Universal delivery and collection box unit (udcbu)
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A secure container for housing mail and other deliverables comprising:
- a watertight housing;
an incoming mail compartment disposed inside the housing;
an outgoing mail compartment disposed inside the housing;
a storage compartment disposed inside the housing;
a main door attached to the housing, wherein the main door provides access to the incoming mail compartment and the outgoing mail compartment;
a storage door attached to the housing, wherein the storage door provides access to the storage compartment; and
a sensing device configured to determine delivery information upon placement of a deliverable in the storage compartment.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to a universal delivery and collection box unit (UDCBU). In one implementation, a UDCBU includes a mail compartment (110/120) accessible by one door (210) and a storage compartment (130) accessible by a second door (220). The mail compartment allows the postal service to deliver and pickup mail. The storage compartment allows both the postal service and authorized delivery services to deliver larger parcels. In this implementation, information would be recorded regarding access to this storage compartment and transmitted electronically to a consumer.
76 Citations
44 Claims
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1. A secure container for housing mail and other deliverables comprising:
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a watertight housing;
an incoming mail compartment disposed inside the housing;
an outgoing mail compartment disposed inside the housing;
a storage compartment disposed inside the housing;
a main door attached to the housing, wherein the main door provides access to the incoming mail compartment and the outgoing mail compartment;
a storage door attached to the housing, wherein the storage door provides access to the storage compartment; and
a sensing device configured to determine delivery information upon placement of a deliverable in the storage compartment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A secure container for housing mail and other deliverables comprising:
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a watertight housing;
an incoming mail compartment located inside the housing;
an outgoing mail compartment located inside the housing;
an auxiliary mail compartment located inside the housing, the auxiliary compartment configured to accept mail having a configuration such that it cannot be delivered to the incoming mail compartment;
a storage compartment located inside the housing;
a main door attached to the housing, wherein the main door provides access to the incoming mail compartment, the outgoing mail compartment, and the auxiliary mail compartment; and
wherein the main door comprises a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism allows only the United States Postal Service and an authorized consumer to open the main door; and
a storage door attached to the housing, wherein the storage door provides access to the storage compartment; and
wherein the storage door comprises a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism allows only the United States Postal Service, an authorized consumer, and an authorized source of deliveries to open the storage door. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for receiving deliverables and communicating delivery information to an intended recipient, comprising:
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a receptacle configured to receive deliverables, the receptacle including a first compartment for receiving postal deliverables and a second compartment for receiving deliverables from authorized non-postal sources;
means for sensing when non-postal deliverables are received in the second compartment and for identifying associated delivery information; and
means for electronically storing the delivery information and transmitting the delivery information to a designated location. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for monitoring delivery of items to a plurality of receptacles at different locations, the method comprising:
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providing a secure receptacle to a plurality of consumers, the secure receptacle including at least two secured storage compartments configured to accept delivered items, wherein at least one secured storage compartment is configured to receive postal deliverables and at least one storage compartment is configured to receive deliverables from authorized non-postal sources;
authorizing at least one non-postal source of deliverable items to have access to the non-postal storage compartments of each receptacle;
monitoring usage of the secured non-postal storage compartment to identify when a delivered item has been received and identifying the authorized source of the delivered item; and
assessing a fee against the authorized source. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for receiving deliverables and communicating delivery information to an individual consumer, the method comprising:
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providing a receptacle configured to receive deliverables in a plurality of distinct locations, each of the distinct locations associated with an individual customer, the receptacles including a secure compartment configured for receiving deliverables from authorized non-postal sources;
determining when a deliverable has been received in the secure compartment;
identifying the source of the received deliverable; and
electronically communicating the source of the received deliverable to the individual customer associated with the secure compartment receiving the deliverable. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39)
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40. A system for receiving deliverables, comprising:
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a receptacle configured to receive deliverables, the receptacle including a first compartment for receiving postal deliverables and a second compartment for receiving deliverables from authorized non-postal sources;
means for sensing when non-postal deliverables are received in the second compartment and for identifying associated delivery information; and
means for electronically storing the delivery information. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification