System and method for enabling a user to select a securable device throughout multiple securable device stations

• US 9,706,835 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2014
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Best Lockers, LLC (Assa Abloy AB)
• Original Assignee: Best Lockers, LLC (Assa Abloy AB)
• Inventors: Swogger, Wes, Zaniker, John, Toibero, Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Goyea, Olusegun
• Application Number:
  US14/165,291
• Publication Number:
  US 20140316918A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,268 Days
• Field of Search: 705 28, 235381, 235382, 340 554, 340 573, 340 581
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 47/00 Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features related to dismountability or building-up from elements A47B43/00, A47B45/00 take precedence; features for adjusting shelves or partitions A47B57/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 81/00 Cabinets or racks specially adapted for other particular purposes, e.g. for storing guns or skis
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/00 Details of cabinets, racks or shelf units not covered by a single one of groups A47B43/00 - A47B95/00; General details of furniture doors E06B
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3274 using a pictured code, e.g. barcode or QR-code, being displayed on the M-device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/347 Passive cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/352 Contactless payments by cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4012 Verifying personal identification numbers [PIN]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0645 Rental transactions; Leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/12 comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/26 Interlocks, e.g. for locking the doors of compartments other than that to be used
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/04 by paper currency
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/10 together with a coded signal , e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data

Abstract

A system and method of provisioning a securable device may include providing a plurality of securable device stations, each securable device station including (i) a controller and (ii) a set of securable devices in local communication with the controller, the controller being configured to enable a user to initiate access to a securable device from a set of securable devices. In response to a first controller of a first securable device station receiving (i) an access indicia and (ii) rental parameter that enables the user to access a securable device located in at least two of the securable device stations from a user, the first controller may communicate the access indicia and rental parameter to a network address that enables, by a second controller, the user to access a securable device at the second securable device station as provided by the rental parameter.

Claims

1. A method of provisioning a securable device, said method comprising:

providing a plurality of securable device stations, each securable device station including (i) a controller and (ii) a set of securable devices in local communication with the controller, the controller being configured to enable a user to initiate access to a securable device from a set of securable devices;

receiving, by a first controller of a first securable device station (i) an access indicia and (ii) rental parameter that enables the user to access a securable device located in at least two of the plurality of securable device stations;

communicating, by the first controller, the access indicia and rental parameter to a second controller of a second securable device station, the second controller being configured to utilize the access indicia and rental parameter to control access of a securable device at the second securable device station by the user as provided by the rental parameter;

responsive to the user first selecting to access a first securable device at the first securable device station by using the access indicia, first provisioning the first selected securable device to the user to enable the user to utilize the first selected securable device;

responsive to the user first selecting to end use of the first selected securable device, first de-provisioning the first selected securable device so as to be available for another user to access;

responsive to the user second selecting to access a second securable device at the second securable device station by using the access indicia;

determining whether the first selected securable device is still first provisioned to the user;

if a determination is made that the first selected securable device is still first provisioned,

prompting the user (i) of the currently provisioned first selected securable device and (ii) with an option to end rental of the first selected securable device,

otherwise, not prompting the user; and

second provisioning the second selected securable device to enable the user to utilize the second selected securable device; and

responsive to the user second selecting to end use of the second selected securable device, second de-provisioning the second selected securable device so as to be available for another user to access.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein communicating the access indicia and rental parameter to the second controller includes communicating the access indicia and rental parameter to a network address that causes the access indicia and rental parameter to be communicated to the second controller.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing, by the first controller, a user interface that enables the user to enter the access indicia and rental parameter.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising providing, by the first controller, a listing of rental parameters, at least one of the rental parameters enabling the user to have access to a securable device at both the first and second securable device stations.

5. The method according to claim 3, further comprising:

in response to receiving the access indicia, storing, by the first controller, the access indicia independent of any particular securable device identifier associated with the set of securable devices in local communication with the first controller;

in response to receiving (i) an access indicia entered by the user for a user securable device responsive to the user interfacing with a securable device user interface associated with the user selected securable device and (ii) a securable device identifier associated with the user selected securable device;

verifying, by the first controller, that the access indicia received from the selected securable device matches the stored access indicia;

in response to verifying a match, associating the securable device identifier and the access indicia so as to provision the selected securable device;

alternatively, in response to the access indicia received from the selected securable device not matching the stored access indicia, preventing the user from accessing the selected securable device;

communicating a verification signal indicative of the access indicia received from the selected securable device matching the stored access indicia to the first controller; and

provisioning, by the first controller, the securable device.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second controllers are kiosks.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising communicating, by the first controller, the access indicia and rental parameter to at least one securable device in the first securable device station.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing, at the first controller, means for accepting compensation from a coupon.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing, at the first controller, means for accepting compensation from an entry ticket.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein in response to the first controller communicating the access indicia and rental parameter to the network address, receiving and storing, by the second controller, the access indicia and rental parameter.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising communicating, by the second controller, the access indicia and rental parameter to at least one of the securable devices in the second securable device station.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving a rental parameter includes receiving a rental parameter inclusive of size of securable device to be selected by the user.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving a rental parameter includes receiving a geographic region in which the user may select a securable device.

14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the second controller, a communication inclusive of a securable device identifier from a securable device controller of one of the securable devices of the second securable device station and an indicator of the securable device being accessed in response to the user entering the access indicia thereat; and

provisioning, by the second controller, the securable device selected by the user.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising communicating, by the second controller, the access indicia and securable device identifier to the first controller to cause the first controller to associate the securable device identifier with the access indicia.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising preventing, by the first and second controllers, another securable device at either of the first and second securable device stations from being accessed by use of the access indicia while the securable device is provisioned.

17. The method according to claim 1, further comprising communicating, by the first and second controllers, the access indicia to securable devices at each of the first and second securable device stations.

24. The method according to claim 2, wherein communicating the access indicia to a network address includes communicating the access indicia to a network address associated with a central data repository operating on a wide area network (WAN).

25. The method according to claim 1, further comprising responsive to the user selecting not to end use of the first selected securable device, not de-provisioning the first selected securable device and not second provisioning the second selected securable device.

26. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining that the first selected securable device is still first provisioned includes using data collected from a sensor at the first selected securable device to make the determination.

27. The method according to claim 1, wherein first provisioning, first de-provisioning, second provisioning, and second de-provisioning are performed by a computing device remotely located from the first controller and the second controller.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the computing device is operating on the “

cloud”

.

29. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving the access indicia at the first controller at a first time and receiving the access indicia at the second controller at a second, later time.

30. The method according to claim 1, further comprising in response to determining that a rental parameter is indicative of rental of the selected first selected securable device having expired, determining, from data produced by a sensor at the first selected securable device, whether the first selected securable device is empty, and, if so, alternatively de-provisioning the first selected securable device, otherwise, maintaining provisioning of the first selected securable device.

31. The method according to claim 1, further comprising responsive to determining that the first selected securable device is empty and that the first selected securable device has been unlocked for a predetermined period of time, alternatively de-provisioning the first selected securable device.

46. The method according to claim 1, wherein first provisioning the first selected securable device to the user includes first provisioning the first selected securable device as selected by the first controller.

18. A system for provisioning a securable device, said system comprising:

a plurality of securable device stations, each securable device station including (i) a controller and (ii) a set of securable devices in local communication with the controller, the controller being configured to enable a user to initiate access to a securable device from a set of securable devices;

a first controller of a first securable device station, and being configured to;

receive (i) an access indicia and (ii) rental parameter that enables the user to access a securable device located in at least two of said plurality of securable device stations from a user; and

in response to receiving the access indicia and rental parameter, communicate the access indicia and rental parameter to a network address; and

a second controller of a second securable device station, and being configured to;

receive the access indicia and rental parameter communicated by said first controller;

enable the user to access a securable device at the second securable device station as provided by the rental parameter;

said first controller further being configured to;

responsive to the user first selecting to access a first securable device at the first securable device station by using the access indicia, first enable the user to utilize the first selected securable device; and

responsive to the user first selecting to end use of the first selected securable device, first cause the first selected securable device to be available for another user to access;

said second controller further being configured to;

responsive to the user second selecting to access a second securable device at the second securable device station by using the access indicia;

determine whether the first selected securable device is still first provisioned to the user;

if a determination is made that the first selected securable device is still first provisioned,

prompt the user (i) of the currently provisioned securable device and (ii) with an option to end rental of the first selected securable device,

otherwise, not prompt the user; and

second enable the user to utilize the second selected securable device; and

responsive to the user second selecting to end use of the second selected securable device, second cause the second selected securable device to be available for another user to access.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein said first controller is further configured to provide a listing of rental parameters, wherein at least one of the rental parameters enables the user to have access to a securable device at both the first and second securable device stations.

20. The system according to claim 18, wherein said first and second controllers are kiosks.

21. The system according to claim 18, wherein said second controller is further configured to:

receive a communication inclusive of a securable device identifier from a securable device controller of one of the securable devices of the second securable device station and an indicator of the securable device being accessed in response to the user entering the access indicia therein; and

provision the securable device selected by the user.

22. The system according to claim 21, wherein said second controller is further configured to communicate the access indicia and securable device identifier to the first controller, and wherein said first controller, in response to receiving the access indicia and securable device controller, is further configured to associate the securable device identifier with the access indicia.

23. The system according to claim 18, wherein said first and second controllers are further configured to prevent another securable device at either of said first and second securable device stations from being accessed by use of the access indicia while the securable device is provisioned.

32. The system according to claim 18, further comprising a database remotely located from said first controller and said second controller, and being configured to provision and de-provision the first selected securable device and the second selected securable device.

33. The system according to claim 32, wherein said database is further configured to:

determine whether the first selected securable device is still first provisioned to the user in response to the user second selecting to access the second securable device; and

if a determination is made that the first selected securable device is still first provisioned, said second controller prompting the user (i) with a notice of the first provisioned securable device still being used and (ii) with an option to end usage of the first selected securable device.

34. The system according to claim 32, wherein said database is further configured to prevent the second selected securable device from being provisioned until the first selected securable device is de-provisioned.

35. The system according to claim 32, wherein said database is located on the “

cloud”

.

36. The system according to claim 18, further comprising a sensor at the first securable device that collects usage data, and wherein said first controller is configured to determine from the usage data that the first selected securable device is still first provisioned so as to prevent the second selected securable device to be accessed by the user.

37. The system according to claim 18, further comprising a sensor at the first securable device that collects usage data, and wherein said first controller is further configured (i) to determine from the usage data that the first selected securable device is empty and (ii) to determine that a rental parameter indicative of expiration time of rental has expired, and responsive to determining that the first selected securable device is empty and that the rental parameter is indicative of expiration of a rental period, said first controller alternatively causing the first selected securable device to be de-provisioned, otherwise, maintaining provisioning of the first selected securable device.

47. The system according to claim 18, wherein said first controller is further configured to select the first securable device, and wherein said second controller is further configured to select the second securable device.

38. A method of provisioning a securable device, said method comprising:

providing a plurality of securable device stations, each securable device station including (i) a controller and (ii) a set of securable devices in local communication with the controller, the controller being configured to enable a user to initiate access to a securable device from a set of securable devices;

receiving, by a first controller of a first securable device station (i) an access indicia and (ii) rental parameter that enables the user to access a securable device located in at least two of the plurality of securable device stations;

communicating, by the first controller, the access indicia and rental parameter to a second controller of a second securable device station, the second controller being configured to utilize the access indicia and rental parameter to control access of a securable device at the second securable device station by the user as provided by the rental parameter;

responsive to the user first selecting to access a first securable device at the first securable device station by using the access indicia, first provisioning the first selected securable device to the user to enable the user to utilize the first selected securable device;

responsive to the user first selecting to end use of the first selected securable device, first de-provisioning the first selected securable device so as to be available for another user to access;

responsive to the user second selecting to access a second securable device at the second securable device station by using the access indicia, second provisioning the second selected securable device to enable the user to utilize the second selected securable device;

responsive to the user second selecting to end use of the second selected securable device, second de-provisioning the second selected securable device so as to be available for another user to access;

in response to determining that a rental parameter is indicative of rental of the first selected securable device having expired, determining, from data produced by a sensor at the first selected securable device, whether the first selected securable device is empty, and, if so, alternatively de-provisioning the first selected securable device, otherwise, maintaining provisioning of the first selected securable device.

39. The method according to claim 38, further comprising providing, by the first controller, a user interface that enables the user to enter the access indicia and rental parameter.

40. The method according to claim 39, further comprising:

in response to receiving the access indicia, storing, by the first controller, the access indicia independent of any particular securable device identifier associated with the set of securable devices in local communication with the first controller;

in response to receiving (i) an access indicia entered by the user for a user securable device responsive to the user interfacing with a securable device user interface associated with the user selected securable device and (ii) a securable device identifier associated with the user selected securable device;

verifying, by the first controller, that the access indicia received from the selected securable device matches the stored access indicia;

in response to verifying a match, associating the securable device identifier and the access indicia so as to provision the selected securable device;

alternatively, in response to the access indicia received from the selected securable device not matching the stored access indicia, preventing the user from accessing the selected securable device;

communicating a verification signal indicative of the access indicia received from the selected securable device matching the stored access indicia to the first controller; and

provisioning, by the first controller, the securable device.

41. The method according to claim 38, wherein the first and second controllers are kiosks.

48. The method according to claim 38, wherein first provisioning the first selected securable device to the user includes first provisioning the first selected securable device as selected by the first controller.

42. A method of provisioning a securable device, said method comprising:

providing a plurality of securable device stations, each securable device station including (i) a controller and (ii) a set of securable devices in local communication with the controller, the controller being configured to enable a user to initiate access to a securable device from a set of securable devices;

receiving, by a first controller of a first securable device station (i) an access indicia and (ii) rental parameter that enables the user to access a securable device located in at least two of the plurality of securable device stations;

communicating, by the first controller, the access indicia and rental parameter to a second controller of a second securable device station, the second controller being configured to utilize the access indicia and rental parameter to control access of a securable device at the second securable device station by the user as provided by the rental parameter;

responsive to the user first selecting to access a first securable device at the first securable device station by using the access indicia, first provisioning the first selected securable device to the user to enable the user to utilize the first selected securable device;

responsive to the user first selecting to end use of the first selected securable device, first de-provisioning the first selected securable device so as to be available for another user to access;

responsive to the user second selecting to access a second securable device at the second securable device station by using the access indicia, second provisioning the second selected securable device to enable the user to utilize the second selected securable device;

responsive to the user second selecting to end use of the second selected securable device, second de-provisioning the second selected securable device so as to be available for another user to access; and

responsive to determining that the first selected securable device is empty and that the first selected securable device has been unlocked for a predetermined period of time, alternatively de-provisioning the first selected securable device.

43. The method according to claim 42, further comprising providing, by the first controller, a user interface that enables the user to enter the access indicia and rental parameter.

44. The method according to claim 43, further comprising:

in response to receiving the access indicia, storing, by the first controller, the access indicia independent of any particular securable device identifier associated with the set of securable devices in local communication with the first controller;

in response to receiving (i) an access indicia entered by the user for a user securable device responsive to the user interfacing with a securable device user interface associated with the user selected securable device and (ii) a securable device identifier associated with the user selected securable device;

verifying, by the first controller, that the access indicia received from the selected securable device matches the stored access indicia;

in response to verifying a match, associating the securable device identifier and the access indicia so as to provision the selected securable device;

alternatively, in response to the access indicia received from the selected securable device not matching the stored access indicia, preventing the user from accessing the selected securable device;

communicating a verification signal indicative of the access indicia received from the selected securable device matching the stored access indicia to the first controller; and

provisioning, by the first controller, the securable device.

45. The method according to claim 42, wherein the first and second controllers are kiosks.

49. The method according to claim 42, wherein first provisioning the first selected securable device to the user includes first provisioning the first selected securable device as selected by the first controller.