SYSTEM AND METHOD TO ENHANCE SECURITY SURROUNDING PACKAGE DELIVERY

• US 20080121682A1
• Filed: 11/29/2006
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Wilson, John D., Stevens, Mark B., Ward, Gary A., Grim, Clifton E., Schmidt, Christopher I.
• Application Number:
  US11/564,392
• Publication Number:
  US 20080121682A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 232/1R
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/141 comprising electronically controlled locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/22 having rotatable or reciprocable parts
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/32 in combination with an identity check
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/38 with central registration

Abstract

Disclosed are a method and a system for the secure delivery of requested, valuable and/or time sensitive packages by authorized delivery agencies, without requiring that the recipient be present. Generally, in accordance with the present invention, a package is delivered to a specially designed receptacle such as a bin or a specially designed mailbox. The receptacle accepts the package if it is an expected package delivered by the expected delivery agency. Two specific implementations of the present invention are disclosed herein. The first has minimal impact on the order and delivery infrastructure existing in the world today. The second implementation is a more integrated approach, but requires that sales and delivery entities implement the interfaces to the secure package delivery bin solution.

Claims

1. A method of delivering a package, comprising the steps of:

a purchaser ordering an item from a seller;

the purchaser giving the seller an Internet address and a physical address for a receptacle;

the seller giving said Internet address and said physical address to a delivery agency;

the delivery agency sending to the seller an expected package ID and an expected deliverer ID for a shipment;

the seller sending the expected package ID and the expected deliverer ID to the purchaser;

the purchaser sending the expected package ID and the expected deliverer ID to the receptacle;

a deliverer physically delivering a package to the receptacle, said deliverer having an actual deliverer ID and the package having an actual package ID;

the deliverer, at the physical location of the receptacle, inputting to the receptacle, said actual deliverer ID and said actual package ID;

the receptacle comparing said expected deliverer and expected package IDs with said actual deliverer and actual package IDs; and

if the expected deliverer ID matches the actual deliverer ID and if the expected package ID matches said actual package ID, then (i) the receptacle opening, (ii) the deliverer placing the package in the receptacle, and (iii) the receptacle closing and locking.

2. A method according to claim 1, comprising the further steps of:

the deliverer inputting to the receptacle personnel information to identify further the deliverer; and

the receptacle sending said personnel information to an identity services system to confirm the identity of the deliverer; and

wherein the step of the receptacle opening includes the step of the receptacle opening only if said identity services system confirms the identity of the deliverer.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes a door, a lock for locking the door in a closed position, and a controller, and wherein the step of the receptacle opening includes the steps of the controller unlocking the lock to unlock the door from the closed position, and moving the door to an open position.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the controller includes a processing unit connected to the Internet, and wherein:

the step of the purchaser sending the expected package ID and the expected deliverer ID to the receptacle includes the step of the purchaser sending the expected package ID and the expected deliverer ID to the controller of the receptacle over the Internet.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the step of the receptacle opening includes the step of the receptacle opening only if the expected deliverer ID matches the actual deliverer ID and the expected package ID matches the actual package ID.

6. A method according to claim 5, comprising the further step of the controller notifying the recipient and the sales agency of the accomplished delivery.

7. A method of delivering a package, comprising the steps of:

a purchaser ordering an item from a seller;

the purchaser giving the seller an Internet address and a physical address for a receptacle;

the seller giving said Internet address and said physical address to a delivery agency;

the delivery agency sending directly to the receptacle an expected package ID and an expected deliverer ID for a shipment;

a deliverer physically delivering a package to the receptacle, said deliverer having an actual deliverer ID and the package having an actual package ID;

the deliverer, at the physical location of the receptacle, inputting to the receptacle, said actual deliverer ID and said actual package ID;

the receptacle comparing said expected deliverer and expected package IDs with said actual deliverer and actual package IDs; and

if the expected deliverer ID matches the actual deliverer ID and if the expected package ID matches said actual package ID, then (i) the receptacle opening, (ii) the deliverer placing the package in the receptacle, and (iii) the receptacle closing and locking.