Locker Adaption System and Related Method for Consumer In-Door, Out-Door and Curbside Goods Delivery and Pickup Services and for Merchant Store Pickup Services

• US 20190259232A1
• Filed: 02/08/2019
• Published: 08/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: QR Automation Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Gopal Nandakumar
• Inventors: Nandakumar, Gopal
• Granted Patent: US 10,643,413 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10297 arrangements for handling protocols designed for non-contact record carriers such as RFIDs NFCs, e.g. ISO/IEC 14443 and 18092 cryptographic protocols H04L9/00; network security protocols H04L63/00; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; network protocols for data switching network services H04L67/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0836 Recipient pick-ups
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0838 Historical data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00928 for garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00 Individual registration on entry or exit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00817 where the code of the lock can be programmed
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/215 the system having a variable access-code, e.g. varied as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/10 for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/12 comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/13 the containers being a postal pick-up locker

Abstract

The present invention relates to a locker and system for secured delivery of goods to consumer wherein the locker may be 1) positioned within a building or home such that one door is accessible outside the building or home and a second door is accessible within the building or home; 2) positioned on a property, potentially near a curbside and accessible to a delivery vehicle from a street; or 3) positioned at a commercial location such that one door is accessible to the public and a second door is accessible to the workers at the commercial location. Delivery may occur via drone or human with selected access given to the designated locker door. In accordance with the foregoing objects, an embodiment of the present invention generally comprises a service provider, a service client, an operator (seller or inspector), an end user (buyer or end user), and at least one chamber having at least one remotely controlled electronic door in communication with a service provider, service client, and/or operator.

Claims

1. A locker adaption for indoor goods services system for adapting a locker into a goods passage locker for a goods handler to deliver goods directly into secured private area and/or to pick-up goods directly from secured private area without the goods handler entering into the secured private area, the locker adaption for indoor goods services system comprising:

at least one goods passage locker connecting the exterior and the interior of a secured private area and attached to the secured private area

at least one legal resident of the secured private area controls the at least one goods passage locker;

at least one front door with the at least one goods passage locker facing the exterior of the secured private area is accessible to the goods handler;

at least one lock controlling the at least one front door;

the goods handler acts on behalf of at least one goods carrier or one merchant;

A unique tracking number is assigned by the at least one goods carrier or one merchant for each set of goods passed thru the at least one goods passage locker;

the at least one goods passage locker having a back opening without a door facing a temporary barrier which is part of the secured private area or the goods passage locker having a secured back door facing the secured private area;

the at least one legal resident of the secured private area removing the temporary barrier and accessing the goods passage locker or unlocking the secured back door and accessing the goods passage locker.

2. The locker adaption for indoor goods services system as recited in claim 1 wherein:

The at least one lock is a standalone lock;

The at least one lock comprise a keypad;

The at least one lock comprise an unlock button;

The at least one lock is programmable to store a master code and one or more one-time verification code;

The master code stored in the at least one lock is only known to the at least one legal resident of the secured private area;

A standard procedure developed and posted near the at least one goods passage locker by the at least one legal resident to determine a one-time authorization code for each unique tracking number;

The posted standard procedure used by the at least one legal resident for each unique tracking number to determine a one-time authorization code for each unique tracking number;

The one-time authorization code as determined by the at least one legal resident is stored in the at least one lock using the master code known to the at least one legal resident of the secured private area and using the keypad of the at least one lock;

The posted standard procedure used by the goods handler to determine a one-time authorization code for the unique tracking number assigned to each set of goods assigned to the goods handler;

The one-time authorization code for each unique tracking number as determined by the goods handler is entered in the keypad of the at least one lock and the unlock button of the at least one lock is activated;

The at least one lock acting as a standalone lock would unlock and erase the one-time authorization code, if the one-time authorization code entered by the goods handler is same as the one-time authorization code entered by the at least one legal resident;

3. The locker adaption for indoor goods services system as recited in claim 1 wherein:

The at least one lock is a standalone lock;

The at least one lock comprise a keypad;

The at least one lock comprise an unlock button;

The at least one lock is programmable to store a master code and one or more one-time verification code;

The master code stored in the at least one lock is only known to the at least one legal resident;

The at least one lock is identified with a unique lock serial number where the unique lock serial number is assigned by the manufacturer of the at least one lock or by a service provider;

The at least one lock identified by a unique lock serial number registered with at least one service provider;

The unique lock serial number identifying the one lock would be posted near the at least one goods passage locker visible to the goods handler in many formats such as QR Code, Bar Code, Text and more or the unique lock serial number identifying the one lock would be broadcast using a device such as NFC, RFID and more;

The at least one legal resident, request and receive a new one-time authorization code for each unique tracking number specific for the unique lock serial number from the same service provider where the unique lock serial number is registered with;

The one-time authorization code for each unique tracking number received from the at least one service provider by the at least one legal resident is stored in the at least one lock using the master code known to the at least one legal resident and using the keypad of the at least one lock;

The goods handler, requests and receives an existing one-time authorization code specific for each unique tracking number and specific for the unique lock serial number from the same service provider with whom the unique lock serial number is registered, using a mobile app that would scan the QR Code or Bar Code or electronically capture the data broadcast by the one lock;

The one-time authorization code for each unique tracking number received by the goods handler is entered in the keypad of the at least one lock and the unlock button of the at least one lock is activated;

The at least one lock acting as a standalone lock would unlock and delete the one-time authorization code, if the one-time authorization code entered by the goods handler is same as the one-time authorization code already assigned by the service provider;

4. The locker adaption for indoor goods services system as recited in claim 1 wherein:

The at least one lock is a networked lock;

The at least one lock comprise a keypad;

The at least one lock comprise an unlock button;

The at least one lock is identified with a unique lock serial number where the unique lock serial number is assigned by the manufacturer of the at least one lock or by a service provider;

The at least one lock identified by a unique lock serial number registered with at least one service provider;

The unique lock serial number identifying the one lock posted near the at least one goods passage locker visible to the goods handler in many formats such as QR Code, Bar Code, Text and more or the unique lock serial number identifying the one lock would be broadcast using a device such as NFC, RFID, Bluetooth and more.

The at least one legal resident would receive the unique tracking number and request the service provider with whom the at least one legal resident registered the unique lock serial number to add a one-time authorization code for the unique tracking number specific for the unique lock serial number;

The goods handler uses a mobile device application provided by either the service provider or by the goods carrier to send the unique tracking number and the unique lock serial number either by capturing by scanning the QR Code or Barcode or by receiving the data electronically from the at least one lock through a NFC reader or a Bluetooth reader or manually reading the unique lock serial number and receive one-time authorization code for the unique tracking number.

The one-time authorization code for the unique tracking number received by the goods handler is entered in the keypad of the at least one lock and the unlock button of the at least one lock is activated;

The at least one lock acting as a networked locker would unlock and the service provider update the status of the one-time authorization code as ‘

U’

, if the one-time authorization code entered by the goods handler is same as the one-time authorization code added by the at least one legal resident of the secured private area;

5. The locker adaption for indoor goods services system as recited in claim 1 wherein:

The at least one lock is a networked lock;

The at least one lock comprise an unlock button;

The at least one lock is identified with a unique lock serial number where the unique lock serial number is assigned by the manufacturer of the at least one lock or by a service provider;

The at least one lock identified by a unique lock serial number registered with at least one service provider;

The unique lock serial number identifying the one lock posted near the at least one goods passage locker visible to the goods handler in many formats such as QR Code, Bar Code, Text and more or the unique lock serial number identifying the one lock would be broadcast using a device such as NFC, RFID, Bluetooth and more.

The goods handler uses a mobile device application provided by either the service provider or by the goods carrier to send the unique tracking number and the unique lock serial number either by capturing by scanning the QR Code or Barcode or by receiving the data electronically from the at least one lock through a NFC reader or a Bluetooth reader or manually reading the unique lock serial number and receive an advance authentication status for the unique tracking number;

The unlock button of the at least one lock is activated by the goods handler;

The at least one lock acting as a networked locker would unlock and the service provider update the status of the advance authentication status as ‘

U’

, if the advance authentication status for the at least one lock is ‘

A’

.

6. A common area adaption for indoor goods services system for adapting a common area into a goods passage area for a goods handler to deliver goods directly into secured private area and/or to pick-up goods directly from secured private area without the goods handler entering into the secured private area, the common area adaption for indoor goods services system comprising:

at least one goods passage common area connecting the exterior and the interior of a secured private area and connected to the secured private area

at least one legal resident of the secured private area controls the at least one goods passage common area;

at least one outer door with the at least one goods passage common area facing the exterior of the secured private area is accessible to the goods handler;

at least one lock controlling the at least one outer door;

the goods handler acts on behalf of at least one goods carrier or one merchant;

a unique tracking number is assigned by the at least one goods carrier or one merchant for each set of goods passed thru the at least one goods passage common area;

the at least one goods passage common area is indoor having an inner secured door which is part of the secured private area or the goods passage common area is out door having an inner secured fence facing the secured private area;

the at least one legal resident of the secured private area unlocking the secured inner door and accessing the goods passage common area or unlocking the secured inner fence and accessing the goods passage common area.

7. The common area adaption for indoor goods services system as recited in claim 6 wherein:

The at least one lock is a standalone lock;

The at least one lock comprise a keypad;

The at least one lock comprise an unlock button;

The at least one lock is programmable to store a master code and one or more one-time verification code;

The master code stored in the at least one lock is only known to the at least one legal resident of the secured private area;

A standard procedure developed and posted near the outer door of the at least one goods passage common area by the at least one legal resident to determine a one-time authorization code for each unique tracking number;

The posted standard procedure used by the at least one legal resident for each unique tracking number to determine a one-time authorization code for each unique tracking number;

The one-time authorization code as determined by the at least one legal resident is stored in the at least one lock using the master code known to the at least one legal resident of the secured private area and using the keypad of the at least one lock;

The posted standard procedure used by the goods handler to determine a one-time authorization code for the unique tracking number assigned to each set of goods assigned to the goods handler;

The one-time authorization code for each unique tracking number as determined by the goods handler is entered in the keypad of the at least one lock and the unlock button of the at least one lock is activated;

The at least one lock acting as a standalone lock would unlock and erase the one-time authorization code, if the one-time authorization code entered by the goods handler is same as the one-time authorization code entered by the at least one legal resident;

8. The common area adaption for indoor goods services system as recited in claim 6 wherein:

The at least one lock is a standalone lock;

The at least one lock comprise a keypad;

The at least one lock comprise an unlock button;

The at least one lock is programmable to store a master code and one or more one-time verification code;

The master code stored in the at least one lock is only known to the at least one legal resident;

The at least one lock is identified with a unique lock serial number where the unique lock serial number is assigned by the manufacturer of the at least one lock or by a service provider;

The at least one lock identified by a unique lock serial number registered with at least one service provider;

The unique lock serial number identifying the one lock would be posted near the at least one goods passage locker visible to the goods handler in many formats such as QR Code, Bar Code, Text and more or the unique lock serial number identifying the one lock would be broadcast using a device such as NFC, RFID and more;

The at least one legal resident, request and receive a new one-time authorization code for each unique tracking number specific for the unique lock serial number from the same service provider where the unique lock serial number is registered with;

The one-time authorization code for each unique tracking number received from the at least one service provider by the at least one legal resident is stored in the at least one lock using the master code known to the at least one legal resident and using the keypad of the at least one lock;

The goods handler, requests and receives an existing one-time authorization code specific for each unique tracking number and specific for the unique lock serial number from the same service provider with whom the unique lock serial number is registered, using a mobile app that would scan the QR Code or Bar Code or electronically capture the data broadcast by the one lock;

The one-time authorization code for each unique tracking number received by the goods handler is entered in the keypad of the at least one lock and the unlock button of the at least one lock is activated;

The at least one lock acting as a standalone lock would unlock and delete the one-time authorization code, if the one-time authorization code entered by the goods handler is same as the one-time authorization code already assigned by the service provider.

9. The common area adaption for indoor goods services system as recited in claim 6 wherein:

The at least one lock is a networked lock;

The at least one lock comprise a keypad;

The at least one lock comprise an unlock button;

The at least one lock is identified with a unique lock serial number where the unique lock serial number is assigned by the manufacturer of the at least one lock or by a service provider;

The at least one lock identified by a unique lock serial number registered with at least one service provider;

The unique lock serial number identifying the one lock posted near the at least one goods passage common area visible to the goods handler in many formats such as QR Code, Bar Code, Text and more or the unique lock serial number identifying the one lock would be broadcast using a device such as NFC, RFID, Bluetooth and more.

The at least one legal resident would receive the unique tracking number and request the service provider with whom the at least one legal resident registered the unique lock serial number to add a one-time authorization code for the unique tracking number specific for the unique lock serial number;

The goods handler uses a mobile device application provided by either the service provider or by the goods carrier to send the unique tracking number and the unique lock serial number either by capturing by scanning the QR Code or Barcode or by receiving the data electronically from the at least one lock through a NFC reader or a Bluetooth reader or manually reading the unique lock serial number and receive one-time authorization code for the unique tracking number.

The one-time authorization code for the unique tracking number received by the goods handler is entered in the keypad of the at least one lock and the unlock button of the at least one lock is activated;

The at least one lock acting as a networked locker would unlock and the service provider update the status of the one-time authorization code as ‘

U’

, if the one-time authorization code entered by the goods handler is same as the one-time authorization code added by the at least one legal resident of the secured private area.

10. The common area adaption for indoor goods services system as recited in claim 6 wherein:

The at least one lock is a networked lock;

The at least one lock comprise an unlock button;

The at least one lock is identified with a unique lock serial number where the unique lock serial number is assigned by the manufacturer of the at least one lock or by a service provider;

The at least one lock identified by a unique lock serial number registered with at least one service provider;

The unique lock serial number identifying the one lock posted near the at least one goods passage common area visible to the goods handler in many formats such as QR Code, Bar Code, Text and more or the unique lock serial number identifying the one lock would be broadcast using a device such as NFC, RFID, Bluetooth and more.

The goods handler uses a mobile device application provided by either the service provider or by the goods carrier to send the unique tracking number and the unique lock serial number either by capturing by scanning the QR Code or Barcode or by receiving the data electronically from the at least one lock through a NFC reader or a Bluetooth reader or manually reading the unique lock serial number and receive an advance authentication status for the unique tracking number;

The unlock button of the at least one lock is activated by the goods handler;

The at least one lock acting as a networked locker would unlock and the service provider update the status of the advance authentication status as ‘

U’

, if the advance authentication status for the at least one lock is ‘

A’

.

11. A garage area adaption for indoor goods services system for adapting a garage area into a goods passage area for a goods handler to deliver goods directly into secured private area and/or to pick-up goods directly from secured private area without the goods handler entering into the secured private area, the garage area adaption for indoor goods services system comprising:

at least one goods passage garage area connecting the exterior and the interior of a secured private area and connected to the secured private area at least one legal resident of the secured private area controls the at least one goods passage garage area;

at least one garage door with the at least one goods passage garage area facing the exterior of the secured private area is accessible to the goods handler;

at least one lock controlling the at least one garage door;

the goods handler acts on behalf of at least one goods carrier or one merchant;

a unique tracking number is assigned by the at least one goods carrier or one merchant for each set of goods passed thru the at least one goods passage garage area;

the at least one goods passage garage area having an inner secured door which is part of the secured private area;

the at least one legal resident of the secured private area unlocking the secured garage door and accessing the goods passage garage area.

12. The common area adaption for indoor goods services system as recited in claim 11 wherein:

The at least one lock is a networked lock;

The at least one lock comprise a keypad;

The at least one lock comprise an unlock button;

The at least one lock is identified with a unique lock serial number where the unique lock serial number is assigned by the manufacturer of the at least one lock or by a service provider;

The at least one lock identified by a unique lock serial number registered with at least one service provider;

The unique lock serial number identifying the one lock posted near the at least one goods passage garages visible to the goods handler in many formats such as QR Code, Bar Code, Text and more or the unique lock serial number identifying the one lock would be broadcast using a device such as NFC, RFID, Bluetooth and more.

The at least one legal resident would receive the unique tracking number and request the service provider with whom the at least one legal resident registered the unique lock serial number to add a one-time authorization code for the unique tracking number specific for the unique lock serial number;

The goods handler uses a mobile device application provided by either the service provider or by the goods carrier to send the unique tracking number and the unique lock serial number either by capturing by scanning the QR Code or Barcode or by receiving the data electronically from the at least one lock through a NFC reader or a Bluetooth reader or manually reading the unique lock serial number and receive one-time authorization code for the unique tracking number.

The one-time authorization code for the unique tracking number received by the goods handler is entered in the keypad of the at least one lock and the unlock button of the at least one lock is activated;

The at least one lock acting as a networked locker would unlock and the service provider update the status of the one-time authorization code as ‘

U’

, if the one-time authorization code entered by the goods handler is same as the one-time authorization code added by the at least one legal resident of the secured private area.

13. The garage area adaption for indoor goods services system as recited in claim 11 wherein:

The at least one lock is a networked lock;

The at least one lock comprise an unlock button;

The at least one lock is identified with a unique lock serial number where the unique lock serial number is assigned by the manufacturer of the at least one lock or by a service provider;

The at least one lock identified by a unique lock serial number registered with at least one service provider;

The unique lock serial number identifying the one lock posted near the at least one goods passage garages visible to the goods handler in many formats such as QR Code, Bar Code, Text and more or the unique lock serial number identifying the one lock would be broadcast using a device such as NFC, RFID, Bluetooth and more.

The goods handler uses a mobile device application provided by either the service provider or by the goods carrier to send the unique tracking number and the unique lock serial number either by capturing by scanning the QR Code or Barcode or by receiving the data electronically from the at least one lock through a NFC reader or a Bluetooth reader or manually reading the unique lock serial number and receive an advance authentication status for the unique tracking number;

The unlock button of the at least one lock is activated by the goods handler;

The at least one lock acting as a networked locker would unlock and the service provider update the status of the advance authentication status as ‘

U’

, if the advance authentication status for the at least one lock is ‘

A’

.

14. The locker adaption for drone goods services system as recited in claim 14 wherein:

The frame of at least one front door having one or more sensors broadcasting the exact direction of the frame and the exact position of the unlock button;

The unique lock serial number identifying the one lock would be broadcast using a device such as NFC, RFID, Bluetooth and more.

the frame of the drone having one or more readers reading the exact position of the unlock button on the at least one front door and the exact direction of the at least one front door;

the drone having a plunger used to push down the unlock button downwards;

the drone having a payload area where the goods will be stored;

the plunger having a sensor to indicate the drone when to drop or lower the goods into drone locker from the drone payload area;

the drone having a software;

the drone software having instructions to receive the exact Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates of the drone locker for each tracking number thru communication with drone controller;

the drone software having instructions to navigate to the exact GPS coordinates of the drone locker and to land or fly over the drone locker in the exact direction where the plunger will be exactly above the unlock button;

the drone software having instructions to send an advance authentication request with the unique tracking number and the unique lock serial number by receiving the data electronically from the at least one lock through a NFC reader or a Bluetooth reader and receive an advance authentication status for the unique tracking number.

the drone software having instructions to push the unlock button down with the use of the plunger;

the drone software having instructions to read the sensor attached to the plunger and decide when to start dropping or lowering the goods from the payload area;

the at least one lock acting as a networked locker would unlock and the service provider update the status of the advance authentication status as ‘

U’

, if the advance authentication status for the at least one lock is ‘

A’

.

the at least one legal resident of the secured open area unlocking the secured back door and accessing the drone locker.

15. The locker adaption for drone goods services system as recited in claim 14 wherein:

A drone landing platform attached to a structure and positioned exactly above the at least one front door and having one or more sensors broadcasting the exact direction, location and precise position of a point on the drone landing platform that is exactly above the unlock button of the at least one front door;

The drone landing platform having devices such as NFC, RFID, Bluetooth and the like broadcasting the unique lock serial number identifying the one lock;

The frame of the drone having one or more readers reading the exact position, direction and position of a point from the drone landing platform exactly above the unlock button of the at least one front door;

The drone having a winch to lower and raise goods holder and another winch to lower and raise a plunger and in turn move the unlock button downwards or upwards;

The drone having a payload area where the goods will be stored;

The plunger having a sensor to indicate the drone when to drop or lower the goods into drone locker from the drone payload area;

The drone having a software;

The drone software having instructions to receive the exact Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates of the drone locker for each tracking number thru communication with drone controller;

The drone software having instructions to navigate to the exact GPS coordinates of the drone locker and to land or fly over the drone locker in the exact direction where the plunger will be exactly above the unlock button;

The drone software having instructions to send an advance authentication request with the unique tracking number and the unique lock serial number by receiving the data electronically from the at least one lock through a NFC reader or a Bluetooth reader and receive an advance authentication status for the unique tracking number.

The drone software having instructions to push the unlock button down with the use of the plunger;

The drone software having instructions to read the sensor attached to the plunger and decide when to start dropping or lowering the goods from the payload area;

The drone software having instructions to open and close the package holder as needed;

The at least one lock acting as a networked locker unlock and the service provider update the status of the advance authentication status as ‘

U’

, if the advance authentication status for the at least one lock is ‘

A’

.

the at least one legal resident of the secured private area accessing the drone locker.

16. The locker adaption for drone goods services system as recited in claim 17 wherein:

A drone landing platform attached to a structure and positioned exactly above the at least one front door and having one or more sensors broadcasting the exact direction, location and precise position of a point on the drone landing platform that is exactly above the shorter portion of the at least one front door;

The drone landing platform having devices such as NFC, RFID, Bluetooth and the like broadcasting the unique locker serial number identifying the drone locker;

The frame of the drone having one or more readers reading the exact position, direction and position of a point from the drone landing platform exactly above the shorter portion of the at least one front door;

The drone having a winch to lower and raise goods holder and another winch to lower and raise a plunger and in turn move the shorter portion downwards or upwards;

The drone having a payload area where the goods will be stored;

The plunger having a sensor to indicate the drone when to drop or lower the goods into drone locker from the drone payload area;

The drone having a software;

The drone software having instructions to receive the exact Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates of the drone locker for each tracking number thru communication with drone controller;

The drone software having instructions to navigate to the exact GPS coordinates of the drone locker and to land or fly over the drone locker in the exact direction where the plunger will be exactly above the shorter portion;

The drone software having instructions to push the shorter portion down with the use of the plunger;

The drone software having instructions to read the sensor attached to the plunger and decide when to start lowering or raising the goods from the payload area;

The drone software having instructions to open and close the package holder as needed;

the at least one legal resident of the secured private area accessing the drone locker.