SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO ENABLE THE DELIVERY OF RETAIL PRODUCTS

• US 20180096270A1
• Filed: 09/26/2017
• Published: 04/05/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Wal Mart Stores Inc (WalMart Inc.)
• Inventors: High, Donald R., Thompson, John P., Winkle, David C.
• Application Number:
  US15/715,511
• Publication Number:
  US 20180096270A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0633 Workflow analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• 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 9/38 with central registration

Abstract

In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to enable the delivery of retail products. Some embodiments include product receiving systems comprising: a first access door and a package compartment cooperated with the first access door; a wireless communication transceiver; a control circuit coupled with the transceiver; and a memory coupled to the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to: determine that a delivery vehicle is within a threshold distance and intends to deliver a package into the package compartment; determine whether a time that the delivery vehicle intends to deliver the package corresponds with a customer specified delivery restriction; and wirelessly communicate a denial notification to the delivery vehicle denying the delivery when the time that the delivery vehicle intends to deliver the package is inconsistent with the delivery restriction.

Claims

1. A product receiving system to enable delivery of products, comprising:

a first access door and a package compartment cooperated with the first access door;

a wireless communication transceiver;

a control circuit coupled with the transceiver; and

a memory coupled to the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to;

determine that a delivery vehicle is within a threshold distance and intends to deliver a package into the package compartment;

determine whether a time that the delivery vehicle intends to deliver the package corresponds with a customer specified delivery restriction; and

wirelessly communicate a denial notification to the delivery vehicle denying the delivery when the time that the delivery vehicle intends to deliver the package is inconsistent with the delivery restriction.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit communicates an instruction to cause the delivery vehicle to be rerouted to an alternate delivery location.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit communicates an instruction to cause the delivery of the package to occur at a different time that is consistent with the delivery restriction.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to authorize the first access door to be unlocked when the time that the delivery vehicle intends to deliver the package corresponds with the delivery restriction.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the control circuit is configured to:

identify that the delivery vehicle is a first type of delivery vehicle of multiple different types of delivery vehicles from which packages can be received; and

unlock the first access door of multiple access doors as a function of the delivery vehicle being the first type of delivery vehicle and enabling the package to be received through the first access door.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the control circuit is configured to receive an authentication communication from the delivery vehicle, authenticate the delivery vehicle and confirm, prior to unlocking the first access door, the delivery vehicle is authorized to deposit a package.

7. The system of claim 4, further comprising:

a plurality of sensors coupled with the control circuit, wherein the control circuit is further configured to receive sensor data from at least a first sensor of the plurality of sensors and corresponding to at least a product within the package, identify the product based on the sensor data, and communicate a notification to a customer of the delivery including identifier information of the product.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

a temperature control system cooperated with the package compartment;

wherein the control circuit is further configured to determine a threshold temperature associated with the product, and control the temperature control system to control a temperature within the package compartment based on the threshold temperature.

9. A method to restrict delivery of products to a product receiving system, comprising:

by a control circuit of the product receiving system of multiple product receiving distributed through one or more geographic areas;

determining that a delivery vehicle is within a threshold distance and intends to deliver a package into a package compartment of the product receiving system;

determining whether a time that the delivery vehicle intends to deliver the package corresponds with a customer specified delivery restriction; and

wirelessly communicating a denial notification to the delivery vehicle denying the delivery when the time that the delivery vehicle intends to deliver the package is inconsistent with the delivery restriction.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

communicating an instruction to cause the delivery vehicle to be rerouted to an alternate delivery location.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

communicating an instruction to cause the delivery of the package to occur at a different time that is consistent with the delivery restriction.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

authorizing a first access door to be unlocked when the time that the delivery vehicle intends to deliver the package corresponds with the delivery restriction.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

identifying that the delivery vehicle is a first type of delivery vehicle of multiple different types of delivery vehicles from which packages can be received; and

unlocking the first access door of multiple access doors as a function of the delivery vehicle being the first type of delivery vehicle and enabling the package to be received through the first access door.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving an authentication communication from the delivery vehicle;

authenticating the delivery vehicle; and

confirming, prior to unlocking the first access door, the delivery vehicle is authorized to deposit a package.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving sensor data from at least a first sensor of a plurality of sensors and corresponding to at least a product within the package;

identifying the product based on the sensor data; and

causing a notification to be communicated to a customer of the delivery including identifier information of the product.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

determining a threshold temperature associated with the product;

controlling a temperature control system cooperated with the package compartment to control a temperature within the package compartment based on the threshold temperature.