SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROL OF ELECTRONIC PARCEL LOCKERS

• US 20130166067A1
• Filed: 12/05/2012
• Published: 06/27/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Irwin, Donald E., McKenzie, Nan K., Stephen, Victoria K., Amato, Michael J., Tartal, William A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,733,647 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/237
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/0485 Check-in, check-out devices
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 3/00 Control of position or direction G05D1/00 takes precedence; numerical control to execute positioning G05B19/18
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/00 Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0836 Recipient pick-ups
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/10 for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/12 comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/13 the containers being a postal pick-up locker
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02

Abstract

A system, apparatus, and method for use in delivery of items to a storage unit. The storage unit can include one or several storage receptacles and a control unit that controls and monitors the status of the one or several storage receptacles. The storage unit may be included in a storage unit system that can include one or several storage units and a central control unit. The central control unit can communicate with the one or several storage units, and can receive status and availability updates from the one or several storage units.

Claims

1. A system for selectively receiving, storing, and dispensing one or more items, the system comprising:

a first receptacle comprising a securement feature;

a second receptacle comprising a securement feature; and

a control unit comprising;

a storage element comprising stored instructions which, when executed, cause a processor to provide and deny access to the receptacles, and to track the availability of each of the receptacles;

wherein an identifier indicative of the availability of the receptacles is stored in the storage element when the receptacle does not contain an item, and wherein an identifier indicative of the unavailability of the receptacles is stored in the storage element when the receptacle contains an item.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein first receptacle further comprises a feature indicating when the first receptacle is unlocked.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the feature indicating when the first receptacle is unlocked comprises a light.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the securement features are controlled by the control unit and access to one of the receptacles is granted to deposit an item or to remove a deposited item.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein access to one of the receptacles is granted in response to providing verification to the control unit of user age or user identity.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein access to one of the receptacles to remove a deposited item is granted in response to receipt of item identification information and user identification information matching the item identification information and user identification information associated with the item.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured receive dimensions of an item to be deposited and configured to determine which of the receptacles having a size sufficient to receive the item to be deposited is available, and granting access to the receptacle having a size sufficient to receive the item to be deposited.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first receptacle and the second receptacle are of different types or sizes, and the control unit is configured to receive input of a user preference as to type or size of the receptacle, and to provide access to the available receptacle matching the user'"'"'s preferences.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a database containing user information accessible by the control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to select the receptacle which corresponds to the user information.

10. A method of operating a storage unit comprising a plurality of receptacles and a control unit, the method comprising:

receiving a user input at the control unit of the storage unit;

querying a database for a receptacle corresponding to the user input;

displaying the location of a receptacle;

receiving a user input selecting the indicated receptacle;

unlocking the selected receptacle;

receiving confirmation that the user has completed a transaction; and

locking the receptacle following completion of the transaction.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the user instruction comprises a request for retrieval of an item that is located in one of the receptacles.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the storage unit displays the location of the receptacle containing the item.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the user instruction comprises a request for depositing an item in one of the receptacles.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising requesting size information of the item.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising determining if one of the receptacles is available for receiving the item and displaying the location of at least one available receptacle.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving user or item identification information.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the user or item identification information is received via a scanner.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving proof of postage purchase.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising printing postage.

20. A system for selectively receiving, storing, and dispensing one or more items, the system comprising:

a plurality of receptacles each configured to receive at least one item;

means for selectively controlling access to each of the plurality of receptacles in response to a user input;

means for indicating which of the plurality of receptacles corresponding to the user input is available; and

means for confirming whether an item has been deposited in or removed from one of the plurality of receptacles.

21. A method of depositing an item comprising:

issuing an item identification code configured to be read by a control unit which controls access to a plurality of receptacles, the item identification code associated to an item parameter, the item identification code and the item parameter being stored in a database;

receiving the item identification code at the control unit;

requesting user identification to initiate a deposit transaction;

receiving user identification in the form of an electronic signature;

receiving the identity of the intended recipient for the item;

determining which of the plurality of receptacles is available to receive the item;

determining which of the available receptacles is configured to receive the item, based on the received item identification code and the associated item parameter;

indicating which of the plurality of receptacles is available and is configured to receive the item;

receiving user input selecting one of the indicated receptacles;

generating and sending a control signal to a lock on the selected receptacle thereby unlocking the selected receptacle;

receiving the item in the user selected receptacle;

requesting a deposit confirmation at the control unit;

receiving the deposit confirmation at the control unit;

generating and sending a control signal to the lock on the selected receptacle in response to the receipt of the deposit confirmation, thereby locking the receptacle; and

issuing a receipt documenting the deposit transaction.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein determining which of the plurality of receptacles is available to receive the item comprises the control unit querying a receptacle availability database.