Delivery system and method using an electronic tag

• US 20040149822A1
• Filed: 11/03/2003
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Visible Assets Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Visible Assets Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Inventors: Waterhouse, Paul, Stevens, John
• Application Number:
  US10/476,607
• Publication Number:
  US 20040149822A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/145 the receptacle comprising means for identifying a deposit; Deposits carrying identification means, e.g. a bar code
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/141 comprising electronically controlled locking means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

A delivery system includes a drop box including a first transceiver, and an electronic tag associated with a package and comprising a second transceiver. The first and second transceivers wirelessly communicate with each other in order to access the drop box.

Claims

1. A delivery system, comprising:

a drop box comprising a first transceiver; and

an electronic tag associated with a package and comprising a second transceiver,

wherein said first and second transceivers wirelessly communicate with each other in order to access said drop box.

2. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said drop box further comprises a first memory device for storing a first identification number, and wherein said electronic tag further comprises a second memory device for storing a second identification number.

3. The delivery system according to claim 2, wherein said drop box further comprises a processor for comparing said first identification number and said second identification number.

4. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said first and second transceivers each comprise a two-way communication analog chip.

5. The delivery system according to claim 2, wherein said electronic tag further comprises a processor for comparing said first identification number and said second identification number, and wherein said drop box unlocks when said first identification number has a predetermined relationship with said second identification number.

6. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said electronic tag further comprises an activating device to activate a function of said electronic tag.

7. The delivery system according to claim 6, wherein said activating device is engaged in order to transmit data from said electronic tag to said drop box.

8. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said drop box further comprises an activating device to activate a function of said drop box.

9. The delivery system according to claim 8, wherein said activating device is engaged in order to transmit data from said drop box to said electronic tag.

10. The delivery system according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said first and second memory devices store delivery data comprising a delivery date and delivery time.

11. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said electronic tag is affixed to an outside portion of said package.

12. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said electronic tag is contained inside said package.

13. The delivery system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an access card comprising a third memory device and a third transceiver,

wherein said second and third transceivers wirelessly communicate with each other in order to access said drop box.

18. The delivery system according to claim 3, further comprising:

a lock mechanism operatively coupled to said processor.

19. The delivery system according to claim 18, wherein said drop box unlocks said lock mechanism when said first identification number has a predetermined relationship with said second identification number.

20. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said drop box further comprises a signaling device, said first and second transceivers wirelessly communicating with each other to activate said signaling device and identify said drop-box as a destination of said package.

14. An electronic tag associated with a package, comprising:

a processor;

a memory device coupled to said processor for storing delivery information; and

a transceiver for wirelessly communicating data from said memory device to a drop box in order to access said drop box.

15. A drop box for a delivery system, comprising:

a processor;

a memory device coupled to said processor for storing delivery information;

a transceiver for wirelessly communicating data from said memory device to an electronic tag in order to access said drop box; and

a lock mechanism operatively coupled to said processor.

16. A delivery method, comprising:

inputting data to an electronic tag associated with a package; and

wirelessly communicating said data from said electronic tag to said drop box, in order to access said drop box.

17. A programmable storage medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform a delivery method, said method comprising:

inputting data to an electronic tag associated with a package; and

wirelessly communicating said data from said electronic tag to said drop box, in order to access said drop box.