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Method and apparatus for a solar powered storage system

  • US 9,715,780 B2
  • Filed: 05/06/2013
  • Issued: 07/25/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:

  • a plurality of storage lockers configured to store one or more items, the storage lockers of the plurality of storage lockers each comprising;

    a top portion;

    a bottom portion distal the top portion;

    a first side portion having a first side portion length extending from the top portion to the bottom portion;

    a second side portion distal the first side portion having a second side portion length extending from the top portion to the bottom portion;

    a rear portion having a rear portion length extending from the top portion to the bottom portion and a rear portion width extending from the first side portion to the second side portion, the top portion, bottom portion, first side portion, second side portion, and rear portion being arranged to form a cavity therebetween, the cavity having an opening distal the rear portion;

    a door portion adjoined to the first side portion by at least one hinge, the door portion being configured to move between an open position and a closed position, the door portion further being configured to engage a door stop associated with the second side portion when the door portion is in the closed position, thereby sealing the opening; and

    an electronic locking mechanism configured to be in one of a locked or an unlocked status and to cause the door portion to also be one of locked or unlocked when the door portion is in the closed position based, at least in part, on a lock instruction;

    at least one processor;

    at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to;

    process a request to access at least one of the storage lockers of the plurality of storage lockers to determine at least one of the storage lockers of the plurality of storage lockers is available to be accessed;

    cause, at least in part, an accessibility report to be displayed on a user interface based, at least in part, on the request to access at least one of the storage lockers of the plurality of storage lockers, the accessibility report including an indication of which of the storage lockers of the plurality of storage lockers is determined to be available to be accessed;

    process a selection associated with a particular determined available storage locker of the plurality of storage lockers to cause, at least in part, an access message to be generated and communicated based, at least in part, on a confirmed financial transaction, the access message comprising a locker number, an access code, and a duration of access indication of the selected available storage locker; and

    cause, at least in part, the lock instruction to be communicated to the electronic locking mechanism based, at least in part, on one or more of a reception of the access code and an access authorization indicator, the access authorization indicator being associated with one or more of the confirmed financial transaction associated with use of the selected available storage locker and a management system operator input;

    at least one solar energy collection unit configured to collect solar energy;

    an energy storage unit configured to store the collected solar energy and supply power to the apparatus;

    a canopy portion over the storage lockers of the plurality of storage lockers;

    one or more canopy support members; and

    a base member configured to support the storage lockers of the plurality of storage lockers, the canopy portion, the one or more canopy support members, and the energy storage unit,whereinthe at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to;

    cause a message to be sent to a mobile device indicating that at least one storage locker of the plurality of storage lockers is available at a time after the accessibility report is displayed if the accessibility report indicates that all of the storage lockers are unavailable at the time the request to access at least one of the storage lockers of the plurality of storage lockers was made,at least one of the canopy support members is elongated and extends from a surface of the base member to a surface of the canopy portion,the energy storage unit is housed within the at least one elongated canopy support member, andthe apparatus is independent of any external power source.

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