wireless carrier contact device of the selected item carrier
which describes the transport job that is
available. In the exemplary arrangement the data included in the at least one
opportunity message includes
information regarding the pickup originating depository, deposit item parcel,
transport route, endpoint destination
depository and monetary amount or rate to be paid to the available item
carrier. Of course in some cases additional
or different information may be provided. Further in some arrangements an item
carrier may be offered an
opportunity to transport multiple parcels to the same destination or to
multiple destinations along a common route.
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The portable wireless carrier contact device of the item carrier receives the
at least one opportunity message as
represented by step 384. The portable wireless carrier contact device of the
item carrier operates responsive at least
in part to the received data included in the at least one opportunity message
to provide at least one an output which
indicates the details of the available transport job which the item carrier
can then review as represented at step 386.
If the item carrier wishes to accept the transport job, the item carrier
provides one or more inputs to their portable
wireless carrier contact device as represented at step 388, and the carrier
contact device operates to send one or more
item transport acceptance messages indicating a willingness to accept the
transport job as represented at step 390.
As represented by step 392 the central circuitry operates to receive the item
transport acceptance messages
including data indicating that the item carrier is willing to perform the
transport job, and reserves the transport
assignment for the item carrier as represented at step 394. The central
circuitry operates to generate one-time
designated carrier access code for the item carrier as represented at step
396. The central circuitry operates to send
at least one transport assignment message including data corresponding to the
one-time designated carrier access
code and the location data for the originating depository to the user's
portable wireless carrier contact device as
represented by step 398.
The portable wireless carrier contact device of the item carrier receives the
access code and location
information in the at least one transport assignment message as represented by
step 400. The portable wireless
carrier contact device operates in accordance with its programming and the
originating depository location
information to guide the user to the depository as represented by step 402. As
in the previous example the carrier
contact device may be tracked via GPS, cell phone data or other methodology.
Once arriving at the depository the
item carrier operates the portable wireless carrier contact device to send the
wireless identifying information such as
the ID token data that identifies the item carrier, to the RF input device of
the originating depository as represented
by step 404. The control circuitry of the depository receives the item carrier
user identifying information as
represented at step 406. The originating depository also receives an input
access code that may correspond to the
one-time designated carrier access code from the item carrier as represented
by step 408. The depository control
circuitry is then operative to send at least one depository access request
message including data corresponding to the
user identifying information, the one-time designated carrier code and the
depository identifying information, to the
central circuitry as represented by step 410.
The central circuitry receives the data included in the at least one
depository access request message from
the depository at step 412 and operates to verify the user identifying
information corresponding to the authorized
item carrier and that the input access code corresponds to the one-time
designated carrier access code as represented
at step 414. The central circuitry is operative to send one or more depository
access approval messages to the
depository indicating that the received item carrier identifying information
and designated carrier access code is
appropriate for accessing the interior area of the originating depository.
This is represented by step 416. The
control circuitry of the depository receives the at least one depository
access approval message from the central
circuitry indicating that the depository is to be opened and verifies the
authenticity of the message as represented at
step 418. The control circuitry associated with the depository is operative
responsive at least in part to the at least
one depository access approval message to cause the lock controlling access to
the interior area or compartment
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
space where the deposit item is housed to be changed to the unlocked condition
as represented at step 420. The
control circuitry is further operative to operate at least one sensor to sense
and/or capture the machine readable
deposit item identifying indicia on the deposit item, image and/or size or
other property data and the change in
detected weight as the item is removed from the interior area of the
originating depository as represented by step
422. Alternatively the item carrier may operate their portable wireless device
to capture one or more images of the
item identifying indicia and the device sends the image data and/or parcel
identifying indicia to the central circuitry.
The exemplary control circuitry also captures and stores images associated
with accessing the depository including
the item carrier user and the removal of the deposit item as represented by
step 424. The control circuity also
associates time data with the captured images. The control circuitry is then
operative to send at least one parcel
removal message including data corresponding to the deposit identifying
indicia, size, other property data and/or
weight information to the central circuitry as represented by step 426.
The central circuitry is operative to receive the data included in the at
least one parcel removal message as
represented by step 428 and verify that the indicia read from the deposit
item, size property data and/or weight data
corresponds to the deposit item to be taken by the user whose identifying data
has been received as represented at
step 430. This may include verifying that machine readable indicia read from
the deposit item corresponds to the
deposit item identifier. The central circuitry is then operative to send one
or more correct parcel verification
messages to the depository indicating that the information received related to
the deposit item and the user is correct.
Alternatively or in addition the one or more correct parcel verification
messages may be sent to the carrier contact
device. This is represented by step 432.
The depository is operative to receive the data included in the at least one
correct parcel verification
messages from the central circuitry as represented by step 434 and to provide
an indication to the user from an
output device that the identifying indicia for the deposit item being removed
is correct as represented at step 436.
Alternatively or in addition the central circuitry may operate to send the
confirmation message to the item carrier's
portable wireless device. Of course as previously discussed, if the indicia,
size, property and/or weight associated
with the deposit item and/or the user data is incorrect, a warning indication
is output from an output device of the
depository and/or the user's portable wireless carrier contact device to
indicate the error. The control circuitry
associated with the exemplary depository is then operative to determine from
the sensors of the originating
repository which comprise reading devices and/or messages from the carrier
contact device, the action status
associated with the deposit item. In this case the action status corresponds
to the deposit item being removed as
indicated at step 438. The exemplary control circuitry of the depository then
operates to sense the closure of the
depository door as represented by step 440 and to change the condition of the
lock to the locked condition as
represented at step 442. The depository control circuitry is then operative to
send one or more delivery item parcel
removal messages to the central circuitry which are indicative of and give a
notification that the deposit item has
been taken as represented by step 444.
The exemplary central circuitry is then operative to update data in at least
one data store to update the status
of the deposit item to indicate that the deposit is with the item carrier as
represented by step 446. The central
circuitry also causes one or more confirmation request messages to be sent to
the transport user's portable wireless
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carrier contact device requesting confirmation that the item carrier has
possession of the deposit item. This is
represented by step 448. The portable wireless device of the transport user
operates to receive these confirmation
request messages and to provide outputs to the item carrier indicating the
request for confirmation. This is
represented by step 450. Responsive to the item carrier providing inputs which
confirm the item carrier has
possession of the deposit item, the portable wireless carrier contact device
sends one or more confirmation response
messages to the central circuitry confirming possession of the deposit item by
the user. This is represented by step
452.
Responsive to the central circuitry receiving the at least one confirmation
response message from the item
carrier's portable wireless carrier contract device at step 454, the central
circuitry is operative to recover data
corresponding to the destination depository for the deposit item at step 456
and to generate the one-time item carrier
access delivery code usable by the item carrier to access the depository at
the destination as represented at step 458.
The central circuitry is then operative to send at least one item transport
delivery message including data
corresponding to the one-time code and the location of the destination
depository to the carrier contact device at step
460.
The portable wireless carrier contact device of the item carrier receives the
data including the one-time
code and the depository location in the at least item transport delivery
message at step 462. The user operates the
portable wireless carrier contact device to be guided to the destination
depository through GPS or other location
finding methods as represented by step 464. The central circuitry of the
exemplary arrangement tracks the item
carrier through GPS tracking as represented by step 466. Upon arrival at the
destination depository the item carrier
operates their portable wireless carrier contact device to provide their user
identification data such as the ID token to
the RF input device of the depository as represented at step 468. The control
circuitry is operative to receive the
user identifying data as represented at step 470. The keypad or the wireless
portal of the depository is also operative
to receive an input access code corresponding to the one-time item carrier
access delivery code from the item carrier
as represented at step 472. The control circuitry of the depository is
operative to send data corresponding to the user
identifying data, the input access code corresponding to the one-time item
carrier access delivery code and
depository identifying data to the central circuitry in at least one
depository access request message as represented at
step 474.
The central circuitry receives the data included in the at least one deposit
access request message from the
destination depository as represented at step 476 and operates to verify the
user identifying data and the input access
code as corresponding to the one-time item carrier access delivery code as
authorized at step 478. The central
circuitry is operative to send one or more access approval messages to the
depository indicating that the received
data is appropriate as represented by step 480, and the control circuitry of
the depository is operative to verify the
received message data at step 482. Responsive to the received at least one
access approval message indicating that
the user data and the code data is authorized, the control circuitry of the
depository is operative to cause the lock
controlling access to the interior area or compartment space where the central
system circuitry has determined the
deposit item should be placed to be changed to the unlocked condition as
represented by step 484. The control
circuitry operates the sensors comprising reading devices to capture the
indicia on the deposit item, size, property
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and/or weight data for the deposit item that is being placed in the interior
area of the destination depository as
represented by step 486. Alternatively the item carrier may capture the item
indicia of the parcel placed in the
interior area and send such images and/or data corresponding to the indicia to
the central circuitry. The control
circuitry also operates the sensors comprising reading devices to capture
images including the item carrier access to
the depository and the placement of the deposit item therein, and to store the
image data along with associated time
data in the data store of the control circuitry. This is represented by step
488.
The control circuitry of the depository is operative to send at least one
parcel placement message including
data corresponding to the indicia read and/or sensed from the deposit item to
the central circuitry as represented by
step 490. The central circuitry receives the identifying indicia at step 492
and is operative in a step 494 to verify that
the identifying indicia, size, property and/or weight information corresponds
to the appropriate deposit item and that
the user identifying data corresponds to the appropriate user. The exemplary
central circuitry is also operative to
verify that the read machine readable indicia from the deposit item
corresponds to the delivery item identifier. The
central circuitry is operative to send one or more messages verifying the
correctness of the input data and deposit
item as represented at step 496. The at least one correct parcel verification
messages may alternatively or in
addition be sent to the carrier contact device. The control circuitry of the
depository receives the one or more
messages as represented by step 498 and provides one or more outputs through
the indicators or other output devices
of the depository that the deposit information is correct as represented by
step 500.
The control circuitry associated with the depository is operative to determine
the action status of the deposit
item from the data captured by the reading devices. As represented in step 502
the action status determination
indicates that the deposit item has been received into the depository. The
control circuitry operates to sense the
closing of the depository door in a step 504, and responsive to sensing the
door closure changes the lock to the
locked condition as represented by step 506. The control circuitry of the
depository then operates to send one or
more deposit item received messages to the central circuitry to indicate that
the deposit item is located within the
depository. This is represented by step 508. Responsive to receiving the
messages indicating that the deposit item is
within the depository the central circuitry is operative to update the stored
record data regarding the deposit item in
the data store to indicate that the deposit item is within the particular
destination depository as represented by step
510.
The exemplary central circuitry then operates to cause one or more
confirmation request messages to be
sent to the portable wireless carrier contact device of the item carrier
requesting confirmation that the deposit item
has been placed in the depository. This is represented by step 512. The
portable wireless carrier contact device of
the item carrier receives the messages and provides outputs to the user
indicating the request for confirmation. This
is represented by step 514. Responsive to inputs by the user to their portable
wireless carrier contact device
confirming the placement of the deposit item in the depository, the portable
wireless carrier contact device is
operative to send one or more delivery confirmation response messages as
represented at step 516.
Responsive to the central circuitry receiving the at least one delivery
confirmation message that the deposit
item has been placed in the depository at step 518, the central circuitry is
operative to calculate the payment that is
due the item carrier for transport of the depository item. This is represented
by step 520. The central circuitry is
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then operative to credit the transport user a payment amount for the transport
services provided as represented at
step 522. One or more messages are sent to the carrier contact device at step
524 which are received by the user's
portable wireless carrier contact device and which provide outputs to the item
carrier indicating the payment made
for the transport of the deposit item as represented at step 526.
Responsive to the determination by the central circuitry that the deposit item
has been delivered to the
indicated final destination depository, the central circuitry is then
operative to determine the deposit item recipient to
be notified of the delivery. The recipient data including recipient contact
data may be included in the at least one
transport request message associated with the receipt of the deposit item.
Alternatively in some arrangements the
delivery item delivery location data may correspond to recipient data. The
recipient data for registered users
including contact data for the user's device may be stored in a data store in
operative connection with the central
system circuitry. The determination of the recipient data is represented by
step 528. In exemplary arrangements the
recipient of the deposit item may be the owner of the depository into which
the deposit item has been placed as the
final destination. Alternatively the recipient to be notified may be a
registered user of the system that is not the
owner of the depository in which the item has been placed, which necessitates
notification and providing access for
the intended recipient.
An example where the recipient of the deposit item is the owner of the
depository is represented by the
logic flow included in Figures 28 through 30. Responsive to the central
circuitry determining that the depository
owner is the recipient of the deposit item to be notified in step 528, the
central circuitry operates to produce and at
least one notification message to the depository owner at step 530.The central
circuitry is also operative to generate
a one-time recipient access code for accessing the depository to retrieve the
deposit item at step 532. The central
circuitry then operates to send at least one recipient notification message
including data corresponding to the one-
time recipient access code to the portable wireless device or other contact
device of the depository owner as
represented at step 534. The depository owner then travels to the depository
and inputs their identifying data
wirelessly to the RF input device of the depository as represented by step
536. This identifying data may include an
ID token assigned through a registration process of the central system
circuitry. The control circuitry of the
depository receives the wireless messages including the identifying data at
step 538 and also operates to receive the
one-time recipient access code through the keypad, wireless portal or other
input device at step 540. The control
circuitry of the depository is then operative to send at least one depository
access request message including data
corresponding to the identification data, the input recipient access code and
the depository identifier to the central
circuitry at step 542.
The central circuitry operates to receive the data in the at least one
depository access request message at
step 544 and to verify at step 546 that the received user identifying data and
recipient access code data correspond to
the data for authorized access to the interior area of the destination
depository housing the deposit item. The central
circuitry then operates to send one or more depository access approval
messages to the depository as indicated at
step 548. The control circuitry of the depository receives and verifies the
message data at step 550 and changes the
condition of the lock on the depository to the unlocked condition as
represented by step 552. The exemplary control
circuitry of the depository operates to capture through sensors and/or input
devices the deposit identifying indicia on
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
the deposit item, size, property and/or weight data associated with the
deposit item being removed from the
depository as represented by step 554 and also captures images of the
recipient depository user and the deposit item
which are stored in the data store of the depository control circuitry along
with time data as represented at step 556.
Alternatively or in addition the user may operate their mobile wireless device
to capture images of the item
identifying indicia using a camera thereof and send it to the central
circuitry.
The exemplary control circuitry associated with the depository is operative to
send at least one parcel
removal message including data corresponding to the deposit item identifying
indicia, size, property and/or weight
data to the central circuitry as represented at step 558. The central
circuitry receives the data at step 560 and at step
562 verifies that the indicia, size, property and/or weight data sent
regarding the deposit item and the user
identifying data, corresponds to the authorized removal of the deposit item
from the depository. Alternatively or in
addition the central circuitry receives the parcel identifying indicia and/or
other images or data from the recipient's
portable wireless device. In the exemplary arrangement the central circuitry
is operative to determine that machine
readable indicia read from the removed deposit item corresponds to the deposit
item identifier. The central circuitry
is operative at step 564 to send one or more correct parcel removal messages
to the depository indicating that the
received information is appropriate. The control circuitry of the depository
receives the one or more correct parcel
removal messages at step 566 and provides an indication through the one or
more indicators or other output devices
of the depository that the deposit item removal data is appropriate at step
568. Alternatively or in addition the at
least one correct parcel removal message may be sent to the recipient device.
The exemplary control circuitry associated with the depository is then
operative to determine from the
captured image data, size, property and/or weight data the action status of
the deposit item. This is done in a step
570 in which the action status that the deposit item has been removed from the
depository is determined. The
control circuitry then operates to sense the closing of the depository door in
step 572 and causes the condition of the
lock to be changed to the locked condition in a step 574. The control
circuitry of the depository then operates to
send one or more parcel removed messages to the central circuitry to indicate
that the deposit item has been removed
from the depository at step 576.
The exemplary central circuitry then operates to update the status data
included in one or more data stores
of the central circuitry to indicate the deposit item has been removed from
the depository as represented in step 578.
The central circuitry operates to send one or more recipient confirmation
request messages to the portable wireless
device or other device of the recipient depository owner to confirm that they
have taken the deposit item as
represented by step 580. The portable wireless device or other device of the
recipient depository owner receives the
receipt confirmation request messages and provides outputs indicating that the
confirmation is requested. This is
represented by a step 582. Responsive to the depository owner providing one or
more inputs to their portable
wireless or other recipient device confirming receipt of the deposit item, the
recipient device operates to send one or
more recipient confirmation response messages to the central circuitry as
represented by step 584.
The central circuitry receives the at least one recipient confirmation
response message from the depository
owner at step 586. Responsive to receiving the confirmation that the deposit
item has been received by the intended
recipient, the central circuitry operates to send one or more messages to the
user device of the shipper user who is
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
responsible for causing transport of the deposit item to the recipient. This
is represented by step 588. Receipt of the
information by the shipper who is the originator of the deposit item is
represented by step 590. The exemplary
central circuitry is also operative at step 592 to calculate the charge
associated with the transport of the deposit item
and to assess the charge to the shipper entity that requested the transport.
The entity requesting the transport is
notified of the charge through one or more messages which are sent at step 594
and which are received by the user
who is the shipper through their portable wireless device at step 596. In the
exemplary arrangement the charges are
assessed to the funds source in the manner as designated by the user
requesting transport at the time that the request
was input to the system. Of course these approaches are exemplary and in other
embodiments other approaches may
be used. For example in other arrangements the charges may be assessed to a
recipient.
The alternative exemplary logic flow when the recipient of the deposit item is
not the owner of the
destination depository is represented in Figures 31 to 34. In this exemplary
arrangement from step 528 the central
circuitry is operative to determine the deposit item recipient to be notified
as represented in step 598. The recipient
and/or recipient contact data may be included in the transport request
message. The recipient and/or recipient
contact data may alternatively be resolved by the central circuitry from the
delivery item destination location or
other data included in the request for transport based on stored registered
user data in the at least one data store for
the recipient. If the recipient is not a registered system user the central
control circuitry my require additional
information from the shipper user as part of the transport request such as an
invoice number or other data that can be
used to confirm the identity of the recipient. The central circuitry is
further operative to determine the one-time
recipient access code to be used to access the interior area depository in
which the deposit item is held at step 600.
The central circuitry is also operative to determine data stored in the
associated data store which corresponds to the
applicable requirements associated with the depository which houses the
deposit item as represented at step 602.
This may include restrictions placed on operation of the depository by the
depository owner, such as limited times
for access or other requirements which restrict use of the depository by
entities other than the depository owner.
The exemplary central circuitry is operative to send data corresponding to the
notification and recipient
access code and other applicable requirements to the portable wireless device
(or other device) of the recipient in at
least one notification message as represented by step 604. The notification
message may include user identifying
data for the recipient that is usable in connection with obtaining the deposit
item if the recipient is not a registered
system user who has an ID token. In some situations the identifying data may
include an ID token or other
identifying data that was provided to the recipient during a registration
process that is required to participate in the
system. The portable wireless device is operative to provide outputs to the
recipient of the information needed to
access the depository to retrieve the deposit item. As can be appreciated, in
some arrangements the information sent
to the recipient may include GPS or other location data that facilitates the
recipient traveling to the depository to
obtain the deposit item.
In an exemplary arrangement the recipient upon being in proximity with the
depository operates their
portable wireless device to provide the user identifying data wirelessly to
the RF input device of the depository as
represented by step 606. The depository receives the identifying data as
represented by step 608 and also receives
the one-time recipient access code through the keypad, or wireless portal or
other input device as represented by step
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610. In some cases the recipient user may also be required to input other
identifying data. The control circuitry is
operative to cause data corresponding to the received user identifying data,
the code data and depository identifying
data to be sent to the central circuitry in at least one deposition access
request message as represented by step 612.
The central circuitry receives the data in the at least one depository access
request message as represented at step
614 and operates to verify the received user identifying data and the
recipient access code data as represented at step
616. The central circuitry is then operative in a manner like that previously
discussed to send one or more
depository access approval messages to the depository indicating that the
activity is authorized and that the
depository interior area housing the deposit item should be unlocked. This is
represented by step 618.
The control circuitry associated with the depository is operative to receive
and verify the at least one
depository access approval message from the central circuitry as represented
by step 620. Responsive at least in part
to the receipt of the messages the control circuitry is operative to unlock
the lock to the interior area housing the
deposit item as represented by step 622 and to cause the sensors comprising
reading devices to capture the size,
properties and/or weight associated with the item and the machine readable
indicia on the deposit item removed
from the interior area of the depository as represented by step 624.
Alternatively or in addition the recipient may be
prompted to capture item identifying indicia from the parcel or other image
data through use of the camera on their
portable wireless device and transmit messages to the control circuitry or
this central circuitry including such image
data and/or indicia. The control circuitry is also operative to capture images
of the recipient user and the deposit
item, and store the images and size, property and/or weight data in the data
store associated with the control circuitry
along with time data as represented by step 626.
The control circuitry associated with the depository is operative to send data
corresponding to the indicia
read and/or sensed from the deposit item such as size, property and/or weight
data to the central circuitry in at least
one parcel removal message as represented by step 628. The central circuitry
receives the data from the depository
and/or the recipient device as represented by step 630 and operates to verify
that the received indicia and weight data
corresponds to the appropriate depository item and the user identifying data
received corresponds to the authorized
recipient as represented by step 632. In an exemplary arrangement the central
circuitry is operative to verify that the
machine readable indicia read from the removed deposit item corresponds to the
delivery item identifier. The
central circuitry is operative to send one or more correct parcel verification
messages to the depository indicating
that the information related to removal of the deposit item is correct. Such
messages may additionally or
alternatively be sent to the recipient device. This is represented by step
634. The control circuitry of the depository
is operative to receive the correct parcel verification messages from the
central circuitry as represented by step 636
and to provide one or more outputs through the indicators or other output
devices on the depository that the deposit
item information is correct as represented by step 638.
The control circuitry of the depository is then operative to analyze the
captured image data, size property
and/or weight data to determine the action status associated with the deposit
item as represented by step 640. In this
situation the control circuitry is operative to determine that the deposit
item has been removed from the depository.
The control circuitry is also operative to sense for closure of the depository
door as represented by step 642, and
responsive to sensing the closure thereof, to cause the lock to be returned to
the locked condition as represented by
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
step 644. The control circuitry of the depository is operative to send one or
more delivery completion messages to
the central circuitry indicating that the deposit item has been removed from
the depository as represented by step
646. The central circuitry is operative to receive the delivery completion
messages from the depository and update
the status data in the data store related to the deposit item to indicate that
the deposit item has been removed from
the depository as represented in step 648.
In a manner like that previously discussed, the central circuitry is further
operative to cause one or more
receipt confirmation request messages to be sent to the portable wireless
device of the recipient. This is represented
by step 650. The messages request confirmation that the deposit item has been
received by the recipient. The
portable wireless device of the recipient is operative responsive to the
messages to provide outputs requesting such
confirmation as represented by step 652. The recipient then provides one or
more inputs to their portable wireless
device confirming receipt of the deposit item as represented by step 654. The
recipient wireless device operates
responsive to the recipient inputs to send at least one receipt confirmation
response message to the central circuitry.
The central circuitry is operative to receive the at least one receipt
confirmation from the recipient at step 656, and to
send a notification message to the user device of the shipper user that
requested the transport of the deposit item to
indicate that the item has been received at step 658. The portable wireless
device of the shipper user that requested
the transport receives one or more delivery indication messages as represented
by step 660.
The central circuitry is also operative to calculate the charge to be assessed
to the shipper user requesting
transport of the deposit item for the transport thereof. This is represented
by step 662. The charge for transport is
assessed to the shipper user in the manner designated at the time of
requesting shipment, and the user is notified of
the charge as represented at step 664. The user receives the charge
notifications through their portable wireless
device as represented by step 667.
Further in this exemplary arrangement because the deposit item was delivered
to the recipient through the
depository that is owned by a depository owner other than the recipient, the
depository owner receives a payment for
the associated use of their depository in connection with the delivery of the
deposit item. In the exemplary
arrangement the central circuitry is operative to calculate a payment due the
depository owner as represented in a
step 668. In some exemplary arrangements the central circuitry is operative to
send one or more messages to the
portable wireless device or other system device operated by the depository
owner to indicate the receipt of the
payments for the use of the depository. Alternatively in other exemplary
arrangements, the central circuitry may
operate to credit an account of the depository owner for such use of the
depository by offsetting the amount of
credits against charges to the depository owner for acceptance, transport
and/or delivery of deposit items. Of course
it should be understood that these approaches are exemplary and in other
embodiments other approaches may be
used.
It should be understood that while the examples provided discuss users dealing
with a single depository
item, in exemplary systems numerous different deposit items will be handled by
each authorized user. This may be
particularly true of item carrier users that simultaneously handle a plurality
of deposit items that are being
transported as a bundle or group between different depositories. The exemplary
embodiments help to assure that the
proper depository items are removed and deposited in the proper depository for
purposes of transporting the item to
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
the proper destination. The ability of the exemplary arrangements to provide
an indication of any incorrect actions
and to track the whereabouts of deposit items within the system at all times
facilitates the prompt and reliable
transport and delivery of such depository items.
Further the exemplary arrangements provide advantages for transport of items
between depositories by
.. enabling the transport to be made by individuals who often are otherwise
commuting or otherwise traveling to
locations where item transport can be conducted as an ancillary activity that
generates revenue for the users. Such
transport can also be made in incremental steps as previously discussed based
on the available transport users. The
ability to utilize such user resources can also provide more options for
transport of items, while reducing costs
compared to scheduled transport systems.
As previously discussed in other exemplary arrangements item carriers may
deliver deposit items to
recipient addresses rather than to an item depository as a final destination.
In such arrangements the item carrier
may use their carrier contact device for purposes of documenting the delivery
to the recipient. This may include for
example, using the carrier contact device as a reader to capture images of the
deposit item, including the identifying
indicia on the parcel, showing the parcel placed at the delivery location.
Alternatively or in addition an item carrier
may utilize the carrier contact device and the camera thereon to capture
images that show the recipient facility or the
individual to whom the item is delivered. In still other exemplary
arrangements the item carrier device may be
operated by the item carrier to receive audio or audiovisual acknowledgments
from the recipient to document the
delivery of the parcel. Exemplary carrier contact devices may also include
circuit executable instructions that enable
the item carrier to capture a "signature" of the parcel recipient through
signature capture via recipient finger contact
with the touchscreen of the carrier contact device. Messages including the
parcel identifying indicia, and delivery
documentation are transmitted to the central system circuitry from the carrier
contact device. In some arrangements
the data sent may also include position data, such as GPS data, which is
indicative of the location and time at which
such documentation was captured. The exemplary central system circuitry is
operative to store in at least one data
store the delivery documentation in connection with the other data related to
the delivery item. Such record
information related to the delivery of the parcel may be stored in at least
one data store in connection with the
central circuitry for a programmed period of time so that the delivery thereof
to the recipient can be audited and
documented in the event that questions arise as to the delivery or disposition
of the particular parcel. Of course
these approaches are exemplary and in other arrangements other approaches may
be used.
In exemplary arrangements the central system or other connected systems may be
further operative to
.. assure that the depositories operate properly and that malfunctions or
anomalies are detected and corrected
promptly. For example in exemplary arrangements the central system may operate
to receive information from the
control circuitry of each depository that is indicative of conditions or
statuses associated with the devices that are
included as part of the depository or that are in operative connection
therewith. In some exemplary arrangements
the control circuitry of each depository may be operative to automatically
report condition and/or status information
on a periodic basis to the central circuitry. Alternatively or in addition the
central circuitry may be operative to
periodically poll the control circuitry of each depository, which polling
messages are operative to cause sending of
information by the depository, and the receipt of the condition or status
information by the central circuitry. Various
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
combinations of such techniques and alternative arrangements for obtaining
condition and status information
associated with depositories may be provided in exemplary arrangements.
The control circuitry of depositories in some exemplary arrangements may be
operative in accordance with
circuit executable instructions to monitor signals associated with the devices
included in or connected to the
depository. This may include sensors which are operative to detect conditions,
errors or malfunctions. For example,
the control circuitry may operate to detect conditions or situations where
sensors such as cameras or other image
capture devices associated with the depository are no longer operative to send
image signals or have degraded clarity
so as to indicate a loss of image capture capability. Other signals may be
operative to detect a malfunction of other
sensors, such as switches that are operative to determine the status of the
depository door or other component
monitored by the switch. In other exemplary arrangements conditions associated
with the lock or locks associated
with the depository door may be monitored for purposes of detecting a
malfunction or possible efforts at tampering.
In some exemplary arrangements the circuitry may operate to monitor the
operation of the one or more sensors, such
as property sensors of the types previously discussed. Property sensors such
as weight sensors, size sensors, image
sensors, and other sensor types are monitored to determine if a sensor has
malfunctioned or has decreased
sensitivity. Other sensors may operate to detect hazardous conditions such as
liquid adjacent to the repository,
temperature above a temperature threshold adjacent the repository and loss of
electrical power to the repository.
Other sensors may operate to detect abnormal conditions such as high or low
temperatures which may indicate a
problem or a malfunction. Other sensors may operate to detect smoke or other
particulate matter which may
indicate combustion or other possible problems. Additional sensors may be
operative to detect the temperature of
the control circuitry, a power supply and/or a battery or other element in
connection therewith, for purposes of
determining a possible malfunction.
In other exemplary arrangements conditions associated with sensors or devices
may be monitored to
determine malfunctions or other conditions indicative of problems or a
probable future problem. For example, if the
depository is located in an environment that needs to be illuminated such as
during evening hours, sensors may be
operative to monitor for the presence of a level of ambient lighting that
operates to illuminate the area of the
depository for security reasons. The absence of a sufficient level of ambient
illumination may be detected as an
unacceptable condition which needs to be remedied by the replacement of bulbs
or other illumination devices in the
area of the depository. Further in exemplary arrangements the circuitry may be
in operative connection with sensors
that are operative to detect the power draw associated with the operation of
depository devices. For example the
control circuitry may be operative to detect the power draw associated with
the electrical actuation needed for
locking or unlocking the lock of the depository. The values associated with
the power required for such activity
may be stored and monitored over time. Alternatively or in addition,
conditions associated with the available power
capabilities provided by a battery and/or solar cells may be monitored to
identify circumstances or trends which
indicate that the battery and/or solar power source has failed or is
exhibiting conditions which correspond to
probable upcoming failure. In some exemplary arrangements such data may be
stored and monitored over time.
Such data may be analyzed to determine trends which are indicative of the
particular component nearing an end-of-
life condition or a probable future malfunction.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
In other exemplary arrangements the control circuitry may operate to monitor
connectivity associated with
wireless communications or other communication channels for purposes of
verifying that the depository is
maintaining the required communications capability with the central system.
The inability to maintain such
communications capability over a period of time may indicate problems
associated with the control circuitry and/or
the network in which the depository is connected. Further in exemplary
arrangements the depository may include
sensors which may sense conditions that are indicative of a criminal attack on
the depository. These may include for
example conductivity integrity sensors which are positioned in the walls, a
bottom and/or one or more doors of the
depository and which are operative to detect holes, cutting action or other
attempts to access the depository interior.
In other exemplary arrangements seismic sensors may be included in
depositories for purposes of detecting
circumstances under which a depository may be moved or may be subject to
impacts for purposes of attempting to
steal or breach the depository. Still in other exemplary arrangements sensors
may be provided in or adjacent to the
depository for purposes of determining external conditions such as fire,
smoke, heat, flood or other conditions which
are problematic to the operation of the depository unit. Of course these
conditions which may be monitored and
analyzed are exemplary, and in other embodiments other conditions may be
detected and approaches may be used.
In exemplary arrangements the control circuitry associated with the depository
may operate to analyze
signals or conditions, and send messages to notify the central system
circuitry of the particular condition. In some
exemplary arrangements the depository control circuitry may be configured to
operate so that detection of the
condition may be automatically notified to the central system circuitry as
soon as it is detected. This may include
categories of urgent conditions such as circumstances which correspond to
criminal attacks that attempt to access the
interior of the depository. In other circumstances data corresponding to other
less urgent conditions may be stored
as status data in one or more data stores associated with the depository
control circuitry. Such status condition
information may be sent individually or in combination with other status
information to the central system circuitry
when the depository is polled or otherwise requested to submit status data. Of
course these approaches are
exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.
In some exemplary arrangements the central system circuitry may be operative
to include data
corresponding to acceptable operating parameters and ranges for the operation
of components included in
depositories. Such stored data may correspond to a model, template or other
arrangement of information that
provides suitable ranges for detected readings, parameters or conditions when
a depository is operating properly. In
exemplary arrangements communications between the central system circuitry and
the control circuitry of each
depository may be operative to determine the information from the depository
necessary to compare the status
information associated with the depository to the stored data. The central
circuitry may operate in accordance with
its programmed instructions to identify anomalies or irregularities in the
data from the depository and to determine
the condition or conditions indicated by this data. Further in exemplary
arrangements the central circuitry may be
operative to identify the remedial actions that are necessary in response to
the data that is received from a
depository.
In exemplary arrangements in response to determining abnormal conditions,
problems, malfunctions or
developing conditions at a depository, the central system circuitry may
operate in accordance with its programmed
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
circuit instructions to take programmed actions in response to such
determinations. Such programmed actions may
include for example, sending one or more messages to other systems to indicate
the need for repair, servicing or
other actions associated with the particular depository. In other
circumstances such actions may include notifying
appropriate authorities of the condition at a depository. For example if the
detected condition includes an attempted
theft, breach of the depository or fire condition, the central system
circuitry may operate to notify appropriate police
or fire authorities in the area where the depository is located. In other
circumstances the central system circuitry
may operate in accordance with its programming to communicate with other
systems to schedule a service call or
other remedial or preventive maintenance at the particular depository to
correct conditions and/or to replace parts
that may be reaching the predicted end of useful life. Of course these
approaches are exemplary and in other
embodiments other approaches may be used.
In still other exemplary arrangements the central system circuitry may be
operative to communicate with
the depository to attempt remote correction of problematic conditions which
are detected. For example, in
circumstances where the depository or device included therein may not be
operating in a proper manner, the
exemplary system may operate to download to the control circuitry of the
depository, circuit executable instructions
that may correct or reduce the effect of the problem. This may include for
example, downloading to the control
circuitry of the depository a substitute script to be executed by the control
circuitry for purposes of controlling a
particular device. The central system may cause the download of instructions
that cause the control circuitry of the
depository to execute the substitute script and report the results to the
central system. The results reported may
indicate further steps that can be taken by the central system through
detecting signals from the control circuitry and
downloading further scripts or other instructions for purposes of remotely
determining the problem and/or making
corrections. In other arrangements the central system may operate to cause the
control circuitry of a depository or
devices connected thereto to reboot or otherwise initialize in an attempt to
address problems or correct anomalies.
Of course it should be understood that these approaches are exemplary and in
other embodiments numerous other
approaches may be used.
Now referring to Figure 51 which shows an alternative exemplary arrangement
that may include the
repository features previously described herein, including features associated
with operation of the repository and
the central repository system. In particular, as shown in Figure 51, the
alternative exemplary arrangements of the
repository 10 include a body 12, a plurality of interior areas 14, at least
one door 18, and at least one electrically
actuated lock 24. The alternative exemplary arrangement further includes at
least one circuit 40, alternatively
referred to herein as control circuitry 40. The exemplary at least one circuit
40 includes at least one data store 44,
and a clock 46. The exemplary at least one circuit 40 is in operative
connection with the electrically actuated lock
24.
The alternative exemplary arrangement further includes at least one wireless
communication portal 34. The
exemplary wireless communication portal is alternatively referred to herein as
the wireless communication device.
The exemplary wireless communication portal 34 may be in operative connection
with the repository 10. In other
alternative exemplary arrangements, the wireless communication portal 34 may
be located adjacent the repository
10, or remotely located relative to the repository 10. The wireless
communication portal 34 is in operative
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
connection with the exemplary circuit 40. In addition to the operations of the
wireless communication portal 34
previously discussed, the circuit 40 is operative to cause the wireless
communication portal 34 to operate to
wirelessly communicate with at least one remote circuit 4067. In some
exemplary arrangements, the remote circuit
4067 may include the central circuitry 60. In addition, the remote circuit
4067 may include any circuit remotely
located relative to the repository 10 that is capable of communicating with
the wireless communication portal 34. It
should be understood that the remote circuit 4067 may also include circuits
that are located in close proximity to the
repository. The circuit 40 is further operative to cause the wireless
communication portal 34 to operate to transmit
data stored in the data store 44 to the remote circuit 4067. The circuit 40 is
further operative to cause the wireless
communication portal 34 to operate to communicate with at least one portable
wireless device such as devices 92,
94, 96, 98, 100 previously discussed. Of course, it should be understood that
these arrangements are exemplary, and
in other embodiments, other arrangements and operations of the wireless
communication portal may be used.
As shown in Figure 51, the alternative exemplary arrangement further includes
at least one camera 4068
associated with the repository 10. In some exemplary arrangements, the camera
4068 is in operative connection with
the repository 10, while in other exemplary arrangements the camera 4068 is
located adjacent to the repository 10.
The exemplary camera 4068 is in operative connection with the circuit 40 and
the circuit is operative to cause the
exemplary camera 4068 to operate to continuously periodically capture image
data corresponding to images in at
least one field of view of the camera. The exemplary at least one field of
view may include the repository 10, for
example. The at least one field of view may be a front area of the repository,
a side area of the repository, a back
area of the repository, or any combination thereof. In other exemplary
arrangements, the at least one camera 4068
may include a plurality of cameras in operative connection with, or adjacent
to the repository 10 such that the fields
of view of the cameras together provide a 360 view of the repository. In
other exemplary arrangements, the at least
one field of view may include a first field of view that includes an area
adjacent the repository. Additionally, the at
least one field of view may include a second field of view that has a further
area that includes at least one facial
feature of an authorized user, individual, item carrier, thief, service
technician, or other criminal entity positioned to
open a door 18 of a respective interior area 14. In still other exemplary
arrangements, the at least one camera 4068
may include a first camera that has the first field of view and a second
camera that has the second field of view. Of
course, these camera arrangements and operations are exemplary, and in other
embodiments other approaches may
be used.
In the alternative exemplary arrangement as shown in Figure 51, the repository
10 includes at least one
sensor 4070 associated therewith. As will be discussed later, the at least one
sensor 4070 may include any number of
different sensors that are operative to sense different conditions, events, or
statuses associated with the repository.
The at least one sensor 4070 may be in operative connection with the
repository, or the at least one sensor 4070 may
be located adjacent the repository. The location of the sensor 4070 relative
to the repository 10, whether it be in
operative connection with the repository or adjacent the repository, depends
predominantly on the type of sensor
which comprises the at least one sensor 4070. Of course, the described sensor
arrangements and operations are
exemplary, and in other embodiments, other sensor arrangements may be used.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
In the alternative exemplary arrangement shown in Figure 51, the at least one
circuit 40 includes the at least
one data store 44. The exemplary circuit 40 is operative to store in the at
least one data store 44 image data
corresponding to images captured by the at least one camera 4068. The image
data continuously captured by the
camera 4068 is stored such that images that have been captured are available
in the data store for a predetermined
time period prior to a current time. In the exemplary arrangement and image
data captured during predetermined
time period may be automatically deleted through other operations of the
circuit unless the circuit is operative to
cause the image data to be stored on a more permanent basis. It should be
understood that these arrangements and
operations for storage of image data are exemplary, and in other embodiments,
other arrangements and operations
for image data storage may be used.
In the exemplary arrangement at least one data store 44 is operative to store
data that corresponds to
occurrence types that may take place at the repository 10. The exemplary
occurrence types include certain
occurrences, actions, events, detected conditions, determinations that may be
made by the circuit 40, or
combinations thereof, that may take place at a respective repository 10, or
that are associated with a respective
repository 10. For example, as shown in Figure 52, the exemplary circuit 40
may cause the data store 44 to store
data corresponding to an occurrence type including, but not limited to, a
parcel removal occurrence type indicative
of removal of a parcel from a respective interior area 14 of the repository
10, a parcel placement occurrence type
indicative of placements of a parcel in a respective interior area, and a
fault occurrence type. The exemplary data
corresponding to a fault occurrence type may be data corresponding to a
potential malfunction, loss of
communication, loss of function, abnormal conditions, abnormal condition
timing, a lack of a detectable
condition(s), or any other problem, abnormality, or unusual function or
condition of the repository 10 and its
associated devices. Of course, it should be understood that other potential
occurrence types may exist, and that the
data store 44 is also operative to store data corresponding to these other
occurrence types.
The exemplary data corresponding to each potential occurrence type includes
data corresponding to an
occurrence type identifier. Each exemplary occurrence type identifier is
associated with a respective occurrence
type. The occurrence type identifier is indicative of the type of occurrence
that may potentially take place at, or be
associated with the repository 10. The exemplary data corresponding to each
occurrence type further includes data
corresponding to at least two detectable conditions associated with a
respective occurrence type. In exemplary
arrangements, the at least two detectable conditions may be any conditions
detectable by at least one sensor 4070.
The detectable conditions may also correspond to determinations made by at
least one circuit 40 responsive to the at
least one sensor 4070 or other associated devices and systems. The exemplary
data corresponding to each
occurrence type further includes data corresponding to a set order in which
the at least two detectable conditions
occur. The order is associated with a respective occurrence type.
The exemplary data corresponding to each potential occurrence type further
includes data corresponding to
an elapsed time in which the at least two detectable conditions occur. Each
occurrence type has a respective set
elapsed time associated therewith. The exemplary data corresponding to each
potential occurrence type further
includes data corresponding to actions to be taken by the circuit 40 in
response to the respective occurrence type.
Each potential occurrence type includes respective actions associated
therewith that are to be executed by the circuit
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
40 in response to the determination of the respective occurrence type. Of
course, it should be understood that the
data corresponding to each potential occurrence type is exemplary, and in
other arrangements the data corresponding
to each occurrence type may include more, less, or alternative data.
The at least one circuit 40 is operative responsive at least in part to
detection of conditions by the at least
one sensor 4070, the determination of times of the detected conditions by the
circuit responsive to the clock 46, and
the determined order of the detected conditions, to compare the recorded data
corresponding to detected conditions,
times, and orders, to data corresponding to the potential occurrence type data
stored in the data store 44. Thereafter
the at least one circuit is operative to make a determination of the
occurrence type that has taken place, and to take
the actions associated with the determined occurrence type. For example,
responsive to conditions detected by the at
least one sensor 4070, a determination by the at least one circuit 40 that the
detected conditions occurred in a set
order, and a determination by the at least one circuit 40 that the detected
conditions occurred in a set elapsed time,
the circuit is operative to compare the data corresponding to the detected
conditions, order, and elapsed time to the
data stored in the data store corresponding to potential occurrence types. If
the recorded data of the detected
conditions, order, and elapsed time correspond to or match any stored data for
potential occurrence types, the circuit
40 is operative to make a determination as to which occurrence type has taken
place. Thereafter responsive to the
determination the at least one circuit is operative to take the actions
included in the stored occurrence data associated
with the respective determined occurrence type. Of course, it should be
understood that the data store associated
with the exemplary circuitry may store data corresponding to a respective
occurrence type including data
corresponding to any combination of detectable conditions, any order of the
detected conditions, any set elapsed
time, and any actions associated with a determined occurrence type. The at
least one circuit 40 is operative to record
condition detection data, time data, and order data, and thereafter compare it
to any stored occurrence type data and
determine whether an occurrence has taken place. The at least circuit is
further operative to take the actions
corresponding to the stored data corresponding to the respective determined
occurrence type.
The exemplary occurrence type data stored in the at least one data store 44
corresponding to the occurrence
type identifier, may include data corresponding to an identification code or
other identifier indicating the type of
occurrence that has taken place at the repository. For example, the occurrence
type identifier may be an identifier
indicative of a parcel removal occurrence type, a parcel placement occurrence
type, or a fault occurrence type. It
should be understood that data corresponding to identifiers for other
occurrence types may be used indicating the
existence of other occurrences that may take place at a repository. The
arrangements of data corresponding to
occurrence type identifiers used herein are merely exemplary, and in other
arrangements, other approaches may be
used.
The exemplary occurrence type data stored in the at least one data store 44
corresponding to the at least two
detectable conditions may be data corresponding to possible conditions
detectable by the at least one sensor 4070.
As will later be discussed, the at least one sensor 4070 may include sensors
that are operative to detect a plurality of
different conditions, statuses, events, occurrences, or situations at, or
associated with the repository 10 or its
operation. As also will be discussed later on, the at least one sensor 4070
may also include combinations of different
sensors that are operative to detect any of a plurality of conditions,
statuses, events, occurrences, or situations
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
associated with the repository, or its operation. As such, the data
corresponding to the at least two detectable
conditions may be data corresponding to conditions detectable by any sensor
which comprises the at least one sensor
4070. In addition, the data corresponding to the at least two detectable
conditions may include data corresponding to
determinations made by the at least one circuit 40 responsive to communication
with position tracking systems, the
wireless communication portal 34, or any other device or system that may be
associated with, or in operative
connection with the repository, the at least one circuit 40, or the remote
circuit 4067. Of course, it should be
understood that these arrangements concerning the data corresponding to the at
least two detectable conditions are
exemplary, and in other embodiments, other arrangements of data corresponding
to detectable conditions and
different numbers and types of conditions may be used.
The exemplary potential occurrence type data stored in the at least one data
store 44 corresponding to the
set order in which the at least two detectable conditions occur may be data
corresponding to any order in which the
detectable conditions potentially could occur. For example, the data
corresponding to the order in which the
detectable conditions occur may be data corresponding to detection of a first
condition followed by detection of a
second condition. In other exemplary arrangements, the data corresponding to
the order in which the at least two
detectable conditions occur may include data corresponding to a plurality of
conditions detectable by the at least one
sensor or data corresponding to a plurality of determinations made by the
circuit, or any combination thereof. For
example, the data corresponding to the set order may include data
corresponding to detection of a first condition
indicative of a determination made by the at least one circuit 40, then
detection of a second condition detected by the
at least one sensor 4070, and then detection of a third condition detected by
the at least one sensor 4070. It should be
understand that these arrangements are merely exemplary, and that the data
corresponding to the set order in which
the at least two conditions occur may include data corresponding to any number
of conditions detectable by the at
least one sensor or data corresponding to any number of conditions indicative
of determinations made by the circuit,
or any combination thereof In more complex exemplary arrangements, there may
be data corresponding to a set
order including as many as five, ten, and even more conditions detectable by
the at least one sensor or determined by
the circuit 40, or any combination thereof However, the exemplary arrangements
are not limited to the number of
detectable conditions described herein, the numbers and set orders are by way
of example only.
The exemplary potential occurrence type data stored in the data store 44
corresponding to the elapsed time
in which the at least two detectable conditions occur may include data
corresponding to any elapsed time between
any two conditions of the at least two detectable conditions. For example,
when the data corresponding to the at least
two detectable conditions includes data corresponding to detection of a first
condition and a second condition, and
the data corresponding to the set order in which the at least two detectable
conditions occur includes data
corresponding to detection of the first condition and thereafter detection of
the second condition, the data
corresponding to the elapsed time in which the at least two detectable
conditions occur may include data
corresponding to the second condition detected within a set time after
detection of the first condition where the set
time may be any length of time. In other exemplary arrangements, the at least
two detectable conditions may include
data corresponding to detection of a first condition, detection of a second
condition, and detection of a third
condition, and the data corresponding to the set order may include data
corresponding to detection of the first
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
condition, and then detection of the second condition, and then detection of
the third condition, and the data
corresponding to the set elapsed time includes data corresponding to the
detection of the third condition within a set
time after the detection of the first condition where the set time may be any
length of time, or in some exemplary
arrangements, the data corresponding to the set elapsed time may include data
corresponding to detection of the
third condition within a set time after the detection of at least one of the
first condition and the second condition. In
further exemplary arrangements, the data corresponding to the at least two
detectable conditions may include
detection of a first condition, a second condition, a third condition, a
fourth condition, and a fifth condition, and the
data corresponding to the set order includes data corresponding to detection
of the fifth condition, then detection of
the first condition, then detection of the second condition, then detection of
one of the third condition and the fourth
condition, and then detection of the other of the third condition and the
fourth condition, and the data corresponding
to the elapsed time in which the at least two conditions occur includes data
corresponding to detection of the other of
the third condition and the fourth condition within a set time after the
detection of at least one of the first condition,
the second condition, the one of the third condition and the fourth condition,
and the fifth condition. In other
exemplary arrangements determinations may be made by the at least one circuit
based on features associated with
conditions other than when conditions first occur. For example determinations
may be based on detection of when a
condition terminates as well as the duration that a condition is detected.
Numerous properties associated with
conditions may be used for purposes of determining the existence of a
condition.
Still further, in other exemplary arrangements corresponding to fault
occurrence types, for example, the set
order may also include data corresponding to detection of one or more
conditions without detection of one or more
other conditions. For example, for a fault occurrence type, the at least two
detectable conditions may include a first
condition, a second condition, and a third condition, and the data
corresponding to the set order may include data
corresponding to detection of the second condition and then detection of the
third condition without detection of the
first condition before detection of the second condition. The data
corresponding to the set elapsed time includes data
corresponding to detection of the third condition within a set time after
detection of the second condition. Of course,
these arrangements of the data corresponding to the set elapsed time in which
the detectable conditions occur are
exemplary, and the data corresponding to the time in which the at least two
conditions occur may use any conditions
of the at least two conditions as time boundary conditions and may include any
number of conditions before,
intermediate of, or after the time boundary conditions.
In exemplary arrangements, the data corresponding to the actions to be taken
by the at least one circuit 40
in response to the determination of a respective occurrence type may include
data corresponding to any actions
executable by the at least one circuit 40, or actions executable by the at
least one circuit through communication
with the remote circuit 4067, the position tracking system 4076, or any other
device or system associated with the
circuit 40, repository 10, or remote circuit 4067. For example, as shown in
Figure 53, the data corresponding to the
actions to be taken by the at least one circuit 40 in response to the
respective occurrence type may include
instructions and that are operative to cause the circuit 40 to store
occurrence data in the at least one data store 44.
Exemplary occurrence data that may be stored in the data store 44 responsive
to the determined occurrence type,
may include data corresponding to the occurrence type identifier associated
with the occurrence, an occurrence time
47
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
associated with the occurrence and determined responsive to the clock 46. Such
occurrence instructions may also
include instructions that cause more permanent storage of occurrence image
data captured by the at least one camera
4068 within at least a portion of the predetermined time period prior to at
least one of the at least two detectable
conditions. For example in some exemplary arrangements the actions may include
causing image data captured
within a specified time window prior to a particular condition occurring to be
stored with the occurrence data.
Alternatively or in addition image data captured after detection of one or
more conditions may be stored as part of
the occurrence data. In other exemplary arrangements, the data that is to be
stored in the at least one data store
responsive to the determined occurrence type may further include additional
data corresponding to information
received from through the at least one sensor 4070 or other devices and
systems associated with the repository and
circuitry. For example, as shown in Figure 52, such additional data may
correspond to user identifying information
communicated to the wireless communication portal 34 by the portable wireless
device associated with the
authorized user. Such data may further include parcel indicia read by a
reader. The stored data may include
occurrence image data captured by the at least one camera 4068 including
images of the first field of view and the
second field of view. Such occurrence data may further include occurrence time
data including data corresponding
to a respective condition time determined responsive to the clock 46
associated with some or all of respective
detected conditions. In exemplary arrangements, the occurrence data stored in
the at least one data store 44 is stored
therein in a manner in which the occurrence image data captured by the at
least one camera or other data is not
automatically deleted in response to passage of time. Of course, it should be
understood that the action of storing
occurrence data in the data store and the arrangement of such data are merely
exemplary and the actions and
occurrence data to be stored are not limited to the exemplary arrangements
described herein and shown in Figures
53. As can be appreciated, in other arrangements, other data associated with
other actions and arrangements of
occurrence data may be used.
The exemplary data corresponding to actions to be taken by the at least one
exemplary circuit 40 in
response to the respective occurrence type may further include stored data
corresponding to instructions that is
readable by the circuit 40 and that are operative to cause the circuit 40 to
transmit occurrence data to the remote
circuit 4067. Alternatively or in addition the data corresponding to actions
corresponding to a respective occurrence
type may include instruction data that is operative to cause the at least one
circuit 40 to make occurrence data
accessible to the remote circuit 4067. The exemplary occurrence data that is
transmitted or made accessible to the
remote circuit 4067 includes the recorded data that is stored in the at least
one data store and that was used to
determine the occurrence type. For example, the occurrence data transmitted or
made accessible to the remote circuit
4067 may include data corresponding to the occurrence type identifier, the
detected at least two conditions, the order
in which the conditions were detected, the time at which the conditions were
detected and whether the conditions
were detected within the set elapsed time, the occurrence type determined by
the circuit 40, and the actions taken by
the circuit 40 in response to the determined occurrence type. In other
exemplary arrangements, the occurrence data
transmitted to or made accessible to the remote circuit 4067 may further
include data corresponding to the user
identifying information communicated to the wireless communication portal 34
by the portable wireless device
associated with the authorized user, the parcel indicia read by the reader 26,
occurrence image data of the at least
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
one field of view including the first and second fields of view captured by
the at least one camera 4068, and
condition times associated with each respective detected condition determined
by the circuit 40 responsive to the
clock 46.
The data corresponding to the actions may further include data that is
operative to cause the circuit 40 to
transmit the occurrence data, or at least a portion thereof, to a further
circuit, entity, or portable wireless device. For
example, in response to a determination of a fault occurrence type including
some form of criminal behavior, the at
least one circuit 40 may transmit or make accessible the occurrence image data
to an emergency service or security
service. In other instances, the at least one circuit 40 may make accessible
or transmit at least part of the occurrence
data to an owner of the repository 10 or an entity responsible for maintenance
or management of the repository.
In still other exemplary arrangements, the data corresponding to actions to be
taken by the at least one
circuit 40 in response to a respective determined occurrence type may include
data that is readable by the circuit 40
and that is operative to cause the at least one circuit 40 to cause the
portable wireless device such as device 92
associated with the authorized user, to be tracked through operation of the
wireless device position tracking system
4076, and to thereafter include in the occurrence data transmitted to or made
accessible to the remote circuit 4067,
data corresponding to at least one further location of the portable wireless
device. The at least one further location of
the portable wireless device may be transmitted or made accessible to the
remote circuit 4067 simultaneously with
transmitting or making accessible the occurrence data to a remote circuit, or
the further location may be transmitted
or made accessible periodically or continuously to the remote circuit 4067
after a respective determined occurrence
type.
In other exemplary arrangements, the data corresponding to the actions to be
taken by the at least one
circuit in response to a respective determined occurrence type may include
instruction data executable by the at least
one circuit 40 that is operative to cause, responsive to operation of, or
communication with the position tracking
system 4076, resolution of a current location of the repository and
transmission of at least one current location of the
repository 10 to the at least one remote circuit 4067. In such arrangements,
the occurrence data transmitted or made
accessible to the remote circuit 4067 may include data corresponding to the
current location of the repository caused
to be resolved responsive to operation of the circuit 40. In other exemplary
arrangements, the at least one current
location of the repository may be periodically or continuously transmitted or
made accessible to the remote circuit
4067 after a respective determined occurrence type. Of course, the examples of
data corresponding to actions to be
taken by the circuit in response to a respective occurrence type are
exemplary, and in other embodiments, data
corresponding to other actions to be taken by the at least one circuit may be
stored in the data store. As also can be
appreciated, the arrangements concerning the occurrence data transmitted or
made accessible to the remote circuit
are merely exemplary, and in other arrangements, other data may be transmitted
or made accessible.
Referring again to Figure 51, in an alternative exemplary arrangement, the at
least one sensor 4070 may
include the at least one wireless communication portal 34. The wireless
communication portal 34 may be operative
to detect at least one detectable condition. The exemplary at least one
circuit 40 is operative to cause the wireless
communication portal 34 to be operable to receive user identifying information
from a portable wireless device such
as device 92, associated with an authorized user. For example, the authorized
user may input into or the otherwise
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provide portable wireless device 92, a code, data, or other input. Data
corresponding to the user provided input is
sent by the portable wireless device to the wireless communication portal 34
to initiate a parcel placement
occurrence type or parcel removal occurrence type. In response to receipt of
the user identifying information, the at
least one circuit 40 is further operative to make an access determination that
the received user identifying
information corresponds to data stored in the data store 44 that is associated
with an authorized user that is
authorized to access the respective interior area. In response to the access
determination made by the at least one
circuit 40, the circuit 40 is operative to change a respective lock of a door
of a respective interior area from the
locked condition to the unlocked condition.
In some exemplary arrangements, the authorized user may input a code, data, or
other input into an input
device the portable wireless device to cause the at least one circuit 40 to
cause the lock to change from the unlocked
condition to the locked condition, for example after a parcel placement
occurrence type. Receipt by the wireless
communication portal 34 of the user identifying information associated with
the authorized user corresponds to a
condition that is detectable by the at least one sensor 4070. In other
exemplary arrangements, an access
determination made by the circuit 40 that the received user identifying
information corresponds to stored data
associated with an authorized user that is authorized to access a respective
interior area corresponds to a condition
determinable by the circuit 40 responsive to data received through operation
of the wireless communication portal
34. Of course, it should be understood that other operations to access the at
least one interior area may be required,
such as inputting or providing a code, data, or other input into a manual
input device, which may correspond to other
conditions detectable by the at least one sensor 4070 and determinable by the
circuit 40.
The at least one sensor 4070 of the exemplary arrangement may further comprise
a door sensor 4053g. The
sensor 4070 including the door sensor 4053g is operative to detect at least
one detectable condition. The exemplary
door sensor 4053g is associated with a respective door of a respective
interior area. The door sensor 4053g is
operative to detect the respective interior area becoming accessible from
outside the repository. The door sensor
4053g may be a contact sensor or other sensor type. As can be appreciated,
this arrangement of the at least one
sensor 4070 including the door sensor 4053g is merely exemplary and in other
arrangements, other approaches for
detecting the accessibility of an interior area may be used.
In the alternative exemplary arrangement, the at least one sensor 4070 may
further include the weight
sensor 43. The weight sensor 43 may be operative to detect at least one
detectable condition. As previously
discussed, the exemplary weight sensor 43 is in operative connection with a
respective interior area and is operative
.. to detect removal of weight from the respective interior area and addition
of weight to the respective interior area. In
exemplary arrangements, detection of the removal of weight from the respective
interior area corresponds to a
further detectable condition by the at least one sensor 4070, and the addition
of weight to the respective interior area
corresponds to another condition that is detectable by the at least one sensor
4070. It should be understood that this
arrangement of the sensor 4070 including the weight sensor 43 is merely
exemplary, and in other arrangements, a
respective weight sensor may be in operative connection with each respective
interior area, or other arrangements
and operations may be used for detecting the addition or removal of weight for
the repository.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
The at least one sensor 4070 may further include the reader 26, alternatively
referred to herein as the
reading device 26. The reader 26 may be operative to detect at least one
detectable condition. As previously
discussed, the exemplary reader 26 is configured to read parcel indicia on a
parcel that is placed in or removed from
a respective interior area. The exemplary at least one circuit 40 is operative
to cause a parcel determination to be
made that the read parcel indicia corresponds to stored data associated with a
parcel that is authorized to be placed in
the respective interior area, or removed from the respective interior area by
an authorized user. In exemplary
arrangements, reading of the parcel indicia by the reader corresponds to a
condition detectable by the at least one
sensor 4070. It should be understood that these arrangements of the at least
one sensor 4070 including the reader 26
are exemplary, and in other arrangements, other operations may be used for
establishing authorized parcel
transactions.
In some alternative exemplary arrangements, the at least one circuit 40 is
operative to cause the wireless
communication portal 34 to operate to send at least one message to the
portable wireless device such as device 92
associated with the authorized user, indicating that the parcel that has been
placed in or removed from a respective
interior area is a parcel that is authorized to be placed in or removed from
the respective interior area. In other
exemplary arrangements, the circuit 40 may operate to cause the wireless
communication portal 34 to send a
message to the repository owner or the central control circuitry 60 indicating
that the parcel removed or placed in the
respective interior area is a parcel that is authorized to be placed in or
removed from the respective interior area. As
can be appreciated, in some arrangements the circuit 40 may operate to cause
the wireless communication portal 34
to send messages indicating that the parcel that has been placed in or removed
from the respective interior area is a
parcel that is not authorized to be placed in or removed from the respective
interior area. In some exemplary
arrangements, an optical or audible indicator may be used to indicate to the
individual placing or removing a parcel
from a respective interior area that the parcel being placed or removed is a
parcel that is authorized or not authorized
to be placed in or removed from the interior area. This may be done by the
indicator outputting different audible or
visual outputs displayed or projected through the indicator responsive to the
authorization determination. Of course,
it should be understood that these arrangements of the reader, the stored data
associated with parcels authorized to
be placed in or removed from an interior area, and the authorization
notification operations are exemplary, and in
other arrangements, other approaches may be used.
The at least one sensor 4070 may further include a motion sensor 4071,
alternatively referred to herein as a
proximity detection module. The sensor 4070 including the motion sensor 4071
is operative to detect at least one
detectable condition. The exemplary motion sensor 4071 is operative to detect
motion of at least one object in the at
least one field of view of the at least one camera 4068. The motion sensor
4071 may be the type that detects motion
through image analysis of images captured at different times for example. In
exemplary arrangements, detection of
motion by the motion sensor 4071 in the at least one field of view of the at
least one camera 4068 corresponds to a
further condition that is detectable by the at least one sensor 4070. As can
be appreciated, this arrangement and
operation of the motion sensor is exemplary, and in other embodiments, other
motion sensor arrangements and
operations may be used.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
In an exemplary arrangement, the at least one sensor 4070 may further include
a lock sensor 4072. The
lock sensor 4072 is operative to detect at least one detectable condition. The
exemplary lock sensor 4072 is in
operative connection with an electrically actuated lock 24 associated with a
door 18 of a respective interior area 14.
As can be appreciated, each lock 24 may include at least one lock sensor 4072
associated therewith. The exemplary
lock sensor 4072 is operative to detect condition changes of the lock 24. For
example, the exemplary lock sensor
4072 is operative to detect a lock condition change of the lock from the
locked condition to the unlocked condition.
The exemplary lock sensor 4072 is further operative to detect a lock condition
change of the lock 24 from the
unlocked condition to the locked condition. The exemplary lock sensor 4072 may
be a contact or position sensor or
other similar sensor. In the exemplary arrangement, detection of a lock
condition change by the lock sensor 4072
corresponds to another condition that is detectable by the at least one sensor
4070. Of course, it should be
understood that these lock sensor arrangements are exemplary, and in other
embodiments, other arrangements of
sensors associated with the lock may be used.
The at least one sensor 4070 may further include a seismic sensor 4074. The
seismic sensor 4074 is
operative to detect at least one detectable condition. The exemplary seismic
sensor 4074 is in operative connection
with the repository 10 and is operative to detect seismic activity imparted to
the repository that is above a set seismic
activity threshold. The exemplary seismic sensor 4074 may include an
accellerometer, tilt sensor, vibration sensor or
other similar device. Detection by the seismic sensor 4074 of seismic activity
imparted to the repository 10 that is
above a set seismic activity threshold corresponds to a further condition
detectable by the at least one sensor 4070.
As can be appreciated, in other arrangements, other sensors, devices, or
operations may be used to detect seismic
activity imparted to the repository, and the described arrangements concerning
detection of the same herein are
merely exemplary.
The exemplary circuit 40 is further operative to cause communication with a
position tracking system 4076.
Responsive to communication with the position tracking system 4076, the at
least one circuit 40 is operative to
determine locations of devices associated with the circuit 40 and the
repository 10. Such location determinations
correspond to a detectable condition. The exemplary position tracking system
4076 may alternatively be referred to
herein as a global positioning system (GPS). The exemplary position tracking
system 4076 is operative to track the
position of a portable wireless device such as device 92. Responsive to the
communication with the position
tracking system 4076, the at least one circuit 40 is operative to cause a
determination of at least one location of the
portable wireless device. The determination caused to be made responsive to
the at least one circuit 40 responsive to
the position tracking system 4076, may include that the portable wireless
device from which the wireless
communication portal 34 received the user identifying information, is at a
location immediately adjacent the
repository at or around the same time the portable wireless device
communicates the user identifying information to
the wireless communication portal 34. The determination that is caused to be
made responsive to operation of the at
least one circuit 40 that the portable wireless device is located immediately
adjacent the repository at or around the
same time the wireless communication portal 34 received the user identifying
information from the portable wireless
device, corresponds to a further condition determinable by the circuit 40. In
other exemplary arrangements, a
determination caused to be made responsive to the circuit 40 that the portable
wireless device is at a location
52
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
immediately adjacent the repository 10, without the user identifying
information having been communicated to the
portable wireless device, may correspond to a determined condition. In still
further exemplary arrangements, the
determination caused responsive to operation of the circuit 40 that the
portable wireless device is at a location
immediately adjacent the repository 10 may be sufficient by itself to cause
the at least one circuit 40 to operate to
change the lock 24 which controls access to a respective interior area,
between the locked condition and the
unlocked condition. As can be appreciated, in other arrangements, other
operations for determining a location of the
portable wireless device or other devices associated with the circuit and the
repository may be used.
In other exemplary arrangements, the at least one data store 44 may include
data corresponding to actions
executable by the circuit 40 that are operative to cause the position tracking
system 4076 to track the portable
wireless device associated with the authorized user after certain occurrence
types have taken place. For example,
after the circuit 40 has caused a determination to be made that a parcel
removal occurrence type has taken place, the
circuit 40 is operative to cause the position tracking system 4076 to track
the portable wireless device associated
with the authorized user while the authorized user is transporting a package
from one repository to another, or from
one repository to a final destination. The at least one circuit 40 is
operative to cause storage of data corresponding to
such wireless device locations, and/or to transmit or make accessible the
locations to the remote circuit 4067.
Similarly, the exemplary at least one circuit 40 may be further operative to
cause a determination that
includes that the portable wireless device from which the at least one sensor
4070 (the wireless communication
portal 34) received the user identifying information, is at a location other
than immediately adjacent the repository
10 at or around the same time the portable wireless device communicated the
user identifying information to the
wireless communication portal 34. The determination made by the at least one
circuit 40 that the portable wireless
device is at a location other than immediately adjacent the repository at or
around the same time the wireless
communication portal 34 received the user identifying information from the
portable wireless device, corresponds to
a further condition determinable responsive to operation of the circuit 40.
In addition, in other exemplary arrangements, the at least one circuit 40 is
operative to cause a
determination to be made after a detected addition or removal of weight from a
respective interior area that within a
certain time thereafter, the portable wireless device is at a location other
than immediately adjacent the repository
and to operate the lock 24 of the respective interior area, to change from the
unlocked condition to the locked
condition. Such exemplary arrangements may include that the at least one door
is automatically closable either
mechanically via a spring, hydraulically, or electrically, and the at least
one circuit 40 operative responsive at least
in part to the door sensor 4053g, to determine whether the door is in the
closed position prior to operating the lock to
change from the unlocked condition to the locked condition. In the exemplary
arrangement, the determination that
the portable wireless device is at a location other than immediately adjacent
the repository while the door 18 is in the
closed position and the lock is in the unlocked condition, may correspond to a
further condition determinable
responsive at least in part to operation of the at least one circuit 40. Of
course, as can be appreciated, the tracking
processes and operations described herein are merely exemplary, and in other
arrangements, other systems and
tracking processes may be used.
53
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
In the exemplary arrangement, the at least one circuit is in operative
connection with a battery 48. As
previously discussed, the exemplary battery 48 is operative to provide
electrical power to the at least one circuit 40
when the circuit 40 does not receive electrical power from a power cord,
utility line power source, or other power
source. The exemplary circuit 40 is further operative to cause resolution of a
current location of the repository 10
.. responsive to communication with the position tracking system 4076. The at
least one circuit 40 is further operative
to cause a determination to be made that a current location of the repository
10 is a location other than a home
location of the repository 10. The home location of the repository 10 is the
normal geographical location in which
the repository 10 is installed and authorized to be stationed. In other words,
the circuit 40 is operative to cause
communication with the repository position tracking system 4076 to determine
that the current location of the
repository 10 is a location other than where the repository is properly
positioned. This allows the exemplary
arrangement to determine that the repository 10 has been moved or stolen, and
allows the tracking of the repository
10 so that the repository may be recovered.
Responsive to the resolution of a current location of the repository
responsive to the position tracking
system, the at least one circuit 40 is operative to cause transmission of data
corresponding to the current location of
the repository to the remote circuit 4067. The determination that the
repository 10 has a current location that is other
than a home location of the repository 10, corresponds to a further condition
determined responsive to operation of
the at least one circuit 40. Of course, it should be understood that the
tracking processes described herein are merely
exemplary, and in other arrangements, other systems and tracking processes may
be used.
An example of operation of an alternative exemplary arrangement is represented
by the schematic
exemplary logic flow shown in Figure 54. The exemplary operation of the at
least one circuit 40 begins at step
4078. Reference numeral 4080 corresponds to a point in the logic flow that
will be referred to when the logic flow
returns operation to that point in the logic flow. The exemplary at least one
circuit 40 operates to the at least one
sensor 4070 to operate to sense for a first condition at step 4082. If the
sensor 4070 does not sense the first
condition, the at least one circuit 40 operates to cause the at least one
sensor to operate to continue to sense for the
first condition. If the sensor 4070 does sense the first condition as
determined at step 4083, the at least one circuit
40 operates to continue to sense for a second condition at step 4086. If at a
step 4085 the sensor 4070 does not sense
the second condition, the at least one circuit 40 operates to continue to
sense for the second condition.
If at step 4085 the sensor 4070 does sense the second condition, the at least
one circuit 40 operates to make
a determination at step 4090 whether the first condition and the second
condition were sensed in an order
corresponding to a set order included in data stored in the at least one data
store 44 associated with a respective
occurrence type. If the sensor does not sense the first condition and the
second condition in an order corresponding
to data stored in the at least one data store 44 including a set order
associated with a respective occurrence type, the
logic flow returns to sensing for a first condition. If in step 4090 it is
determined that the first condition and the
second condition were sensed in the order corresponding to data stored in the
at least one data store 44 including a
set order associated with a respective occurrence type, the at least one
circuit 40 next operates to make a
determination at step 4094 whether the detected first condition and the
detected second condition were sensed or
detected within an elapsed time corresponding to data stored in the at least
one data store 44 including a set elapsed
54
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
time associated with a respective occurrence type. If the circuit 40 does not
make the determination that the first
condition and the second condition were sensed within an elapsed time
corresponding to data stored in the data store
44 including a set elapsed time associated with a respective occurrence type,
the at least one circuit 40 returns
operation to sensing for a first condition. If the at least one circuit 40
makes the determination in the step 4094 that
the first condition and the second condition were sensed within an elapsed
time corresponding to data stored in the
store 44 including a set elapsed time associated with a respective occurrence
type, the circuit 40 makes a
determination as to which occurrence type has taken place at step 4098.
Responsive to the determination of the
respective occurrence type by the at least one circuit 40, the circuit 40
executes the actions included in the data
stored in the data store associated with the respective determined occurrence
type, as represented at steps 5000 and
5002. After the actions corresponding the occurrence data are executed the
logic flow returns to sensing for the first
condition.
A further example of operation of the exemplary arrangement of the at least
one circuit 40 is represented in
the logic flow represented schematically Figures 55-56. In this example, the
at least one circuit 40 operates in a
similar manner to that represented in Figure 54 to carry out steps 4082, 4083,
4086 and 4085. However, in this
example the at least one circuit operates to sense or detect a third condition
after detection of a second connection.
As shown in Figure 55, if the second condition is sensed, the exemplary
circuit 40 operates to sense for a third
condition as represented by a step 5006. If the third condition is not sensed
in a step 5008, the at least circuit 40
operates to continue to sense for the third condition, by return of the logic
flow to step 5006. If in step 5008 the
sensor 4070 does sense the third condition, the at least one circuit 40
operates to make a determination at step 5009
whether the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition
were sensed in an order corresponding to
data stored in the at least one data store 44 including a set order associated
with a respective occurrence type. If it is
determined in step 5009 that the first condition, the second condition, and
the third condition were not detected in an
order corresponding to data stored in the data store 44 including a set order
associated with a respective occurrence
type, the logic flow returns operation to sensing for a first condition.
If in step 5009 a determination is made that the first condition, the second
condition, and the third condition
were sensed in an order corresponding to data stored in the at least one data
store 44 including a set order associated
with a respective occurrence type, the at least one circuit 40 operates to
make a determination at step 5010 whether
the detected first condition, second condition, and third condition were
sensed or detected within an elapsed time
corresponding to data stored in the at least one data store 44 including a set
elapsed time associated with a respective
occurrence type. If the at least one circuit 40 does not make the
determination that the first condition, the second
condition, and the third condition were sensed within an elapsed time
corresponding to data stored in the at least one
data store 44 including a set elapsed time associated with a respective
occurrence type, the logic flow returns
operation to sensing for a first condition.
If the determination is made in step 5010 that the first condition, the second
condition, and the third
condition were sensed within an elapsed time corresponding to data stored in
the at least one data store 44 including
within a set elapsed time associated with a respective occurrence type, a
determination is made at a step 5013
concerning which occurrence type that has taken place. Responsive to the
determination of the respective occurrence
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
type in step 5013, the at least one circuit 40 is operative to cause the
actions included in the data stored in the at least
one data store 44 associated with the respective determined occurrence type as
represented by at steps 5015 and
5017. Thereafter the logic flow returns to sensing for a first condition.
As can be appreciated, the logic flow carried out responsive to operation of
the at least one circuit 40 may
be extended to include detection of conditions associated with different
numbers and types of sensors, and detectable
conditions. Further, data stored in the at least one data store 44 may
correspond to occurrence data associated with
numbers different possible occurrence types that may take place at the
repository 10. Further, exemplary
arrangements may include data corresponding to numerous different actions
executable by the at least one circuit 40
that are carried out responsive a determined respective occurrence type. The
logic flows presented in Figures 54-56
are by way of examples only, and in other embodiments, other logic flows may
be used.
In some exemplary arrangements, the at least one sensor 4070 associated with
the repository includes the
wireless communication portal 34, the door sensor 4053g, and the weight sensor
43. As previously discussed in
connection with Figure 55 the exemplary logic flow carried out through
operation of the at least one circuit 40 may
begin as shown in Figure 57. The exemplary at least one circuit 40 causes the
at least one sensor 4070 including the
wireless communication portal 34 to operate to sense for a first condition at
step 5032. In this exemplary
arrangement, the first condition corresponds to receipt by the wireless
communication portal 34 of the user
identifying information responsive to operation of the wireless communication
portal 34 by the at least one circuit
40. If the wireless communication portal 34 does not sense the first condition
as determined at a step 5034 the at
least one circuit 40 operates to continue to sense for the first condition. If
the wireless communication portal 34 does
sense the first condition at step 5032, the at least one circuit 40 operates
to sense for a second condition as
represented by a step 5036. In this exemplary arrangement, the second
condition corresponds to a respective interior
area becoming accessible from outside the repository as detected responsive to
operation of the door sensor 4053g.
If in step 5038 the door sensor 4053g does not sense the second condition, the
logic flow is carried out to continue to
sense for the second condition. If in step 5038 the second condition
corresponding to the interior area becoming
accessible from outside the repository is detected, the at least one circuit
40 operates to sense for a third condition,
represented at step 5040. In this exemplary arrangement, the third condition
corresponds to the removal of weight
from the respective interior area responsive to operation of the weight sensor
43 as detected by the at least one
circuit 40. If in a step 5042 the weight sensor 43 does not sense the third
condition, the at least one circuit 40
operates to continue to sense for the third condition.
If in step 5042 the weight sensor 43 does sense the third condition, the at
least one circuit 40 operates to
make a determination at a step 5044 whether the first condition, the second
condition, and the third condition were
sensed in an order corresponding to data stored in the at least one data store
44 including a set order associated with
a respective occurrence type. If at step 5044 the determination is made that
the first condition, the second condition,
and the third condition were not detected in an order corresponding to data
stored in the data store 44 including a set
order associated with a respective occurrence type, the logic flow returns to
sensing for a first condition. If however
the determination is made at step 5044 that the first condition, the second
condition, and the third condition were
detected in an order corresponding to data stored in at least one the data
store 44 including a set order associated
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
with a respective occurrence type, the at least one circuit 40 operates to
cause a determination to be made at step
5046 whether the detected first condition, the second condition, and the third
condition were sensed or detected
within an elapsed time corresponding to data stored in the data store 44
including a set elapsed time associated with
a respective occurrence type. If in step 5046 it is determined that the first
condition, the second condition, and the
third condition were not sensed within an elapsed time corresponding to data
stored in the data store 44
corresponding to a set elapsed time associated with a respective occurrence
type, the logic flow returns to sensing
for a first condition.
However if at step 5046 a determination is made that the first condition, the
second condition, and the third
condition were sensed within an elapsed time corresponding to data stored in
the at least one data store 44 within a
set elapsed time associated with a respective occurrence type, the at least
one circuit 40 operates to cause a
determination to be made as represented at step 5048, of which occurrence type
that has taken place. In this
exemplary arrangement, the occurrence data corresponds to a parcel removal
occurrence type. Responsive to the
determination of the parcel removal occurrence type by the at least one
circuit 40, the at least one circuit 40 is
operative to cause the actions corresponding to the data stored in the data
store 44 corresponding to the parcel
removal occurrence type, represented at steps 5050 and 5052. In this exemplary
arrangement, the actions include
storage of the occurrence data in the at least one data store as represented
in step 5050 and transmitting or making
accessible the data to the remote circuit 4067 as represented in step 5052
In the exemplary arrangement in connection with an occurrence corresponding to
a parcel removal, of the
logic flow as shown in Figure 58 includes tracking of the portable wireless
device such as device 92 associated with
an authorized user who removed the parcel. This is represented by step 5054.
Tracking of the portable wireless
device is carried out in a manner like that previously discussed through
communication with a position tracking
system. While in the exemplary arrangement the tracking step 5054 is carried
out responsive to a determined parcel
removal occurrence type, the tracking of the portable wireless device may also
be an action to be taken responsive to
other determined occurrence types. Of course, these actions are merely
exemplary, and in other arrangements, data
stored in the at least one data store 44 may correspond to any actions
executable by the at least one circuit 40 and
any associated devices.
As previously stated, it should be understood that the schematic
representation of the exemplary logic flow
of the operation of the at least one circuit 40 may be extended to include
operative connections with any number of
different sensors, determinations of other detectable conditions, and
determinations of conditions corresponding to
any number of different occurrence types that may take place at a repository
10 as well as actions to be taken in
response thereto. For example the example discussed, in which the at least one
sensor 4070 includes the wireless
communication portal 34, the door sensor 4053g and the weight sensor 43, the
detected conditions, the order in
which the detected conditions occur, and the set time in which the detected
conditions occur, corresponds to a parcel
removal occurrence type. However, in other arrangements, the detected
conditions, the order in which the detected
conditions occur, and the set time in which the detected conditions occur may
correspond to stored data for other
occurrence types that include associated data corresponding to other actions
to be taken by the at least one circuit
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
responsive to the determined occurrence type. The logic flows presented in
Figures 54-58 are by way of examples
only, and in other embodiments, other logic flows may be used.
It should also be understood that in some arrangements the occurrence data may
be stored simultaneously
with detection of certain conditions. For example, the user identifying
information may be stored in the at least one
data store 44 simultaneously, or immediately after receipt of the user
identifying information by the wireless
communication portal 34. In other exemplary arrangements, the parcel indicia,
images of the first and second field
of view, occurrence time data including the respective condition times, and
any other occurrence data may be stored
simultaneously with detection thereof by the respective sensor capable of
detecting such data, or simultaneously
with the determination of the condition responsive to operation of the at
least one circuit 40 and associated sensors,
devices and systems. Additionally, in alternative exemplary arrangements, the
occurrence data may be temporarily
stored and deleted thereafter at a set later time or responsive to a
subsequent action, if the at least one circuit 40 does
not make a determination that a particular occurrence type has taken place.
Figure 59 shows an exemplary alternative logic flow of an exemplary
arrangement in which the at
least one sensor 4070 includes at least one hazard sensor 5011. The exemplary
hazard sensor 5011 is operative to
detect at least one hazard condition related to the repository 10. The at
least one hazard condition may correspond to
at least one of liquid adjacent the repository, detection of a temperature
above a temperature threshold adjacent the
repository, or the loss of electrical power to the repository. The exemplary
at least one circuit 40 is operative
responsive to detection of the hazard condition to cause the wireless
communication portal 34 to transmit to the at
least one remote circuit 4067, at least one message including data
corresponding to the detected hazard condition.
The logic flow of Figure 59 shows the operation of the at least one circuit 40
and the exemplary hazard sensor 5011.
The operation of the circuit 40 in this exemplary arrangement begins at a
starting point. The exemplary circuit 40
causes the at least one sensor 4070 including the hazard sensor 5011 to
operate to sense for a hazard condition as
represented at step 5016. If the at least one sensor 4070 including the hazard
sensor 5011 does not sense a hazard
condition in a step 518, the logic flow causes the circuit to continue to
operate to sense for the hazard condition by
returning to a point 5014 in the logic flow. If at the step 5018 the at least
one sensor 4070 including the hazard
sensor 5011 does sense the hazard condition, the at least one circuit 40 is
operative to cause the wireless
communication portal 34 to transmit to the remote circuit 4067 a message
including data corresponding to the
detected hazard condition as represented at step 5020. After the circuit 40
causes the wireless communication portal
to transmit the message to the remote circuit 4067, the logic flow returns to
sensing for a hazard condition.
Of course as can be appreciated, the exemplary hazard sensor may be operative
to detect other hazard
conditions associated with the repository and to thereafter send at least one
message to another entity indicative of
the sensed hazard condition in accordance with data stored in the at least one
data store. For example, the at least
one circuit 40 may be operative to send the at least one message indicative of
the sensed hazard condition to
authorized users, repository owners, entities responsible for monitoring the
repository or other remote circuits
.. notifying selected entities of the hazard condition associated with the
repository. It should be understood that the
arrangements concerning the circuit and the hazard sensor are exemplary, and
in other arrangements, other
approaches may be used.
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As illustrated in Figure 35 there is provided an exemplary parcel transaction
monitor 3501, for a monitored-
access parcel depository, which is alternatively referred to herein as a
repository or a lock box. Deposit items and
delivery items are alternatively referred to herein as parcels or packages.
The exemplary repository (not shown),
includes control circuitry including at least one controller 3502 with
sensor/actuator arrays 3503 and 3504
respectively. The control circuitry is operable to monitor parcel transactions
for at least one of parcel delivery or
parcel extraction transactions in relation to said repository, and providing
for at least one of:
= An incipient transaction detection module 3505 for prospectively
detecting an incipient parcel
transaction in relation to the repository of an at least one of a possible
parcel for delivery transaction, or a possible
parcel carrier intent on a repository parcel transaction;
= A parcel transaction characterization module 3506 for differentially
characterizing a parcel
transaction; or,
= A parcel-inventory and transaction-recording module 3507 for sensing a
change in repository
parcel inventory resulting from a repository parcel transaction.
These exemplary modules are adapted to variously employ elements and functions
of said controller and
array for the respective operations thereof, and the elements and functions of
the controller and array may be
variously shared between the modules in the execution of their respective
operations.
An incipient transaction detection module 3505 is comprised of a controller
3502 and sensor/actuator
arrays 3504/3503 for use with a controlled-access parcel repository which
includes an at least one sensor for
detecting proximity (which may involve physical contact with the repository or
something more distant) of a
possible parcel for delivery or a possible parcel carrier intent on a
repository parcel transaction.
By way of example, this module may employ for this purpose, the controller
with ones or combinations of
sensors/actuators of said array, including:
= Accelerometers, or similar repository movement or contact detectors,
(e.g. even something as
simple as a contact switch ¨ such as a button or a keyboard, or the operation
of a parcel repository access door or
chute);
= Ultrasonic, photoelectric, infra-red, exogenous motion or presence
detectors; or,
= Proximity or estimated time of arrival by radio-frequency ¨ e.g. by
tracking a parcel or its carrier
location using a GPS signal through a smart phone or other communications
device (geo fencing, geo location etc.),
or more locally by detecting an RFID or NFC device signal, a Bluetooth device
or the like.
The proximity detection module may, on detection of such proximity, and
presupposing thereby a possible
parcel for delivery or a possible parcel carrier intent on a repository parcel
transaction, may be operable to further
actuate one or both of the other modules. Accordingly therefore in aspects of
exemplary arrangements the incipient
transaction detection module may further operate an at least one actuator for:
= actuating a parcel transaction characterization module of said controlled-
access parcel repository
for differentially characterizing a parcel transaction.
= actuating a parcel-inventory and transaction-recording module for sensing
a change in repository
parcel inventory resulting from a repository parcel transaction.
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In this way the transaction detection module may power-up other repository
modules which may have been
turned off or in a hibernating mode in the absence of a prospective parcel
transaction (as a power conservation
measure, or to prepare such modules for use, in order to expedite the
impending parcel transaction).
In an aspect of an exemplary arrangement a parcel transaction characterization
module is comprised of a
controller and sensor/actuator array for use with a controlled-access parcel
repository, and including at least one
automated sensor operable to facilitate at least one of package or item
carrier identification sensing of a
corresponding at least one of a possible package or possible carrier
presenting at said repository, wherein said
module differentiates sensed identification sensor input thereof to
correspondingly:
= facilitate an impending pre-authorized transaction corresponding to said
identification; or,
= call for a real-time ad hoc user-mediated authorization for an impending
transaction, and facilitate a
call-responsive ad hoc user-mediated authorization for said impending
transaction; or,
= decline (by default, in the absence of at least one of the two above
mentioned "authorizations" to
actively facilitate an otherwise unauthorized impending transaction.
Sensed identification sensor may be a controller and array associated camera
(which may include a facial
recognition facility) or scanner (e.g. bar code, or QR code or the like), a
voice or other acoustic input recognition
sensor, an RFID, Bluetooth or other parcel transaction identifier for input
into said module to differentiate between
and selectively facilitate the above operations.
In the instance of an impending pre-authorized transaction corresponding to
said sensed identification
input, this module may employ a controller/array associated communications
module 3508 to signal specifics of the
impending transaction to, for example, the repositories owner/user and/or the
parcel carrier or carrier service.
In calling for a real-time ad hoc user-mediated authorization for an impending
transaction the parcel
transaction characterization module may actuate a communications module (which
the controller includes or
provides access to), to contact a user with a request for authorization of the
impending parcel transaction ¨ and
subject to a user's authorizing response thereto, to facilitate the impending
transaction as an authorized one.
In an instance of an identified pre-authorized transaction, or an instance
wherein a real-time ad hoc user-
mediated authorization is received in response to a call therefore, the parcel
transaction characterization module may
signal a latching actuator, as elaborated below in relation to an
accessibility control according to an aspect of an
exemplary arrangement.
Where the module operates otherwise than in facilitating an authorized
transaction, it may be operable to
notify a user (e.g. through said communications module as aforesaid) of an
unauthorized characterization status of
the presumed parcel transaction.
In another aspect of an exemplary arrangement there is provided a parcel-
inventory and transaction-
recording module, for use with a controlled-access parcel repository including
an at least one sensor for sensing a
change in package inventory resulting from a repository parcel transaction.
Parcel sizes may be employed (scanned or otherwise sensed as for example by
photo-detectors adapted to
detect the presence of parcels through intermption of a light beam), or
recorded images of the parcels may be stored
for these purposes, but an exemplary operation senses parcel weights, by way
of a weight (e.g. load) sensor that
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
measures the accumulated parcel weight secured within the interior of the
repository. The load or other inventory
sensor communicates with a controller-associated memory to log changes in the
sensed weight in association with
changes in the parcel inventory. In an exemplary arrangement, such a memory
correlates parcel transaction
identification with the particular weight change (and time for embodiments
where the controller includes a clock
facility for such a purpose) associated with the sensed change in the
repository's parcel inventory.
In an exemplary arrangement, there is provided an accessibility control, for a
controlled-access parcel
repository, and comprised of at least one controller with a sensor/actuator
array operable to selectively control
access to said parcel repository, and comprised of at least one controller
with a sensor/actuator array operable to
facilitate controlled-access parcel transactions for at least one of parcel
delivery or parcel extraction transactions in
relation to said repository, and providing a parcel transaction
characterization module for facilitating selective
locking and unlocking operations of a repository lock actuator, in association
with authorized parcel transactions
characterized by said parcel transaction characterization module. A latching
mechanism may be operated by an
actuator through the controller operation by the parcel transaction
characterization module.
The accessibility control may be used in association with any controlled
access repository, including by
way of example only, a building's vestibule, a parcel through-wall passage
portal, a garage door, a storage shed, a
chest or lock box or other such providing restricted access to an interior
space serving to secure parcels reposing
therein. Repositories of exemplary arrangements may, in addition to a secured
access thereto, may also provide an
unsecured access for facilitating parcel deliveries ¨ see for example the
provision of a one-way chute in the
repository embodiment depicted in Figures 36 through 39, which may provide for
delivery of parcels
notwithstanding the authorization status associated with any given delivery.
In such cases, the accessibility control
may be used to selectively facilitate authorized access to restricted areas of
the repository in question.
The accessibility control herein may further provide for at least one of the
incipient transaction detection
module or the parcel-inventory and transaction-recording modules mentioned
elsewhere herein.
In general, including in conjunction with modules 3505 ¨ 3507, communications
module 3508 may be
operated through controller 3505 to communicate sensor-related signals to
parties variously involved in a parcel
transaction; and to receive authorization and to control signals from such
parties, to operate actuators associated with
actuator array 3504. Cellular, Wi-Fi, land line, internet, or other
communications channels may be employed in this
connection. Other exemplary aspects of the controller and array features
relating to an exemplary arrangement are
disclosed in relation to the embodiments of Figures 40 through 44 described
elsewhere herein.
Referring now also to Figures 36 through 39 there is illustrated various views
of an example of a parcel
repository related to aspects of exemplary arrangements.
In accordance with an aspect of an exemplary arrangement, there is provided a
parcel repository
comprising a free-standing parcel repository 3601, defining an enclosure
comprised, in part, by a top panel 3602a
adapted to cooperate with the enclosure's sides, back and bottom panel
assembly 3602b, and a molded cabinet face
frame 3602c.
This repository includes a one-way delivery chute 3603, providing an access
portal for introduction and
passage of a parcel delivery into said repository, but further including a
gate for interfering with removal through
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that chute, of parcels secured within a secured storage bay portion of the
repository. External portions of the chute
which will be considered a door for purposes of this disclosure, include a
delivery chute front panel 3603a, and a
hinge 3603b for facilitating opening and closing of the panel as well as
operation of the chute 3603 more generally.
This repository further includes a selectively securable (e.g.
locked/unlocked) parcel storage bay 3604
having a hinged storage bay door hinge 3604a and a corresponding hinge 3604b
to facilitate the opening and closing
thereof. Storage bay 3604 corresponds to an interior area of the repository.
Hinges 3603b and 3604b and mounted on respective portions of frame portion of
the cabinet face 3602c.
This repository arrangement (by way of example) provides for two delivery
modalities: one facilitated
through one-way delivery chute 3603; and the other directly into storage bay
3604 through selectively secured
hinged door 3604a. However, of these two distinct delivery modalities, only
the hinged door 3604a is adapted to
facilitate withdrawal of parcels from the storage bay 3604. This arrangement
flexibly facilitates parcel deliveries to
be made without necessarily requiring any particular pre-authorization or real-
time authorization, but necessitates
authorized access to storage bay 3604 in order to remove delivered parcels
from the secured storage bay 3604.
Repository 3601 also provides for an inner-delivery chute front interior panel
3603c for supporting parcels
for delivery during parcel introduction through delivery chute 3603 on its way
into storage bay 3604. Chute 3603 is
opened for a delivery transaction, by drawing a recessed handle 3603i forward
and downwardly, rotating front panel
3603a and attached front interior panel 3603c outwardly together, around hinge
3603b. Pivot anchors 3603f
(secured to front interior panel 3603c), in turn draw outwardly and downwardly
through pivot pins 3603k, pulling
tray 3603h to rotate by the pivot pins 3603k which are connected to connecting
arms 3603e to anchor 3603j on the
tray. Tray 3603h rotates in response to this action, around tray pivots 3603g
that connect tray 3603h to enclosure
side and back and bottom panel assembly 3602b ¨ and into a position that
provides a generally coplanar delivery
chute surface alignment with front interior panel 3603c. That co-planar
alignment facilitates the transfer of a parcel
from the panel 3603c onto the receiving surface 3603d of tray 3603h.
With a parcel positioned on the receiving surface 3603d of tray 3603h, the
return of front panel 3603a
towards its upright and ultimately re-closed position, rotates tray 3603h from
the coplanar alignment mentioned
above, into an inclined orientation, which induces the parcel to slide along
and ultimately off of supporting tray
3603h, to release the parcel into the repository's interior area, where
delivered parcels accumulate in storage bay
3604, in supported relation on parcel repository bay floor 3608.
In the illustrated embodiment, parcel delivery transactions made through the
chute are not restricted by the
operation of the accessibility control.
Parcel bay floor 3608 is connected with a load sensor 3607, which is operable
to sense increases/decreases
in the accumulated weight of delivered parcels stored within storage bay 3604
on bay floor 3608, as parcels are
added by delivery transactions, or removed during pickup transactions to and
from repository 3601.
Controller 3609 is connected to an array of sensors and actuators, including
latch actuator 3604c an
acoustic transducer 3610, an on-board camera/scanner (not shown), and load
sensor 3607. Controller 3609 also
includes a power management connection for selectively powering the repository
operations using a utility line
voltage source (not shown) or battery power from battery 3606, or other power
sources (not shown, but including by
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way of example, solar panels) The exemplary controller 3609 is also in
operative connection with a wireless antenna
3605 to provide wireless communications.
The on-board camera provides for video and/or still pictures, as well as for
bar-code/QR-code scan sensing.
The acoustic transducer 3610 provides for audio signaling, and optionally for
audio pick-up (sound sensing). Load
sensor 3607 senses weight changes reflecting changes in parcel inventory
secured within repository 3601 interior
area ¨ and may further associate weight changes with particular parcel
transactions. Latch actuator 3604c facilitates
locking and unlocking operations of door 3604a to provide selective access to
storage bay 3604.
Referring now to Figures 40 through 44, there are illustrated examples of
aspects of exemplary
arrangements relating to a delivery lock box (i.e. repository) controller (or
controller module) for operating a
delivery lock box, and comprises a controller operable for controlling lock
box peripherals of arrays thereof to
provide discrete modular functionalities variously related to unattended-
delivery lock box convenience as well as
operational and forensic security, but more particularly to providing
combinations of modular functions variously
cooperating for providing augmented, and in some embodiments, real-time remote
user interface access for such
operational/forensic security. In accordance with an exemplary arrangement
there is provided discrete modular
functionalities variously related to unattended-delivery lock box convenience
as well as operational and forensic
security, as well as providing combinations of modular functions cooperating
variously for providing augmented,
and in some embodiments, real-time remote user interface access for such
operational/forensic security. More
particularly, exemplary arrangements include a (e.g. package) delivery lock
box controller module for operating a
delivery lock box having a controller operable for controlling lock box
peripherals including one or more of: a lock
box communications module; a camera and image recording module; a proximity
detection sensor module; a lock
box motion/shock detection sensor module; and/or a remote lock actuator
module.
The lock box communications module is adapted to facilitate RF (radio
frequency) communication of lock
box peripherals data to a lock box user, and may additionally variously
facilitate lock box peripheral control by the
user.
The camera and image recording module is adapted to be selectively operable
for pre-determinedly
capturing and recording at least one image of at least a portion of the lock
boxes surroundings. In an aspect of the
present arrangement, the camera may also serve a scanner/reader function.
The proximity detection sensor module may serve in the detection of a
triggering presence within a range
proximal to the lock box and signaling (buzzer or other acoustical device, or
RF e.g. through the lock box
communications module) a proximity notification of such presence. Proximity
sensors may include sensors of the
type that detect the reflection of sonic signals. Radiation beams or other
types of sensors that detect an item in
proximity to the sensor. The proximity detection sensor module may
alternatively be referred to herein as motion
sensor 4071. The motion sensor 4071 may be any available sensor type sensor
that is operable detect motion or
movement. The exemplary motion sensor 4071 may detect motion through the
process of detecting a change in the
position of an object included in a captured image relative to its surrounding
or a change in the surroundings relative
to an object. This may include LIDAR sensors for example. In other exemplary
arrangements in which the motion
sensor 4071 includes the exemplary at least one camera 4068, motion may be
detected via images captured by the at
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least one camera 4068 through operations of that at least one circuit 40
including comparison of a current image
with one or more prior images and determining the changes in pixel values
between the images, for example. Of
course, as can be appreciated, in other arrangements, other sensors and image
analysis operations may be used.
In some locations of the repositories, motion may be occurring fairly
frequently within a field of view of
the at least one camera 4068, but such motion is not of interest and it is
desirable to not capture image data in
response to such motion. For example, a repository located on the sidewalk of
a busy street, in a grocery store, in an
office building, or in other locations where motion of objects or persons may
be almost continuous, motion may
normally occur within a portion of the field of view of the camera, while in
other portions of the field of view
motion only occurs when the repository is being accessed or when certain
motion adjacent the repositor is detected.
Motion detected in the at least one field of view of the at least one camera
4068 that does not normally occur when
the repository is being accessed is disregarded responsive to programmable
instructions in the at least one data store
44.
Other exemplary motion sensors 4071 may include a passive infrared sensor that
detects infrared light
radiating from objects associated with the repository and can detect whenever
an object, a human or other living
thing, is within the field of view of the infrared sensor. If an object,
human, other living thing, is detected in the field
of view of the infrared sensor, the sensor delivers at least one signal to the
circuit 40 indicating a detected condition.
Other exemplary motion sensors 4071 may include tomographic motion detectors
that detect movement in a specific
area through the use of a mesh network of radio waves emitted by nodes placed
around the area. The mesh network
of radio waves is operative to detect movement as a result of disturbances of
the emitted network of radio waves
between the nodes. The exemplary motion sensor 4071 may further include
microwave detectors that create a field
of electromagnetic waves which are disturbed if an object, human, or other
thing enters the field of microwaves. The
exemplary motion sensor 4071 may further include an ultrasonic detector or
photoelectric beams. Of course, it
should be understood that the examples of motion sensors described herein are
merely exemplary, and in other
embodiments, other motion sensors and other motion sensing processes may be
used.
The lock box motion/shock detection sensor module, operable for detecting a
triggering lock box motion or
shock and signaling (buzzer or other acoustic or illumination device, or RF
signaling e.g. through the lock box
communications module) a motion/shock detection notification. The lockbox
motion/shock detection sensor module
may alternatively be referred to herein as seismic sensor 4074. As previously
discussed, the exemplary seismic
sensor 4074 is in operative connection with the repository 10 and is operative
to detect seismic activity imparted to
the repository that is above a set seismic activity threshold. Seismic
activity as used herein includes, but is not
limited to, any force, vibration, impact, or any other form of energy imparted
to the repository.
The exemplary at least one data store 44 may include programmable instructions
executable by the at least
one circuit 40 to cause the seismic sensor 4074 to operate to detect certain
vibration patterns corresponding to
breaking and entering operations. For example, the vibration patterns may
correspond to use of certain tools such as
hammers, drills, saws, hydraulic tools, and thermal tools such as torch
devices to gain access to interior area of the
repository. The data store 44 may further include programmable instructions
executable by the at least one circuit 40
to cause the seismic sensor 4074 to operate to disregard certain vibration
patterns related to normal human activity
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associated with use of the repository 10, for example, throwing a parcel into
a respective interior area, slamming a
door closed, placing objects on top of the repository, or individuals leaning
on the repository. Of course, as can be
appreciated, the arrangements and operations concerning the seismic sensor are
by way of example only, and in
other arrangements, other approaches may be used.
The remote lock actuator module operable by an authorized remote user to
operate the lock actuator
module's lock actuator.
A controller module in the context of exemplary arrangements can be, for
example, a chip, an expansion
card, or a stand-alone device that interfaces with one or more peripheral
devices. Preferably, the controller module
comprises a single board implementation comprising a central processing unit
(processor) that processes data,
memory that holds the programs and data to be processed (although memory may
alternatively be located off-
board), and I/O (input/output) devices as interfaces that communicate with
diverse peripheral devices.
Figure 40 schematically depicts an embodiment of a control module 4001
according to an exemplary
arrangement, comprising a printed circuit board 4002, a processor 4003, a
memory 4004, an I/O processor interface
4005, and on-board I/O devices 4006 and I/O pin socket 4007 for connection to
off-board I/O devices (not shown).
In accordance with the exemplary arrangement, computer buses of one form or
another facilitate data
transactions between the processor, memory and these peripherals.
Referring now to Figure 41, a block schematic representation is provided to
illustrate a generalized
relationship between processor 4003, memory 4004, and a plurality of interface
devices 4005a, 4005b and 4005c
associated with respective peripherals 4007a, 4007b and 4007c. Memory bus
4008, address bus 4009 and control
bus 4010 are also illustrated in an intermediary relationship with the
processor 4003, the interface devices 4005a-c.
The control bus is used by the processor for communicating with other devices,
while the address bus
carries the information about the device with which the processor is
communicating and the data bus carries the
actual data being processed, and the control bus carries commands from the
processor and returns status signals
from the devices. Where an address bus is used to specify a physical address ¨
such that when a processor or direct
memory access (DMA) enabled device needs to read or write to a memory
location, the address bus specifies that
memory location on the address bus, but the data value to be read or written
to or from that address, is sent on the
data bus. The memory bus typically connects the main memory to the memory
controller and are often designed to
connect directly to DRAM chips.
Referring now to Figure 42 there is depicted a function block diagram
depicting processor 4003
interactions with interface 4005, through the data bus 4008, the address bus
4009, and in the case of the control bus
4010 as I/O read and I/O write transactions 4010a and 4010b. Interface 4005 in
turn, transacts with 1/0 devices such
as devices 4006 or peripherals 4007a-c, through an I/O bus 4011 including data
validation and acceptance
transactions 4012 and 4013.
Referring now to Figure 43, an exemplary embodiment of the controller module
is illustrated.
A main controller board 4002a, includes a general purpose I/O pin socket 4007,
servicing: door
lock/position sensors 4007d, for lock and door position sensors associated
with a deliver lock box locker door(s);
internal lighting control 4007e; external proximity sensor(s) 4007f; and, a
motion detector (accelerometer) 4007g.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
Controller board 4002a further includes a PWM (pulse width modulation) output
4014 for controlling
analog circuits with a microprocessor's digital outputs ¨ in this instance, a
transaction interaction buzzer 4007h and a
theft alarm 4007i.
Also provided on controller board 4002a, is a DSPI serial interface connection
4015 which is a fully
configurable SPI master/slave device, facilitating the microcontroller's
communication with serial peripheral
devices ¨ in this case an SD memory card 4019.
Controller board 4002a also provides for a universal asynchronous
receiver/transmitter (UART) to serial
peripheral interface (SPI) interface connection 4016, which is used for
communication between SPI slave devices
(from a processor) and a UART port ¨ in this instance providing for a Wi-
Fi/Bluetooth radio peripheral 4020.
MIPI/USB interface connector 4017 enables USB connectivity to any image sensor
which is compliant
with Mobile Industry Processor Interface (MIPI) Camera Serial Interface
standard ¨ connected in this case to
camera/jpeg encoder 4021.
Controller board 4002a also supports an i.MX6 processor 4018. Processor 4018
facilitates high-
performance scalable multimedia processing, and includes integrated power
management based on an ARM Cortex-
A9 processor supporting HD 1080p encode and decode operation and having
integrated I/O for MIPI CSI-2 camera,
Gigabit Ethernet, multiple USB and PCI I/O. Power management is facilitated in
conjunction with processor 4018,
by way of power controller 4022, to control a hybrid power system based on
solar cells 4023 and lithium batteries
4024.
Referring now to Figure 44, an alternative embodiment depicting a controller
board housing 4051, housing
a controller board 4051a. Controller board 4051a can be designed to support a
generic application processor,
however, processor 4052 in this depicted embodiment is a PICO-IMX6 including
an ARM Cortex-A9 NXP i.MX6,
Small Footprint, System-on-Module (SoM) having WiFi 802.11ac and Bluetooth v.
4.1 communication interfaces
providing a compact form factor optimized for free-standing applications with
IoT connectedness. Alternative
embodiments may employ other processors, such as ARM core processors, or ARM
Cortex processors, such as for
example, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410e which is an ARM Cortex A53 processor.
Processor 4052 provides I2C bus connections 4053, 4054 and 4055. The PC bus is
a serial, half-duplex -
PC (Inter-Integrated Circuit), synchronous, multi-master, multi-slave, packet
switched, single-ended, serial
computer bus for attaching lower-speed peripheral ICs to processors and
microcontrollers in short-distance, intra-
board communications.
Connection 4053 is connected to GPIO expanders 4053a which are TCA5416A 1/0
expanders for the two-
line bidirectional (I2C) bus and are designed to provide general-purpose
remote I/O expansion through the I2C
interface. Expanders 4053a are in turn connected to a blue tooth wifi pairing
button 4043b; an FET switch 4053c
which is adapted to be connected through enclosure 405 lto a connector 405 lb
and corresponding delivery lock box
connector 4051c, to delivery lock box external LED lights 4053e; an FET switch
4053d which is adapted to be
connected through connectors 405 lb and 4051c, to delivery lock box door locks
actuators 4053f; and through
connectors 405 lb and 40451c to delivery lock box open door sensors (door
"open" contact) 4053g. Connector
4053h connects to delivery lock box internal LED lighting, and is co-operable
with sensors 4053g.
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As previously discussed, the exemplary door sensor 4053g may be any sensor
operative to detect opening
of the door 18, closing of the door 18, or the interior area becoming
accessible from outside repository. The
exemplary door sensor 4053g may comprise a magnetic switch comprised of a
first piece that is operatively
connected to one of the door 18 and the body 12 adjacent the respective
interior area associated with the door, and a
second piece that is operatively connected to the other of the door 18 and the
body 12 adjacent the respective interior
area associated with the door. When the door is opened, the magnetic
connection is broken thereby indicating to the
circuit 40 that door 18 has been changed to the open position. When the door
is closed, the magnetic connection
between the first and second piece is established indicating to the sensor 40
that the door has been changed to the
closed position. The data store 44 may include programmable instructions
executable by the circuit 40 to determine
whether the magnetic connection of the switch has been broken or reconnected,
and thereafter to make a
determination whether the door has been opened or closed. In other exemplary
arrangements, the door sensor 4053g
may include a photoelectric beam adjacent the door 18 that is operative to
detect movement of the door due to a
disruption in the beam. In other exemplary arrangements, the door sensor 4053g
may include a tomographic motion
detector, a microwave detector, or an ultrasonic detector, which each output a
field of waves adjacent the door 18
and thereby detect movement of the door 18 via disturbances in the fields of
waves. Alternatively one or more
movable contact switches may be used. Of course, these arrangements concerning
the door sensor and its operation
are by way of example only, and in other arrangements, other approaches may be
used.
In some exemplary arrangements, the at least one sensor 4070 may further
include a lock sensor 4072. As
previously discussed, the exemplary lock sensor 4072 is in operative
connection with an electrically actuated lock 24
of a door 18, and is operative to detect condition changes of the lock 24
between the locked condition and the
unlocked condition. The exemplary lock sensor 4072 may comprise a magnetic
switch comprised of a first piece that
is operatively connected to a lock bolt. The lock bolt may be in operative
connection with one of the door 18 and the
body 12 adjacent the door of the respective interior area. The magnetic switch
further comprises a second piece that
is operatively connected to a strike. The strike is in operative connection
with the other of the door 18 and the body
12 that does not include the lock bolt. The exemplary strike is immediately
adjacent the bolt. When the lock 24 is in
the locked condition the switch is closed, and when the lock is in the
unlocked condition, the switch is open. The
exemplary data store 44 may include programmable instructions executable by
the circuit 40 to determine whether
the switch has open or closed, and thereafter to make a determination whether
the lock has been changed to the
locked or unlocked conditions. In other exemplary arrangements, the lock
sensor 4072 may include a photoelectric
beam adjacent the lock 24 that is operative to detect movement of the lock
bolt due to the lock bolt breaking the
beam, and thereby indicating that the lock is in the locked condition. In
other exemplary arrangements, the lock
sensor 4072 may include a tomographic motion detector, a microwave detector,
or an ultrasonic detector, which
each output a field of waves adjacent the lock 24 and thereby detect movement
of the lock bolt via disturbances in
the fields of waves. Alternatively in other arrangements contact sensors or
other sensor types for detecting a position
of a particular component may be used. Of course, these arrangements
concerning the lock sensor and its operation
are by way of example only, and in other arrangements, other approaches may be
used.
Connection 4054 supports both an accelerometer 4054a and a motion detection
module 4054b.
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Accelerometer 4054a is provided by an LSM303 breakout board which combines a
magnetometer/compass
module with a triple-axis accelerometer in a compact navigation subsystem, and
its two pin I2C interface can be
shared by other I2C devices, in this case including module 4054b.
Motion detection module 4054b provides a motion sensor connection using an
LTC2451 16-bit, analog-to-
digital converter which also communicates through the I2C interface 4054. It
includes an integrated oscillator that
does not require any external components and employs a delta-sigma modulator
as a converter core and provides
single-cycle settling time for multiplexed applications. The LTC2451 includes
input sampling scheme that reduces
the average input sampling current several orders of magnitude lower than
conventional AL converters. The
LTC2451 is capable of up to 60 conversions per second and, due to the very
large oversampling ratio, has extremely
relaxed antialiasing requirements. It connects through pin connector 4054c to
motion sensor 4054d.
Connection 4055 connects processor 4052 to a separate, delivery lock box fuel
gauge circuit board 4055a
carrying an LTC2943 module which measures battery charge state, battery
voltage, battery current for battery bank
4055b, as well as its own temperature in standalone applications. A precision
coulomb counter integrates current
through a sensing resistor between the battery's positive terminal and the
load or charger. Voltage, current and
temperature are measured with an internal 14-bit No Latency AYTM ADC and the
measurements are stored in
internal registers accessible via the onboard I2C/SMBus Interface. The LTC2943
is programmable for setting high
and low thresholds for all four measured quantities. If a programmed threshold
is exceeded, the device
communicates an alert by setting a flag in the internal status register. The
LTC2943 requires only a single low value
sensing resistor to set the measured current range.
Processor 4052 further includes a PWM (pulse width modulation) output 4056 for
controlling analog
circuits with a microprocessor's digital outputs ¨ in this instance, a buzzer
speaker or other audio transducer 4056a.
An SD card connector 4057 and a Wi-Fi Bluetooth connector 4058 are also
provided. Bluetooth connector 4058 is
connected to an active antenna power module 4058a. Connector 4058b provides
for the connection of a Wi-
Fi/Bluetooth antenna.
The SD card connector 4057 is interconnected with an SD card slot 4057a,
mounted on controller board
4051a. An SD card (Secure Digital Card), not shown, is inserted into slot
4057a to provide reliable data storage in a
small form factor for, inter alia, digital camera images, etc. SD cards
contain an internal controller interface that
handles all internal flash memory operations and data transfer between the
processor 4052 and the card is done in
512 byte block, clock serial mode ¨ using a selected one of two bus protocols
defined for SD cards, (the default
native SD mode or a slower SPI mode).
Processor 4052 also provides for a UART connection 4059, communicating with a
Debug TTL UART
4059a.
GPIO connection 4060 on processor 4052, supports an LT3651 automatic lithium
ion battery charger
circuit 4060a which functions as a solar charge controller (in conjunction
with power supply module 4060b), charge
regulator and battery regulator to limit the rate at which electric current is
added to or drawn from battery bank
4055b electric batteries. Circuit 4060a prevents overcharging and may protect
against overvoltage, which can reduce
battery performance or lifespan, and may pose a safety risk. It may also
prevent completely draining ("deep
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discharging") a battery, or perform controlled discharges, depending on the
battery technology, to protect battery
life. Connector 4060c provides for the connection of solar panels or external
DC power supplies.
Processor 4052 provides a camera Serial Interface (CSI) 4061 conforming to
MIPI Alliance specifications
that provide for an interface between a camera and host processor 4052.
Interface 4061 connects to a MIPI
connection 4061a which in turn is connected to an 0V5645 high performance, 5-
megapixel system-on-chip (SOC)
406 lb. This sensor's single MIPI port replaces both a bandwidth-limited DVP
interface and a costly embedded
JPEG compressor, with attendant savings on silicon footprint and cost.
USB host connector 4062 connects to a USB to SATA bridge 4062a. Bridge 4062a
is a TU5B9261
ARM Cortex M3 microcontroller based USB 3.0 to serial ATA bridge. It
provides the necessary hardware and
firmware to implement a USB attached SCSI protocol (UASP)-compliant mass
storage device suitable for bridging
hard disk drives (HDD), solid state disk drives (SSD), optical drives, and
other compatible SATA 1.5-Gbps or
SATA 3.0-Gbps devices to a USB 3.0 bus. Bridge 4062a connects in turn to
SATA/PWR connector 4062b.
Serial Peripheral Interface bus (SPI) is a synchronous serial communication
interface 4063a for connecting
to an analog to digital converter 4063a. Converter 4063a is an ADS1148 device
providing 16-bit analog-to-digital
converter that includes many integrated features to reduce system cost and
component count for sensor measurement
applications ¨ including a low-noise, programmable gain amplifier (PGA), a
precision delta-sigma (AY) ADC with a
single-cycle settling digital filter, and an internal oscillator and a built-
in, low-drift voltage reference, and two
matched programmable excitation current sources (IDACs).
GPIO interface 4064 connects though FET switches 4064a to control LED lights
connected through
connectors 4053e and 4053h.
In some exemplary arrangements, the at least one sensor 4070 may include a
hazard sensor 5011. As
previously discussed, the exemplary hazard sensor 5011 is operative to sense
for hazard conditions including, but
not limited to, liquid adjacent the repository, temperature above a
temperature threshold adjacent the repository, or
the loss of electrical power to the repository. The exemplary hazard sensor
may include infrared moisture sensors,
water sensors, humidity sensors or other water or liquid sensors operative to
detect liquid adjacent a repository. The
exemplary hazard sensor may further include smoke detectors, thermometers,
infrared temperature sensors, fire
detectors, or other sensors operative to determine temperatures adjacent a
repository, combustion or thermal activity.
In addition, the exemplary hazard sensor may include voltage detectors, power
failure detectors, or others sensors
that are operative to determine when then repository circuitry is no longer
receiving power.
Other alternative exemplary arrangements may include sprinkler systems or
other fire and heat prevention
systems that are operative to spread water or other flame retardant or flame
reducing substances on the repository
and in the area around the repository in order to prevent fire damage to the
repository. The at least one data store 44
may include further data corresponding to actions to be executed by the
circuit 40 in response to hazard conditions
including data corresponding to initiation of such sprinkler systems and fire
prevention systems in response to
detection of a hazard condition of a high temperature adjacent the repository.
Still other alternative exemplary
arrangements may include heat systems that are operative to cause the
repository to be maintained at a certain
temperature in colder environments to avoid ice and snow buildup at the
repository that may prevent proper
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operation. In such arrangements, the data store 44 may include further data
corresponding to actions executable by
the circuit 40 such as initiation of the heater system in response to a
detected low temperature, or temperature below
a certain temperature threshold. Of course, these hazard prevention systems
are merely exemplary, and in other
arrangements, other hazard prevention systems may used in order to prevent
damage to the repository, or to prevent
the repository from being rendered unusable.
In still other alternative exemplary arrangements, the repository may include
additional features. For
example, the repository 10 may include a display screen 5028 that is in
operative connection with the at least one
circuit 40 and that is operative to display at least one visual output on the
display screen. The exemplary display
screen 5028 may include a touch screen user interface and have microphones and
speakers or other types of input
and output devices associated therewith. The display screen 5028 may be usable
by authorized users to input data,
retrieve data, communicate with an entity associated with the at least one
remote circuit, or communicate with a
monitoring or service entity to troubleshoot malfunctions or other problems
associated with a respective repository,
or to initiate a service order for a respective repository. Of course, it
should be understood that these arrangements
concerning the display screen and other input output devices are exemplary,
and in other arrangements, other
approaches may be used.
In other alternative exemplary arrangements, the exemplary display screen 5028
or other user interface may
have a call button 5030 associated therewith The exemplary call button 5030 is
a manually actuatable button that is
easily and quickly identifiable in emergency situations. Responsive to
pressing of the exemplary call button, the at
least one circuit 40 is operative to cause the wireless communication portal
34 to operate to communicate at least
one condition message to at least one service provider or other appropriate
entity. The circuit 40 is further operative
to store in the data store 44 image data corresponding to images of the at
least one field of view at a time associated
with the pressing of the call button 5030. This feature may allow individuals
to request assistance from a system
operator. Alternative if the call button is designated for emergency use,
individuals in distress or in emergency
situations may notify an emergency service provider such as a 911 operator to
request assistance from a local police
department, fire department, ambulance or other local first responder.
In other exemplary arrangements, pressing the call button 5030 may establish
face to face communication
with a service provider representative through the display screen 5028. The
images of the at least one field of view
at the time associated with the pressing of the call button may be transmitted
or made accessible to the remote circuit
4067 through operation of the at least one circuit 40 and the wireless
communication portal. As can be appreciated
these arrangements are exemplary, and in other arrangements, other approaches
may be used.
In other alternative exemplary arrangements, the exemplary display screen 5028
or other types of output
devices may be further usable to display and/or provide audible outputs such
as advertisements or audio video
outputs such as weather or news reports, talk shows or other entertainment.
The at least one data store 44 may
include data corresponding to such outputs and the circuit 40 is operative to
cause such outputs to be displayed
through the display screen 5028 and/or other output devices at certain times
or for certain durations of time. The
remote circuit 4067 may cause new or updated data corresponding to new outputs
to be communicated to the circuit
40, and the circuit 40 is operative to cause the new and updated outputs to be
stored in the at least one data 44 for
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
later output through the display screen 5028. The available advertising
opportunities may be sold by the repository
owner or an entity associated with the central system circuitry. The
advertisements may be revolving such that more
than one advertisement may be displayed through the display screen 5028 at
different times, or at the same time. Of
course, advertisers may pay a premium to have their advertising displayed for
longer periods of time, in different
formats, or during particular transactions or events. As can be appreciated,
these arrangements are exemplary, and in
other arrangements, other approaches may be used.
Referring now to the drawings in general: One aspect of an exemplary
arrangement provides for a delivery
lock box controller module, housed for example in a housing 4051, and adapted
for operating a delivery lock box
(not shown). This aspect of the exemplary arrangement comprises a controller
(such as controller board 4051a and
processor 4052), that is operable for controlling lock box peripherals. In
particular, the module according to this
aspect of the exemplary arrangement provides for a remote lock actuator module
that is operable by an authorized
remote user. The remote lock actuator module comprises processor 4052 and I2C
bus connection 4053, GPIO
expanders 4053a, FET switch 4053d and enclosure connector 405 lb. With
enclosure connector 405 lb engaged with
delivery lock box connector 4051c, processor 4052 may be instructed by an
authorized user, to operate lock box
door lock actuators 4053f to in turn permit access to the lock box interior
and thereby facilitate introduction or
removal of lock box contents. Preferably, the operation of the lock box door
lock actuators 4053f is attended by the
operation of lock box external LED lights 4053e by processor 4052 acting
across the connection of connectors
405 lb and 4051c, and by way of FET switch 4053c, GPIO expanders 4053a and I2C
bus connection 4053 of
processor 4052. This arrangement can draw a delivery agent's attention to the
lock box and aid in the delivery
agent's completion of the user-authorized lock box transaction. This can be
important since it is often desirable for
the lock box installation to be discretely placed, and/or to have it fit
unobtrusively into the local decor. Note too,
however, that external LED lights 4053e can be operated by processor 4052
independently of the operation of door
lock actuators 4053f. This facility for independent operation of external LED
lights 4053e permits them to be used
simply as a local source of augmented lighting; or as a flashing light source
in the case of an emergency or security
threat without occasioning the concurrent release of the locks. Moreover lock
box internal LED operation through
connector 4053h is also independent of the operation of external LED lights
4053e, and operate instead in
cooperation with open door sensor 4053g with its connections through
connectors 405 lb and 4051c, GPIO
expanders 4053a, I2C bus connections 4053 to processor 4052. This represents a
power saving in circumstances
where illumination of the lock box interior is not required and is an
important consideration for lock box
installations that function without recourse to the electrical grid.
The lock box controller module comprising controller board 4051a and processor
4052 may make
provision for a camera and image recording module ¨ as for example by way of
camera 4046 lb, MIPI interface
4061a, and camera serial interface 4061. This arrangement is preferably
selectively operable to (optionally pre-
determinedly) capture and record at least one image of at least a portion of
said lock boxes surroundings. The
recording may be captured using an off-board storage drive, using USB host
connector 4062, USB to SATA bridge
4062a, and USB host connector 4062b, under the direction of processor 4052.
Alternatively, the recording may be
captured on an SD card (not shown) using SD card connector 4057 and SSD card
slot 4057a. An authorized user
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may trigger processor 4052 to activate the camera or the camera and the
recorder to selectively capture images. In
one embodiment processor 4052 operates camera 406 lb more or less
continuously, and records captured images on
a memory device as mentioned above, but in a short term first-in-first out
over-writing buffer file. Subject then to
the occurrence of a pre-determined triggering event, the buffer file is
transferred to an archive file, preserving
images recorded in advance of the triggering event and appending recordings of
images subsequently captured and
recorded to the archive file, for a predetermined time or condition.
Thereafter, the camera 406 lb reverts to said
more or less continuous operation and recording later images into the over-
write buffer as aforesaid.
The lock box controller module comprising controller board 4051a and processor
4052 may also make
provision for a proximity detection sensor module comprising motion sensor
4054d, pin connector 4054c, motion
detection module 4054b and I2C bus connection 4054 for detecting a triggering
presence within a range proximal to
the lock box, and signaling (e.g. by but not limited to a buzzer or other
acoustical device, or flashing external LEDs
as mentioned above), a proximity notification of such presence. This signaling
may aid in directing legitimate
approaches to the lock box, or deter illegitimate interest in same, and in
either case, place the authorized user on
alert to the motion in proximity to the lock box.
Similarly, the lock box controller module comprising controller board 4051a
and processor 4052 may also
make provision, through accelerometer 4054a and I2C bus connection 4054, for a
lock box motion/shock detection
sensor module, operable for detecting a triggering lock box motion or shock
and signaling (again, for example, via
buzzer or other acoustic or illumination device) a motion/shock detection
notification to the user. Preferably, this
notification is of a loud and insistent character that will assertively deter
any attendant theft attempt or vandalism.
In an exemplary embodiment, the controller board 4051a and processor 4052
provide for a lock box
communications module, in this case by way of a System-on-Module (SoM) having
built in Wi-Fi 802.11ac and
Bluetooth v. 4.1 radios and communication interfaces providing a compact form
factor optimized for free-standing
applications with local RF networks as well as providing for IoT (internet of
things) connectedness. Processor 4052
is thereby adapted to facilitate RF communication of lock box peripherals data
to a lock box user ¨ using in this
particular case, SPI connector 4063, A/D converter 4063a as well as Bluetooth
connector 4058 and active antenna
power module 4058a with its connections through connectors 405 lb and 4051c to
antenna 4058b. In operation,
control module 4001 with a communications module (e.g. associated with
processor 4052 as per the above)
comprises a lock box Bluetooth/Wi-Fi communications module which provides for
Bluetooth-mediated
configuration of Wi-Fi network connections between the lock box communications
module and an available (e.g.
local) user-selected Wi-Fi network. More particularly, the Bluetooth facility
may be operable to link with a user
phone and in turn enable a user phone to connect/configure the lockbox to a
user selected local Wi-Fi network.
Controller module 4001 may also be operable such that a "proximity
notification" includes remotely
communicating a "detected presence" to a user's communication device (or some
other user proxy), through the
communications module. (Note that in general, communications to the user
device are typically mediated via Wi-Fi
or other local RF networks as well as through cellular, internet, landlines,
microwave and all the various
modems/gateways or the like that may be variously associated with those
networks). In an exemplary embodiment,
for example, the control module 4001 further comprises a cellular data modem
(not shown) operable to provide an
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alternative user notification to a user in the event that WIFI functionality
is not used or not available for this
purpose.
Similarly, controller module 4001 may be operable to convey motion/shock
detection notifications by
remotely communicating a detected motion/shock notification to a user's
communication device, substantially as
.. described in the preceding paragraph.
The operation of the exemplary camera and image recording module is
selectively predetermined to
provide continuous operation and recording and this is facilitated by one or
both of an on-board recording storage or
to Wi-Fi connected storage. (Either or both such storage facilities can be
FIFO (first-in-first out) over write in order
to facilitate currency of recordings in the absence of unlimited storage
capacity). Controller module 4001 may also
be employed such that the camera and image recording module is additionally or
alternatively selectively
predetermined to be intermittently operated ¨ subject, for example, to a
detected-event-triggered operation. In one
exemplary arrangement for example, controller module 4001 may be operable such
that a proximity notification
comprises triggering the camera and image recording module to record and/or
communicate to a user's
communication device (or user proxy), that at least one image associated with
the proximity notification. Similarly,
.. the control module 4001 may be operated such that the motion/shock
detection notification comprises triggering said
camera and image recording module to record and/or communicate to a user's
communication device (or user
proxy), of an at least one image associated with the motion/shock detection.
In an exemplary arrangement, the
intermittent operation of the camera and image recording module is coextensive
with ongoing detection of a
detected trigger event.
In exemplary embodiments where the control module 4001 operates image storage
as a first-in-first out
overwrite storage buffer, the camera and image recording module is further
operable in response to a detected
trigger event, to save the associated at least one image from the first-in-
first out overwrite storage buffer to a long
term storage archival location, and preferably so that when a detected trigger
event so operates the camera and
image recording module, that module saves associated images from the buffer,
beginning from a predetermined time
preceding detection of the detected event. Moreover, in an exemplary
arrangement when a detected trigger event so
operates the camera and image recording module, it is operated so as to save
associated images for a predetermined
time following termination of detection of the detected event.
In the depicted exemplary embodiment control module 4001 is further operable
to manage a hybrid power
source power supply module 4060b provided from a primary power source selected
from at least one of a solar
power source and a line power source; and, a secondary battery power reserve
source (battery bank supply 4055b),
with the hybrid power source being operable to variously power the delivery
lock box operations, and employs
delivery box fuel gauge circuit board 4055a in that connection. The control
module 4001 also operates power
supply module 4060b, using battery charger circuit 4060a to charge the
secondary (battery bank 4055b) source from
the primary source(s).
The control module 4001 may further comprise a cellular data modem to provide
an alternative user
notification to a user, (collateral with Wi-Fi functions, or as an alternative
if Wi-Fi is not available).
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
In an aspect of an exemplary arrangement, there is also provided a weigh scale
peripheral connection 4066.
The connection to processor 4052 can be variously facilitated ¨ e.g. through a
general input output interface. The
weigh scale peripheral may be used to signal the arrival/presence of a package
within a repository enclosure ¨ and
also in conjunction with the parcel inventory module, to track arrival and
withdrawal of one or more parcels from
the parcel inventory secured within the repository.
Figures 45 ¨ 48 show an alternative arrangement of a delivery item repository
670. Repository 670 is
configured to be utilized in a system which includes a plurality of
repositories of the same or similar configuration,
such as one of the repository configurations previously discussed herein. The
exemplary system is usable to
transport delivery items which are also referred to as parcels, from a
respective originating repository to a respective
destination repository so as to achieve transport of the parcel from one
geographic location to another. Exemplary
arrangements may facilitate small-scale parcel delivery operations in which
item carriers exchange parcels through
controlled transfers which occur through intermediate destination repositories
under the control of one or more
servers or other central system circuitry in a manner like that previously
discussed.
The exemplary systems facilitate the use of crowd sourced item carrier
participation. Such item carriers
may operate to transport parcels between originating repositories and
destination repositories. In other exemplary
arrangements item carriers may further operate to carry out pickup and
delivery activities at points of parcel
shipment origination or endpoints of parcel transport that do not include
repositories. Exemplary arrangements may
provide for a parcel delivery system which is configured to transport parcels
that are provided from and delivered to
diverse locations and at different times by a plurality of different shipper
and recipient system user types.
In exemplary arrangements the system may include a plurality of geographically
dispersed repositories
such as repository 670. Repository 670 includes a body having a plurality of
separated compartment interior areas
each of which bound a respective enclosed compartment space that is suitable
for holding one or more parcels. Each
of the interior areas is selectively accessible by authorized users who are
enabled to unlock compartment associated
locks and open closure members such as respective doors that are movable to
provide access to respective
compartment interior areas. Each respective repository may be operated as an
originating repository as well as an
intermediate or final destination repository. Thus the exemplary system
provides for a fully connected physical
topography of repositories.
In exemplary arrangements each of the plurality of repositories is in
operative connection with central
system circuitry like that previously discussed which is alternatively
referred to herein as control circuitry. The
exemplary central system circuitry operates as a control grid to manage item
carrier authorizations and assignments.
The central system circuitry also performs monitoring of the pickups of
parcels from originating repositories and the
delivery of parcels into the destination repositories. Further in exemplary
arrangements the monitoring functions of
the central system circuitry may operate to assure that parcel items are
delivered in accordance with required
schedules and/or other handling requirements that may be associated with
particular parcels.
Further in exemplary arrangements the central system circuitry which controls
the acceptance, transport
and delivery of parcels, provides useful aspects compared to other parcel
distribution methods. This is achieved in
some arrangements due to the handling, transport and sorting of a relatively
small number of parcels by each
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
authorized shipping user and item carrier user of the system. For example in
exemplary arrangements, each item
carrier will generally be involved in handling less than 10 parcels
simultaneously at any given time.
The use of crowd sourced item carriers receiving parcels from originating
depositories and transporting
parcels through intermediate destination repositories, facilitates the
transport and delivery of parcels. As item
carriers act to provide parcel transport generally in coordination with their
other activities such as commuting or
other travel, the ability to move parcels to a final destination repository is
facilitated even though item carriers may
only be willing to carry parcels a portion of the overall parcel transport
path. Further the exemplary arrangements
provide for item carrier compensation for transport of parcels, which
compensation may be readily obtained by the
item carrier in connection with their normal commuting or travel activities
The exemplary parcel repository 670 shown in Figures 45 ¨ 48 is configured to
operate as a free standing
device and perform the functions associated with an originating depository and
a destination repository concurrently
for a plurality of parcels. The exemplary repository 670 includes a body which
is alternatively referred to herein as
a housing 672. The housing is supported on a base 674. The base 74 includes a
forward extending portion 676.
The forward extending portion of the exemplary arrangement includes a front to
rearward upwardly sloped face 678.
The exemplary repository housing 672 further includes a top or cap 680. The
exemplary top includes a
roof panel 682. Roof panel 682 is sloped downward from front to rear of the
housing 672. The top 680 further
includes a forward extending cornice 684. Cornice 684 extends forward beyond
the front of the central position of
the housing 672. Cornice 684 has a sloped face 686 that is sloped toward the
rear of the housing further downward
along the face 686.
The exemplary face 686 includes a recess 688. Recess 688 includes a lens 690.
The exemplary lens 690 is
translucent to enable illumination of the front of the housing by one or more
lamps that are positioned within the
housing. The cornice 684 further includes a port or opening 692 therein. An
electronics housing 694 extends in the
opening 692. The electronics housing 694 is configured to hold control
circuitry 696 which may be of the type
previously discussed, as well as at least one sensor or input device 698 such
as a camera or scanner and a wireless
portal.
The exemplary housing 672 includes a pair of side panels 700, 702 and a back
panel 704. Panels 700, 702
and 704 bound a partitioned housing interior that includes a plurality of
separated interior areas. Locker doors 706,
708, 710, 712 714, 716, 718, 720, 722 and 724 are each movably mounted in
operative supported connection with
the housing 762 through respective hinges 726. Each of the locker doors
selectively controls access to a respective
interior area within the housing 672. In the exemplary arrangement each of the
doors is changeable between a
locked condition and an unlocked condition responsive to a respective
electrically actuated lock in a manner similar
to that used in the previously described repository arrangements.
The exemplary repository 670 is in operative connection with control circuitry
which may function in a
manner similar to that described in connection with repository 10. In addition
repository 670 may include suitable
power sources, sensors, input and output devices cameras, microphones and
wireless portals that operate in ways
like those discussed in connection with the previously described repositories.
In some exemplary arrangements the
repository 670 may operate responsive entirely to wireless communication with
remote central system circuitry and
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
local portable wireless devices. For example user identifying information,
access codes and other data that is
required to be communicated to the control circuitry of repository 670 may be
received via a wireless portal, rather
than keypads, touchscreens or other types of manually actuatable input
devices. Further in exemplary arrangements
may provide outputs wirelessly that can be perceived by system users adjacent
to the repository through their
portable wireless devices. In this manner the exemplary repository avoids
having externally accessible components
that may be subject to vandalism or tampering. Of course it should be
understood that these approaches are
exemplary and in other arrangements other approaches may be used.
It should be understood that the number of separate enclosed compartment
spaces within repository 760 is
exemplary, and other repositories may have different numbers of separately
accessible interior areas. The
exemplary repository 670 also includes a pair of smaller sized interior areas
corresponding to doors 720, 722
compared to the other interior areas, and a single large interior area
corresponding to door 714. Other parcel
repositories used in connection with exemplary systems may have different
numbers and sizes of compartments and
compartment spaces so as to accommodate the sizes of parcels being handled
through operation of the repository.
Other exemplary repositories may be comprised of separate housings that are
positioned in adjacent relation so as to
provide larger numbers of compartments with interior areas for the acceptance
and release of parcels. Such multiple
repositories may be controlled responsive to common control circuitry and a
single user interface, or may be
separately controlled and operable independent of an adjacent repository.
Further, the exemplary repository is
configured to be positioned in a location that is readily accessible to ground
transportation routes. Such
configuration facilitates access to the repository by shipper users, item
carriers and parcel recipients.
Figure 49 shows a system 728 of an exemplary arrangement and the flow of
parcels which may occur
between repositories in such a system. The exemplary system includes
repository 670 as well as a plurality of other
repositories schematically indicated 730, 732, 734, 736, and 738. In the
exemplary arrangement the repositories
included in the system may be similar to repository 760 or the other
repositories described herein. In alternative
arrangements other repository configurations may be used. It should be
understood that the exemplary system
further includes central system circuitry which may be similar to the central
system circuitry previously discussed.
As represented by arrows T, parcels may be moved between repositories in the
system by item carriers. As
represented in Figure 49 parcels that are input to the exemplary system at
repository 670 that are required to be
delivered at remote final destination repository 734 may be transported in
numerous different ways depending on the
available item carriers. For example, in some situations a parcel may be
transported by an item carrier directly from
the originating repository 670 to the final destination repository 734, as
represented by Arrow 740. Such a direct
transport from the originating repository to the final destination repository
may be the result of the fortuitous
availability of an item carrier who is available to make such direct
transport. Alternatively such a direct route for the
parcel may be the result of the shipping user paying an incentive fee for
prompt delivery or other circumstances.
In alternative circumstances a parcel that is received in originating
repository 670 that is determined by the
central system circuitry as required to move to repository 734 as the final
destination repository, may be moved by
item carriers to one or more intermediate destination repositories before
reaching the final destination repository.
For example a parcel may be moved from the originating repository 670 to
intermediate destination repository 730
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by an initial item carrier as represented by Arrow 742. The parcel may then be
moved from repository 730 to
interim destination repository 732 by another item carrier as represented by
Arrow 744. Finally the parcel may be
moved from repository 732 to the final destination repository 734 by another
item carrier as represented by Arrow
746. Of course as can be appreciated from the other arrows shown in Figure 49,
the parcel may take a more direct
path to the final destination repository 734 as a result of the availability
of other item carriers that can transport the
parcel along the more direct path.
As can be appreciated, the exemplary system 728 may also be operated
responsive to the central system
circuitry to achieve parcel deliveries to a final destination repository in a
more rapid manner than might otherwise
occur based on the availability of item carriers. For example the programming
associated with the central system
circuitry may provide for the consolidation of multiple parcel transport jobs
that can be offered to a single item
carrier as an incentive to complete the parcel transports more quickly. For
example the exemplary central system
circuitry may operate to accommodate transport of a collection or bundle of
parcels to an intermediate destination
repository that may not be on the most direct path to a final system
repository for some of the parcels. However, by
moving the parcels to an interim destination repository that is closer to the
final destination repository more quickly
via transport consolidation, the system may achieve delivery at the final
destination repository more quickly than
might otherwise occur. Further the central system circuitry may take advantage
of item carriers who have extended
time or delivery location availability compared to other item carriers to
achieve movement of more parcels to
interim destination repository locations, from which delivery at the final
destination repositories may be more
rapidly achieved. As can be appreciated these results may be based on the
central system circuitry evaluating factors
such as available item carriers and carrier locations during different dates
and times, as well as other factors that are
usable to predict and optimize parcel transport.
Of course as can be appreciated, from a shipper user perspective, the
operation of the exemplary system
728 achieves the delivery of delivery items such as parcels from a initial
originating repository to a final destination
repository. As a result, conceptually the shipment may be considered to have a
universal origin as represented
schematically as 748, and a universal destination as represented schematically
as 750. Although a given parcel may
be transported under the control of the central system circuitry through
numerous different intermediate parcel
repositories by different item carriers, such system activity does not involve
the shipper user or the delivery item
parcel recipient.
Of course it should be understood that exemplary systems may be implemented in
various network
topographies such as a peer to peer network communications environment between
devices included in the system.
Alternatively, the network topography may include a centralized dedicated
network adapted to cooperatively link the
various system components. Of course other arrangements may include
combinations of different system and
network topographies to achieve communications between the different system
components.
As can be appreciated from the prior discussion in connection with repository
10, the exemplary system
728 may provide for communication through central system circuitry with
numerous different types of authorized
and/or registered system users who carry out different roles in connection
with the system. For example in
exemplary arrangements network communication may be provided with the wireless
carrier contact devices of item
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carriers to determine transport availability and to provide transport
assignments. Further in exemplary arrangements
such carrier contact devices may be utilized for purposes of tracking parcels
in transport via GPS or other location
monitoring systems. In addition camera or other reader equipped carrier
contact devices may be utilized for
purposes of scanning machine-readable indicia on parcels, determining size
information of parcels or carrying out
other actions. Similarly such wireless devices may include wireless portals
which enable communication wirelessly
with repositories so as to communicate information necessary to access
selected interior areas for purposes of
receiving or depositing parcels.
Further as can be appreciated, in exemplary arrangements the network
communications between the
repositories and the central system circuitry may be operative to communicate
status and operational information of
the types previously discussed. Such information may facilitate the quick
repair of any repository malfunctions and
the avoidance of future malfunctions for which symptoms can be detected in
advance. Similarly such
communications may achieve capturing and retaining documentation regarding
parcel receipt, transport and delivery
such as by the capture of sensor data and other data associated therewith.
This may include for example the capture
and retention of image data and other data that is usable to document and
verify activities related to various parcels.
Of course these functions and capabilities are exemplary and in other
arrangements different or alternative
approaches may be used.
Figure 50 schematically represents components utilized in connection with an
exemplary system such as
system 728. In the exemplary arrangement the central system circuitry 752
comprises at least one processor 754 in
operative connection with at least one data store 756. As previously
discussed, although in this exemplary
.. arrangement the central system circuitry may be represented as a central
server or other computer device, in other
exemplary arrangements distributed processing and control of the system may be
provided in a cloud environment
or in a virtual environment within one or more shared platforms.
The exemplary central system circuitry 752 is in operative connection with one
or more interfaces
schematically indicated 758. The interfaces 758 provide communications
connectivity to other system components
which communicate in the system. One or more communication interfaces 760 are
provided to enable
communication of the central system circuitry 752 in the different wired
and/or wireless networks to which the
components included in the system are connected. Of course it should be
understood that in various embodiments
numerous different types of communications interfaces may be used.
The plurality of parcel repositories are in operative connection with the
system through the network and
send communications through an interface 760. Such repositories are
represented schematically by a repository 762.
Repository 762 may include components similar to repository 760 or the other
repositories that have been previously
discussed. As schematically shown, each repository includes a plurality of
connected components as represented
schematically by sensors 764 and actuators 766.
The exemplary system further includes carrier contact devices which are
utilized by item carriers in a
manner like that previously discussed. Such wireless carrier contact devices
such as smart phones are represented
by device 768. Such carrier contact devices include control circuitry therein.
The control circuitry may include for
example a scanner and/or code reader circuitry 770. The exemplary carrier
contact device may also include a
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tracking application such as a GPS circuitry 772. Interface circuitry suitable
for communicating with the central
system circuitry 774 may also be included in the exemplary item carrier
contact device. Of course it should be
understood that these device components are exemplary and other arrangements
other or additional components may
be used.
As schematically indicated, in the exemplary system devices operated by
shipper users as schematically
represented 776, may also be in operative connection with the central system
circuitry through interfaces 760.
Shipper user devices 776 may operate in a manner like that previously
discussed to provide communications which
enable parcel delivery items to the transported through the system and
delivered into the interior area of an
originating repository. As can be appreciated numerous different types of
shipper user devices and systems may be
operative to communicate in the system. The exemplary system further includes
one or more administrator devices
schematically indicated 778. Such administrator devices may be utilized for
purposes of monitoring operation of
other devices in the system, providing the mechanism for adding and removing
authorized/registered users of the
system, receiving alerts or problems identified through operation of system
components, generating reports and
other information, and providing other oversight and monitoring functions. Of
course it should be understood that
this schematic representation of system components is merely a high level
representation of those system
components that are included in an exemplary arrangement.
As has been previously described in detailed examples, the exemplary system
enables a shipper user to
utilize the system to ship a parcel from an originating location to a
destination location through operation of the
shipper user device 776. The shipper user device may be operative to provide
to the system information regarding
the shipment such as for example the ID token associated with the shipper that
is recognized by being registered or
otherwise authorized to participate in the system. With regard to the
particular shipment, the shipping user device
may provide information regarding the delivery item and its transport
including the originating and destination
locations, scheduling requirements (if applicable), item dimensions, weight
characteristics and markings, and other
information such as a funds source for payment for the shipment.
The exemplary central system circuitry 752 may operate in accordance with the
information received from
the shipper device to determine an originating repository and a final
destination repository for the particular parcel.
The exemplary central system circuitry may also carry out other functions such
as checking for space availability in
the originating repository. The central system circuitry may also provide
other information like that previously
discussed, that enables the shipper user to apply a label including machine-
readable indicia to the parcel that
includes a delivery item identifier or other information which is usable to
identify the particular parcel in the system.
The central system circuitry may also provide to the shipper user device,
location information regarding the
designated originating depository, an item depositor access code and other
information that enables the shipper user
to place the parcel in a designated interior area of the originating
repository.
The exemplary system circuitry also operates to evaluate available item
carriers, current item carrier
locations and available location destinations for item transport. The central
system circuitry may operate in a
manner like that discussed to optimize parcel transport or to consolidate
movement of multiple parcels to facilitate
the receipt of such parcels at each final destination repository. Central
system circuitry may also present opportunity
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messages to item carriers and assigned transport jobs to such item carriers.
The central system circuitry may also
monitor such item carriers to assure that performance of transport jobs is
timely commenced, and if not, may
reassign transport jobs to other item carriers.
The exemplary arrangements further enable the central system circuitry to
monitor repositories for purposes
of determining the placement and removal of parcels into selected interior
areas by providing access to authorized
users such as shipper users, item carriers, and final parcel recipients. The
central system circuitry operates in
coordination with the control circuitry of the repositories to monitor the
placement, and taking of each parcel
between each originating repository and destination repository. Further the
exemplary system tracks the parcel and
assures the desired movement of the parcel to its final destination
repository. The exemplary arrangement further
operates to provide the recipient of each parcel with notification of the
receipt of the parcel at the final destination
repository. The system provides selective controlled access to enable the
recipient to remove the parcel from the
interior area of the final destination repository, and documents the taking
thereof so as to assure that the parcel has
been properly delivered. Further in exemplary arrangements the charges and
credits associated with the transport of
items are provided through the central system circuitry to assure that parcel
transports are paid for and that
participants in the system are credited as appropriate for their activities.
Of course it should be understood that the
functions, activities and approaches described herein are exemplary and in
other arrangements other approaches may
be used.
Further as previously discussed in some exemplary arrangements the central
circuitry may be operated so
that item carriers deliver parcels to the destination address of the
recipient. In such arrangements the central
circuitry may be operative to determine a common route which may be followed
by an item carrier to deliver
multiple parcels to the recipient addresses. In such arrangements an item
carrier may collect the parcels from one or
more compartments within the interior area of a repository responsive to the
central system giving access thereto.
The user may then utilize their portable wireless device to document the
taking of the parcels from the repository for
delivery. Further in some exemplary arrangements the central circuitry may be
operative to cause the placement of
multiple parcels that will be transported together into a group or bundle that
is collected via placement in a single
compartment. This may be done to facilitate the ability of the item carrier to
obtain the items to be transported by
the item carrier in a shorter period of time. In such arrangements the central
system may provide the item carrier
with the destination address of each parcel. The item carrier may then
document the delivery of each parcel at the
respective destination address through operation of their mobile wireless
device in a manner like that previously
discussed. Of course these approaches are exemplary and other arrangements
other approaches may be used.
Thus the exemplary embodiments described herein achieve improved operation,
eliminate difficulties
encountered in the use of prior devices and systems, and attain the useful
results described herein.
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,
clarity and understanding. However,
no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom because such terms are
used for descriptive purposes and are
intended to be broadly construed. Moreover the descriptions and illustrations
herein are by way of examples and the
inventive features are not limited to the features shown and described.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-13
Further in the following claims any feature described as a means for
performing a function shall be
construed as encompassing any means known to those skilled in the art as being
capable of carrying out the recited
function and shall not be deemed limited to the particular means shown or
described for performing the recited
function in the foregoing description or mere equivalents thereof.
It should be understood that features and/or relationships associated with one
embodiment can be combined
with features and/or relationships from another embodiment. That is, various
features and/or relationships from
various embodiments can be combined in further embodiments. The inventive
scope of the disclosure is not limited
to only the embodiments shown or described herein.
The term "non-transitory" with regard to a computer readable medium is
intended to exclude only the
subject matter of a transitory signal, per se, where the medium itself is
transitory. The term "non-transitory" is not
intended to exclude any other form of computer readable media, including but
not limited to media comprising data
that is only temporarily stored or stored in a transitory fashion. Should the
law change to allow computer readable
medium itself to be transitory signals, then this exclusion is no longer valid
or binding.
Having described the features, discoveries and principles of the exemplary
embodiments, the manner in
which they are constructed and operated, and the advantages and useful results
attained, the new and useful
structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations, systems,
equipment, operations, methods,
processes and relationships are set forth in the appended claims.
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