Patent Publication Number: US-2020286314-A1

Title: Secure delivery system having remote activation

Description:
This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/932,571, filed on Mar. 15, 2018, and entitled “A Secure Delivery System”. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to package delivery and more specifically to a receptacle for the secure placement of the package. 
     Cyber shopping is quickly becoming the mode by which items are purchased. While the traditional brick and mortar store will remain, the volume of goods being purchased on-line is ever increasing. 
     While the purchasing ease via the Internet has been shown, the problem lies with the actual delivery of the goods. All too often the delivery person finds no one at home and is then forced to leave the goods by the front door. The unattended package is too much of an attraction for thieves so a large number of packages are “lost” and are usually re-sent forcing the Internet merchant or the delivery company to “eat” the loss. 
     It is clear there is a significant need for secure package delivery system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention involves a package delivery system in which packages are distributed through a distribution center&#39;s deliverymen to container&#39;s accessible by a consumer. This type of distribution mechanism is well known and involves a large economic segment. 
     Delivery personnel wear a specialized badge which contains an electronic identification with data such as: the name of the personnel, their company, and a specific pass code. 
     Those of ordinary skill in the art readily recognize a variety of wireless communication apparatus which can be used in this context, including, but not limited to: U.S. Pat. No. 9,845,071, issued Dec. 19, 2017, to Krishnan and entitled: “Keyless Car Sharing Mechanism Using Smartphones and inbuilt WiFi System for Authentication”; U.S. Pat. No. 9,845,629, issued Dec. 19, 2017, to Washeleski et al. and entitled “Vehicle Keyless Entry Assembly having Capacitance Sensor Operative for Detecting Objects”; both of which are incorporated hereinto by reference. 
     The badges are worn by the delivery personnel in their rounds. On approaching the building&#39;s receptacle, the signal from the badge allows the receptacle&#39;s locking mechanism to be functional; thereby allowing only authorized delivery personnel to gain access to the interior of the receptacle. The receptacle allows the depositing of the package into a secure environment and prevents thieves from gaining access to the package. 
     An important part of this invention is the container&#39;s own security measures. The package receptacle/container ideally contains two doors, one for the delivery personnel and one for the  omer. The container, in the preferred embodiment, includes a logging system identifying when the doors are accessed. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the container is accessible by one door on the outside by the delivery personnel while the other door (for the customer to retrieve the package) is within the edifice. Both doors contain a lock which are ideally activated by a key or touchpad although wireless entry is also contemplated. 
     In an alternative embodiment, one of the doors is totally contained within the other. Either door is then designated for use by the delivery personnel with the remaining door for the customer. 
     In one embodiment, the receptacle includes a presence sensor adapted to determine if a package is within the container. If there is one, then an alert (such as a light or an audible alert) is given. 
     In yet another embodiment, the receptacle/container is equipped with an environmental system which maintains the interior of the container at a prescribed condition (such as cooled or heated). This environmental system is activated by a presence sensor detecting an enclosed package and is ideal in extreme weather conditions to protect the package from environmental conditions. 
     Still further, in another embodiment, the container includes a camera focused on an area proximate to the exterior door. The camera responds to either activation of the exterior door&#39;s locking mechanism or the presence of a delivery personnel. This image is stored in an electronic data storage apparatus such as a Random Access Memory device for recording the image for later use if it becomes necessary to identify who activated the lock. An enhanced version of this embodiment communicates the image to a customer&#39;s cellular phone or other handheld electronic apparatus. 
     The transmission of the image to a cellular or a personal data apparatus is well known in the art and include, but is not limited to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,866,802, issued on Jan. 9, 2018, to Carter and entitled “Communication and Monitoring System”; U.S. Pat. No. 9,811,240, issued Nov. 7, 2017, to Kim et al. and entitled “Operating Method of Image Display Apparatus”; and, U.S. Pat. No. 9,843,743, issued Dec. 12, 2017, to Lewis et al. and entitled “Infant Monitoring Systems and Methods Using Thermal Imaging”, all of which are incorporated hereinto by reference. 
     In one embodiment, the locking mechanism on an exterior door includes a physical barrier which is removed only when an authorized person is proximate. When this condition exists, an appropriate delivery personnel is present, then the barrier is removed (such as swinging up) allowing the delivery personnel to use their key (or to access the keypad) to open the exterior door. This embodiment is also used when the image is communicated to the owner of the container and allows the owner to remotely remove the barrier. 
     Those of ordinary skill in the art readily recognize a variety of techniques which permit the remote operation of a mechanism, including, but not limited to: U.S. Pat. No. 9,865,155, issued Jan. 9, 2018, to Cobb et al. and entitled “Notification of Visitors”; and U.S. Pat. No. 9,860,360, issued Jan. 2, 2018, to Shinar and entitled “System, Device, and Method of Wirelessly Controlling Electronic Devices and Appliances”, both of which are incorporated hereinto by reference. 
     By placing the door (which will be automatically opened upon the presence of the arrival of a package) on the top of the receptacle, the container of this invention receives drone deliveries without any human delivery personnel. 
     The invention together with various embodiments thereof will be more fully explained by the attached drawings and the following description thereof. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS IN BRIEF 
         FIG. 1  graphically illustrates the distribution system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates and embodiment of the invention in which the interior of the container is environmentally maintained. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of the invention mounted into a wall of a dwelling. 
         FIG. 4  graphically illustrates an embodiment of the invention which communicates with a remote apparatus to control operation/acceptance of a package. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of the invention which utilizes a door to prevent access to the locking mechanism. 
     
    
    
     DRAWINGS IN DETAIL 
       FIG. 1  graphically illustrates the distribution system of the present invention. 
     This illustration provides a graphical environment in which the present invention is utilized. A package is sent  15 A from Warehouse  10  to the delivery van  11 . The delivery van&#39;s operator  12  takes the package  15 B and deposits it  15 C, into container  13 . In this illustration, container  13  is separate from the house  14  but the invention is not so limited. 
     The package is secured within container  13  until the recipient retrieves it from container  13 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates and embodiment of the invention in which the interior of the container is environmentally maintained. 
     In this embodiment, container  20  is supported by stand  22 . On one side of container  20  are two doors  21 A and  21 B. In this embodiment, door  21 A is contained within door  21 B, thereby allowing the delivery personnel to unlock door  21 A via lock  26 A. The recipient is able to retrieve the package via door  21 B by using lock  26 A. 
     Sensor  24 , contained within container  20 , determines if a package has been placed within container  20  and alerts the recipient via light  23 . In certain climes, there is a need to either warm (for frigid climes) or cool (in hot climes) the package until it is retrieved by the recipient so that the contents do not go bad (e.g. chocolates being delivered in the Arizona summer). In this case, sensor  24  also activates the AC/heater  25  which has been previously set to either cool or heat appropriately. 
     Sensor  24 , in some embodiments, also includes an electronic memory which is used to record when door  21 A or door  21 B is opened. This time stamps the use of the container as proof of the delivery of the package. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, door  27  opens ( 28 ) automatically when a package  29  is being delivered via a drone. The drone places package  29  into the container and departs. When the package is within container  20 , door  27  closes and latches. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of the invention mounted into a wall of a dwelling. 
     In this embodiment, container  30  is positioned in wall  34  so that an exterior door  31 B, with lock  32 B, is accessible to the delivery personnel. The package is placed within container  30  allowing the recipient to view through window  33  to see that a package exists. The recipient then unlocks door  31 A via lock  32 A and removes the package. 
     This embodiment is equipped with a sensor  35  which identifies when the delivery personnel arrives and also serves as a camera to record/time stamp the individual involved. Sensor  35 , in some embodiments, is also a transmitter to inform the recipient that that a package has been delivered (as shown later). 
     As with earlier embodiments, this embodiment is optionally equipped with an environment control for the interior of container  30 . 
       FIG. 4  graphically illustrates an embodiment of the invention which communicates with a remote apparatus to control operation/acceptance of a package. 
     As the delivery personnel, wearing badge  42 , approaches building  40  with container  40 , a sensor  41 , as described earlier, receives signal  44 A from the electronics within badge  42 . This signal activates transmission  44 B from container  40  to the owner/operator&#39;s handheld electronic apparatus  43 . Transmission  44 B communicates that an authorized person (as identified by badge  42 ) has approached container  40 , and in one embodiment provides a picture of the individual. The owner/operator, via apparatus  43 , then selectively enable the exterior lock (not shown) in container  41  via signal  44 C. 
     Furthermore, in some embodiments, sensor  41  transmits the time stamp to the warehouse (discussed earlier) that deliver has been made. This permits the warehouse to keep up-to-date records relating to the package. 
     This embodiment provides an additional level of security providing real time notification and access/no access determination. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of the invention which utilizes a preliminary door/barrier to prevent access to the locking mechanism. 
     The container&#39;s door face  50  is shown. Recess  51  permits the locking mechanism  52  to be recessed behind the door and is accessible via an opening in the door (not shown). This embodiment is useful with the embodiment of  FIG. 4  which allows the owner/operator to activate motor  54  to swing cover  53  as indicated arrow  55  away from the recess  51  so that the delivery personnel can unlock (via lock  52 ) the door. 
     It is clear that the present invention provides a secure and efficient package delivery system.