Secure delivery or collection system

• US 20030079129A1
• Filed: 06/26/2002
• Published: 04/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dynamid Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Dynamid Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Lindsay, Courtenay Traice Thomas
• Application Number:
  US10/148,538
• Publication Number:
  US 20030079129A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/176
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/145 the receptacle comprising means for identifying a deposit; Deposits carrying identification means, e.g. a bar code
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/147 the receptacle comprising heating or cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/148 the receptacle comprising a letter box
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/141 comprising electronically controlled locking means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/13 the containers being a postal pick-up locker

Abstract

A system for delivery or collection of goods from a customer'"'"'s home comprises a central control system which monitors and controls a plurality of enclosures, each enclosure (1) being protected by releasable locking means or deactivatable alarm means associated with data communication means, e.g. a mobile telephone type unit (4,5,6). The central control system, e.g. a computer (40), generates a new security code for each delivery which is transmitted to the data communication means, and which when subsequently entered into security code input means, e.g. a keypad (6) or an RF tag reader, associated with and accessible from outside the enclosure, affords access to the enclosure enabling a person to deliver or collect an item (50). The central control system may be provided by a delivery service (51,52) and may communicate automatically with the box owner via telephone (20) or mail (PC 30).

Claims

1. A secure delivery or collection system comprising a central control system,

together with at least one secure lockable enclosure (1),

and at least one coded tag (62),

the coded tag being affixed to an item (50) to be delivered to the enclosure;

the enclosure having associated therewith;

data communication means,

releasable locking means (67) controlling access to the interior of the enclosure,

and first sensing means (61) cooperating with the data communication means for sensing and identifying the coded tag;

the central control system generating a security code corresponding to the coded tag and transmitting the security code to the data communication means,

the first sensing means (61) comparing the tag with the security code so as to identify the tag, and cooperating with the releasable locking means to unlock the enclosure to receive the item;

and characterised in that there are further provided second sensing means (65),

the second sensing means identifying the tag (62) and sensing its presence within the enclosure (1).

3. A secure delivery or collection system according to claim 1, characterised in that the second sensing means (65) cooperates with the releasable locking means (67) to lock the enclosure (1) when the tag (62) is placed therein.

5. A system according to either of claims 1 or 2 characterised in that the tag (62) is a radio frequency tag.

6. A system according to either of claims 1 or 2 characterised in that the first sensing means (61) is separate from the said enclosure (1).

7. A system according to either of claims 1 or 2 characterised in that the data communication means is adapted to monitor the operation of the sensing means (61, 65) and thus to monitor access to the enclosure (1), and to transmit information derived from such monitoring to the central control system.

8. A system according to either of claims 1 or 2 characterised in that the data communication means comprises a “

pager”

style core unit for receiving data communications, appropriately interfaced and programmed.

9. A system according to either of claims 1 or 2 characterised in that the data communication means comprises a “

mobile telephone”

style core unit for transmitting and receiving data communications, appropriately interfaced and programmed and mounted within the enclosure (1).

11. A system according to either of claims 1 or 2 characterised in that the system further comprises a delivery organisation,

the delivery organisation performing deliveries to a plurality of customers, some of whom have a said enclosure (1) and some of whom do not.

12. A system according to either of claims 1 or 2 characterised in that the system further comprises a delivery organisation,

and the delivery organisation makes a delivery to the enclosure (1) which comprises goods from more than one supplier of goods.

2. A secure delivery or collection system comprising a central control system,

together with at least one enclosure (1),

and at least one coded tag (62),

the coded tag being affixed to an item (50) to be delivered to the enclosure;

the enclosure having associated therewith;

data communication means,

deactivatable alarm means controlling access to the interior of the enclosure,

and first sensing means (61) cooperating with the data communication means for sensing and identifying the coded tag;

the central control system generating a security code corresponding to the coded tag and transmitting the security code to the data communication means,

the first sensing means (61) comparing the tag with the security code so as to identify the tag, and deactivating the alarm means to afford access to the enclosure to deliver the item;

and characterised in that there are further provided second sensing means (65),

the second sensing means identifying the tag (62) and sensing its presence within the enclosure (1).

4. A secure delivery or collection system according to claim 2, characterised in that the second sensing means (65) activates the alarm means to secure the enclosure (1) when the tag (62) is placed therein.

10. A system according to claim 2 characterised in that the enclosure defines an open collection or delivery space.