System and method for unattended delivery

• US 20050061877A1
• Filed: 05/21/2002
• Published: 03/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Visible Assets Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Visible Assets Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stevens, John
• Application Number:
  US10/478,474
• Publication Number:
  US 20050061877A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/143 the container comprising identification means, e.g. a bar code
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/144 the receptacle being transportable and attachable to a building
• 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 2029/146 the receptacle comprising identification means, e.g. a bar code
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/147 the receptacle comprising heating or cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/141 comprising electronically controlled locking means
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

An inventive system and method for unattended delivery of goods includes an electronic tag associated with the item and having a first transceiver, and a drop box located at the destination for the item, the drop box having a second transceiver which wirelessly communicates with the first transceiver to allow access to the drop box.

Claims

1. A system for unattended delivery of an item comprising:

an electronic tag associated with said item and comprising a first transceiver; and

a drop box located at a destination for said item, said drop box comprising a second transceiver which wirelessly communicates with said first transceiver to allow access to said drop box.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a dock to serve as a base for said drop box.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said dock and said drop box comprises a lock mechanism for securing said drop box to said dock.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein said dock comprises a temperature control unit for controlling a temperature inside said drop box, and wherein said drop box comprises an insulated drop box and a port for connecting to said temperature control unit.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said drop box further comprises a first memory device for storing a first identification number, and wherein said electronic tag further comprises a second memory device for storing a second identification number.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said drop box further comprises a processor for comparing said first identification number and said second identification number, and wherein said drop box unlocks when said first identification number matches said second identification number.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said first and second transceivers each comprise a two-way communication analog chip.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said electronic tag further comprises an activating device to activate a function of said electronic tag.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein said activating device is engaged in order to transmit data from said electronic tag to said drop box.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein said drop box further comprises an activating device to activate a function of said drop box.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said activating device is engaged in order to transmit data from said drop box to said electronic tag.

12. The system according to claim 5, wherein said first and second memory devices store delivery data comprising a delivery date and delivery time.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein said electronic tag is affixed to an outside portion of said item.

14. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a transport vehicle for delivering said item to said destination.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein said a transport vehicle is directed to said drop box using electronic positioning system.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein said electronic positioning system comprises

a global positioning system, and wherein said transport vehicle comprises a global positioning system receiver.

17. The system according to claim 1, wherein said first transceiver wirelessly communicates with said second transceiver via a radio frequency link.

18. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a container for containing said goods,

wherein said electronic tag is affixed to said container.

19. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an access card comprising a third transceiver, for wirelessly communicating with said second transceiver to access said drop box.

20. The system according to claim 1, wherein said drop box further comprises a signaling device and wherein said signaling device is activated when said item arrives at a destination.

21. The system according to claim 14, wherein said transport vehicle comprises a computer system which determines an optimum route for delivering said item.

22. The system according to claim 14, further comprising:

a base station comprising a fourth transceiver for wirelessly communicating with said first transceiver while said item is on said transport vehicle.

23. The system according to claim 22, wherein said transport vehicle comprises a loop antenna, and wherein said base station wirelessly communicates with said electronic tag using said loop antenna.

24. An insulated drop box for a delivery system, comprising:

an insulated housing for receiving an item of goods; and

a transceiver for wirelessly communicating with an electronic tag in order to access said drop box.

25. A method for unattended delivery of an item of goods comprising:

associating said item with an electronic tag comprising a first transceiver;

transporting said item to a destination; and

placing said item in a drop box located at said destination, said drop box comprising a second transceiver which wirelessly communicates with said first transceiver to allow access to said drop box.

26. A programmable storage medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform a method for unattended delivery of goods, said method comprising:

associating said item with an electronic tag comprising a first transceiver;

transporting said item to a destination; and

placing said item in a drop box located at said destination, said drop box comprising a second transceiver which wirelessly communicates with said first transceiver to allow access to said drop box.