SECURE PARCEL DELIVERY IN THE ABSENCE OF THE INTENDED RECIPIENT
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of securing delivery of a parcel, the method comprising:
- constructing an access-restricted area with a portal;
fitting the portal with an electronically-controlled lock that has an input interface;
receiving, over a network, a tracking number generated by a parcel delivery company as a unique identifier to track the status of a parcel;
configuring the electronically-controlled lock to unlock when a recipient access code is input to the input interface by a recipient, wherein the recipient access code is different from the tracking number and is not unique for the parcel.enabling the electronically-controlled lock to use the tracking number as an access code to a open the electronically-controlled lock;
unlocking the electronically-controlled lock when the enabled tracking number is input to the input interface of the electronically-controlled lock by a delivery person; and
locking the electronically-controlled lock after one of the group of conditions consisting of detecting the parcel within the access-restricted area or the lapse of a predetermined amount of time has occurred.
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Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed for securely delivering a parcel when the intended recipient is not present to take physical possession of the parcel. Parcel delivery companies assign a unique tracking number to each parcel. The tracking number is enabled as an access code which, when input by a delivery person, unlocks a secured area such that the parcel can be placed inside.
51 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of securing delivery of a parcel, the method comprising:
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constructing an access-restricted area with a portal; fitting the portal with an electronically-controlled lock that has an input interface; receiving, over a network, a tracking number generated by a parcel delivery company as a unique identifier to track the status of a parcel; configuring the electronically-controlled lock to unlock when a recipient access code is input to the input interface by a recipient, wherein the recipient access code is different from the tracking number and is not unique for the parcel. enabling the electronically-controlled lock to use the tracking number as an access code to a open the electronically-controlled lock; unlocking the electronically-controlled lock when the enabled tracking number is input to the input interface of the electronically-controlled lock by a delivery person; and locking the electronically-controlled lock after one of the group of conditions consisting of detecting the parcel within the access-restricted area or the lapse of a predetermined amount of time has occurred. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for securing a delivered parcel comprising:
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a secured area held closed by an electronically controlled lock; a user interface configured to receive a tracking number from a delivery person; and a processor configured to store the tracking number as an access code to the electronically controlled lock, and unlock the electronically controlled lock when the tracking number is input by the delivery person, wherein the tracking number is generated by a parcel delivery company as a unique identifier for tracking the status of a parcel. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for securing a delivered parcel comprising:
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a secured area held closed by an electronically controlled lock; a user interface configured to receive a tracking number from a delivery person; a display; a wide-area network (“
WAN”
); anda processor configured to receive an email from a parcel delivery company through the WAN, wherein the email contains the tracking number, parse the email to determine the tracking number, access status information for the parcel via a parcel delivery company'"'"'s WAN-based software program, enable the tracking number as an access code to the electronically controlled lock after the parcel delivery company'"'"'s Internet-based software program indicates that the parcel is out for delivery, output to the display a request that the parcel be placed inside and instructions for operating the lock, unlock the electronically controlled lock when the enabled tracking number is input by the delivery person, disable the tracking number after the tracking number is input by the delivery person, and lock the electronically controlled lock; wherein the tracking number is generated by a parcel delivery company as a unique identifier for tracking the status of a parcel.
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Specification