Unmanned parcel storage apparatus capable of dynamically allocating storage space and method of using the same

• US 8,919,637 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2013
• Issued: 12/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
• Original Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
• Inventors: Kim, Dong-Ho, Song, Jae-Gwan, Kim, Hyon-Gook, Jung, Hoon, Park, Jong-Heung
• Primary Examiner(s): MILLER, WILLIAM L
• Application Number:
  US13/858,307
• Publication Number:
  US 20130264381A1
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 232/17, 232/19, 232/24, 232/25, 232/45, 340/5.73, 340/545.6, 340/569, 220/524, 220/529
• US Class Current: 232/24
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/148 the receptacle comprising a letter box
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/122 Parts, details, or accessories, e.g. signalling devices, lamps, devices for leaving messages A47G29/1201 - A47G29/1218 take precedence
• 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

An unmanned parcel storage apparatus capable of dynamically allocating storage spaces and a method of using the unmanned parcel storage. A storage method of the unmanned parcel storage apparatus determines a position and a size of a desired storage space to be allocated. Based on the determination result, a moving unit adds or removes a partition to create the desired storage space, and moves a delivery item to the created storage space for the storage purpose. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently use a space in a storage unit and thereby store more number of delivery items in the same storage unit. In addition, the moving unit processes the allocation of storage spaces, and delivery, loading and discharging of the delivery items, and therefore the user'"'"'s convenience of use can be enhanced.

Claims

1. An unmanned parcel storage apparatus capable of dynamically allocating storage spaces, the apparatus comprising:

a post slot through which a delivery item is inserted and discharged;

a storage unit which comprises a plurality of movable partitions thereby defining a plurality of the storage spaces which are variable in size;

a control unit which dynamically allocates the storage spaces in the storage unit and determines disposition of the delivery item; and

a moving unit which moves the partitions thereby adjusting the size of the storage spaces and moves the delivery item to the determined storage space in response to an instruction from the control unit.

2. The unmanned parcel storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the post slot comprises a mail slot through which small delivery items are inserted and discharged, and a parcel slot through which large delivery items are inserted and discharged.

3. The unmanned parcel storage apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an interface unit to provide a user interface to allow a user to input information regarding the delivery item to the apparatus; and

a paper output tray to output results of processing storage and/or reception of the delivery item and a receipt.

4. The unmanned parcel storage apparatus of claim 3, wherein the information regarding the delivery item includes at least one or more of an employee number, a delivery item'"'"'s name, a recipient'"'"'s name, a recipient'"'"'s address, and a sender'"'"'s name.

5. The unmanned parcel storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage unit comprises

the plurality of movable partitions to horizontally partition the storage unit into the plurality of storage spaces, and

a plurality of partition rests to support the partitions to be detachably fixed to the storage unit.

6. The unmanned parcel storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the moving unit comprises

a rotatable arm with a suction unit at its end so as to fixedly grab the delivery item via vacuum suction,

a rotation unit to rotate the rotatable arm,

a vertical driving unit to vertically move the rotatable arm,

a horizontal driving unit to horizontally move the rotatable arm, and

a guide unit to guide vertical movement and horizontal movement of the rotatable arm.