Package securing system

A package securing system operable to facilitate the ability for an individual expecting to receive a package to provide and control a secure environment for receiving the package wherein the individual can execute the security protocols remotely. The package securing system further includes a lock having a body, a shank with keeper operably secured thereto, a solenoid with piston, a scanner and a controller. The controller provides operation of the lock and is operably coupled to the Internet via a wireless communication protocol. The controller is communicably coupled to a software application wherein the software application provide an interface for operation of the package securing system. The lock is unlocked and locked utilizing a machine-readable dataset wherein the machine-readable dataset is associated with an expected package and communicated to the controller via the software application. A server is provided to execute portions of the operational method of the present invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to security devices, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a package securing system operable to securely lock a container wherein the package securing system includes a lock having a scanner that is configured to facilitate the unlocking of the locking device ensuing scanning of an approved barcode or similar machine readable representation of data.

BACKGROUND

Package delivery to single family homes is a routine occurrence that is executed by many companies every day in the United States. Typically when the packages are delivered and no resident is available at the delivery address, the package is left by the front door of the structure. Package theft has been on the rise for many years and now totals an estimated 11 million packages annually. Approximately 26% of homeowners receive a package once a week and approximately 39% receive a package at least once a month. Package recipients typically worry about theft when they are unavailable to be at the receiving location during the scheduled delivery time. This concern typically escalates during the holiday season as package volume increases and as such package theft also rises during this time period. About 75% of packages are stolen during the day when the homeowner is not at home.

One problem with existing package delivery services is that the delivery provider typically provides a large time window for when the package will be delivered to the destination address. These large time windows make it difficult for the homeowner to wait for a package to be delivered. Additionally, there is no means available to the homeowner to provide a secure receiving container for a package to be placed in upon delivery. Receiving containers and the like that may use a lock would require a key and/or a combination and the ability to provide these to delivery organizations is really not feasible. Lastly, while some delivery organizations will accommodate request to place delivered packages either out of sight or in an alternate location such as a backyard, most delivery organizations cannot accommodate such requests.

Accordingly, there is a need for a package securing system that provides a means of securely receiving a package wherein the package recipient is able to provide a dataset to the delivery organization wherein the dataset is in the form of a bar code or similar machine-readable data and wherein the dataset provides a means to unlock the locking device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a package securing system that having a portion is configured to be secured to a receiving container designed to receive packages that includes a lock that is operable utilizing a machine-readable dataset.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a package securing system that is configured to secure packages at the delivery destination wherein the lock includes a controller operable receive, store, manipulate and transmit data.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a package securing system having a portion that is configured to be secured to a receiving container designed to receive packages wherein the lock of the package securing system further includes a scanner operable to scan machine-readable data images.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a package securing system that is configured to secure packages at the delivery destination wherein the lock of the present invention further includes a position sensor that is configured to detect and transmit the lock/unlocked position of the locking device.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a package securing system having a portion that is configured to be secured to a receiving container designed to receive packages wherein the lock of the package securing system further includes the necessary electronics to be operably coupled to a conventional WiFi router.

An alternative object of the present invention is to provide a package securing system that is configured to secure packages at the delivery destination that further includes a software application configured to facilitate the operation of the package securing system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a package securing system having a portion that is configured to be secured to a receiving container that further includes at least one server computer that is operably coupled to the software application.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a package securing system that is configured to secure packages at the delivery destination wherein the server computer provides functions such as but not limited to providing of single use machine-readable data images.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a package securing system having a portion that is configured to be secured to a receiving container wherein the method of use facilitates the exchange of a machine-readable dataset between a package recipient and a package delivery organization.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is diagrammed package securing system100constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

Now referring in particular toFIG. 1herein, the package securing system100includes lock10. Lock10is configured to be releasably secured to a container that is constructed to have an interior volume and access door wherein the access door is constructed so as to receive the shank15of the lock10. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the lock10could be constructed in numerous alternate manners so as to mateably engage with a portion of a receiving container in order to provide restricted access thereto. The shank15is constructed of a durable rigid material such as but not limited to metal and is formed in a u-shape having a first end16and second end17operably coupled with body8of lock10. The shank15is configured to be movably coupled to body8such that the shank15is movable in an upwards-downwards direction so as to provide disengagement of the second end17with body8in order to execute the unlocking of the lock10. Second end17includes notch18that is operably coupled with latch19of keeper20. Latch19is movable intermediate a first position and a second position wherein in the first position the latch19is engaged with notch18so as to inhibit upward movement of the shank15. In its second position, the latch19is removed from the notch18so as to permit upward movement of the shank15thereby allowing the lock10to be moved to an unlocked position. The keeper20further includes a spring30that is operable to bias the latch19in its first position. Keeper20includes tab22positioned near the bottom of the keeper20so as to be operably engaged with piston25of solenoid27. As will be further discussed herein, piston25is movable to engage tab22so as to initiate movement of latch19from its first position to its second position. The solenoid27is a conventional electric solenoid that is electrically coupled to the power supply5and controller40. Ensuing activation of the solenoid27, the piston25extends outward thus contacting tab22which pivots latch19to its second position wherein the latch is temporarily disengaged from notch18.

A shank position sensor60is mounted within the body8having a portion61embedded into the second end17of shank15. The shank position sensor60is configured to detect and subsequently transmit the position of the shank15as to whether or not the shank15is in a locked or unlocked position. The shank position sensor60is operably coupled to controller40wherein the controller40receives the data signal from the shank position sensor60concerning the position of the shank15. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the shank position sensor60and portion61could utilize various technologies to detect the movement of the position of the second end17of the shank15. By way of example but not limitation, the portion61could be a magnet operably coupled with the shank position sensor60so as to detect the position of the second end17of the shank15.

Disposed within the body8is power supply5. Power supply5is a conventional lithium ion battery that is configured to provide the necessary power for operation of the lock10and solenoid27as is described herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the power supply5could be manufactured from alternate conventional portable power sources in place of a lithium ion battery. The power supply5is operably coupled to controller40. Controller40includes the necessary electronics to store, receive, transmit and manipulate data. It is contemplated that the controller40could be manufactured utilizing numerous styles of electronics but good results have been achieved by utilizing a raspberry pi single board computer having a USB shield. The controller40functions to provide the operation of the lock10as described herein. Controller40is operably coupled to solenoid27and scanner70disposed within the body8. The controller40further includes a transceiver that is configured to transmit and receive data signals utilizing conventional WiFi communication protocols.

Scanner70is disposed within the body8and is configured to scan machine-readable datasets such as but not limited to QR codes or barcodes. The scanner70is a conventional data image scanner utilizing an illuminator, decoder and sensor converter to read and decipher a machine-readable dataset. The scanner70is electrically coupled to the power supply5and is further operably coupled to the controller40wherein the controller40and scanner70exchange data signals therebetween. While not particularly illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the scanner70would be operably coupled to an interface, such as but not limited to a button in order to activate the scanner70so as to scan a machine-readable dataset.

Referring now in particular toFIG. 2herein, a block diagram of the operational elements of the present invention are illustrated therein. The package securing system100includes at least one server201. The server201is a conventional computer server having the necessary electronics to store, receive, transmit and manipulate data signals. The server201is operably coupled to the Internet utilizing conventional communication protocols. The server further provides the storage of the software application of the present invention wherein a user can access and download via the Internet. A mobile computing device202is further included wherein the mobile computing device202is configured to communicably couple to the server201via the Internet for accessing the software application of the present invention stored thereon. The package securing system100utilizes a router205to communicably couple the lock10with the mobile computing device202and the server201. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the mobile computing device202could be an exemplary smart phone. A delivery organization mobile device207is communicably coupled to the server201wherein the delivery organization mobile device is a conventional mobile computing device and operable to display a machine-readable dataset for scanning by lock10wherein verification thereof is executed by the server201.

Referring in particular toFIG. 3, the method of the package securing system100is outlined therein. The package securing system100includes step301wherein a consumer will purchase the package securing system100. In step303, the operator of the package securing system100will provide the server201and communicably couple the server to the Internet. Step305, the user will access the server201. In step307, the software application of the present invention will be downloaded from the server201to a mobile computing device202. In step309, the user of the package securing system100will order a package of goods from a supplier. Step311, the supplier of the package of goods will provide a shipping tracking number to the user. In step313, the user will utilize the software application of the present invention loaded onto the mobile computing device202to input the received tracking number. The received tracking number is transmitted to the server and is identified as being associated with a pending delivery. Step315, a delivery organization will deliver the package to its intended destination. In step317, the scanner70of the lock10will be activated. Step319, a machine-readable dataset having the provided tracking number will be scanned by the scanner70. In step321, the scanner70will transmit the acquired data signal from the scan to the controller40wherein the controller40subsequently transmits the data signal to the server201for verification of accuracy with the tracking number associated with the pending delivery.

In step321, the server will verify the tracking number and transmit a verification signal to the controller40. Ensuing receipt of the verification signal, step325, the controller40will activate the solenoid27so as to open the lock10allowing access to a receiving container to which the lock10is secured. In step328, the shank position sensor60will transmit a signal to the mobile computing device202with notification of being transitioned to an open position. In step329, the delivery organization will place the package into the receiving container. Step331, the delivery organization will move the shank15to its first position so as to lock the shank15. In step333, the controller40will transmit a signal to the mobile computing device202providing notification of the status of lock10being moved to a locked position. In step335, at anytime during the aforementioned process, the position of the lock10, i.e. locked or unlocked is displayed on the mobile computing device202or can be obtained through a notification request function of the software application of the present invention.

InFIG. 4herein, an alternative embodiment of operation of the package securing system100is outlined therein. In step401, a user will order a package of good to be delivered. Step403, the user will access the server201via the software application on the mobile computing device202. In step405, the user will request generation of a temporary dataset, wherein the dataset is a machine-readable dataset such as but not limited to a barcode or QR code. Step407, the user will transmit the generated dataset to be associated with the pending package for delivery to the delivery organization responsible for delivering the package. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the generated dataset could be transmitted to the delivery organization utilizing an email or similar electronic form of communication. In step409, the delivery organization will receive the generated dataset. Step410, the delivery organization will deliver the package to the specified destination. In step411, the scanner70on the lock10will be activated. Step413, the delivery organization will present the generated dataset utilizing a delivery organization mobile computing device207for scanning thereof. In step415, the scanner70will scan the generated dataset and transmit to the server201for verification thereof. Step417, ensuing verification of the generated dataset the controller40will move the lock10to an unlocked position. In step419, the controller40will transmit a signal to the mobile computing device202a signal that the status position of the lock10has changed to unlocked. Step421, the delivery organization will leave the package in the container to which the lock10is operably coupled. In step423, the lock10is returned to its locked position. In step425, the controller40will transmit to the mobile computing device202a data signal indicating the lock10has been returned to a locked position. Step427, the controller40will provide a lock10status notification to the software application on the mobile computing device202of the status of the lock10at any point during the operational process.

It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention, that a user having a mobile computing device202paired with a lock10could utilize the software application to transmit a signal to unlock the lock10at anytime for an individual to access the container to which the lock10is operably coupled. While the method of operation described herein provides the order of execution for receipt of a delivered package, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the order of execution could be minimally altered in order to facilitate the arrangement of a package pickup from the container to which the lock10is secured.