High security wireless key for asynchronous delivery drop boxes

• US 7,597,256 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2006
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Visible Assets Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Visible Assets Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stevens, John K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walsh, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kim, Tae W
• Application Number:
  US11/276,506
• Publication Number:
  US 20070205273A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,314 Days
• Field of Search: 235/383
• US Class Current: 235/383
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00209 Mailbox, i.e. container for outgoing mail
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• 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 9/23 by means of a password
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/38 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/13 the containers being a postal pick-up locker

Abstract

A wireless key (6), capable of transmitting an ultra-low frequency radio wave signal (5), is used to gain access to a secure receptacle (1), the wireless key (6) and receptacle (1) comprising a system to ensure the secure transfer or delivery of items between parties typically engaging in e-commerce. The wireless key (6) possesses a means to discriminate against the unauthorized entry of the receptacle, such as through the use of buttons to enter a secure access code. The wireless key (6) accepts an access code entry from the user desiring entry to the receptacle (1) and subsequently transmits an ultra-low frequency signal (5) to a receiving and processing means (4). If the analysis of the signal indicates the user of the wireless key (6) is authorized to gain entry to the receptacle (1), the receptacle'"'"'s locking mechanism (3) is disengaged to allow entry.

Claims

1. A process for ordering a plurality of retail goods, comprising the steps of:

ordering the plurality of retail goods through a computer connected to the Internet by a user, providing a secure receptacle to the user with a predefined volume to which the plurality of retail goods will be delivered by a delivery carrier, calculating the percent volume a retail good ordered by the consumer wilt occupy in the secure receptacle when the retail good is placed in the secure receptacle by a delivery carrier, summing the percent volume for each retail good ordered by the user to obtain a total percent volume occupied by the plurality of retail goods, indicating the total percent volume to the user through the Internet while the user is ordering the plurality of retail goods, and resetting the total percent volume to zero after the user removes the plurality of retail goods from the secure receptacle.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the total percent volume consists of summing the percent volume for each retail good ordered by the user in a plurality of orders by the user.

3. The process of claim 2, wherein the plurality of orders comprise orders from different suppliers.

4. The process of claim 2, wherein the plurality of orders comprise orders placed at different times by the user.

5. The process of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

delivering the retail goods ordered by the user to the secure receptacle; and

receiving at a geographically distant central server a wireless key code from the user and unlocking the receptacle allowing user access to the receptacle;

wherein the resetting step occurs after the user is allowed access to the receptacle.

6. The process of claim 5, wherein the total percent volume consists of summing the percent volume for each retail good ordered by the user in a plurality of orders by the user.

7. The process of claim 6, wherein the plurality of orders comprise orders from different suppliers.

8. The process of claim 6, wherein the plurality of orders comprise orders placed at different times by the user.