Computerized recording and notification of the delivery and pickup of retail goods

• US 6,820,805 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2002
• Issued: 11/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Visible Assets Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ebox USA, Inc.
• Inventors: Stevens, John K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thien M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Caputo, Lisa M.
• Application Number:
  US10/297,246
• Publication Number:
  US 20040026504A1
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 235/385, 235/384, 235/376, 705/28, 705/22
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00209 Mailbox, i.e. container for outgoing mail
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0042 for hiring of objects
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/13 the containers being a postal pick-up locker

Abstract

Openings and closings of a secured storage receptacle (60) are logged to record the transfer of items. The system gains access to a signal-transmitting receptacle; transmits a first confirmation signal to a mobile transmission node (61); processes the first confirmation signal at the mobile transmission node (61); transmits a second confirmation signal to a central server (64); and notifies a consumer of the delivery with an electronic message (66). This process allows the transfer of items by a delivery confirmation signals to be received from the signal-transmitting receptable (60). The signal transmitted from the signal-transmitting receptable (60) is coupled to the opening and closing of the storage box.

Claims

1. A method for logging the transfer of a retail good, the method performed with respect to a signal-transmitting receptacle, the receptacle having a lid, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) purchasing from a seller the retail good by a consumer via a telecommunications means;

(b) driving a delivery vehicle by a delivery carrier to the signal-transmitting receptacle;

(c) gaining access to the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier using a delivery wireless key;

(d) opening the lid of the receptacle by the delivery carrier;

(e) transmitting a first wireless signal from the signal-transmitting receptacle via a wireless link;

(f) placing the retail good in the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier;

(g) closing the lid of the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier, defining a transfer;

(h) transmitting a second wireless signal from the signal-transmitting receptacle via a wireless link;

(i) receiving the second wireless signal by a first transmission node, said transmission node comprising a central processing unit and an antenna;

(j) noting by the central processing unit a plurality of data comprising a date and a time associated with the received second wireless signal;

(k) transmitting the plurality of data through a communicative means from the central processing unit to a central server;

(l) notifying the consumer of the transfer from the central server by an electronic message;

(m) gaining access to the signal-transmitting receptacle with a user wireless key by the consumer;

(n) opening the lid of the receptacle by the consumer;

(o) transmitting a third wireless signal from the signal-transmitting receptacle via the wireless link;

(p) removing the retail good from the signal-transmitting receptacle by the consumer;

(q) closing the lid of the signal-transmitting receptacle by the consumer;

(r) transmitting a fourth wireless signal from the signal-transmitting receptacle via the wireless link;

(s) inspecting the retail good by the consumer;

(t) informing the seller the consumer desires the retail good to be returned to the seller;

(u) gaining access to the signal-transmitting receptacle with the user wireless key by the consumer;

(v) opening the lid of the receptacle by the consumer;

(w) transmitting a fifth wireless signal from the signal-transmitting receptacle via the wireless link;

(x) placing the retail good in the signal-transmitting receptacle by the consumer;

(y) closing the lid of the signal-transmitting receptacle by the consumer;

(z) transmitting a sixth wireless signal from the signal-transmitting receptacle via the wireless link;

(aa) driving the delivery vehicle by the delivery carder to the signal-transmitting receptacle used by the consumer;

(bb) gaining access to the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier using the delivery wireless key;

(cc) opening the lid of the receptacle by the delivery carrier;

(dd) transmitting a seventh wireless signal from the signal-transmitting receptacle via the wireless link;

(ee) removing the retail good in the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier;

(ff) closing the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier;

(gg) transmitting an eighth wireless signal from the signal-transmitting receptacle via the wireless link;

(hh) receiving the eighth wireless signal by the transmission node on the delivery truck;

(ii) confirming by the central processing unit on the delivery truck the plurality of data comprising the date and the time of the transfer of the retail good;

(jj) transmitting the plurality of data through the second signal from the central processing unit to the central server.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first transmission node is the delivery truck and the communicative means is a wireless link.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first transmission node is equipment at the customer premises.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of notifying the consumer of the transfer from the central server by an electronic messaging.

5. A computerized package transfer system for logging a transfer of a retail good, the computerized package transfer system comprising:

(a) a signal-transmitting receptacle comprising a secured package container for protecting the transfer of a retail good;

(b) a central server;

(c) a wireless transmission path from the signal-transmitting receptacle to the central server for transmitting a transfer confirmation signal from the signal-transmitting receptacle to the central server; and

(d) a computer network system communicatively coupled to the central server, the network system comprising notification means;

wherein the wireless transmission path comprises;

(a) A first transmit path originating from the two-way wireless link;

(b) A first transmission node, said node positioned at a receiving end of the first transmit path; and

(c) A second transmit path originating from the first transmission node and ending at the central server.

6. The computerized package transfer system of claim 5, wherein the secured package container comprises a lock, a wireless access key physically separate from the receptacle, and a two-way wireless link to the central server.

7. The computerized package transfer system of claim 6, wherein the wireless access key comprises a button and a programmable memory that allows an unlocking signal to be transmitted upon the pushing of the button, thereby providing a wireless key for gaining access to the secured package container by the consumer or a delivery carrier.

8. The computerized package transfer system of claim 6, wherein the wireless user key comprises a numeric key pad and the programmable memory that allows the unlocking signal to be transmitted upon entering a personal identification number, thereby providing a high security wireless key for gaining access to the secured package container by the consumer.

9. The computerized package transfer system of claim 6 wherein the receptacle comprises a housing, and wherein the two-way wireless link comprises a printed circuit board and a first antenna integrated with the housing, whereby the two-way wireless link can receive the unlocking signal and transmit the transfer confirmation signal.

10. The computerized package transfer system of claim 5, wherein the first transmission node comprises a central processing unit and a second antenna, whereby the two-way link transmits the transfer confirmation signal along the first transmit path to the central processing unit by way of the first integrated antenna and the second antenna.

11. The computerized package transfer system of claim 10, wherein the first transmission node further comprises a delivery vehicle, whereby said delivery vehicle is driven by the delivery carrier.

12. The computerized package transfer system of claim 5, wherein the central server further comprises a third antenna.

13. The computerized package transfer system of claim 5, wherein the computer network system comprises the central server and the Internet, thereby allowing an electronic message to be posted on a web site or in an e-mail to the consumer, the posting or sending comprising the notification means.

14. The computerized package transfer system of claim 5, wherein the notification means comprises a status panel at a consumer'"'"'s residence.

15. A method for logging a transfer of a retail product, comprising the steps of:

(a) gaining access to a signal-transmitting receptacle by a delivery carrier using a wireless key;

(b) placing the retail good in the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier;

(c) closing the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier;

(d) transmitting a first wireless signal from the signal-transmitting receptacle via a two-way wireless link;

(e) receiving the first wireless signal by a transmission node on a delivery truck;

(f) confirming by a central processing unit on the delivery truck a plurality of data comprising a date and a time of a transfer of the retail good;

(g) transmitting the plurality of data through a second wireless signal from the delivery truck to a central server; and

(h) notifying the consumer of the transfer from the central server.

16. A method for logging a transfer of a retail good, comprising the steps of:

(a) purchasing from a seller a service associated with the retail good by a consumer via a telecommunications means;

(b) gaining access to a signal-transmitting receptacle used by the customer with a user wireless key by the consumer;

(c) placing the retail good in the signal-transmitting receptacle by the consumer;

(d) closing the signal-transmitting receptacle by the consumer;

(e) driving a delivery vehicle by a delivery carrier to the signal-transmitting receptacle used by the consumer;

(f) gaining access to the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier using a delivery wireless key;

(g) removing the retail good in the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier;

(h) closing the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier;

(i) transmitting a first wireless signal from the signal-transmitting receptacle via a two-way wireless link;

(j) receiving the first wireless signal by a transmission node on the delivery truck;

(k) confirming by the central processing unit on the delivery truck a plurality of data comprising a date and a time of a transfer of the retail good;

(l) transmitting the plurality of data through a second wireless signal from the delivery truck to a central server;

(m) notifying the consumer of the transfer from the central server by an electronic message;

(n) performing an act comprising the service upon the retail good by the seller;

(o) driving the delivery vehicle by the delivery carrier to the signal-transmitting receptacle used by the consumer;

(p) gaining access to the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier using the delivery wireless key;

(q) placing the retail good in the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier;

(r) closing the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier;

(s) transmitting a third wireless signal from the signal-transmitting receptacle via the two-way wireless link;

(t) receiving the third wireless signal by the transmission node on the delivery truck;

(u) confirming by the central processing unit on the delivery truck the plurality of data comprising the date and the time of the transfer of the retail good;

(v) transmitting the plurality of data through a fourth wireless signal from the delivery truck to the central server;

(w) notifying the consumer of the transfer from the central server by an electronic message;

(x) gaining access to the signal-transmitting receptacle with the user wireless key by the consumer;

(y) removing the retail good from the signal-transmitting receptacle by the consumer; and

(z) closing the signal-transmitting receptacle by the consumer.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the retail good comprises an item to be laundered or dry cleaned.

18. A method for logging the transfer of a retail good, the method performed with respect to a signal-transmitting receptacle, the receptacle having a lid, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) purchasing from a seller the retail good by a consumer via a telecommunications means;

(b) driving a delivery vehicle by a delivery carrier to the signal-transmitting receptacle;

(c) gaining access to the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier using a delivery wireless key;

(d) opening the lid of the receptacle by the delivery carrier;

(e) in response to the opening of the lid, transmitting a first wireless signal from the signal-transmitting receptacle via a wireless link;

(f) placing the retail good in the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier;

(g) closing the lid of the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier, defining a transfer;

(h) in response to the closing of the lid, transmitting a second wireless signal from the signal-transmitting receptacle via a wireless link;

(i) receiving the second wireless signal by a first transmission node, said transmission node comprising a central processing unit and an antenna;

(j) noting by the central processing unit a plurality of data comprising a date and a time associated with the received second wireless signal;

(k) transmitting the plurality of data through a communicative means from the central processing unit to a central server;

(l) notifying the consumer of the transfer from the central server by an electronic message;

(m) gaining access to the signal-transmitting receptacle with a user wireless key by the consumer;

(n) opening the lid of the receptacle by the consumer;

(o) in response to the opening of the lid, transmitting a third wireless signal from the signal-transmitting receptacle via the wireless link;

(p) removing the retail good from the signal-transmitting receptacle by the consumer;

(q) closing the lid of the signal-transmitting receptacle by the consumer;

(r) in response to the closing of the lid, transmitting a fourth wireless signal from the signal-transmitting receptacle via the wireless link;

(s) inspecting the retail good by the consumer;

(t) informing the seller the consumer desires the retail good to be returned to the seller;

(u) gaining access to the signal-transmitting receptacle with the user wireless key by the consumer;

(v) opening the lid of the receptacle by the consumer;

(w) in response to the opening of the lid, transmitting a fifth wireless signal from the signal-transmitting receptacle via the wireless link;

(x) placing the retail good in the signal-transmitting receptacle by the consumer;

(y) closing the lid of the signal-transmitting receptacle by the consumer;

(z) in response to the closing of the lid, transmitting a sixth wireless signal from the signal-transmitting receptacle via the wireless link;

(aa) driving the delivery vehicle by the delivery carrier to the signal-transmitting receptacle used by the consumer;

(bb) gaining access to the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier using the delivery wireless key;

(cc) opening the lid of the receptacle by the delivery carrier;

(dd) in response to the opening of the lid, transmitting a seventh wireless signal from the signal-transmitting receptacle via the wireless link;

(ee) removing the retail good in the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier;

(ff) closing the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier;

(gg) in response to the closing of the lid, transmitting an eighth wireless signal from the signal-transmitting receptacle via the wireless link;

(hh) receiving the eighth wireless signal by the transmission node on the delivery truck;

(ii) confirming by the central processing unit on the delivery truck the plurality of data comprising the date and the time of the transfer of the retail good;

(jj) transmitting the plurality of data through the second signal from the central processing unit to the central server.

19. A method for logging a transfer of a retail good, comprising the steps of:

(a) purchasing from a seller a service associated with the retail good by a consumer via a telecommunications means;

(b) gaining access to a signal-transmitting receptacle used by the customer with a user wireless key by the consumer;

(c) placing the retail good in the signal-transmitting receptacle by the consumer;

(d) closing the signal-transmitting receptacle by the consumer;

(e) driving a delivery vehicle by a delivery carrier to the signal-transmitting receptacle used by the consumer;

(f) gaining access to the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier using a delivery wireless key;

(g) removing the retail good in the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier;

(h) closing the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier;

(i) in response to the closing of the signal-transmitting receptacle, transmitting a first wireless signal from the signal-transmitting receptacle via a two-way wireless link;

(j) receiving the first wireless signal by a transmission node on the delivery truck;

(k) confirming by the central processing unit on the delivery truck a plurality of data comprising a date and a time of a transfer of the retail good;

(l) transmitting the plurality of data through a second wireless signal from the delivery truck to a central server;

(m) notifying the consumer of the transfer from the central server by an electronic message;

(n) performing an act comprising the service upon the retail good by the seller;

(o) driving the delivery vehicle by the delivery carrier to the signal-transmitting receptacle used by the consumer;

(p) gaining access to the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier using the delivery wireless key;

(q) placing the retail good in the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier;

(r) closing the signal-transmitting receptacle by the delivery carrier;

(s) in response to the closing of the signal-transmitting receptacle, transmitting a third wireless signal from the signal-transmitting receptacle via the two-way wireless link;

(t) receiving the third wireless signal by the transmission node on the delivery truck;

(u) confirming by the central processing unit on the delivery truck the plurality of data comprising the date and the time of the transfer of the retail good;

(v) transmitting the plurality of data through a fourth wireless signal from the delivery truck to the central server;

(w) notifying the consumer of the transfer from the central server by an electronic message;

(x) gaining access to the signal-transmitting receptacle with the user wireless key by the consumer;

(y) removing the retail good from the signal-transmitting receptacle by the consumer; and

(z) closing the signal-transmitting receptacle by the consumer.