Methods, apparatus and systems for accepting, returning or exchanging parcels and deliveries

• US 10,083,561 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2016
• Issued: 09/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kumar Sundaresan
• Original Assignee: Kumar Sundaresan
• Inventors: Sundaresan, Kumar
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, William L
• Application Number:
  US15/294,254
• Publication Number:
  US 20170055751A1
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 232 19, 232 34- 36, 232 45, 3405681, 340569, 340 573, 70 63, 70 64
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/144 the receptacle being transportable and attachable to a building
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/147 the receptacle comprising heating or cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/149 with central server link
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/141 comprising electronically controlled locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/20 with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0067 Monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0094 Mechanical aspects of remotely controlled locks electronic locks G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0095 Mechanical aspects of locks controlled by telephone signals, e.g. by mobile phones electronic locks G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/005 Chain-locks, cable-locks or padlocks with alarms
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0001 with electric actuators; Constructional features thereof for vehicles E05B81/04
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0005 using chains, cables or the like chain- or cable-locks of the padlock type E05B67/003; lockable clothing hangers or hanger racks E05B69/006
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0011 with retraction of the flexible element for storage E05B73/0029 takes precedence; for padlocks E05B67/006
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0092 for cargo, freight or shipping containers and applications therefore in general
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like

Abstract

This invention involves a novel method, device, system and apparatus to receive, return or exchange parcels securely. The invention involves a novel security apparatus and one or more parcel receptacles. The novel security apparatus can be securely connected to an object such as a door knob or door handle or door knockers or door or any object to which my security apparatus can be securely connected. The parcel receptacles can be of many types. The locking mechanism in the security apparatus and on the parcel receptacle can be of technological in nature using the latest advancements in wireless technology, or alternatively, involve simple physical lock and key mechanisms. The apparatus allows access to parcels to authenticated users only, and involve many safety features including an audible alarm and other tamper-proof mechanisms to ensure safety of parcels.

Claims

1. A system for securely receiving, returning or exchanging a parcel, the system comprising:

an attachment device configured for attachment to a provided stationary object, the attachment device comprising;

a base having a first locking mechanism, and

a coupling member slidably received within the base thereby forming an adjustable closed loop, said loop delimiting an aperture, said aperture being adjustable in size by extension and retraction of the coupling member relative to the base through sliding movement,

wherein the coupling member is engaged by the locking mechanism in a locking position to prevent extension of the coupling member relative to the base via the sliding movement,

wherein the attachment device is adapted to receive the stationary object in the aperture, and

wherein retraction of the coupling member into the base operatively contracts the loop around the stationary object to a variable locking position, such that the attachment device cannot be removed from the stationary object;

a parcel receptacle configured to contain the parcel, the parcel receptacle having a second locking mechanism configured to permit and restrict opening of the parcel receptacle; and

a tamper-proof cable securely attached to the parcel receptacle at one end of the cable and to the attachment device at the other end of the cable.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein an unlocking of the first locking mechanism permits extension of the coupling member relative to the base to allow removal of the attachment device from the stationary object.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the locking position is adjustable in accordance with a shape of the stationary object such that at least one feature of the stationary object is prevented from passing through the aperture in the locking position.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the stationary object includes at least one of a door knob, a door handle, a door knocker, and a pre-existing fixture proximate to a parcel address.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein locking and unlocking of each of the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism is actuated by at least one of a mechanical key action, an electronic interface, a combination code, and wireless communication.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first locking mechanism comprises at least one of a physical lock and key assembly, an electrically-powered lock, a combination lock, an RFID-based interface, a bluetooth-based interface, a Wi-Fi-based interface, a mobile-app based interface, and a NFC-based interface.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the second locking mechanism comprises at least one of a physical lock and key assembly, an electrically-powered lock, a combination lock, an RFID-based interface, a bluetooth-based interface, a Wi-Fi-based interface, a mobile-app based interface, and a NFC-based interface.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the second locking mechanism includes a numerical combination lock, wherein a numerical code for unlocking the second locking mechanism is provided to a parcel delivery service in advance of parcel delivery, return, or exchange.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising an alarm mechanism responsive to tampering with at least one of the cable, the attachment device, and the parcel receptacle.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the attachment device and the parcel receptacle includes a speaker connected to the alarm mechanism for sounding an audible alarm.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the parcel receptacle is configured to expand or contract in size.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the parcel receptacle further comprises a refrigeration mechanism to keep parcels inside cold.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the attachment device and the parcel receptacle further comprises a GPS module, said GPS module configured to be activated remotely.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the attachment device and the parcel receptacle further comprises a fingerprint reader to capture a fingerprint for authenticating an individual.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the attachment device and the parcel receptacle further comprises a camera.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a wireless transceiver device, wherein the camera transmits image and video data via the wireless transceiver device.

17. The system of claim 15, further comprising a motion sensor, wherein the camera is activated by the motion sensor.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein said camera is configured to scan codes, said codes including at least one of QR codes, barcodes, and UPC codes.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the coupling member comprises at least one of a cable, rope, and chain.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein at least a portion of the coupling member is constructed of a rigid material.

21. A method of securely receiving, returning or exchanging a parcel using a parcel security system, the parcel security system including an attachment device configured for attachment to a provided stationary object, the attachment device including a coupling member and a base having a first locking mechanism, said system further including a parcel receptacle configured to contain the parcel and having a second locking mechanism configured to permit and restrict opening of the parcel receptacle, and said system further including a tamper-proof cable securely attached to the parcel receptacle at one end of the cable and to the attachment device at the other end of the cable, the method comprising:

placing the attachment device around the stationary object;

retracting the coupling member into the base until securely fitted around the stationary object; and

locking the attachment device,

wherein the coupling member is slidably received within the base thereby forming an adjustable closed loop, said loop delimiting an aperture, said aperture being adjustable in size by extension and retraction of the coupling member relative to the base through sliding movement,

wherein the coupling member is engaged by the locking mechanism in a locking position to prevent extension of the coupling member relative to the base via the sliding movement,

wherein the attachment device is adapted to receive the stationary object in the aperture, and

wherein retraction of the coupling member into the base operatively contracts the loop around the stationary object to a variable locking position, such that the attachment device cannot be removed from the stationary object.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising retrieving the parcel from the parcel receptacle after delivery of the parcel.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising placing the parcel in the receptacle for return or exchange of the parcel, and locking the parcel receptacle.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising providing a security code to a parcel delivery service, wherein the second locking mechanism is unlocked using the code such that authorized access to the parcel receptacle is permitted.

25. The method of claim 21, further comprising arming an alarm mechanism in the system.