Method and apparatus for the secure delivery of goods
First Claim
1. A method for securely ordering and taking delivery of goods comprising the steps of;
- a purchaser (12) placing an order with a supplier (16);
characterised by the supplier sending to the purchaser an unlock programming code associated with the goods and associating a visible representation of a related code (20) with the goods (18);
the purchaser (12) programming said unlock programming code into a programmable code reader means (36) on an electronically lockable container (22) accessible by a delivery driver;
the delivery driver entering the related code into the programmable code reader means;
the programmable code reader means permitting the container to be opened;
the delivery driver placing the goods in the lockable container; and
the container being once more electronically locked.
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Accused Products
Abstract
When an order for goods (18) is placed via the Internet (14) for later delivery, a supplier (16) provides to a purchaser (12) via the Internet or other means a consignment unlock barcode; the purchaser prints out a copy of the consignment unlock barcode and the supplier attaches a copy (20) of a related unlock barcode to the goods (18). At the purchaser'"'"'s premises is a secure container (22) with an electronic lock (32) and an external barcode reader (36). The purchaser programs the lock, by means of an exclusive master code and the supplier-generated consignment delivery code, to open when presented with the related unlock code. When a delivery driver presents the barcode (20) on the goods (18) to the reader (36), a control circuit (42) causes the electronic lock (32) to open. A second barcode reader (46) within the container (22) allows an infrared or radio receipt signal to be transmitted to a hand held infrared transceiver (52) after the securable container has been relocked.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method for securely ordering and taking delivery of goods comprising the steps of;
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a purchaser (12) placing an order with a supplier (16);
characterised by the supplier sending to the purchaser an unlock programming code associated with the goods and associating a visible representation of a related code (20) with the goods (18);
the purchaser (12) programming said unlock programming code into a programmable code reader means (36) on an electronically lockable container (22) accessible by a delivery driver;
the delivery driver entering the related code into the programmable code reader means;
the programmable code reader means permitting the container to be opened;
the delivery driver placing the goods in the lockable container; and
the container being once more electronically locked. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for secure pick-up of goods (56) comprising the steps of:
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a premises occupier (12) requesting (Q) pick-up of the goods;
a service provider (16) sending to the premises occupier an unlock programming code (S);
the premises occupier placing the goods in an electronically lockable container (22) accessible by a delivery driver, the container having a programmable code reader means (36), and programming the container to be unlockable only on entry of a related unlock code;
electronically locking the container;
a delivery driver entering said related unlock code into the programmable code reader means;
the container being electronically unlocked;
and the delivery driver removing the goods (56) to be picked up.
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8. A secure container for deliveries comprising a container (22) having an electronic lock (32);
- characterised by barcode reader means (36) arranged to read an externally presented barcode; and
a control circuit (42) programmable to recognize an unlock code, arranged so that presentation of said visible code to the barcode reader means (36) causes the electronic lock (32) to permit the container (22) to be opened. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
- characterised by barcode reader means (36) arranged to read an externally presented barcode; and
Specification