SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SECURE PACKAGE DELIVERY

• US 20150310381A1
• Filed: 04/29/2014
• Published: 10/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lyman, Jefferson, Hatch, Brandon
• Granted Patent: US 10,657,483 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for enabling secure delivery of a package to a designated delivery area of a premises is described. In one embodiment, information regarding a delivery of a package to a premises may be received, a delivery person arriving at the premises may be detected, and instructions may be provided to the delivery person regarding how to deliver the package to the designated delivery area within the premises.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for enabling secure delivery of a package to a designated delivery area, comprising:

receiving information regarding a delivery of a package to a premises;

detecting a delivery person arriving at the premises; and

providing instructions to the delivery person regarding how to deliver the package to the designated delivery area within the premises.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

upon verifying information associated with the delivery person, granting the delivery person access to the delivery area.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

upon verifying that at least one monitored locking mechanism of the premises is in a locked position, granting the delivery person access to the delivery area.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

capturing at least one image of the delivery person placing the package in the delivery area.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

capturing an image of the delivery area; and

performing image analysis on the captured image to identify a designated delivery location within the delivery area by detecting an indicator of the designated delivery location.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

analyzing the captured image to determine whether access to the designated delivery location is obstructed; and

upon determining access to the designated delivery location is obstructed, generating a notification comprising information regarding the detected obstruction.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

requesting an occupant of the premises to select a delivery area and to specify a location within the delivery area where the package is to be placed by the delivery person.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a location of an occupant of the premises; and

upon determining the location of the occupant is beyond a predefined distance of the premises, automatically selecting a type of delivery, the type of delivery specifying a location at the premises where the package is to be placed by the delivery person.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

upon determining the location of the occupant is within a predefined distance of the premises, requesting the occupant select a type of delivery.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

upon determining the package is delivered securely, sending a delivery notification, wherein the delivery notification comprises at least one of information regarding the delivery of the package, an image of the delivered package, and a system security overview.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

upon detecting the occupant approaching the premises subsequent to the delivery of the package, sending a reminder notification, the reminder notification comprising at least one of a reminder that the package is delivered, information regarding the delivery of the package, and an image of the delivered package.

12. A computing device configured for enabling secure delivery of a package to a designated delivery area, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor;

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to;

receive information regarding a delivery of a package to a premises;

detect a delivery person arriving at the premises; and

provide instructions to the delivery person regarding how to deliver the package to the designated delivery area within the premises.

13. The computing device of claim 12, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

upon verifying information associated with the delivery person, granting the delivery person access to the delivery area.

14. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

upon verifying that at least one monitored locking mechanism of the premises is in a locked position, granting the delivery person access to the delivery area.

15. The computing device of claim 12, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

capturing at least one image of the delivery person placing the package in the delivery area.

16. The computing device of claim 12, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

performing image analysis on an image of the delivery area to identify a designated delivery location within the delivery area by detecting an indicator of the designated delivery location.

17. The computing device of claim 16, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

analyzing the captured image of the delivery area to determine whether access to the designated delivery location is obstructed; and

upon determining access to the designated delivery location is obstructed, generating a notification comprising information regarding the detected obstruction.

18. The computing device of claim 12, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

determine a location of an occupant of the premises; and

upon determining the location of the occupant is beyond a predefined distance of the premises, automatically select a type of delivery, the type of delivery specifying a location at the premises where the package is to be placed by the delivery person.

19. A computer-program product for enabling, by a processor, secure delivery of a package to a designated delivery area, the computer-program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions thereon, the instructions being executable by the processor to:

receive information regarding a delivery of a package to the premises;

detect a delivery person arriving at the premises; and

provide instructions to the delivery person regarding how to deliver the package to the designated delivery area within the premises.

20. The computer-program product of claim 19, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

upon verifying the information associated with the delivery person, granting the delivery person access to the delivery area.