MODULAR STATION PICKUP LOCATIONS

• US 20130262276A1
• Filed: 03/29/2012
• Published: 10/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wan, Lin, Lakshman, Girish, Gupta, Piyush, Bhaskaran, Michael Mahesh
• Granted Patent: US 9,811,784 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/13 the containers being a postal pick-up locker

Abstract

A pickup location that includes a control station and one or more storage compartment modules provides the ability for items to be ordered and delivered for pickup by a user without having to pack those items in a shipping package prior to shipping from a materials handling facility. Delivering items for pickup by a user without having to package the items prior to shipping, may provide a better experience for the customer, reduce waste in packaging material and a lower cost of delivering the ordered items to the customer.

Claims

1. A pickup location comprising:

a control station;

a storage compartment module configured to couple with the control station;

the control station including;

a connector component configured to provide communication connectivity to the storage compartment module;

a command component for sending a command via the connector component to unlock a storage compartment of the storage compartment module;

a user interface configured to identify an order for an item included in the storage compartment of the storage compartment module;

the storage compartment module including;

a plurality of storage compartments for storing items, wherein at least one of the plurality of storage compartments include a presence detection sensor configured to detect the presence or absence of an object in the storage compartment;

a receptor component configured to couple with the connector component and receive communication connectivity from the control station; and

a storage compartment management component configured to cause unlocking of the storage compartment in response to receiving the command from the command component.

2. A pickup location as recited in claim 1, the storage compartment module further comprising:

an identifier configured to identify the storage compartment module to the control station upon coupling of the connector component with the receptor component.

3. A pickup location as recited in claim 2, wherein the identifier is further configured to identify a storage compartment configuration of the storage compartment module.

4. A pickup location as recited in claim 1, wherein the storage compartment management component is further configured to provide a closed-door notification to the command component in response to a door of the storage compartment of the plurality of storage compartments being closed.

5. A pickup location as recited in claim 1, wherein the storage compartment management component is further configured to cause activation of an image capture device located in the storage compartment of the storage compartment module.

6. A pickup location as recited in claim 1, wherein the storage compartment management component is further configured to cause activation of a motion sensor located in the storage compartment of the storage compartment module.

7. A pickup location as recited in claim 1, the storage compartment module further comprising a motion sensor.

22. The pickup location of claim 1, wherein the command component is further configured to send a second command via the connector component to lock a storage compartment of the storage compartment module, wherein the second command is based at least in part on the detection of the presence or absence of an object in the storage compartment by a presence detection sensor.

23. The pickup location of claim 22, wherein the storage compartment management component is further configured to cause the locking of the storage compartment in response to receiving the second command from the command component.

8. One or more computer-readable non-transitory media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed on one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform acts comprising:

identifying a change in capacity of a pickup location;

determining if the change in capacity is a result of adding a storage compartment module to the pickup location, wherein the storage compartment module includes a plurality of storage compartments; and

in response to determining that the change in capacity is the result of adding a storage compartment module to the pickup location, notifying a remote location of the added storage compartment module.

9. One or more computer-readable non-transitory media as recited in claim 8, wherein the change in capacity is added capacity.

10. One or more computer-readable non-transitory media as recited in claim 8, wherein the change in capacity is reduced capacity.

11. One or more computer-readable non-transitory media as recited in claim 8, the acts further comprising:

in response to determining that the change in capacity is not the result of adding a storage compartment module to the pickup location, notifying the remote location of a removed storage compartment module.

12. One or more computer-readable non-transitory media as recited in claim 8, wherein determining if the change in capacity is a result of adding a storage compartment module includes:

receiving an identification of a storage compartment module added to the pickup location;

determining a storage compartment configuration of the added storage compartment module; and

identifying an added capacity provided to the pickup location based on the determined storage compartment configuration.

13. One or more computer-readable non-transitory media as recited in claim 8, further comprising:

in response to determining that the change in capacity is the result of adding a storage compartment module to the pickup location, making a plurality of storage compartments of the added storage compartment module available for use.

14. One or more computer-readable non-transitory media as recited in claim 8, further comprising:

in response to determining that the change in capacity is the result of adding a storage compartment module to the pickup location, controlling the added storage compartment module and assigning an order for an item to be placed in a storage compartment of the added storage compartment module.

15. A control module of a pickup location, comprising:

a communication component configured to provide communication with a storage compartment module of the pickup location;

a user interface configured to identify an order for an item included in a storage compartment of the storage compartment module;

a presence detection sensor to detect presence of the item included in the storage compartment; and

a command component for sending commands via the communication component to control at least a portion of the storage compartment module.

16. The control module of claim 15, wherein the user interface includes a scanner.

17. The control module of claim 15, wherein the user interface includes a display.

18. The control module of claim 15, wherein the communication component provides wireless communication with the storage compartment module.

19. The control module of claim 15, wherein the command component is configured to send a command to unlock the storage compartment of the storage compartment module in response to the user interface identifying the order.

20. The control module of claim 15, wherein the command component is configured to activate an image capture device included in the storage compartment of the storage compartment module.

21. The control module of claim 15, further comprising:

a power supply component configured to provide power to a storage compartment module of the pickup location.