Abstract:
A method and apparatus to implement and operate a network of automated collection points is described. The automated collection points facilitate the delivery of goods to a customer. The invention allows customers, delivery agents, or retailers to arrange for the delivery of goods ordered from a retailer to an automated collection point which can be accessed by a customer. The automated collection point may include different type of interfaces, such as barcode readers, smart card readers, biometric scanners, or keypads. The automated collection point is connected via a network medium to a collection of one or more servers referred to as a Locker Management System. A Locker Management System may control two or more automated collection points. These automated collection points may be located at separate geographical locations. When a package is delivered to an ACP site, it is identified to an interface on the ACP by its package ID. In embodiments, the package ID may be embedded in the ACP site address on the ship-to label on the package. In embodiments, the package ID may be encoded as a bar code on a label on the package—this bar code may be scanned on a bar code scanning interface coupled to the automated collection point. In other embodiments, the package ID may be transmitted wirelessly to a detector coupled to the automated collection point. In yet another embodiment, the package ID may be typed into a keyboard in communication with the automated collection point. Upon validating the package ID, the automated collection point will open to permit access, so that the package may be placed into an appropriately-sized secure locker. In embodiments of the invention, upon receipt of the package by the automated collection point, the customer will automatically be sent a message containing notification of the delivery. The message may include a numeric code for opening the locker.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates to the field of e-commerce. In particular, the invention relates to network systems for facilitating the delivery of goods ordered from online retailers.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    Prior to the advent of web-based retailing, customers have typically purchased goods through store-based retailing or by contacting a vendor via telephone or mail. They may go to a retail store and conduct the purchase through a sales assistant store-based retailing, or conduct the purchase over the telephone by calling the vendor directly—this is usually in response to seeing the product in a vendor&#39;s catalog or seeing an advertisement for the product on the television, radio or other medium this is called catalog-based retailing.  
           [0005]    Recently, a third approach to retailing has evolved: buying goods over the internet. Customers select their goods from the choice available on a vendor&#39;s web page. Payment is conducted typically with a credit card, which is authorized at the point of purchase. This retail approach is referred to as “etailing”; vendors using the etailing model are referred to as “etailers”.  
           [0006]    Etailing has a number of advantages over both store-based retailing and catalog-based retailing. However, a key challenge for etailers is getting the goods to the customer in a way that is cheap and convenient. Catalog-based retailers have always faced a similar challenge, which is one of the main reasons why the growth of catalog-based retailing has been curtailed. So if etailers are to fulfill their potential, they need to address the problems with the current delivery infrastructure.  
           [0007]    There are two problem areas with the current delivery infrastructure: cost and convenience. Each of these problems will now be discussed.  
           [0008]    Delivering individual packages to individual customer&#39;s homes is an inefficient process compared to delivering whole batches of products to retail stores. This inefficiency is compounded further by the fact that customers are often not in to receive the delivery. Understandably, it is difficult for delivery companies to give a specific time when a customer&#39;s package will be delivered in fact, they could give specific times but this would make the system even more inefficient and therefore increase the cost even further. But it is equally understandable that customers are unwilling to wait in for a vaguely-specified time period often spanning several days to take receipt of their package.  
           [0009]    The result is that the delivery company either leaves the parcel outside the customer&#39;s home which is clearly a security risk as it invites theft, or leaves a note explaining that they tried to deliver the package but the customer was not in; the delivery company will either try to deliver the package again or will ask the customer to collect it form the delivery company&#39;s depot between certain times which is inconvenient for the customer and inefficient for the delivery company.  
           [0010]    In summary, the current process is inconvenient and inefficient. It is inconvenient for customers because they either have to try to wait in for the delivery which could mean waiting in for several days or go to the delivery depot at a certain time. It is inefficient for delivery companies because delivering single packages to individual customers&#39; homes is more expensive than delivering multiple packages to retail stores, and because customers are often not in to receive their deliveries. The delivery companies&#39; inefficiencies result in increased costs, which result in increased delivery fees. This limits further the appeal to customers of buying goods from an etailer.  
           [0011]    Some customers have responded to this situation by arranging for goods purchased from etailers to be delivered to their employer&#39;s office. This approach has a number of problems, probably the most pertinent of which is that employers&#39; office systems are not equipped to cope with handling their employees&#39; shopping. Consequently, employers are becoming increasingly reluctant to allow their employees to deliver personal shopping to their place of work.  
           [0012]    One object of this invention is to design a method and apparatus which addresses the customer inconvenience of having to wait at home to accept etailer deliveries.  
           [0013]    Another object of this invention is to design a method and apparatus which addresses the inefficiency caused by customers not being at home to receive their goods.  
           [0014]    A further object of this invention is to design a method and apparatus which addresses the inefficiency caused by delivering packages to individual customers&#39; homes.  
           [0015]    Another object of this invention is to design a method and apparatus that can be deployed rapidly. In order for this invention to be rapidly deployable, it must have a very high level of automation and it very simple to use both for delivery personnel and customers. If the system is too manual-intensive then its deployment is likely to be restricted both by the availability of suitable personnel and the time taken to train them.  
           [0016]    Yet another object of this invention is to design a method and apparatus that can be incorporated easily into employers&#39; offices, thereby allowing employees to have their goods delivered to their place of work without introducing a burden on their employer&#39;s office systems.  
           [0017]    Another object of this invention is to design a method and apparatus on an architecture that can be further enhanced without a fundamental re-build to allow customers to use the ACP as a drop-off point for returning unwanted goods back to etailers.  
           [0018]    Another object of this invention is to design a method and apparatus on an architecture that can be further enhanced without a fundamental re-build for use by customers selling goods to other customers, rather than etailers selling goods to customers.  
           [0019]    Yet another object of this invention is to design the method and apparatus so that it can be easily integrated into the method and apparatus used by etailers to conduct their business. This object is to ultimately make is easier for the customer, so that purchasing of etailers&#39; goods and arranging for their delivery can both be done from one web site.  
           [0020]    However, a further object of this invention is to design a method and apparatus that is capable of working without any integration into the method and apparatus of an etailer. This is to ensure that this invention can be used immediately by all customers using whichever etailers they prefer to buy their goods from.  
           [0021]    A further object of this invention is to design a method and apparatus that will allow customers to specify a reminder for themselves regarding the contents of the package. This reminder will be used when the customer is informed that the package has arrived at the ACP site, thereby enabling the customer to determine how urgent it is for them to collect their package.  
           [0022]    Yet another object of this invention is to design the method and apparatus such that it can be used for advertising to customers. Furthermore, the management of the customer data will enable this advertising to be targeted at customers to whom it might be most appropriate.  
           [0023]    Another object of this invention is to design the method and apparatus such that it will function both inside and outside.  
           [0024]    A further object of this invention is to design the method and apparatus such that it supports the scenario where one order is physically packaged by the etailer into multiple packages.  
           [0025]    Yet another object of this invention is to design the method and apparatus to support a multitude of communication mediums, including email, cellular phone and pager.  
           [0026]    A further object of this invention is to design the method and apparatus to be sufficiently robust that it will operate unattended. That is, without supervision by a human being.  
           [0027]    Another object of this invention is to design a method and apparatus that facilitates a secure process and housing for goods purchased by customers from etailers.  
           [0028]    A further object of this invention is to design a method and apparatus that allows customers to locate the ACP sites that are most convenient for them, based on a number of different criteria such as location and availability of parking space.  
           [0029]    Another object of this invention is to design the method and apparatus so that it can be easily integrated into the method and apparatus used by delivery companies to conduct their business. This will include support for the barcode method and apparatus used by delivery companies.  
           [0030]    Yet a further object of this invention is to design a method and apparatus that is able to cope with accepting packages of varying size.  
           [0031]    Another object of this invention is to design a method and apparatus that facilitates a multitude of payment options. Payment can be made to and from each of the participants in the system. These participants are: customers, etailers, delivery companies, and hosts the hosts are the organizations on whose property the ACP will be located.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0032]    The invention provides a method and apparatus to implement and operate a network of automated collection points, or ACPs. The automated collection points facilitate the delivery of goods to a customer. In particular, the invention allows customers, delivery agents, or retailers to arrange for the delivery of goods ordered from a retailer to an automated collection point which can be accessed by a customer.  
           [0033]    An automated collection point comprises a bank of electronically-operated lockers. The lockers may vary in size, and may be positioned indoors or outdoors. The ACP may include different type of interfaces, such as barcode readers, smart card readers, biometric scanners, or keypads.  
           [0034]    The automated collection point is connected via a network medium to a collection of one or more servers referred to as a Locker Management System. A Locker Management System (LMS) may control two or more automated collection points. These automated collection points may be located at separate geographical locations.  
           [0035]    In embodiments of the invention, rather than specifying home or work as the ship-to address, customers or etailers may arrange for goods to be shipped to a local ACP. In some embodiments, each package is assigned a unique numeric ID. When a package is delivered to an ACP site, it is identified to an interface on the ACP by its package ID. In some embodiments, the package ID may be embedded in the ACP site address on the ship-to label on the package. In some embodiments, the package ID may be encoded as a bar code on a label on the package—this bar code may be scanned on a bar code scanning interface coupled to the automated collection point. In other embodiments, the package ID may be transmitted wirelessly to a detector coupled to the automated collection point. In yet another embodiment, the package ID may be typed into a keyboard in communication with the automated collection point. Upon validating the package ID, the automated collection point will open to permit access, so that the package may be placed into an appropriately-sized secure locker.  
           [0036]    In embodiments of the invention, upon receipt of the package by the automated collection point, the customer will automatically be sent a message containing notification of the delivery. The message may include a numeric code for opening the locker. In embodiments of the invention, this code will only work when used in conjunction with a pre-determined customer PIN.  
           [0037]    In embodiments of the invention, the customer will come to the ACP site to collect their goods. In alternative embodiments, the ACP may be affixed to the customer&#39;s residence. In embodiments of the invention, the ACP interface may prompt the customer to enter their collection code followed by their PIN. The collection code and PIN will be validated by the ACP site and the server computers used to manage the network of ACPs. If the validation is successful, the locker containing the customer&#39;s goods will open.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0038]    [0038]FIG. 1 is an entity-relationship diagram illustrating process employed for arranging the delivery of goods purchased from an e-tailer according to embodiments of the invention.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 2 illustrates a network architecture for a central server used to arrange the delivery of commercial goods purchased from e-tailers in embodiments of the invention.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 3 illustrates an client-side architecture used by e-tailers to interface with the central server according to embodiments of the invention.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 4 schematically illustrates client interfaces used by customers to access the central server according to embodiments of the invention.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 5 illustrates a user interface for an automated collection point used in an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 6 illustrates a client interface used by delivery companies to access the central server in embodiments of the invention.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 7 illustrates a client interface used by hosts of the automated collection points to access the central server according to embodiments of the invention.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 8 is a flowchart for a customer registration process used in embodiments of the invention.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 9, 9 a , includes flowchart for a process for scheduling the delivery of goods according to embodiments of the invention.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 10, 10 a ,  10   b  includes flowcharts illustrating processes for delivering goods to an automated collection point according to embodiments of the invention.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 11, 11 a  illustrates flowcharts for processes involved in collecting goods.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 12, 12 a  includes a flowchart for a collection expiry process used in embodiments of the invention.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 13, 14 illustrates a partner settlement procedure according to embodiments of the invention.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 15 illustrates a process for automated closing of the door of an automated collection point according to embodiments of the invention.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 16 illustrates a process for delivery company registration with the central server according to embodiments of the invention.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 17 illustrates a process for registering a host for an automated collection point according to embodiments of the invention.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 18 illustrates a process for registering e-tailers with the central server according to embodiments of the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0055]    A. System Architecture  
         [0056]    Embodiments of the invention include a computer network architecture for a locker management system used to operate one or more automated collection points. Each of the automated collection points comprises one or more lockers located at a site. The automated collection points provide an interface for validating the delivery of goods to the site. The processes employed in delivering goods to customers are schematically illustrated in FIG. 1. Each of the automated collection points is also coupled to the locker management system, which enables validation of packages arriving at the automated collection points.  
         [0057]    A network architecture for the locker management system is illustrated in FIG. 2- 4 ,  6 . The architecture includes one or more of the following components:  
         [0058]    1. Internet Service Provider ISP 1004.  
         [0059]    2. Leased Line 1001.  
         [0060]    3. Web Server 1010  
         [0061]    4. Application Server 1040  
         [0062]    5. ACP Server 1070  
         [0063]    6. Firewalls 1002 and 1030  
         [0064]    7. Router 1003 and Ethernet network cabling  
         [0065]    8. Hub 1099  
         [0066]    9. Communication connection between the ACP Sites and the ACP Server. In an embodiment of the invention, the communication connection may be a VSAT Connection 1098  
         [0067]    10. ACP Site 900  
         [0068]    11. Host Interface Device 1110  
         [0069]    12. Host Communication Device 1103.  
         [0070]    13. Etailer Interface Device 301 FIG. 3  
         [0071]    14. Etailer Integration Device 310 FIG. 3  
         [0072]    15. Customer Interface Device 1201 FIG. 4  
         [0073]    16. Customer Message Device 1205 FIG. 4  
         [0074]    17. Delivery Company Interface Device 801 FIG. 6  
         [0075]    The ISP  1004  provides connectivity between the ACP system and the Internet. This connectivity is established by connecting the Web Server  1010  to the ISP  1004  through the Leased Line  1001  connected to a Router  1003 . The Router  1003  is connected to the Hub  1099  via a Firewall  1002 . The Web Server  1010  may be connected to the other servers in the ACP system using a CAT 5  coaxial cable connection to the Ethernet Hub  1099 . The Web Server  1010  hosts the web sites and performs the web processing required in the ACP system. The Web Server  1010  only communicates with the Application Server  1040  and other servers on the Internet via the ISP  1004 ; it does not communicate directly with the ACP Server  1070 —this is conducted through the Application Server  1040 .  
         [0076]    The Application Server  1040  also connects to the other servers through a CAT 5  coaxial cable connection to the Ethernet Hub  1099 , via a Firewall  1030 . The Application Server  1040  performs most of the business logic in the ACP system. It works with the Web Server  1010  and ACP Server  1070  to send and receive information to users of the ACP System. The users are customers, etailers, delivery companies and ACP site hosts.  
         [0077]    The ACP Server  1070  is the gateway through to the ACP sites. It is connected to the other servers through a CAT 5  coaxial cable connection to the Hub  1099 , and to the ACP Sites via a connection medium that supports Internet Protocol IP communication. In an embodiment of the invention, this connectivity may be through a VSAT Connection  1098 . The ACP Server communicates only with the Application Server  1040  and the ACP Sites  900 ; it does not communicate directly with the Web Server  1010 —this is conducted through the Application Server  1070  via the Hub  1099 .  
         [0078]    The ACP Site  900  is the actual bank of lockers to which customers&#39; packages are delivered. The ACP Sites  900  communicate only with the ACP Server  1070 . This communication can be conducted using any communication medium that supports IP. In the first implementation of this invention, this connectivity will be through a Communications Socket  1104  which will be a PES connector which will enable connectivity to the VSAT Connection  1098  at the ACP Server  1070 .  
         [0079]    Delivery companies relate to the system in two ways. First, their delivery personnel actually perform the delivery of the packages to the ACP Sites  900 . This activity is conducted through the ACP Site  900  interface, which may comprise one or more of an LCD Screen  951 , a Keypad  952 , a series of Buttons  953  and a Barcode Reader  954 . Secondly, the delivery company can view the information on deliveries made by their delivery personnel using the Delivery Company Interface  801 . This is typically a web browser running on a PC owned by the delivery company. The delivery company will have access, through its web browser, to a dedicated part of the ACP system&#39;s Web Server  1010 .  
         [0080]    Hosts have a communications capability into which the ACP Sites are connected. As explained above, this communications capability can be anything that supports IP which, in the first implementation of this invention, will be a VSAT network. The host must therefore install a PES socket at the host site. The ACP Site i.e. the bank of lockers will connect to this PES socket.  
         [0081]    Hosts are also able to connect to the ACP system to view information about deliveries made to the ACP Site  900  that they are hosting. This connection is done through a Host Interface Device  1110  which connects to the ACP system through the Web Server  1010 . This Host Interface Device  1110  will typically be a web browser running on a standard PC owned by the host. The host will have access, through its web browser, to a dedicated part of the ACP system&#39;s Web Server  1010 .  
         [0082]    Etailers that are integrated into the ACP system do so through a connection to the ACP Server  1040 . This is established through an Integration Device  310  residing on the etailer&#39;s system. This Integration Device  310  will typically be a computer program supplied as part of this invention, which runs on an etailer&#39;s server computer provided by the etailer. Etailers are also able to interface with the ACP system to view information about their relationship with the ACP system and past orders. This interface is conducted through the Interface Device  301 , which will typically be a web browser running on a PC owned by the etailer. The etailer will have access, through its web browser, to a dedicated part of the ACP system&#39;s Web Server  1010 .  
         [0083]    Customers interface with the ACP system using an Interface Device  1201  owned by the customer. This will typically be a web browser running on a PC. The ACP system sends messages to customers using a Message Device owned by the customer. This will typically be an email account, cellular phone or pager.  
         [0084]    Detail of each part of the system architecture  
         [0085]    The system architecture for a first embodiment of the apparatus and method of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 7. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention comprises Central Servers  1000  which connects to ACP Site  900 , Host  1100 , Customer  600 , Delivery Company  800  and Etailer  700 . The system architecture for each of these components will now be discussed.  
         [0086]    Central Servers  1000   
         [0087]    [0087]FIG. 2 illustrates the Central Servers  1000 , which comprise a Web Server  1010 , Application Server  1030  and ACP Server  1090 . In a preferred embodiment of this invention, each server will physically reside on its own dedicated machine. A conventional server with sufficient storage, memory and processing capability will be sufficient for each of these machines.  
         [0088]    Central servers connect to each other over an internal  10 / 100  Ethernet network. Each server has a conventional Ethernet Network Interface Card NIC, which is connected to an Ethernet Hub  1099  using standard Category  5  CAT 5  cable.  
         [0089]    At a high-level, the Web Server  1010  controls the interface between the World Wide Web and the Application Server  1040 , the Application Server  1040  performs the business logic, and the ACP Server  1070  controls the interaction with the ACP sites  900 . The detailed role of each server will now be discussed.  
         [0090]    Web Server  1010   
         [0091]    The purpose of Web Server  1010  is to host the web sites that are used to manage the flow of information between other Central Servers  1000  and external devices used by other participants in the process. These participants are Customers  600 , Hosts  1100 , Delivery Companies  800 , and Etailers  700 . The Web Server  1010  has only a minimal amount of business logic—its main role is to provide an interface to the data and business logic of the Application Server  1040 .  
         [0092]    Web Server  1010  is connected to the Internet. This connection can be arranged with any standard Internet Service Provider ISP  1004  and will include a Leased Line  1001 . The Leased Line  1001  is a physical connection between the Web Server  1010  and the ISP&#39;s  1004  server. The Leased Line  1001  terminates at the server room of the Central Servers  1000  through a communications socket which feeds into a Router  1003 . The Router  1003  can be any commercial router compatible with the configuration of the Leased Line  1001 . In the first implementation of this invention, a Cisco  804  router will be used for this purpose. Other equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art.  
         [0093]    The speed requirements for the Leased Line  1001  will depend on the volume of traffic going between Customers&#39;  600  Interface Devices  1201  and Web Server  1010 . In a first installation of this invention, a 256 kpbs leased line will be sufficient.  
         [0094]    A Firewall  1002  should be installed between the Web Server  1010  and the Leased Line  1001 . The purpose of the Firewall  1002  is to protect the Web Server  1010  and therefore all Central Servers from unwanted intrusions via the Internet. As a minimum, the firewall it configured to allow traffic through on ports  443  Secure System Layer and  80  web traffic. Other ports maybe allowed if remote monitoring by system support personnel is required. Similarly, the Web Server  1010  it configured to listen on ports  443  and  80 , along with any other ports required for remote support.  
         [0095]    A second Firewall  1030  should be installed between the Web Server  1010  and the Ethernet Hub  1099 . This is to provide further protection to the Application Server  1040  and the ACP Server  1070  should an intruder manage to break through the first Firewall  1002 . Firewall  1030  is also used by Application Server  1040  when making external connections not via the Web Server  1010 .  
         [0096]    The Web Server&#39;s  1010  Application Software  1011  is a set of computer programs. The scope of these computer programs is restricted to displaying information on web pages, receiving and validating responses from users customers, delivery companies, administrators, etailers and hosts and passing these responses down to the Application Server  1040  via the Firewall  1030 . The Application Server&#39;s  1040  responses will be fed back up to the Web Server  1010  via the Firewall  1030 . The appropriate Application Software  1011  will manage the displaying of the response on the web site.  
         [0097]    The Application Software  1011  computer programs can be coded in any language or combination of languages that is capable of displaying web pages on the World Wide Web and that can communicate, through Firewall  1030 , with the Application Server  1040 .  
         [0098]    In an implementation of this invention, the computer programs may be coded in HTML with a combination of static graphics, such as JPEG files, as well as animated graphics, such as animated GIFs. These computer programs are organised into five sets of modules: Customer Interface  1012 , Etailer Interface  1013 , Delivery Company Interface  1014 , Site Host Interface  1015  and Administration Interface  1016 .  
         [0099]    Customer Interface  1012  manages the web-based interaction between customers who are arranging for goods to be delivered to an ACP site. The functionality of the Customer Interface  1012  will be to display the information described in REGISTER  100  and SCHEDULE DELIVERY  300 . Customer Interface  1012  will also provide the interface through which customers can change their details specified in REGISTER  100 , as well as displaying information about previous deliveries, such as date of delivery and collection code.  
         [0100]    Etailer Interface  1013  enables registered etailers to access and analyse information about goods that were delivered from them to an ACP site resulting from a customer purchase. This information will be browse only. Delivery Company Interface  1014  enables registered delivery companies to access and analyse information about goods that were delivered by them to an ACP site. This information will be browse only. Site Host Interface  1015  enables ACP site hosts to access and analyse information about goods that were delivered to their ACP sites. This information will be browse only.  
         [0101]    Administrator Interface  1016  will be used by ACP support personnel to administrator the ACP infrastructure. Tasks include adding and deleting site hosts and accessing customer details. The Administrator Interface  1016  will allow information to be accessed in browse, add, change and delete modes, depending on the security profile of the user.  
         [0102]    In order to interface with the Web Server&#39;s  1010  hardware, the Application Software  1011  requires some System Software  1017 . Specifically, an Operating System  1018  it installed on the Web Server  1010 . This can be a conventional server operating system. The main stipulation is that a compiler for this operating system must exist for the language in which the Web Server&#39;s  1010  Application Software  1011  is coded. In the first implementation of this invention, Microsoft&#39;s Windows NT operating system will be used.  
         [0103]    Web Server  1010  will have a conventional hard-disk magnetic or optical Storage Device  1022  arranged in a Random Array of Inexpensive Disks RAID configuration. No business data will be stored on this unit—all business data will be stored on the storage unit of the Application Server  1040 . The only data that will be stored on the storage device of the Web Server  1010  will be the Operating System  1018  and the Application Software  1011 .  
         [0104]    Description of the Application Server  1040   
         [0105]    The role of the Application Server is to process the information received from the Web Server  1010  and from the ACP Server  1070 . Users cannot interface directly with the Application Server  1040 ; rather, users access the application server  1040  via the Web Server  1010 . Like the Web Server  1010 , the Application Server  1040  has an Application Software  1041  layer. This Application Software  1041  is a set of computer programs. These programs can be coded in any language or combination of languages that supports interfacing with the Web Server  1010  via the Firewall  1030 . The programming language also support interfacing with a Relational Database Management System RDBMS,  1050 . In the first implementation of this invention, the Application Software  1041  programming language will be Microsoft&#39;s Visual Basic with some C++extensions.  
         [0106]    The Application Software  1041  computer programs are organised into five sets of modules: Customer Processing  1042 , Etailer Processing  1043 , Delivery Company Processing  1044 , Host Processing  1045  and Administration Processing  1046 .  
         [0107]    Customer Processing  1042  provides the customer-related business logic to support the REGISTER  100 , SCHEDULE DELIVERY  200  and COLLECTION  400  processes. The Customer Process  1042  also contains the logic to maintain customer&#39;s details through the Customer Interface  1012 .  
         [0108]    Etailer Processing  1043  provides the etailer-related business logic to support the SCHEDULE DELIVERY  200  and PARTNER SETTLEMENT  600  processes, as well as the database access and data manipulation for the Etailer Interface  1013 .  
         [0109]    Delivery Company Processing  1044  provides the delivery company-related business logic to support the DELIVER  300  and PARTNER SETTLEMENT  600  processes, as well as the database access and data manipulation for the Delivery Company Interface  1014 .  
         [0110]    Host Processing  1045  provides the host-related business logic to support the PARTNER SETTLEMENT  600  process, as well as the database access and data manipulation for the Site Host Interface  1014 .  
         [0111]    Unlike the Web Server  1010 , the Application Server  1040  requires a Database  1050  to store business data. Any commercial Relational Database Management System RDBMS  1051  should be sufficient for this purpose, although an ODBC compliant database is preferred. The first implementation of this invention uses Microsoft&#39;s SQL Server RDBMS.  
         [0112]    This business data stored on the RDBMS  1051  can be grouped into six databases: Customers  1052 , Etailers  1053 , Delivery Companies  1054 , Hosts  1055  and Orders  1056 .  
         [0113]    Customers  1052  holds information about customers that was initially captured during the REGISTER  100  process. This information includes name, email address and contact telephone number, as well the customer&#39;s list of preferred ACP sites.  
         [0114]    Etailers  1053  holds information about registered etailers. This includes the details of the etailer&#39;s financial arrangement within the ACP process.  
         [0115]    Delivery Companies  1054  holds information about registered delivery companies. This includes the details of the delivery company&#39;s financial arrangement within the ACP process.  
         [0116]    Hosts  1055  holds information about ACP site hosts. This includes the site&#39;s address as well as the details of the site host&#39;s financial arrangement within the ACP process.  
         [0117]    Orders  1056  holds information on every order that is processed through an ACP site. Details include the date of delivery, the parcel ID, the collection code, the customer, the etailer if registered, the delivery company if registered and the site host.  
         [0118]    The Application Server  1040  needs to communicate with other devices outside the Central Servers  1000  network, but not via the Web Server. These processes includes the Embedded Etailer Link  1048 , the Customer Messaging  1049  and the Financial Settlement  1047 . To protect the Central Servers  1000 , this communication is conducted via a firewall. The Firewall  1030  can be used for this purpose, shared with the Web Server  1010 .  
         [0119]    The Embedded Etailer Link  1048  is a computer program provided by the ACP service to registered etailers. The Embedded Etailer Link  1048  is integrated into the Etailer&#39;s web site and is invoked by the customer by pressing the button on the Etailer&#39;s site that is associated with the Embedded Etailer Link  1048 . The Embedded Etailer Link  1048  controls the communication between the registered etailer&#39;s site and the Application Server  1040 . This supports the SCHEDULE DELIVERY  200  process for registered etailers.  
         [0120]    The Customer Messaging Link  1049  manages the communication between the Application Server  1040  and the customer. The Customer Messaging Link  1049  currently supports communicating via email, text-to-voice over standard telephone or cell phone, and text messaging using Short Message Service SMS on cell phones. Customers can choose over which medium they would like to be communicated during the DELIVER  300  process sending customers their collection codes when their goods are delivered, and ORDER EXPIRY  600  process reminding customers to collection their goods and inform them when their order has expired.  
         [0121]    As well as enabling access to information, the Etailer Processing  1043 , Delivery Company Processing  1044  and Host Processing  1045  modules manage the financial relationships between all parties in the ACP network. Settling the financial positions requires access to third-party servers outside the Central Servers  1000  network. Also, taking payments from customers for late collection COLLECT  400  process requires access to third-party networks such as the VISA credit card clearing network. Access to all external financial networks is managed by the Financial Settlement Link  1047 .  
         [0122]    To run the Application Software  1041  on the Application Server  1040 , some System Software  1060  it installed on the Application Server  1040 . This System Software  1060  includes an Operating System  1061 , as well as any other system monitoring or performance tuning software required to maintain and support the Application Server  1041 . The Operating System  1061  can be any commercial server operating system, providing a compiler is available for the language in which the Application Software  1041  is written. In the first implementation of this invention, the Operating System  1081  to be installed on the ACP Server  1070  will be Microsoft&#39;s Windows NT.  
         [0123]    The Processing Unit  1065  will contain conventional processing apparatus including a Central Processing Unit CPU  1066  and Memory  1067 —both Random Access Memory RAM and Read Only Memory ROM.  
         [0124]    The Storage Device  1068  will be conventional Hard Disk  1069  magnetic or optical storage units arranged in a Random Array of Inexpensive Disks RAID configuration, or other secondary storage systems apparent to those skilled in the art.  
         [0125]    The Application Server could be split into three separate servers: an Application Server to run the Application Software  1041 , a Database Server dedicated to running the RDBMS  1051 , and a File Server dedicated to serving any files that may be required to administer the service for example, word processing documents or spreadsheets. The Application Server should have a fast processor and average amount of RAM. The Database Server should have a fast processor, a lot of RAM, and a RAID array of hard-disks with enough capacity to hold all the business information. The File Server should have an average processor with a lot of RAM. Subsequent implementations of this invention might take this approach, which should result in faster performance at high volumes.  
         [0126]    The ACP Server  1070   
         [0127]    The ACP Server  1070  manages the communication between each ACP Site  900  and the Application Server  1070 . The ACP Server has an Application Software  1071  layer. The Application Software  1071  contains the Locker Management System  1072 . The Locker Management System  1072  responds to messages from Application Server  1040  and the ACP Sites  900  to perform the functions specified in DELIVER  300 , COLLECT  400  and ORDER EXPIRY  600 .  
         [0128]    All communication is asynchronous between the ACP Server  1070  and the Application Server  1040 , and the ACP Server and the ACP Sites  900 . This is to ensure that the entire ACP system can continue to function for a reasonable period in the event of a communication breakdown. For example, if a communication failure occurred between the ACP Server  1070  and the ACP Sites  900 , then the ACP Sites  900  would still be able to perform the DELIVER  300  and COLLECT  400  processes. The messages would simply be stored at the ACP Site  900  and would be re-sent automatically once the communication had been re-established. If the communication were synchronous which it isn&#39;t then the ACP Site  900  would be out of action until the communication problem had been fixed.  
         [0129]    Unlike the Application Server  1040 , the Locker Management System has a series of screens which are used to monitor and maintain the ACP Sites  900 . As well as responding reactively to requests from Application Server  1040  and ACP Sites  900 , the Locker Management System  1072  routinely conducts proactive checks on each ACP Site  900 . The status of each ACP Site  900  down to the level of individual Lockers  970  is established and a warning is displayed on the Locker Management System  1072  screen to alert support personnel of the problem.  
         [0130]    The Locker Management System  1072  can be coded in any programming language that supports communication with the Application Server  1040 , the ACP Sites  900  and the ACP Server&#39;s  1070  RDBMS  1076 . In the first implementation of this invention, the Locker Management System will be programmed in Java.  
         [0131]    The ACP Server  1070  requires a Database  1075 . The Database  1075  will be an RDBMS  1076  and can be any commercial RDBMS that is able to communicate with the Locker Management System  1072 . In the first implementation of this invention, the Database  1075  will be built using Microsoft&#39;s SQL Server RDBMS product.  
         [0132]    The data stored on the RDBMS  1076  can be grouped into Locker Details  1077  and Pending Messages  1078 . Locker Details  1077  stores information on the configuration of all ACP Sites  900 . Pending Messages  1078  contains information on deliveries or collections. These messages are from both the ACP Sites  900  and the Application Server  1040  that are destined for each other. The messages are only deleted from the Database  1075  once the ACP Server  1070  has confirmation of receipt from the target server.  
         [0133]    To run the Application Software  1071  on the ACP Server  1070 , some System Software  1080  it installed on the ACP Server  1070 . This System Software  1080  includes an Operating System  1081 , as well as any other system monitoring or performance tuning software required to maintain and support the ACP Server  1070 . The Operating System  1081  can be any commercial server operating system, providing a compiler is available for the language in which the Locker Management System  1072  is written. In the first implementation of this invention, the Operating System  1081  to be installed on the ACP Server  1070  may be Microsoft&#39;s Windows NT™. Other suitable operating systems will be apparent to those skilled in the art.  
         [0134]    The Processing Unit  1085  will contain conventional processing apparatus including a Central Processing Unit CPU  1086  and Memory—both Random Access Memory RAM and Read Only Memory ROM  1087 .  
         [0135]    The Storage Device  1090  will be conventional Hard Disk  1091  magnetic or optical storage units arranged in a Random Array of Inexpensive Disks RAID configuration.  
         [0136]    The ACP Server  1070  connects directly to the Ethernet Hub  1099  using standard CAT 5  cable. However, the ACP Server  1070  connects remotely to the ACP Sites  900 , because the distance between the ACP Sites  900  and the ACP Server  1070  is too far to implement a direct connection. The physical communication medium used to connect the ACP Server  1070  with the ACP Sites  900  can be anything that supports the TCP/IP protocol. In the first implementation of this invention, the communication medium will be 2-way VSAT. Other communication media will be apparent to those skilled in the art.  
         [0137]    The VSAT connectivity may be implemented by connecting the Hub  1099  to a VSAT Connection  1098 . The ACP Server will send messages via the Hub  1099  over the VSAT network to the ACP Sites  900 .  
         [0138]    The communication between the ACP Server  1070  and the ACP Sites  900  does not have to be point-to-point. Instead, the communication could be conducted over the Internet via a connection between the ACP Sites  900  and an Internet Service Provider ISP. The ACP Sites  900  could simply use a modem and a Plain Old Telephone System POTS connection to dial-up the ISP.  
         [0139]    B. Description of the Etailer  700   
         [0140]    In the context of this invention, an Etailer  700  is a company that sells products through an online medium rather than through a physical store. In an embodiment of the invention, there are two types of Etailers: registered and non-registered. Registered Etailers  700  have a relationship with the ACP network and integrate directly with the Application Server  1040 ; non-registered Etailers have no relationship with the ACP network.  
         [0141]    Non-registered Etailers do not require any apparatus to participate in the ACP network because their Customers  400  may perform the ACP processing, as illustrated by a decision point  202  in the SCHEDULE DELIVERY  200  process illustrated in FIG. 9.  
         [0142]    Registered Etailers  700  employ an Interface Device  301  to view information on orders sent by them to ACP Sites  900 . In an embodiment of the invention, the Interface Device  301  may be a Web Browser  302  running on a conventional PC or server. This Web Browser will be used to access the ACP web site hosted on Web Server  1010  to view the Etailer&#39;s  700  information. Other embodiments of this invention may support interfacing through other web-enabled devices such as cellular phones, personal organizers, televisions and radios.  
         [0143]    Registered Etailers  700  also employ an Integration Device  310 . This Integration Device will host the Embedded Etailer link  1048  that integrates the Etailer  700  with the Application Server  1040 .  
         [0144]    C. Description of the Customer  400   
         [0145]    In the context of this invention, a Customer  400  is a person who buys goods from an etailer. However, embodiments of this invention also support use by customers who purchase goods from mail order companies.  
         [0146]    To use the ACP network, a customer employs an Interface Device  401  and a Message Device  405 . The Interface Device  401  is used by the Customer  401  to access the Web Server  1010 . This interaction is illustrated by the flowcharts for the REGISTER  100  process in FIG. 8 and SCHEDULE DELIVERY  200  process in FIG. 9. In an embodiment of this invention, the Interface Device  401  may be a Web Browser  402  running on a conventional personal computer PC. This Web Browser will be used to access the ACP web site hosted on Web Server  1010  to perform the REGISTER  100  and SCHEDULE DELIVERY  200  functions. Other embodiments of this invention may support interfacing through other web-enabled devices such as cellular phones, personal organizers, televisions and radios.  
         [0147]    The Message Device  405  is used by the Application Server  1040  to send messages to Customers  400 . This process is illustrated in the DELIVER  300  function in FIGS.  10   10   a    10   b  and the COLLECTION EXPIRY  500  function in FIG. 12. In an embodiment of the invention, this Message Device can be either a conventional Email  406  account or a Cellular Phone  407  that supports a Short Message Service SMS.  
         [0148]    D. Description of the ACP Site  900  FIG. 5  
         [0149]    The ACP Site  900  is a bank of Lockers  970 , situated inside or outside a Host&#39;s  1100  building. The Lockers  970  are in a range of sizes. The Lockers  970  are managed by a central console  901 . In embodiments of the invention, the central console  901  has a user interface which may include one or more of the following: an LCD screen  951 , a series of metal Buttons  953  to the left and right of the screen, an electronic numeric Keypad  952  and a Barcode Reader  954 . The lockers are operated entirely electronically using the Buttons  953 , the Keypad  952  and the Barcode Reader  954 ; no mechanical keys are involved. The central console may also have the ability to integrate with a credit card reader, cash receiver, or a printer. In some embodiments, the device does not include a keypad.  
         [0150]    The Lockers  970  are locked and unlocked using electronic locking devices which respond to signals from the Processing Unit  918 . The locking devices can be any door-locking devices capable of being controlled electronically by a CPU.  
         [0151]    The Processing Unit  918  contains a motherboard with a CPU  919  and memory. The CPU  919  can be any CPU capable of being programmed to operate the locking devices and communicate with the Locker Management System  1072 . In an embodiment of this invention, the Motorola 6088 processor will be used. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.  
         [0152]    In embodiments of the invention, two types of memory are employed: Read Only Memory ROM  920  and Random Access Memory RAM  921 . ROM  920  stores the System Software  915  and Application Software  912 , but cannot be modified by the System Software  915  or Application Software  912 . So in addition to ROM  920 , some RAM  921  is used by the System Software  915  and Application Software  912  to store details of locker status and store messages received from the Locker Management System  1072 . Solid state memory i.e. RAM is preferred to a hard-disk or any other storage device containing moving parts. This is because the ACP Site will be in unattended as well as attended situations which may result in the ACP Site being jostled: moving-part storage could malfunction in this environment.  
         [0153]    The data stored in RAM  921  can be grouped into three areas: Locker Status  933 , Order Details  934  and Delivery Company Details  935 . Locker Status  933  contains the current status of each Locker  970 . Order Details  934  contains collection code and PIN information. Delivery Company Details contains details of delivery companies such as logon ID who are registered to use the ACP Site  1070 .  
         [0154]    The Locker Management System  1072  performs frequent checks on each central console  901  to determine the status of its Lockers  970 . These checks are performed every few seconds. In the event of a central console  901  crash, when the central console  901  is re-booted it will re-establish its connection to the Locker Management System. However, re-booting the central console  901  will result in losing the contents of its RAM  920 . The central console  901  will therefore ask the Locker Management System  1072  to re-populate its RAM  920  with the contents at the time of re-boot.  
         [0155]    Application Software  912  is required to control the central console  901 . The Application Software  912  is called central console Software  913 . The CENTRAL CONSOLE Software  913  is a collection of computer programs. The computer programs can be written in any language or collection of languages capable of running on an Operating System  916  that contains an Internet Protocol IP stack. In the first implementation of this invention, MicroWare&#39;s OS/9 operating system will be used. Other equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The functional requirements of the CENTRAL CONSOLE Software  913  are detailed in the DELIVER  300 , COLLECT  400  and ORDER EXPIRY  600  processes.  
         [0156]    The CENTRAL CONSOLE  901  also contains a Network Interface Card NIC  921 . This NIC  921  can be any  10 / 100  Ethernet NIC. The NIC is required to establish connectivity with the Locker Management System  1072 . This connectivity can be conducted using any medium that supports the TCP/IP protocols. An implementation of this invention may be conducted using 2-way VSAT. The NIC  921  that comes out of the CENTRAL CONSOLE  901  will be connected to a standard VSAT PES connector residing at the host ACP Site  900 .  
         [0157]    The communication between the Locker Management System  1072  and the central console  901  could also be conducted over the Internet via a connection between the ACP Sites  900  and an Internet Service Provider ISP. The ACP Sites  900  could simply use a modem and a Plain Old Telephone System POTS connection to dial-up the ISP.  
         [0158]    E. Description of the Delivery Company  800   
         [0159]    In the context of this invention, a Delivery Company  800 , as illustrated in FIG. 6, is a company that delivers parcels from Etailers  700  to Customers  400 . This invention involves Delivery Companies  800  delivering to an ACP Site  900  rather than to a Customer  400 . No apparatus is required for the Delivery Company  800  to operate the ACP Site  900  —refer to Deliver  300  for an explanation of this process.  
         [0160]    In embodiments of the invention, the Delivery Company  800  is able to view information about the deliveries they have performed refer to Delivery Company Interface  1014  in Central Servers  1000 . To do this, the Delivery Company requires an Interface Device  801 . In the first implementation of this invention, the Interface Device  801  it a Web Browser  802  running on a conventional PC. This Web Browser will be used to access the ACP web site hosted on Web Server  1010  to view the Delivery Company&#39;s  800  information. Embodiments of this invention may support interfacing through other web-enabled devices such as cellular phones, personal organizers, televisions and radios.  
         [0161]    F. Description of the Host  1100   
         [0162]    In the context of this invention, a Host  1100 , as illustrated in FIG. 7, is an organization that places an ACP Site  900  either inside its building or outside. If the ACP Site  900  is outside, it will be surrounded with a protective shell.  
         [0163]    The only apparatus required by the Host  1100  is a Communications Device  1101  to enable the central console  901  to communicate with the Locker Management System  1072 . In an embodiment of this invention, this Communications Device  1102  may be a VSAT PES.  
         [0164]    The Host  1100  will also require an Interface Device  1110  if it would like to access the information about the deliveries made to its ACP Site  900 —see Host Interface  1015  for details of this information. In an embodiment of this invention, the Interface Device  1110  may be a Web Browser  1111  running on a conventional PC or server. This Web Browser  1111  will be used to access the ACP web site hosted on Web Server  1010  to view the Host&#39;s  1100  information. Future embodiments of this invention will support interfacing through other web-enabled devices such as cellular phones, personal organizers, televisions and radios.  
         [0165]    G. Process Flow of the Invention  
         [0166]    [0166]FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart for a process flow in the present invention, in which delivery of remotely purchased goods is scheduled and made to any one of a network of Automated Collection Points ACPs, with the Central Servers  1000 s managing the process. The Customer  400  first Registers  100  for the service by logging on to the web server and providing contact details. In embodiments of the invention, these contact details may include a Personal Identification Number PIN. At some subsequent time the Customer  400  then buys goods from an Etailer  700 . When asked for the delivery address the Customer  400  then Schedule a Delivery  200  at their preferred ACP Site  900 ; the Central Servers  1000  assigns the goods a unique Package ID. The goods are then Delivered  300  to the ACP Site  900  and put into a secure locker by the deliverer using the Package ID. Once the door is shut the ACP contacts the Central Servers  1000 s, which then contacts the Customer  400  telling them that their goods have arrived and giving them a Collection Code for that order. At his own convenience the Customer  400  then visits the ACP Site  900  and Collects his Goods  400  from the locker using his PIN and the Collection Code associated with the package. At the end of every month the Central Servers  1000  analyses all deliveries and arrange for monetary settlement to take place between all involved parties in Partner Settlement  600   
         [0167]    List of Processes of the Invention  
                                   Process   Description                   Register 100   How customers register with the ACP system       Schedule   How customers arrange for a purchase to be       Delivery 200   delivered to an ACP site       Deliver    How the deliverer interfaces with the ACP site to       Goods 300   put the customer&#39;s purchase into an available           locker, as well as how customers are informed           that their purchase is ready for collection       Collect Goods 400   How customers interface with the ACP site           to collect their purchases       Collection Expiry   What happens when customers do not collect their       500   purchases from the ACP site for the           pre-defined time period       Partner Settlement   How payments are administered between etailers,       600   hosts and delivery companies       Close Doors 1300   How open lockers can be shut and locked       Delivery Company   How delivery companies register with the       Registration 1400   ACP system       ACP Host   How ACP hosts register with the ACP system       Registration 1500       Etailer   How etailers register with the ACP system       Registration 1600                  
 
         [0168]    H. Descriptions of the Processes of the Invention  
         [0169]    Note: some of the Figures that are referenced in the following process flow descriptions make reference to the web site “ByBox.com”. This is an example name for the web site that is hosted by the Web Server  1010 ; it is simply easier for the reader to give the web site an example name than to keep referring to it as “the ACP web site”.  
         [0170]    Register  100   
         [0171]    With reference to FIG. 8 there is described the process by which the Customer  400  registers. At step  101  the Customer  400  establishes a connection to the Application Server using a Customer  400  modem. In one embodiment the Central Servers  1000 , has a page on the world wide web and access to the Application Server is through a dedicated web server. In such an embodiment the Customer  400  provides information through the interface of conventional web browser software such as Microsoft Internet Explorer™. At step  102  the Customer  400  provides details to register for the service. These include email address, phone numbers including cellular and home address. Email is the primary communication medium for the service and at step  103  the email address is validated to check for correct syntax. At step  104  the Customer  400  is prompted to add a correct address if his original entry is invalid.  
         [0172]    Once all the Customer  400 &#39;s contact details have been entered successfully step  105  prompts the Customer  400  to create a password for future access to their account data. This it a minimum of eight characters long. If an invalid password is entered step  107  prompts the Customer  400  to re-enter. Step  108  then asks the Customer  400  to specify their preferred communication method. As soon as goods are delivered to the ACP Site  900  and put in a locker the Central Servers  1000  sends a message to the Customer  400  informing them that their goods have arrived. The communication channel used for this message is selected using the Customer  400 &#39;s preference: email, telephone, post. Step  109  then prompts the Customer  400  to build a list of preferred ACP Site  900 s. After comparing addresses, such as home and office, with the network of ACP Site  900 s the Customer  400  must elect preferred ACP Site  900 s. Step  110  then asks the Customer  400  to specify a Personal Identification Number PIN. This is a four character numeric string that is used to identify the Customer  400 , as opposed to their package, as part of the Collect Goods process  400 .  
         [0173]    Once all details have been added and validated, step  111  updates the Customer  400 &#39;s account on the Application Server, assigns a Customer  400  ID and writes a cookie to the Customer  400 &#39;s device providing a fast link to the Customer  400 &#39;s details on the Application Server.  
         [0174]    As soon as the Customer  400  has registered for the service he is able to order goods online and specify an ACP Site  900  as the delivery address. The Schedule Delivery process  200  describes how a Customer  400  uses the Application Server to arrange delivery to the prescribed ACP Site  900  using the Etailer  700  web-site. There are two discrete paths available based on whether the Etailer  700  provides access to the Application Server from their web-site. In cases where such a link exists the Etailer  700  is referred to as registered; where no such link exists they are described as non-registered.  
         [0175]    Schedule Delivery  200   
         [0176]    [0176]FIG. 9 describes how a registered Customer  400  can schedule a delivery to an ACP Site  900 . To make use of the service the Customer  400  must first order goods from an Etailer  700 . At step  201  the Customer  400  goes to the Etailer  700  site and selects the goods required. As part of the purchase transaction the Etailer  700  will ask the Customer  400  to specify the address to which the goods should be delivered. If the Etailer  700  is registered there will be a button on the delivery address page of the Etailer  700  site that will link directly to the Application Server. At step  204  the Customer  400  presses this button and at step  205  a program embedded in the Etailer  700  site, executes and looks for the cookie written to the Customer  400 &#39;s device as part of Register  100 . In step  206  if no cookie is found the Customer  400  is taken to the service&#39;s main web-page where they are asked to log-in, using their email address and password, or Register  100 . If the Customer  400  logs-in successfully the cookie is re-written to their device. If they register for the first time, a new cookie is written as described in Register  100 . If the Customer  400  does not register or log-in they are taken back to the Etailer  700  site where they are able to specify a non-ACP delivery address.  
         [0177]    At step  209  the Customer  400  will have a cookie on their device containing their Customer  400  ID. The executing program now looks up the Customer  400 &#39;s account on the Application Server using this Customer  400  ID and finds their ACP Site  900  preferences, set-up as part of Register  100 . In step  210  the Customer  400  is asked to select the ACP Site  900  for this delivery from his list of preferences. Once a site is chosen the Application Server then generates a Parcel ID unique to this particular delivery. If the Etailer  700  has specified bar-code extraction as part of Etailer  700  Registration  1600 , then, at step  213 , the tracking number, generated by delivery company software at the Etailer  700  site, is converted into a bar-code and added to the package label. Then the address field on the Etailer  700  site is completed with the ACP Site  900  address, Package ID and text identifying the package as bar-code enabled. At step  214 , if the Etailer  700  cannot process bar-code encryption the Parcel ID is printed as a numeric string as part of the delivery address.  
         [0178]    Once the delivery address is complete the Customer  400  completes the purchase transaction at step  215 . Once the order is validated by the Etailer  700 , a message is sent to the Application Server confirming that an order was placed for that Parcel ID and giving further details relating to that order: Etailer  700  ID, from Etailer  700  Registration  1600 , the number of items in the order and the time and date of the order timestamp. The message is used by the Application Server to determine which Parcel IDs represent confirmed deliveries; if the Customer  400  selects an ACP Site  900  but then cancels the purchase transaction then a Parcel ID would be generated but not used.  
         [0179]    If the Etailer  700  is not bar-code enabled this completes the Schedule Delivery process. The numeric Parcel ID is not downloaded to the CENTRAL CONSOLE and there is not exact validation of the Parcel ID when a delivery is made. Instead check-digit validation is used to provide rudimentary validation. However, for bar-coded deliveries the Etailer  700  must pass bar-code details back to the Application Server so that they can be passed on to the CENTRAL CONSOLE for validation on delivery. In steps  228  and  229  the Etailer  700  collates the bar-code with the Parcel ID, ACP address and ACP Site  900  ID for the order and then sends this to the Application Server in step  230 . This process is completed every 30 minutes, with orders being batched together. In step  231  the Application Server then sends the bar-code and associated Parcel ID to the ACP server which then uses the site ID to identify the relevant ACP Site  900  and then download the bar-code and Parcel ID to the local CENTRAL CONSOLE. At this point the ACP Site  900  is ready to receive that delivery.  
         [0180]    If the Etailer  700  is non-registered there will be no integration between their site and the Central Servers  1000 . As a result the selection of the appropriate ACP Site  900  together with the generation of the Parcel ID it done independently from the Etailer  700  web-site. In step  217  the Customer  400  goes to the service&#39;s home-page on the world wide web and clicks on the ‘use service’ button. In step  218  the Customer  400  &#39;s device is searched for the cookie written as part of the Register  100  process. If a cookie is found the Customer  400  goes directly to step  221 . Otherwise, if no cookie is found, the Customer  400  is asked to either Register  100  or log-on using their email address and password. If the Customer  400  logs-on the cookie is re-written to their device as part of step  219 . If the Customer  400  completes the Register  100  process a new cookie is written to their device.  
         [0181]    In step  221  the Application Server looks up the Customer  400 &#39;s ACP Site  900  preferences using their Customer  400  ID retrieved from the cookie. In step  222  the Customer  400  selects the ACP Site  900  preferred for this delivery and then in step  223  the Application Server generates a Parcel ID unique to that delivery. In steps  224  and  225  the Customer  400  copies the ACP Site  900  address and the Parcel ID into the address fields of the Etailer  700 &#39;s delivery page and completes the purchase transaction.  
         [0182]    Deliver Goods  300   
         [0183]    Once goods have been ordered they it dispatched to the ACP Site  900  ready for collection by the Customer  400 . FIG. 10 describes this process.  
         [0184]    After the Customer  400  has completed the purchase transaction the Etailer  700  packages the goods and labels with the ACP Site  900  address and Parcel ID. Using their own, or a third party, delivery company the goods are then dispatched to the ACP Site  900  in step  302 .  
         [0185]    When at the ACP with the package the deliverer approaches the screen of the CENTRAL CONSOLE where he is first asked to identify himself in step  304 . If, as part of Delivery Company Registration  1400 , his company has elected to use bar-code identification the deliverer can present his membership card to the bar-code reader; otherwise he enters his Delivery Company ID using the numeric keypad. In step  305  the CENTRAL CONSOLE validates the Delivery Company ID against its locally held database of valid codes. If the code is valid the CENTRAL CONSOLE proceeds to step  308  and displays the Delivery Main Menu, otherwise the delivery is refused in step  307  and the CENTRAL CONSOLE prompts the deliverer to enter a valid code.  
         [0186]    At step  308  the deliverer is presented with four options: ‘delivery’, ‘expiry’, ‘close doors’ and ‘exit’. To make a delivery he selects ‘delivery’ and the CENTRAL CONSOLE then prompts him to either enter the Parcel ID for the package or present the bar-code for scanning. If the package address contains text telling the deliverer that the package is bar-code enabled he will then present the package to the bar-code reader of the CENTRAL CONSOLE in step  315 . If the package is not bar-code enabled, or the bar-code reader is unable to read the bar-code the deliverer is prompted, in step  311 , to enter the Parcel ID using the keypad. At step  317 , if the Parcel ID entered is invalid the CENTRAL CONSOLE informs the deliverer and re-displays the Delivery Main Menu.  
         [0187]    Once a valid bar-code or Parcel ID is entered the CENTRAL CONSOLE opens the smallest available locker and prompts the deliverer to place the goods inside. In step  320  the CENTRAL CONSOLE checks to see if the door to the locker has been closed. If it has the CENTRAL CONSOLE automatically locks the door and asks the deliverer if the delivery was successful in step  326 . If the locker door is still open and more than  30  seconds have elapsed since the door was opened the CENTRAL CONSOLE beeps and the screen flashes for 10 seconds, prompting the deliverer to close the door. If the door is still open at the end of this 10 seconds the CENTRAL CONSOLE sends an urgent, failed delivery message to the Application Server, via the LSM, and logs the deliverer out of the system.  
         [0188]    At step  326  if the deliverer confirms that the delivery was successful the CENTRAL CONSOLE returns to the delivery main menu. If the deliverer presses the ‘no’ key the CENTRAL CONSOLE asks if the door was shut by mistake. If it was then the CENTRAL CONSOLE re-opens the door in step  328 . If the door was not shut in error the CENTRAL CONSOLE asks if the locker is dirty or damaged in steps  343  and  345 . If it is the CENTRAL CONSOLE sends an appropriate message to the LSM which forwards it on to the Application Server. The CENTRAL CONSOLE then looks for another appropriately sized locker in step  352 . If it finds an available locker it opens the door and prompts the deliverer to put the goods inside. If no locker is available the delivery is refused, a message informs the deliverer that there is no space and a message is sent to the Application Server, via the LSM.  
         [0189]    If the locker is clean and undamaged the CENTRAL CONSOLE asks the deliverer if the locker is too small for the package. If it is the CENTRAL CONSOLE looks for an available locker of the next size up. If the next size up is available it opens the locker door and asks the deliverer to put the package inside. If the maximum size has been reached and the package has still not been delivered, because it is too big or because there is no availability, the delivery is refused and a message is sent to the Application Server via the LSM. Once a delivery has been successfully made the delivery main menu is displayed by the CENTRAL CONSOLE and the deliverer is free to continue with any other deliveries for that site or log-out.  
         [0190]    To complete the delivery process the CENTRAL CONSOLE must inform the Application Server that a delivery has been made so that the Customer  400  can be contacted. If the package was processed with a bar-code the Parcel ID has not been entered and therefore it retrieved from the Application Server in step  332 . If an associated Parcel ID is not found the LSM logs the delivery as incomplete and an error message is sent to the Application Server. Once the Parcel ID is present the CENTRAL CONSOLE invokes an asynchronous process, in step  334 , to generate a Collection Code and send it to the Customer  400 .  
         [0191]    At steps  336  and  337  the CENTRAL CONSOLE generates the Collection Code and sends it, via the LSM, together with the Delivery Company ID and the Parcel ID to the Application Server, which then uses the Parcel ID to determine which Customer  400  this package is for. In step  339  the Application Server sends the Collection Code to the Customer  400 , using their preferred channel as set-up in Register  100 , together with a message informing them that their goods have arrived and reminding them where and how to collect them. The delivery company is referenced using the Delivery Company ID and a message is sent informing them that the package has arrived.  
         [0192]    At step  341  and  342  the Application Server sends the CENTRAL CONSOLE, via the LSM, the Customer  400 &#39;s PIN together with the Parcel ID. At this point the CENTRAL CONSOLE is ready for the Customer  400  to collect their goods.  
         [0193]    Collect Goods  400   
         [0194]    [0194]FIG. 11 describes how the Customer  400  retrieves his goods from the locker. Once the Customer  400  has received the message with the Collection Code he is free to retrieve his goods at his own convenience. When he approaches the ACP Site  900 , the CENTRAL CONSOLE prompts him for his Collection Code in step  402 . Once the Collection Code is entered the CENTRAL CONSOLE validates it against its orders database in step  404 . If the code is invalid an error message is displayed and the Customer  400  is prompted to re-enter the code. If a valid code is entered the CENTRAL CONSOLE then asks the Customer  400  to enter their PIN, in step  407 , and validates the entry in step  408 . If an invalid PIN is entered the CENTRAL CONSOLE displays an error message and asks the Customer  400  if they want to re-enter the PIN or if they need the PIN re-issued. If they want to re-enter, the CENTRAL CONSOLE re-displays the PIN entry screen at step  407 . If the Customer  400  requests a re-issue of the PIN they are informed that they cannot collect their goods at that time and that their PIN will be re-sent immediately. In steps  414  and  415  the CENTRAL CONSOLE sends the Collection Code back to the Application Server, via the LSM, and asks the Application Server to re-issue the Customer  400 &#39;s PIN. Using the Collection Code, the Application Server looks up the Customer  400 &#39;s details and re-issues the PIN using the Customer  400 &#39;s preferred delivery channel in steps  417  and  418 .  
         [0195]    If a valid PIN is entered in step  409  the CENTRAL CONSOLE checks if the Customer  400  owes any money for rental of the locker. Depending on the business model implemented the Customer  400  may pay for storage in part or completely. If money is owed the CENTRAL CONSOLE proceeds in step  420  to calculate the amount due based on an algorithm stored locally. In this embodiment payment can only be made using a pre-paid card bought with cash from the retail Host  1100 . In future embodiments payment will be possible using credit and debit cards.  
         [0196]    Once the CENTRAL CONSOLE has displayed the amount due the Customer  400  makes payment, in step  421 , by presenting his prepaid card to the bar-code reader. The CENTRAL CONSOLE reads the bar-code and looks up the amount available for that card on its local database. In step  423 , the CENTRAL CONSOLE determines if there is sufficient credit available. If so the CENTRAL CONSOLE asks the LSM to update the new card balance on all other sites and proceeds in steps  428  and  429  to open the door to the locker containing the Customer  400 &#39;s goods. If there is insufficient credit the CENTRAL CONSOLE reduces the balance on the card to zero, communicates this new balance to all other sites via the CENTRAL CONSOLE and informs the Customer  400  that they must charge their card with more money before they can retrieve their goods.  
         [0197]    At step  429  the appropriate locker door is opened and the Customer  400  retrieves their goods in step  430 . At step  431  the CENTRAL CONSOLE checks to see if the Customer  400  has closed the locker door. If he has the CENTRAL CONSOLE immediately locks it in step  433 . The Customer  400 &#39;s Collection Code for that package is kept active on the CENTRAL CONSOLE database for a further 5 minutes in case the Customer  400  has shut the door in error. This may happen for a variety of reasons: for example the Customer  400  may be distracted before collecting their goods and inadvertently close the door. Once  5  minutes has elapsed the Customer  400  Code and PIN combination is deleted from the CENTRAL CONSOLE&#39;s order database and the CENTRAL CONSOLE marks the locker as available for delivery. If the locker door is not shut 30 seconds after it is opened it remains open until the next delivery is made.  
         [0198]    Collection Expiry  500   
         [0199]    The Customer  400  is given a fixed period to collect their goods once they have been delivered to an ACP Site  900 . This period comprises a free collection time and a chargeable extension. If when this combined period has ended the goods have not been retrieved they are sent back to the Etailer  700 . FIG. 12 describes this collection expiry process.  
         [0200]    As part of its daily processing routine, the Application Server identifies all deliveries that are within 24 hours of the end of the free collection time and sends each Customer  400  a message, via their preferred communication channel, warning them that they will be liable to a charge if their goods are not collected within the next day. At step  503  the Application Server checks to see, for each delivery identified in step  502 , if the Customer  400  has retrieved the goods. If they haven&#39;t the LSM marks the order as overdue and applies a fee every day for the remainder of the chargeable extension period or until the Customer  400  collects their goods, whichever is the sooner. If the Customer  400  collects their goods before the end of the chargeable extension period they must pay the overdue amount before the appropriate locker door is opened, as described in Collect Goods  400 .  
         [0201]    When the chargeable extension ends the CENTRAL CONSOLE marks the Parcel ID of that package as expired on its orders database and send a message to the Application Server via the LSM. In step  509  the Application Server looks up the Customer  400 &#39;s account based on the Parcel ID and sends a message to the Customer  400 , via their preferred channel, telling them that their order has expired and will be sent back to the Etailer  700 . As part of its daily processing routine the Application Server produces a list of all expired Parcel IDs by ACP Site  900  and sends notification to the relevant delivery companies that return collections are required.  
         [0202]    In step  512  the deliverer approaches the CENTRAL CONSOLE at the ACP Site  900  containing and expired order and logs-on to the CENTRAL CONSOLE in the normal way, as described in Deliver Goods  300 . From the delivery main menu, the deliverer selects ‘expiry’. At step  514  the CENTRAL CONSOLE prompts the deliverer to enter the Parcel ID of the first expired order to be collected. In steps  515  and  516  this code is entered by the deliverer and validated by the CENTRAL CONSOLE against its order database containing expired orders. If the code is invalid the deliverer is asked to re-enter the code or log-out of the system. If a valid code is entered the CENTRAL CONSOLE opens the appropriate locker door in step  520  and the deliverer retrieves the expired order from the locker in step  521 .  
         [0203]    At step  522  the CENTRAL CONSOLE checks if the locker door has been closed. If it has the door is immediately locked and a timer set. The Parcel ID for that expired order is kept valid for a further 5 minutes in case the deliverer has made a mistake and has left the goods in the locker. At the end of this period the CENTRAL CONSOLE deletes the Parcel ID from its orders database and marks the locker as available for delivery in step  527 . If, at step  522 , the deliverer has not shut the door and fails to do so within 30 seconds of the door being opened, the door is left unlocked and available.  
         [0204]    Partner Settlement  600   
         [0205]    The method and apparatus of the present invention introduces efficiencies into the system for residential deliveries. These efficiencies are made possible through the integration of the present invention with order systems of Etailer  700 s and the use of retail space of ACP Host  1100  s. FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 describe the process of settlement between these commercial partners. FIG. 13 describes this process for Etailer  700 s; FIG. 14 describes this process for ACP Site  900  Host  1100 s.  
         [0206]    At the end of every calendar month the Application Server analyses all deliveries made to an ACP Site  900  by Customer  400 s of registered Etailer  700 s. A charge is calculated, for each Etailer  700 , based on this analysis and an invoice dispatched, in step  602 , payable in 30 days. At step  603  the Application Server checks if the invoice has been paid. If it hasn&#39;t the payment is classified as late and in step  605  the Etailer  700  is contacted to chase-up the debt. Depending on the response in step  606 , the Etailer  700  is either suspended from the system or further chase-up is requested.  
         [0207]    At the end of every calendar month the Application Server analyses all deliveries made to every ACP Site  900  of a Host  1100  partner. A charge is calculated, for each ACP Host  1100 , based on this analysis and an invoice dispatched, in step  654 , payable in 30 days. At step  655  the Application Server checks if the invoice has been paid. If it hasn&#39;t the payment is classified as late and in step  657  the ACP Host  1100  is contacted to chase-up the debt. Depending on the response in step  658 , the ACP Host  1100  is either suspended from the system or further chase-up is requested.  
         [0208]    Close Doors  1300   
         [0209]    As part of both the Deliver  300  and Collect Goods  400  processes there are occasions when the locker doors will be left open as part of normal business. This is untidy and leaves the lockers liable to be damaged or dirtied. To mitigate this risk the deliverer will attempt to close any open doors when he visits the site to make a delivery or collection.  
         [0210]    In step  1301  the deliverer logs-on to the CENTRAL CONSOLE in the normal way, as described in Deliver Goods  300 . From the delivery main menu, the deliverer selects ‘close doors’. At step  1303  the CENTRAL CONSOLE asks for the number of the doors which need to be closed and locked. The deliverer enters the door numbers in step  1304  and in step  1305  the CENTRAL CONSOLE sets each door to lockable mode and prompts the deliverer to close the selected door. As soon as each door is closed the CENTRAL CONSOLE locks it.  
         [0211]    Delivery Company Registration  1400   
         [0212]    Validation of delivery men is an essential requirement of both the Deliver Goods  300  and Collection Expiry  500  processes. To enable validation delivery companies must first register with the service. This process is described in FIG. 16.  
         [0213]    At step  1401  a new delivery company account is established on the application server and a unique Delivery Company ID is generated. If the delivery company requires individual accounts to be established for each of their delivery men this is completed in step  1403 . Similarly if delivery companies want to integrate the Delivery Company ID into their systems via bar-code reading this is done in step  1406 .  
         [0214]    Once a new delivery company has been added the new Delivery Company IDs it downloaded to the CENTRAL CONSOLE at each ACP Site  900 .  
         [0215]    ACP Host Registration  1500   
         [0216]    To facilitate Partner Settlement  600  and to uniquely identify each ACP Site  900  it is important to establish an account for each ACP Host  1100 . Steps  1501  and  1502  complete this process by establishing a unique account number on the application server for each Host  1100  together with unique IDs for each ACP Site  900 . Once these IDs have been generated they are downloaded to the CENTRAL CONSOLE at each ACP Site  900  in  1503 .  
         [0217]    Etailer  700  Registration  1600   
         [0218]    To facilitate Partner Settlement  600  and Collection Expiry  500  the application server it able to identify each separate Etailer  700 . At step  1601  an account is established for each new Etailer  700  and a unique ID is generated. If the Etailer  700  is able to provide bar-coded labels this is recorded in the application server at step  1603 .  
         [0219]    I. Alternative Embodiments  
         [0220]    In an alternative embodiments of the invention, a centralized, synchronous system is used to validate delivery codes for packages delivered to an ACP. In one such embodiment, a package delivered to the ACP is validated by its packet ID, such that the packet ID is sent to the central server for validation. Once the packet ID is validated at the central server, a command to open an appropriate door on the ACP may be sent from the central server to the central console on the ACP.  
         [0221]    In embodiments of the invention, a package may be validated by insertion of a delivery company ID to the console. In particular, an ID for the delivery agent which brings the package to the ACP may be used to validate delivery of the package. In some such embodiments, the delivery ID may be sent to the central server for validation. In other embodiments, the delivery ID may be validated asynchronously. In some such embodiments, delivery ID s for each of a plurality of delivery companies may be downloaded to local memory on the ACP console at periodic intervals. In some embodiments, the delivery ID s may be downloaded en masse after a triggering event, such as an opening or closing of a locker door.  
         [0222]    In some embodiments, the console does not include a keyboard. In some such embodiments, validation of the package ID may be conducted through wireless interfaces such as a bar code scanner or a wireless transmitter/receiver.  
         [0223]    In embodiments of the invention, after delivery of a package to an ACP, a confirmation of delivery may be sent from the ACP to an interface device. In some embodiments, this confirmation may take the form of a digital signature. The digital signature may identify one or more of the following: location of the ACP, time of delivery, package ID, user ID, delivery company ID.  
         [0224]    J. Conclusion  
         [0225]    The foregoing description of various embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and equivalent arrangements will be apparent.