초록 ▼

A system and method for automated package delivery and pick-up include at least one package portal located in a delivery and pick-up station to receive and dispense packages from the station. A station controller is coupled to an information input system and the package receiving and dispensing port

A system and method for automated package delivery and pick-up include at least one package portal located in a delivery and pick-up station to receive and dispense packages from the station. A station controller is coupled to an information input system and the package receiving and dispensing portal mechanism, and is arranged to associate package and intended recipient identification information with a received package. The controller is also arranged to process identification information, which may include biometric information, to authenticate the identity of an intended recipient, and to permit dispensing of the package from the at least one portal in response thereto. The station supports unattended delivery and pick-up of packages to improve overall efficiency of a package delivery system as well as user convenience and safety.

대표청구항 ▼

A system and method for automated package delivery and pick-up include at least one package portal located in a delivery and pick-up station to receive and dispense packages from the station. A station controller is coupled to an information input system and the package receiving and dispensing port

A system and method for automated package delivery and pick-up include at least one package portal located in a delivery and pick-up station to receive and dispense packages from the station. A station controller is coupled to an information input system and the package receiving and dispensing portal mechanism, and is arranged to associate package and intended recipient identification information with a received package. The controller is also arranged to process identification information, which may include biometric information, to authenticate the identity of an intended recipient, and to permit dispensing of the package from the at least one portal in response thereto. The station supports unattended delivery and pick-up of packages to improve overall efficiency of a package delivery system as well as user convenience and safety. path and positioned a first distance relative to said crest; C) providing a second sensor proximate said conveying path and positioned a second distance relative to said crest, said second distance being less than said first distance; D) conveying said plurality of parcels along said conveying path such that each parcel tilts over said crest; E) determining for each of the parcels if one of the following two conditions has been met: 1) a first condition in which parcel tilting begins while said parcel is still being sensed by both said first and second sensors; or 2) a second condition in which parcel tilting is done after said parcel has passed out of the range of said first sensor but while still being sensed by said second sensor, F) estimating parcel length for each of said parcels based on whether said parcel satisfies said first or said second condition. 4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein parcel length is estimated to be longer than a given predetermined length if a parcel satisfies said first condition and wherein parcel length is estimated to be shorter than a given predetermined length if a parcel satisfies said second condition. 5. A conveying apparatus for evaluating a plurality of parcels being conveyed along a conveying path, said plurality of parcels having differing lengths, but each including a first and a second parcel portion said conveying apparatus particularly configured to evaluate tilting characteristics of said parcels as they are conveyed along said conveying path, said conveying apparatus comprising: A) a conveyor assembly itself including: 1) a first conveyor portion along said conveying path for conveying parcels thereon without tilting; and 2) a crest portion along said conveying path and positioned proximate the end of said first conveyor portion, said crest portion configured such that parcels passing over said crest portion tilt over said crest portion and away from said first conveyor portion; B) a first sensor positioned a first distance from said crest and having a sensing range, said first sensor configured to provide a first sensor signal when a first parcel portion of a given parcel moves out of said sensing range of said first sensor due either to tilting of said parcel over said crest, or alternatively due to movement of said parcel along said first conveyor portion without tilting; C) a second sensor positioned a second distance from said crest said second distance less than said first distance, said second sensor having a sensing range and configured to provide a second sensor signal when a second parcel portion of a given parcel moves out of said sensing range of said second sensor due either to tilting of said parcel over said crest, or alternately due to movement of said parcel along said first conveyor portion without tilting; and D) a signal processing device for receiving said first and second sensor signals and for determining if one of the following two conditions is met for a given parcel: 1) a first condition in which said first and second sensor signals are generated within a predetermined time period, upon which said signal processing device assumes said parcel is tilting out of the range of both said first and second sensors at the same time; or 2) a second condition in which said first and second signals are not generated within a predetermined time period, whereupon said signal processing device assumes said parcel has passed said first sensor and is only tilting out of the range of said second sensor, said signal processing device further making a tilting evaluation based upon the determination of said first or second condition, said tilting evaluation for purposes of accuracy using said first sensor signal under said first condition, and said tilting evaluation using said second signal under said second condition. 6. The conveying apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further comprising means for providing a signal to said signal process ing means corresponding to the distance said parcel has passed over said crest at the point said parcel begins tilting, for purposes of gravity center estimation. 7. The conveying apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein a curtain sensor is used to sense when said parcel has passed over said crest. 8. The conveying apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first conveyor portion is a belt conveyor, and wherein said crest portion is a tilting roller. 9. The conveying apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first conveyor portion is a belt conveyor, and wherein said crest portion is the downstream end of said belt conveyor. 10. A method for evaluating the tilting characteristics of parcels being conveyed along a conveying path, said parcels having different lengths, said method comprising the steps of: A) providing a conveyor assembly itself comprising: 1) a first conveyor portion along said conveying path for conveying parcels thereon without tilting; and 2) a crest portion along said conveying path and positioned proximate the end of said first conveyor portion, said crest portion configured such that parcels passing over said crest portion tilt over said crest portion and away from said first conveyor portion; B) placing a first sensor a first distance from said crest, said first sensor having a sensing range and configured to provide a first sensor signal when a first parcel portion of a given parcel moves out of the sensing range of said first sensor due either to tilting of said parcel over said crest, or alternately due to movement of said parcel along said first conveyor portion without tilting; C) placing a second sensor a second distance from said crest, said second distance being less than said first distance, said second sensor having a sensing range and configured to provide a second sensor signal when a second parcel portion of a given parcel moves out of the sensing range of said second sensor due either to tilting of said parcel over said crest, or alternately due to movement of said parcel along said first conveyor portion without tilting; D) determining if either of the following conditions are met for a given parcel: 1) a first condition in which parcel tilting begins while said parcel is still being sensed by both said first and second sensors; or 2) a second condition in which parcel tilting begins after said parcel has passed said first sensor and is out of the range of said first sensor, but said parcel is still being sensed by said second sensor; and E) performing a tilting evaluation based upon the determination of said first or second condition, said tilting evaluation for purposes of accuracy using said first sensor signal under said first condition, and said tilting evaluation using said second signal under said second condition. 11. A method of evaluating the physical characteristics of parcels being conveyed along a conveying path, said method comprising the steps of: A) defining a flexibility standard distinguishing more flexible parcels from less flexible parcels; B) positioning a plurality of sensors proximate a portion of said conveying path, said sensors positioned such that if they can all sense a portion of a given parcel at the same time said parcel passes along said conveying path portion, said parcel is considered more flexible under said flexibility standard, but if all said sensors cannot sense a portion of a given parcel at the same time said parcel passes along said conveying path portion, said parcel is considered less flexible under said flexibility standard; C) conveying a parcel along said conveying path portion while sensing said parcel with said plurality of sensors; and D) based upon the sensation of said parcel by said sensors in step "C", making a determination of whether said parcel is more flexible or less flexible under said flexibility standard. 12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein in step "B", a crest is included along said con