SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING A USER TO SELECT A SECURABLE DEVICE THROUGHOUT MULTIPLE SECURABLE DEVICE STATIONS

• US 20140316918A1
• Filed: 01/27/2014
• Published: 10/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Best Lockers, LLC (Assa Abloy AB)
• Original Assignee: Best Lockers, LLC (Assa Abloy AB)
• Inventors: Zaniker, John, Toibero, Dennis
• Granted Patent: US 9,706,835 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/21
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 47/00 Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features related to dismountability or building-up from elements A47B43/00, A47B45/00 take precedence; features for adjusting shelves or partitions A47B57/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 81/00 Cabinets or racks specially adapted for other particular purposes, e.g. for storing guns or skis
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/00 Details of cabinets, racks or shelf units not covered by a single one of groups A47B43/00 - A47B95/00; General details of furniture doors E06B
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3274 using a pictured code, e.g. barcode or QR-code, being displayed on the M-device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/347 Passive cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/352 Contactless payments by cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4012 Verifying personal identification numbers [PIN]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0645 Rental transactions; Leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/12 comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/26 Interlocks, e.g. for locking the doors of compartments other than that to be used
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/04 by paper currency
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/10 together with a coded signal , e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data

Abstract

A system and method of provisioning a securable device may include providing a plurality of securable device stations, each securable device station including (i) a controller and (ii) a set of securable devices in local communication with the controller, the controller being configured to enable a user to initiate access to a securable device from a set of securable devices. In response to a first controller of a first securable device station receiving (i) an access indicia and (ii) rental parameter that enables the user to access a securable device located in at least two of the securable device stations from a user, the first controller may communicate the access indicia and rental parameter to a network address that enables, by a second controller, the user to access a securable device at the second securable device station as provided by the rental parameter.

Claims

1. A method of provisioning a securable device, said method comprising:

providing a plurality of securable device stations, each securable device station including (i) a controller and (ii) a set of securable devices in local communication with the controller, the controller being configured to enable a user to initiate access to a securable device from a set of securable devices; and

in response to a first controller of a first securable device station receiving (i) an access indicia and (ii) rental parameter that enables the user to access a securable device located in at least two of the plurality of securable device stations from a user, communicating, by the first controller, the access indicia and rental parameter to a network address that enables, by a second controller, the user to access a securable device at the second securable device station as provided by the rental parameter.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein communicating the access indicia and rental parameter to a network address includes communicating to a network address of the second controller.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing, by the first controller, a user interface that enables the user to enter the access indicia and rental parameter.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising providing, by the first controller, a listing of rental parameters, at least one of the rental parameters enabling the user to have access to a securable device at both the first and second securable device stations.

5. The method according to claim 3, further comprising:

in response to receiving the access indicia, storing, by the first controller, the access indicia independent of any particular securable device identifier associated with the set of securable devices in local communication with the first controller;

in response to receiving (i) the access indicia from the user interfacing with a securable device user interface associated with a selected securable device and (ii) a securable device identifier;

verifying, by the first controller, that the access indicia received from the selected securable device matches the stored access indicia;

in response to verifying a match, associating the securable device identifier and the access indicia so as to provision the selected securable device;

alternatively, in response to the access indicia received from the selected securable device not matching the stored access indicia, preventing the user from accessing the selected securable device;

communicating a verification signal indicative of the access indicia received from the selected securable device matching the stored access indicia to the first controller; and

provisioning, by the first controller, the securable device.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second controllers are kiosks.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising communicating, by the first controller, the access indicia and rental parameter to at least one securable device in the first securable device station.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing, at the first controller, means for accepting compensation from a coupon.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing, at the first controller, means for accepting compensation from an entry ticket.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein in response to the first controller communicating the access indicia and rental parameter to the network device, receiving and storing, by the second controller, the access indicia and rental parameter.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising communicating, by the second controller, the access indicia and rental parameter, to at least one of the securable devices in the second securable device station.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving a rental parameter includes receiving a rental parameter inclusive of size of securable device to be selected by the user.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving a rental parameter includes receiving a geographic region in which the user may select a securable device.

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

receiving, by the second controller, a communication inclusive of a securable device identifier from a securable device controller of one of the securable devices of the second securable device station and an indicator of the securable device being accessed in response to the user entering the access indicia therein; and

provisioning, by the second controller, the securable device selected by the user.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising communicating, by the second controller, the access indicia and securable device identifier to the first controller to cause the first controller to associate the securable device identifier with the access indicia.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising preventing, by the first and second controllers, another securable device at either of the first and second securable device stations, from being accessed by use of the access indicia while the securable device is provisioned.

17. The method according to claim 1, further comprising communicating, by the first and second controllers, the access indicia to securable devices at each of the first and second securable device stations.

18. A system for provisioning a securable device, said system comprising:

a plurality of securable device stations, each securable device station including (i) a controller and (ii) a set of securable devices in local communication with the controller, the controller being configured to enable a user to initiate access to a securable device from a set of securable devices;

a first controller of a first securable device station, and being configured to;

receive (i) an access indicia and (ii) rental parameter that enables the user to access a securable device located in at least two of said plurality of securable device stations from a user; and

in response to receiving the access indicia and rental parameter, communicate the access indicia and rental parameter to a network address; and

a second controller of a second securable device station, and being configured to;

receive the access indicia and rental parameter communicated by said first controller; and

enable the user to access a securable device at the second securable device station as provided by the rental parameter.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein said first controller is further configured to provide a listing of rental parameters, wherein at least one of the rental parameters enables the user to have access to a securable device at both the first and second securable device stations.

20. The system according to claim 18, wherein said first and second controllers are kiosks.

21. The system according to claim 18, wherein said second controller is further configured to:

receive a communication inclusive of a securable device identifier from a securable device controller of one of the securable devices of the second securable device station and an indicator of the securable device being accessed in response to the user entering the access indicia therein; and

provision the securable device selected by the user.

22. The system according to claim 21, wherein said second controller is further configured to communicate the access indicia and securable device identifier to the first controller, and where said first controller, in response to receiving the access indicia and securable device controller, is further configured to associate the securable device identifier with the access indicia.

23. The system according to claim 18, wherein said first and second controllers are further configured to prevent another securable device at either of said first and second securable device stations from being accessed by use of the access indicia while the securable device is provisioned.