초록 ▼

A secure pickup and delivery container includes a lockable door, a control unit, an access element, and an anchoring element, according to one embodiment. The control unit includes a processing element and a memory that can be programmed either on-site or remotely with access privilege information s

A secure pickup and delivery container includes a lockable door, a control unit, an access element, and an anchoring element, according to one embodiment. The control unit includes a processing element and a memory that can be programmed either on-site or remotely with access privilege information such as identity (e.g. of container, delivery person, etc.), location, date, time, frequency of access, and/or package-specific information. In one embodiment, access privilege information is programmed when an intended recipient of a delivery consummates a point of sale transaction, for example over the Internet or telephone. The access element can be a keypad, a biometric scanner, a card reader, a bar-code reader, and/or a wireless control element to read a programmable token such as a smart card. Delivery personnel can enter access request information into the access element, and if it favorably compares with the access privilege information, the control unit unlocks the door. Notification can be concurrently made via wireline or wireless communications to the intended recipient, who may be situated remote from the secure container. The recipient can optionally return a delivery acknowledgment to the delivery personnel. Details of the delivery transaction can also be recorded electronically on the delivery personnel's token, within the container, or at a remote location.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A secure pickup and delivery container comprising:a door to allow access to an interior part of the container and comprising a lock;an access element to receive a request to access the interior part of the container; anda control unit comprising a storage element to store access privilege informa

1. A secure pickup and delivery container comprising:a door to allow access to an interior part of the container and comprising a lock;an access element to receive a request to access the interior part of the container; anda control unit comprising a storage element to store access privilege information, the control unit further comprising a processing element, coupled to the access element and to the lock, to unlock the lock if the request is authorized, and otherwise to keep the container locked;wherein the access privilege information comprises information regarding a first token and information regarding a specified frequency of delivery within a given time period;wherein the processing element is to compare the request with the access privilege information to determine whether the request to access the container is authorized;wherein the control unit further comprises an interface over which an integral hand-held recipient user device can communicate access privilege information to the control unit and receive transaction information from the control unit, the interface being selected from the group consisting of a wireline connection to which the recipient user device can be coupled and a wireless transceiver with which the recipient user device can communicate wirelessly; andwherein the transaction information comprises information regarding the identity of a token, including the first token, used to attempt access to the container.2. The container recited in claim 1 wherein the access privilege information comprises information selected from the group consisting of information regarding a package, information regarding the container, information regarding a delivery person, information regarding a location, information regarding a successful access of the container, information regarding an attempted access of the container, date information, and time information.3. The container recited in claim 1 wherein transaction information comprises information selected from the group consisting of information regarding a package, information regarding the container, information regarding a delivery person, information regarding a geographical location, information regarding a successful access of the container, information regarding an attempted access of the container, date information, and time information.4. The container recited in claim 1 wherein the container comprises an indicator selected from the group consisting of a visual annunciator and an audible annunciator.5. The container recited in claim 1 wherein the access element comprises a token reader to mate with a token, including the first token, tendered by a delivery person.6. The container recited in claim 1 and further comprising a power supply coupled to the control unit, the power supply comprising a solar panel and a rechargeable battery.7. The container recited in claim 1 and further comprising a climate control element to maintain a desired environment within the container, and wherein access privilege information comprises information to turn on the climate control element.8. The container recited in claim 1 and further comprising an anchoring element to render the container substantially immobile.9. The container recited in claim 1 wherein additional information is receivable over the interface from the recipient user device.10. The container recited in claim 9 wherein the additional information comprises acknowledgment of receipt of a notification that a delivery has been made to the container.11. The container recited in claim 1 wherein information regarding frequency of delivery comprises a specified quantity of accesses of the container by a delivery person.12. The container recited in claim 1 wherein access privilege information comprises information limiting delivery to a specified range of dates and/or a specified range of times.13. The container recited in claim 1 wherein access privilege information comprises information limiting delivery to a container in a specified geographical region.14. The container recited in claim 1 wherein access privilege information comprises information regarding what notification is to be made regarding an attempted access of the container, or regarding a successful access of the container.15. The container recited in claim 1 wherein access privilege information comprises information identifying one or more delivery persons authorized to make a delivery to the container.16. The container recited in claim 1 wherein access privilege information comprises information regarding the identity of the first token.17. The container recited in claim 1 wherein transaction information comprises notification that a delivery has been made to the container.18. The container recited in claim 1 wherein transaction information comprises identity of a package delivered to the container.19. A secure pickup and delivery container comprising:a door to allow access to an interior part of the container and comprising a lock;an access element to communicate with a token, the token comprising a first storage element to contain first identity information; anda control unit comprising a second storage element to store second identity information, the control unit further comprising a processing element, coupled to the second storage element, to the access element, and to the lock, to unlock the lock if the first and second identity information match, and otherwise to keep the container locked;wherein the second identity information comprises information regarding the token and information regarding frequency of delivery;wherein the control unit further comprises a first interface over which an integral hand-held recipient user device can communicate the second identity information to the control unit, the first interface being selected from the group consisting of a wireline connection to which the recipient user device can be coupled and a wireless transceiver with which the recipient user device can communicate wirelessly;wherein the access element further comprises a second interface to receive the first identity information from the token and to pass transaction information regarding a completed or attempted access of the container to the first storage element of the token;wherein the transaction information is transmitted from the control unit to the recipient user device over the first interface.20. The container recited in claim 19 wherein the first identity information comprises information selected from the group consisting of information regarding a package, information regarding the container, information regarding a delivery person, information regarding a location, information regarding a successful access of the container, information regarding an attempted access of the container, date information, and time information.21. The container recited in claim 19 wherein transaction information comprises information selected from the group consisting of information regarding a package, information regarding the container, information regarding a delivery person, date information, and time information.22. The container recited in claim 19 wherein the access element comprises a token reader to mate with the token.23. The container recited in claim 19 and further comprising an anchoring element to render the container substantially immobile.24. The container recited in claim 19, wherein the control unit is also to receive an acknowledgment of receipt of the transaction information from the recipient user device.