RFID-keyed mailbox, and RFID-based system and method for securing a mailbox

• US 20050006452A1
• Filed: 06/30/2003
• Published: 01/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Aupperle, Carol Eddy, Mathewson, James M. II, Aupperle, Bryan Eric
• Granted Patent: US 6,957,767 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 232/45
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/1214 including a receiver located remotely from the letter-box and a transmitter
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/1216 Supports

Abstract

Under the present invention, a mailbox is equipped with a RFID reader. The RFID reader receives a continuously transmitted signal from an RFID tag that contains an RF identifier. Upon receipt, the RFID reader compares the RF identifier in the signal to an RF identifier assigned to the mailbox. If a match is established, the mailbox is unlocked and access is permitted.

Claims

1. An RFID-keyed mailbox, comprising:

a mailbox; and

an RFID reader attached to the mailbox for controlling a door of the mailbox, wherein the reader receives a signal containing an RF identifier that is automatically transmitted from an RFID tag, and uses the signal to control to door if the RF identifier in the signal matches an RF identifier assigned to the mailbox.

2. The mailbox of claim 1, wherein the reader comprises:

a transceiver for receiving the signal; and

a controller for unlocking the door based on a comparison of the RF identifier in the signal to the RF identifier assigned to the mailbox.

3. The mailbox of claim 1, further comprising a log for storing the RF identifier in the signal, wherein the door requires a physical key to be controlled if a quantity of RF identifiers in the log exceeds a predetermined threshold within a predetermined amount of time.

4. The mailbox of claim 1, further comprising an alarm mechanism for detecting removal of the mailbox, and activating for an alarm if the mailbox is removed.

5. The mailbox of claim 4, wherein the alarm mechanism detects removal of the mailbox from a post on which it is mounted.

6. The mailbox of claim 1, wherein the door requires a physical key to be controlled if the mailbox is removed.

7. The mailbox of claim 1, wherein the RF identifier in the signal is encrypted prior to transmission from the RFID tag, and wherein the RFID reader decrypts the RF identifier in the signal upon receipt of the signal.

8. The mailbox of claim 1, wherein the RFID reader further comprises a positioning device for tracking a position of the mailbox.

9. The mailbox of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag is carried by a postal worker.

10. The mailbox of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag is carried by a postal vehicle.

11. An RFID-based system for securing a mailbox, comprising:

an RFID tag for automatically transmitting a signal containing an RF identifier; and

a mailbox having an RFID reader for receiving the signal, and for controlling a door of the mailbox based on a comparison of the RF identifier in the signal to an RF identifier assigned to the mailbox.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the RFID tag carried by a postal worker.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the RFID tag is carried by a postal vehicle.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the RFID reader comprises:

a transceiver for receiving the signal from the RFID tag; and

a controller for unlocking the door based on a comparison of the RF identifier in the signal to the RF identifier assigned to the mailbox.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the mailbox is mounted on a post, and wherein the RFID reader comprises an alarm mechanism for detecting removal of the mailbox from the post, and for activating an alarm upon removal.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the door requires a physical key to be controlled if the mailbox is removed.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the RF identifier in the signal is encrypted prior to transmission from the RFID tag, and wherein the RFID reader decrypts the RF identifier in the signal upon receipt of the signal.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the RFID reader further comprises a positioning device for tracking a position of the mailbox.

19. The system of claim 11, further comprising a log for storing the RF identifier in the signal, wherein the door requires a physical key to be controlled if a quantity of RF identifiers in the log exceeds a predetermined threshold within a predetermined amount of time.

20. An RFID-based method for securing a mailbox;

comprising;

providing a mailbox having an RFID reader;

receiving an automatically transmitted signal containing an RF identifier from an RFID tag;

comparing the RF identifier in the signal to an RF identifier assigned to the mailbox; and

controlling a door of the mailbox based on the comparison of the RF identifier in the signal to the RF identifier assigned to the mailbox.

21. The method of claim 21, wherein the controlling step comprises unlocking the door if the RF identifier in the signal matches the RF identifier assigned to the mailbox.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising storing the RF identifier in the signal in a log, wherein the door requires a physical key to be controlled if a quantity of RF identifiers in the log exceeds a predetermined threshold within a predetermined amount of time.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

detecting removal of the mailbox from a pole; and

activating an alarm upon removal.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the mailbox requires a physical key to control the door if the mailbox is removed.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the RFID reader comprises a positioning device for monitoring a position of the mailbox.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the RFID tag is carried by a postal worker.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the RFID tag is carried by a postal vehicle.

28. The method of claim 21, further comprising decrypting the RF identifier in the signal after receiving the signal.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein the RFID reader comprises:

a transceiver for receiving the signal from the RFID tag; and

a controller for unlocking the door based on the comparison of the RF identifier in the signal to the RF identifier assigned to the mailbox.