Universal delivery and collection box unit (UDCBU)

• US 7,337,944 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2002
• Issued: 03/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Devar, Rodney C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller; William L.
• Application Number:
  US10/468,364
• Publication Number:
  US 20040074957A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,204 Days
• Field of Search: 232/17, 232/19, 232/24, 232/25, 232/34, 232/45, 232/35, 340/569, 235/381, 109/38
• US Class Current: 232/19
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/146 the receptacle comprising identification means, e.g. a bar code
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/147 the receptacle comprising heating or cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/148 the receptacle comprising a letter box
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/141 comprising electronically controlled locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/16 Combinations with letter-boxes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/13 the containers being a postal pick-up locker

Abstract

The invention relates to a universal delivery and collection box unit (UDCBU). In one implementation, a UDCBU includes a mail compartment (110/120) accessible by one door (210) and a storage compartment (130) accessible by a second door (220). The mail compartment allows the postal service to deliver and pickup mail. The storage compartment allows both the postal service and authorized delivery services to deliver larger parcels. In this implementation, information would be recorded regarding access to this storage compartment and transmitted electronically to a consumer.

Claims

1. A secure container for housing mail and other deliverables comprising:

a watertight housing;

an incoming mail compartment disposed inside the housing;

an outgoing mail compartment disposed inside the housing;

a storage compartment disposed inside the housing;

a main door attached to the housing, wherein the main door provides access to the incoming mail compartment and the outgoing mail compartment and does not provide access to the storage compartment;

a storage door attached to the housing, wherein the storage door provides access to the storage compartment and does not provide access to the incoming mail compartment and outgoing mail compartment;

a sensing device configured to determine delivery information upon placement of a deliverable in the storage compartment;

an electronic memory adapted to store a log of the delivery information; and

a communication device configured to communicate the delivery information from the electronic memory to a scanning device, wherein the scanning device includes;

a receiver configured to retrieve the delivery information from the communication device; and

a transmitter configured to transmit the delivery information to a designated location.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the incoming mail compartment comprises:

a door, the door including a slot for receiving mail; and

a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism allows an authorized consumer to access the incoming mail compartment.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the storage compartment includes a bar for hanging clothing.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the storage compartment is lined at least in part with insulation.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the storage compartment further comprises:

a temperature control device configured to maintain a predetermined temperature in the storage compartment.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the main door comprises:

a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism allows only the United States Postal Service and an authorized consumer to open the main door.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the sensing device includes:

a locking mechanism located in the storage door, wherein the locking mechanism allows only the United States Postal Service, an authorized consumer, and an authorized source of deliveries to open the storage door.

8. The container of claim 7, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

an electronic lock operated by a keypad located on the storage door.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein

the electronic lock is configured to be opened when an access code is entered on the keypad;

and

the delivery information includes the access code used to open the electronic lock and the time and date the access code is used.

10. The container of claim 1, further comprising:

a deliverables indicator located on the storage door to indicate the presence of a deliverable in the storage compartment.

11. The container of claim 1, wherein the delivery information includes:

the time at which a deliverable is placed in the storage compartment; and

the source of the deliverable in the storage compartment.

12. The container of claim 1, further comprising:

an outgoing mail flag located on the exterior of the housing, the flag having a first orientation and a second orientation, the first orientation indicating the presence of mail in the outgoing mail compartment, and the second orientation indicating the absence of mail in the outgoing mail compartment.

13. The container of claim 1, further comprising

a second communication device configured to communicate the delivery information to a second designated location.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein the second communication device is a wireless transmitter.

15. A secure container for housing mail and other deliverables comprising:

a watertight housing;

an incoming mail compartment located inside the housing;

an outgoing mail compartment located inside the housing;

an auxiliary mail compartment located inside the housing, the auxiliary compartment configured to accept mail having a configuration such that it cannot be delivered to the incoming mail compartment;

a storage compartment located inside the housing;

a main door attached to the housing,

wherein the main door provides access to the incoming mail compartment, the outgoing mail compartment, and the auxiliary mail compartment; and

wherein the main door comprises a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism allows only the United States Postal Service and an authorized consumer to open the main door;

a storage door attached to the housing,

wherein the storage door provides access to the storage compartment;

a sensing device configured to identify delivery information including the time a deliverable is placed in the storage compartment and the source of the deliverable wherein the sensing device includes a locking mechanism located in the storage door that allows only the United States Postal Service, an authorized consumer, and an authorized source of deliveries to open the storage door;

an electronic memory adapted to store a log of the identified delivery information;

a communication device configured to communicate the delivery information from the electronic memory to a scanning device, wherein the scanning device includes;

a receiver configured to retrieve the delivery information from the communication device; and

a transmitter configured to transmit the delivery information to a designated location.

16. The secure container of claim 15, further comprising a second communication device configured to transmit the delivery information to a predetermined recipient.

17. The secure container of claim 15 further comprising:

an outgoing mail flag located on the exterior of the housing, wherein the outgoing mail flag is movable between a first position and a second position, the first position indicating the presence of mail in the outgoing mail compartment, and the second position indicating the absence of mail in the outgoing mail compartment.

18. The container of claim 15, wherein the wherein the scanning device is an infrared scanning device.

19. A system for receiving deliverables and communicating delivery information to an intended recipient, comprising:

a receptacle configured to receive deliverables, the receptacle including a first compartment for receiving postal deliverables and a second compartment for receiving deliverables from authorized non-postal sources;

means for sensing when non-postal deliverables are received in the second compartment and for identifying associated delivery information;

means for electronically storing the delivery information and transmitting the delivery information to a designated location;

means for receiving transmitted delivery information;

means for storing transmitted delivery information;

means for sorting the delivery information based on the identity of the source of the non-postal deliverables in the second compartment; and

means for calculating an access fee based on the number of times the source of the non-postal deliverables placed a non-postal deliverable in the second compartment.

20. A system for receiving deliverables and communicating delivery information to an intended recipient, comprising:

a receptacle configured to receive deliverables, the receptacle including a first compartment for receiving postal deliverables and a second compartment for receiving deliverables from authorized non-postal sources;

means for sensing when non-postal deliverables are received in the second compartment and for identifying associated delivery information;

means for electronically storing the delivery information and transmitting the delivery information to a designated location; and

a communication device configured to communicate the delivery information from the means for electronically storing the delivery information to a scanning device, wherein the scanning device includes a receiver configured to retrieve the delivery information from the communication device.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the means for sensing includes a timing device configured to identify the time of delivery.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the sensing means includes an access control mechanism configured to accept a code identifying the source of the deliverable.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the means for sensing includes an identification device configured to identify the source of the non-postal deliverables in the second compartment.

24. The system of claim 20, further comprising a database located remote from the receptacle for receiving and storing the delivery information and wherein the scanning device further includes a transmitter configured to transmit the delivery information to the database.

25. The system of claim 20, wherein the scanning device is a wireless electronic device having a memory and a display.

26. The system of claim 20, wherein the scanning device is an infrared scanning device.

27. The system of claim 20, further comprising means for indicating the presence of a deliverable in the second compartment.

28. The system of claim 20, wherein the delivery information is transmitted periodically.

29. The system of claim 20, wherein the delivery information is transmitted in real-time.

30. A method for monitoring delivery of items to a plurality of receptacles at different locations, the method comprising:

providing a secure receptacle to a plurality of consumers, the secure receptacle including at least two secured storage compartments configured to accept delivered items, wherein at least one secured storage compartment is configured to receive postal deliverables and at least one storage compartment is configured to receive deliverables from authorized non-postal sources;

authorizing at least one non-postal source of deliverable items to have access to the non-postal storage compartments of each receptacle;

monitoring usage of the secured non-postal storage compartment to identify when a delivered item has been received and identifying the authorized source of the delivered item; and

assessing a fee against the authorized source.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the fee is assessed for each delivered item.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the fee is periodically assessed for access to the secured container over a predetermined time period.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein a plurality of sources of deliverable items are authorized and each such source is provided with a unique identification necessary to obtain access to the secured storage container.

34. A secure container for housing mail and other deliverables comprising:

a watertight housing;

an incoming mail compartment disposed inside the housing;

an outgoing mail compartment disposed inside the housing;

a storage compartment disposed inside the housing;

a main door attached to the housing, wherein the main door provides access to the incoming mail compartment and the outgoing mail compartment;

a storage door attached to the housing, wherein the storage door provides access to the storage compartment;

a sensing device configured to determine delivery information upon placement of a deliverable in the storage compartment;

an electronic memory adapted to store a log of the delivery information;

a communication device configured to communicate the delivery information from the electronic memory to an infrared scanning device, wherein the scanning device includes;

a receiver configured to retrieve the delivery information from the communication device; and

a transmitter configured to transmit the delivery information to a designated location.

35. The container of claim 34, wherein the incoming mail compartment comprises:

a door, the door including a slot for receiving mail; and

a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism allows an authorized consumer to access the incoming mail compartment.

36. The container of claim 34, wherein the storage compartment includes a bar for hanging clothing.

37. The container of claim 34, wherein the storage compartment is lined at least in part with insulation.

38. The container of claim 37, wherein the storage compartment further comprises:

a temperature control device configured to maintain a predetermined temperature in the storage compartment.

39. The container of claim 34, wherein the main door comprises:

a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism allows only the United States Postal Service and an authorized consumer to open the main door.

40. The container of claim 34, wherein the sensing device includes:

a locking mechanism located on the storage door, wherein the locking mechanism allows only the United States Postal Service, an authorized consumer, and an authorized source of deliveries to open the storage door.

41. The container of claim 40, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

an electronic lock operated by a keypad located on the storage door.

42. The container of claim 41, wherein

the electronic lock is configured to be opened when an access code is entered on the keypad;

and

the delivery information includes the access code used to open the electronic lock and the time and date the access code is used.

43. The container of claim 34, further comprising:

a deliverables indicator located on the storage door to indicate the presence of a deliverable in the storage compartment.

44. The container of claim 34, wherein the delivery information includes:

the time at which a deliverable is placed in the storage compartment; and

the source of the deliverable in the storage compartment.

45. The container of claim 34, further comprising:

an outgoing mail flag located on the exterior of the housing, the flag having a first orientation and a second orientation, the first orientation indicating the presence of mail in the outgoing mail compartment, and the second orientation indicating the absence of mail in the outgoing mail compartment.

46. The container of claim 34, further comprising

a second communication device configured to communicate the delivery information to a second designated location.

47. The container of claim 46, wherein the second communication device is a wireless transmitter.