Methods, Apparatus and Systems for Accepting, Returning or Exchanging Parcels and Deliveries

• US 20170055751A1
• Filed: 10/14/2016
• Published: 03/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kumar Sundaresan
• Original Assignee: Kumar Sundaresan
• Inventors: SUNDARESAN, Kumar
• Granted Patent: US 10,083,561 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/144 the receptacle being transportable and attachable to a building
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/147 the receptacle comprising heating or cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/149 with central server link
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/141 comprising electronically controlled locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/20 with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0067 Monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0094 Mechanical aspects of remotely controlled locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0095 Mechanical aspects of locks controlled by telephone signals, e.g. by mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/005 Chain-locks, cable-locks or padlocks with alarms
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0001 with electric actuators; Constructional features thereof for vehicles E05B81/04
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0005 using chains, cables or the like chain- or cable-locks of the padlock type E05B67/003; lockable clothing hangers or hanger racks E05B69/006
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0011 with retraction of the flexible element for storage E05B73/0029 takes precedence; for padlocks E05B67/006
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0092 for cargo, freight or shipping containers and applications therefore in general
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like

Abstract

This invention involves a novel method, device, system and apparatus to receive, return or exchange parcels securely. The invention involves a novel security apparatus and one or more parcel receptacles. The novel security apparatus can be securely connected to an object such as a door knob or door handle or door knockers or door or any object to which my security apparatus can be securely connected. The parcel receptacles can be of many types. The locking mechanism in the security apparatus and on the parcel receptacle can be of technological in nature using the latest advancements in wireless technology, or alternatively, involve simple physical lock and key mechanisms. The apparatus allows access to parcels to authenticated users only, and involve many safety features including an audible alarm and other tamper-proof mechanisms to ensure safety of parcels.

Claims

1. A system for securely receiving, returning or exchanging a parcel comprising:

a. a security attachment having a locking mechanism configured in the security attachment, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to lock the attachment to a fixed location; and

b. a parcel receptacle connected to the security attachment.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the fixed location is selected from a group consisting of doorknob, door handle, door knockers, door, or any immovable object to which the attachment can be securely connected.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an unlocking mechanism integrated with the locking mechanism configured to release the security attachment from the fixed location.

4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism and the unlocking mechanism are selected from a group consisting of a physical lock and key solution, an electrically-powered lock/unlock solution, a combination lock, an RFID-based solution, a bluetooth-based solution, a Wi-Fi-based solution, a mobile-app based solution, a wireless solution and a NFC-based solution.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a parcel locking mechanism attached to the parcel receptacle, wherein the parcel locking mechanism is configured to lock and prevent the parcel receptacle from opening;

and a parcel unlocking mechanism integrated with the parcel locking mechanism configured to unlock the parcel locking mechanism and allow the parcel receptacle to open.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, further including an audible alarm connected to the system that sounds to deter any unauthorized tampering of the security attachment or the parcel receptacle.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said parcel receptacle further comprises a mechanism to keep parcels inside cold and refrigerated.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the security attachment is capable of expanding and contracting about the fixed location to decrease likelihood of unauthorized removal of the security attachment from the fixed location.

9. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said parcel receptacle is configured to expand or contract in size.

10. A method for securely receiving, returning or exchanging a parcel, comprising:

a. providing a security apparatus configured to securely connect to an object;

b. providing a parcel receptacle; and

c. providing a connection mechanism for connecting the security apparatus to the object, and connecting the parcel receptacle to the security apparatus.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the parcel receptacle further comprises a locking mechanism configured to prevent the opening of the parcel receptacle by an unauthorized individual.

12. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the security apparatus can be connected to the object, and disconnected from the object only by authorized individuals.

13. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the object includes doorknob or door handle or door knockers or door or any object to which said security apparatus can be securely connected.

14. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein said connection mechanism and security apparatus are integrated in said parcel receptacle, and said parcel receptacle is configured to connect directly to said object.

15. A device for securely receiving, returning or exchanging a parcel, comprising:

a. a parcel receptacle;

b. said parcel receptacle connected to a security apparatus using a connection mechanism; and

c. said security apparatus connected to an object.

16. The device as recited in claim 15, wherein the object is selected from a group consisting of doorknob, door handle, door knockers, door, or any immovable object to which the security apparatus can be securely connected.

17. The device for securely receiving, returning or exchanging a parcel, as recited in claim 15, further comprising a locking mechanism, said locking mechanism is configured to lock the security apparatus to the object so that the security apparatus cannot be removed from the object, and an unlocking mechanism integrated with the locking mechanism so that the security apparatus can be released from the object.

18. The device as recited in claim 17, wherein the locking mechanism and the unlocking mechanism selected from the group consisting of a physical lock and key solution, an electrically-powered lock/unlock solution, a combination lock, an RFID-based solution, a bluetooth-based solution, a Wi-Fi-based solution, a mobile-app based solution, a wireless solution and a NFC-based solution.

19. The device as recited in claim 15, further comprising an alarm and a speaker, said alarm operatively triggering the speaker when the security apparatus or parcel receptacle is attempted to be tampered.

20. The device for securing a parcel as recited in claim 15, wherein the security apparatus or the parcel receptacle further comprises a camera, said camera configured to collect data.

22. The device as recited in claim 20, wherein said camera is configured to scan codes, said codes selected from a group consisting of QR codes and barcodes and UPC codes.

23. The device as recited in claim 20, wherein said data is configured to be transmitted via wired or wireless mechanism.

24. The device for securely receiving, returning or exchanging a parcel as recited in claim 15, wherein said security apparatus further comprises a finger print reader to capture finger print, said captured finger print configured to authenticate individuals.

25. The device for securely receiving, returning or exchanging a parcel as recited in claim 15, wherein said security apparatus further comprises a text display, said text display selected from a group consisting of lock/unlock status and alerts and battery levels and messages.

26. The device as recited in claim 25, wherein, the text display is configured to display codes;

said codes configured for multiple purposes, said purposes comprising delivery authentications and for providing access to lock and unlock said security apparatus.

27. The device for securely receiving, returning or exchanging a parcel as recited in claim 15, wherein said security apparatus further comprises a battery to power locking and unlocking mechanisms and electrical and electronics hardware in the security apparatus.

28. The device for securely receiving, returning or exchanging a parcel as recited in claim 15, wherein the secure apparatus or the parcel receptacle further comprises a GPS module, said GPS module configured to be activated remotely.

29. The device as recited in claim 26, wherein, said codes, upon authentication, operatively control locking and unlocking mechanisms of said parcel receptacles.

21. The device as recited in 20, wherein, said data is stored in internet cloud, said internet cloud configured to collect or distribute or share data between authenticated devices and authenticated users.

30. A system for securely receiving, returning or exchanging a parcel comprising:

a. an attachment having a locking mechanism integrated with the attachment, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to secure the attachment; and

b. a parcel receptacle connected to the attachment.