Unattended Delivery Drop Box

• US 20170255896A1
• Filed: 04/01/2016
• Published: 09/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jesse Van Dyke
• Original Assignee: Jesse Van Dyke
• Inventors: Van Dyke, Jesse
• Application Number:
  US15/088,266
• Publication Number:
  US 20170255896A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/145 the receptacle comprising means for identifying a deposit; Deposits carrying identification means, e.g. a bar code
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/146 the receptacle comprising identification means, e.g. a bar code
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/149 with central server link
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/14 Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk , or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles , i.e. food or large parcels
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/141 comprising electronically controlled locking means
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/02 Dropping, ejecting, or releasing articles jettisonable fuel reservoirs B64D37/12
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/64 for parcel delivery or retrieval
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/30 for capturing UAVs in flight by ground or sea-based arresting gear, e.g. by a cable or a net
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0835 Relationships between shipper or supplier and carriers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols

Abstract

A drop box apparatus is provided including a defined cavity capable of storing packages. A drop-off opening is disposed and arranged to receive at least one package from an unmanned vehicle, and a pick-up opening is disposed and arranged to provide access to the package by a recipient. At least one path connects the defined space, drop-off opening, and the pick-up opening.

Claims

1. A drop box apparatus, the drop box apparatus comprising:

a defined cavity capable of storing packages;

a drop-off opening disposed and arranged to receive at least one package via an unmanned vehicle;

a pick-up opening disposed and arranged to provide access to the at least one package via a recipient; and

at least one path connecting the defined cavity, the drop-off opening, and the pick-up opening.

2. The drop box apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drop-off opening is disposed and arranged to receive at least one package via an unmanned aerial vehicle or an unmanned ground vehicle.

3. The drop box apparatus of claim 1,

wherein the pick-up opening is further disposed and arranged to receive at least one outgoing package from a user, and

wherein the drop-off opening is further disposed and arrange to provide access to the at least one outgoing package via a recipient.

4. The drop box apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a sorting mechanism directing received packages from the drop-off opening to a plurality of subdivided storage areas.

5. The drop box apparatus of claim 4, wherein the pick-up opening is connected with each of the subdivided storage areas so as to provide access to each of the subdivided storage areas.

6. The drop box apparatus of claim 5, wherein the pick-up opening comprises a plurality of pick-up openings, each respective pick-up opening in connection with one of the plurality of subdivided storage areas.

7. The drop box apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a selection mechanism directing received packages to the pick-up opening.

8. The drop box apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a security device limiting access to the pick-up opening.

9. A system for drop box package delivery, the system comprising:

a drop box apparatus;

a processor associated with the drop box apparatus; and

at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs;

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the drop box apparatus to;

accept at least one package from an unmanned vehicle via a drop-off opening of the drop box apparatus;

receive an access code input by a user, wherein the access code identifies the user as a recipient of the at least one package; and

produce the at least one package at a pick-up opening of the drop box apparatus, whereat the at least one package is accessible to the recipient.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the system to:

open a covering of the drop-off opening based on the arrival of an unmanned aerial vehicle or an unmanned ground vehicle.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the system to:

send a notification to the recipient indicative of the arrival of the at least one package.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the system to:

send a notification to a sender associated with the at least one package.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the system to:

receive a request from a user to transfer the at least one package from the drop box apparatus to an alternate location;

request an available unmanned vehicle to relocate the at least one package to the alternate location;

provide the at least one package to the available unmanned vehicle via the drop-off opening of the drop box apparatus; and

send a notification to the user indicating the departure of the unmanned vehicle with the at least one package.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the system to:

receive an indication that the at least one package has arrived at the alternate location; and

send a notification to the user indicating the arrival of the at least one package at the alternate location.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the system to:

provide an access code to the user identifying the user as a recipient of the at least one package at the alternate location.

16. A method of unattended package delivery, the method comprising:

receiving an indication that a package has been delivered to a drop box apparatus via an unmanned vehicle;

identifying a recipient of the package;

generating a notification indicating receipt of the package by the drop box apparatus;

generating an access code associated with the package;

providing the notification and the access code for display to a client device associated with the recipient of the package; and

generating an acknowledgment message upon pick-up of the package by the recipient via the drop box apparatus.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

associating one of a plurality of subdivided storage areas with the received package; and

providing access to the associated subdivided storage area upon receiving of the access code via a graphical user interface of the drop box apparatus.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the notification further comprises an identification of the subdivided storage area associated with the package.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving a request from the identified recipient to transfer the at least one package from the drop box apparatus to an alternate location;

sending a request for an available unmanned aerial vehicle or unmanned ground vehicle to relocate the package to the alternate location;

providing the at least one package to the available unmanned aerial vehicle or the available unmanned ground vehicle via the drop-off opening of the drop box apparatus; and

sending a transfer notification to the user indicating the departure of the unmanned aerial vehicle or unmanned ground vehicle with the at least one package.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

receiving, by the drop box apparatus, a transferred delivery notification upon the arrival of the at least one package at the alternate location; and

sending a transfer pick-up notification to the user indicating the arrival of the at least one package at the alternate location based on the transferred delivery notification.