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Methods and apparatus for unattended pickups and deliveries

  • US 6,967,575 B1
  • Filed: 04/28/2000
  • Issued: 11/22/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A secure pickup and delivery container comprising:

  • a door to allow access to an interior part of the container and comprising a lock;

    an access element to receive a request to access the interior part of the container; and

    a control unit comprising a storage element to store access privilege information, the control unit further comprising a processing element, coupled to the access element and to the lock, to unlock the lock if the request is authorized, and otherwise to keep the container locked;

    wherein the access privilege information comprises information regarding a first token and information regarding a specified frequency of delivery within a given time period;

    wherein the processing element is to compare the request with the access privilege information to determine whether the request to access the container is authorized;

    wherein the control unit further comprises an interface over which an integral hand-held recipient user device can communicate access privilege information to the control unit and receive transaction information from the control unit, the interface being selected from the group consisting of a wireline connection to which the recipient user device can be coupled and a wireless transceiver with which the recipient user device can communicate wirelessly; and

    wherein the transaction information comprises information regarding the identity of a token, including the first token, used to attempt access to the container.

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