Computerized delivery acceptance system

• US 5,979,750 A
• Filed: 09/12/1996
• Issued: 11/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary J. Kindell
• Original Assignee: Gary J. Kindell
• Inventors: Kindell, Gary J.
• Primary Examiner(s): REDMAN, JERRY E
• Application Number:
  US08/715,374
• Time in Patent Office: 1,153 Days
• Field of Search: 232/19, 232/20, 232/1 D, 232/1 R
• US Class Current: 232/19
• 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 2029/147 the receptacle comprising heating or cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/141 comprising electronically controlled locking means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/13 the containers being a postal pick-up locker

Abstract

A computerized delivery-acceptance system has a delivery container (1) with a computer-control input door (4) and an outlet door (18). The input door has a lock (5) that can be unlocked by computer-controlled recognition of access authorization for placing delivery items (2) in the delivery container. After the delivery items are placed in the delivery container, the input door is closed and locks automatically. Then the outlet can be opened separately for receiving the delivery items. Computerized recognition (40, 13, 42, 43, 14, 44, 45, 11, 10), delivery-arrival indicia (16), memory backup (58), power backup (57), operational alarm (15), misuse alarm, compartmental containment, freezer containment (19), delivery records (16) and all-weather protection are provided as options.

Claims

1. A computerized delivery-acceptance system comprising:

a delivery container that is sized, shaped and structured to receive delivery of items for a desired building;

a door having both input locking means and output locking means, the input locking means being a computer-controllable lock in locking relationship between the door and the delivery container and the output locking means having a lock separate from the computer-controllable lock in controlled communication with the delivery container;

an authorization identifier that is computer programmable to unlock the computer-controllable lock of the input means on the input door; and

a computer in control communication with the computer-controllable lock and the authorization identifier.

2. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 1 wherein:

the delivery container is outside the desired building.

3. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 1 wherein:

the computer is programmable for control of the computer-controllable lock and the authorization identifier selectively.

4. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 3 wherein:

the computer is programmable for operation of the authorization identifier with an access code.

5. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 4 wherein:

the access code is a bar code.

6. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 5 wherein:

the bar code is a universal product code.

7. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 4 wherein:

the access code is audio.

8. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 4 wherein:

the access code is visual.

9. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 4 wherein:

the access code is audio and visual selectively.

10. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 3 wherein:

the computer is programmable for operation of the authorization identifier with a physical object.

11. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 10 wherein:

the physical object is a key.

12. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 3 wherein:

the computer is programmable for operation of the authorization identifier with a physical object and an access code selectively.

13. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 1 wherein:

the computer is programmable for operation of the authorization identifier with a physical object.

14. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 13 wherein:

the physical object is a key.

15. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 1 wherein:

the computer is programmable with a keyboard.

16. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 15 wherein:

the keyboard is a numerical panel.

17. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 15 wherein:

the keyboard is a telephone keyboard.

18. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 1 wherein:

the computer is programmable remotely by electronic communication.

19. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 18 wherein:

the electronic communication is with a telephone.

20. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 18 wherein:

the electronic communication is with radio signals.

21. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 18 wherein:

the electronic communication is with telephone and radio signals selectively.

22. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 1 wherein:

the authorization identifier is programmable with a keyboard.

23. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 1 wherein:

the authorization identifier is an electronic scanner.

24. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 1 wherein:

the authorization identifier is a keyboard and an electronic scanner that are operable selectively.

25. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 1 wherein:

the computer is programmable to store coded information for computer control of the computer-controllable lock and the authorization identifier selectively.

26. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 24 or 25 wherein:

the computer is programmable to delete the coded information after a predetermined time period.

27. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 1 wherein:

coded information that is recognizable by the authorization identifier is positional on and in items selectively for delivery to the delivery container.

28. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 27 wherein:

the coded information is magnetic.

29. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 27 wherein:

the coded information is a visual code.

30. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 27 wherein:

the coded information is electronic.

31. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 27 wherein:

the coded information is a physical form.

32. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 1 and further comprising:

memory backup for the computer, the computer-controllable lock and the authorization identifier selectively.

33. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 32 and further comprising:

electrical power backup for the computer, the computer-controllable lock and the authorization identifier selectively.

34. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 1 and further comprising:

delivery indicia proximate the delivery container; and

the delivery indicia being detectable remotely of existence of a delivery to the delivery container.

35. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 1 and further comprising:

an alarm system proximate the delivery container; and

the alarm system being communicative remotely of functional problems such as malfunctions, attempted burglary, misuse, open input door, open outlet door, power outage and computer error.

36. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 1 and further comprising:

a delivery recorder on the delivery container.

37. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 1 and further comprising:

a weather-protective cover on the delivery container.

38. A computerized delivery-acceptance system as described in claim 1 and further comprising:

a restrainer wall attached pivotally to an edge of an entryway in which the input door is in communication with the delivery container; and

the restrainer wall being pivotal to a delivery-container-closed position by pivotal opening of the input door and being pivotal to a delivery-container-open position by pivotal closing of the input door, such that access to a building to which the delivery container is attached or access to a delivery container containing one or more previous delivery items is restrained designedly by the restrainer wall when the input door is open and delivery items are being placed in the delivery container.