초록 ▼

A wireless key (6), capable of transmitting an ultra-low frequency radio wave signal (5), is used to gain access to a secure receptacle (1), the wireless key (6) and receptacle (1) comprising a system to ensure the secure transfer or delivery of items between parties typically engaging in e-commerce

A wireless key (6), capable of transmitting an ultra-low frequency radio wave signal (5), is used to gain access to a secure receptacle (1), the wireless key (6) and receptacle (1) comprising a system to ensure the secure transfer or delivery of items between parties typically engaging in e-commerce. The wireless key (6) possesses a means to discriminate against the unauthorized entry of the receptacle, such as through the use of buttons to enter a secure access code. The wireless key (6) accepts an access code entry from the user desiring entry to the receptacle (1) and subsequently transmits an ultra-low frequency signal (5) to a receivin and processing means (4). If the analysis of the signal indicates the user of the wireless key (6) is authorized to gain entry to the receptacle (1), the receptacle's locking mechanism (3) is disengaged to allow entry.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A system for the secure delivery of a retail good comprising: a wireless key comprising a first cellular telephone that transmits a first unlocking signal to a geographically distant central server, the wireless key physically separate from a secure receptacle, a receiving u

What is claimed is: 1. A system for the secure delivery of a retail good comprising: a wireless key comprising a first cellular telephone that transmits a first unlocking signal to a geographically distant central server, the wireless key physically separate from a secure receptacle, a receiving unit, the receiving unit comprising a central processing unit communicatively connected to a programmable memory, the receiving unit cooperatively positioned with the secure receptacle and communicatively connected to the geographically distant central server, said receiving unit receiving a second unlocking signal from the geographically distant central server, the secure receptacle comprising a cover and a body, the body defining an interior within the secure receptacle, the body configured to possess an opening from which a retail good can be placed or removed from the interior of the secure receptacle, and the body further dimensioned to receive a plurality of retail goods, the secure receptacle further comprising a locking mechanism communicatively coupled to the central processing unit and cooperatively positioned to securely engage the cover against the body and over the opening, thereby preventing access to the interior of the secure receptacle when desirable, at least one access code stored in the programmable memory, of which one of the secure access codes comprises a current secure access code, and the wireless key further comprising a face and a plurality of buttons, the plurality of buttons located on the face, a combination of the buttons comprising the current secure access code, a successful entry of the current secure access code using the buttons resulting in the processing of the second unlocking signal by the central processing unit and the subsequent release of the locking mechanism to allow the cover to be displaced from over the opening of the secure receptacle. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of buttons comprise buttons marked with alphanumeric indicia. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the geographically distant central server is communicatively connected to the receiving unit through the Internet. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiving unit further comprises a pager, the pager communicatively connected to the central processing unit. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiving unit further comprises a second cellular telephone, the second cellular telephone communicatively connected to the central processing unit. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiving unit further comprises a modem, the modem communicatively connected to the central processing unit. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiving unit further comprises a computer within a residence of a user, the computer communicatively connected to the central processing unit. 8. A system for the secure delivery of a retail good comprising: a wireless key comprising a two-way pager that transmits a first unlocking signal to a geographically distant central server, the wireless key physically separate from a secure receptacle, a receiving unit, the receiving unit comprising a central processing unit communicatively connected to a programmable memory, the receiving unit cooperatively positioned with the secure receptacle and communicatively connected to the geographically distant central server, said receiving unit receiving a second unlocking signal from the geographically distant central server, the secure receptacle comprising a cover and a body, the body defining an interior within the secure receptacle, the body configured to possess an opening from which a retail good can be placed or removed from the interior of the secure receptacle, and the body further dimensioned to receive a plurality of retail goods, the secure receptacle further comprising a locking mechanism communicatively coupled to the central processing unit and cooperatively positioned to securely engage the cover against the body and over the opening, thereby preventing access to the interior of the secure receptacle when desirable, at least one access code stored in the programmable memory, of which one of the secure access codes comprises a current secure access code, and the wireless key further comprising a face and a plurality of buttons, the plurality of buttons located on the face, a combination of the buttons comprising the current secure access code, a successful entry of the current secure access code using the buttons resulting in the processing of the second unlocking signal by the central processing unit and the subsequent release of the locking mechanism to allow the cover to be displaced from over the opening of the secure receptacle. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of buttons comprise buttons marked with alphanumeric indicia. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the geographically distant central server is communicatively connected to the receiving unit through the Internet. 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the receiving unit further comprises a second pager, the second pager communicatively connected to the central processing unit. 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the receiving unit further comprises a cellular telephone, the cellular telephone communicatively connected to the central processing unit. 13. The system of claim 8, wherein the receiving unit further comprises a modem, the modem communicatively connected to the central processing unit. 14. The system of claim 8, wherein the receiving unit further comprises a computer within a residence of a user, the computer communicatively connected to the central processing unit. 15. A system for the secure delivery of a retail good comprising: a wireless key comprising a computer within a residence of a user that transmits a first unlocking signal to a geographically distant central server, the wireless key physically separate from a secure receptacle, a receiving unit, the receiving unit comprising a central processing unit communicatively connected to a programmable memory, the receiving unit cooperatively positioned with the secure receptacle and communicatively connected to the geographically distant central server, said receiving unit receiving a second unlocking signal from the geographically distant central server, the secure receptacle comprising a cover and a body, the body defining an interior within the secure receptacle, the body configured to possess an opening from which a retail good can be placed or removed from the interior of the secure receptacle, and the body further dimensioned to receive a plurality of retail goods, the secure receptacle further comprising a locking mechanism communicatively coupled to the central processing unit and cooperatively positioned to securely engage the cover against the body and over the opening, thereby preventing access to the interior of the secure receptacle when desirable, at least one access code stored in the programmable memory, of which one of the secure access codes comprises a current secure access code, and the wireless key further comprising a face and a plurality of buttons, the plurality of buttons located on the face, a combination of the buttons comprising the current secure access code, a successful entry of the current secure access code using the buttons resulting in the processing of the second unlocking signal by the central processing unit and the subsequent release of the locking mechanism to allow the cover to be displaced from over the opening of the secure receptacle. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of buttons comprise buttons marked with alphanumeric indicia. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the geographically distant central server is communicatively connected to the receiving unit through the Internet. 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the receiving unit further comprises a pager, the pager communicatively connected to the central processing unit. 19. The system of claim 15, wherein the receiving unit further comprises a cellular telephone, the cellular telephone communicatively connected to the central processing unit. 20. The system of claim 15, wherein the receiving unit further comprises a modem, the modem communicatively connected to the central processing unit. 21. The system of claim 15, wherein the receiving unit further comprises the computer within a residence of a user, the computer communicatively connected to the central processing unit. 22. A process for the delivery of a retail good, comprising the steps of: programming at least one programmable access code into a programmable memory, ordering tbrough a first telecommunications device by a user at least one retail good from a supplier, delivering at least one retail good by the supplier to a secure receptacle, entering a user access code by the user into a wireless key, the wireless key being physically separate from the secure receptacle, processing the user access code entered into the wireless key, and disengaging a locking mechanism of the secure receptacle, thereby allowing the user to gain access to at least one retail good previously ordered and delivered wherein processing the access code further comprises the steps of: transmitting a first unlocking signal from a second telecommunications device to a geographically distant central server, transmitting a second unlocking signal from the geograpbicaliy distant central server to a receiving unit, the receiving unit physically integrated with the secure receptacle and communicatively coupled to a central processing unit, the central processing unit further communicatively coupled to the locking mechanism, and comparing the user access code entered by the user with the programmable access code programmed into the programmable memory, the programmable memory physically integrated with secure receptacle and communicatively coupled to the central processing unit. 23. The process of claim 22, wherein the second telecommunications device comprises a pager. 24. The process of claim 22, wherein the second telecommunications device comprises a first cellular telephone. 25. The process of claim 22, wherein the receiving unit comprises a modem. 26. The process of claim 22, wherein the receiving unit comprises a second cellular telephone. 27. The process of claim 22, wherein the receiving unit comprises a two-way pager. 28. The process of claim 22, wherein the receiving unit comprises a home computer within a residence of a user. 29. A process for the delivery of a retail good, comprising the steps of: programming at least one primary programmable access code into a first programmable memory, programming at least one secondary programmable access code into a second programmable memory, ordering through a first telecommunications device at least one retail good from a supplier by a user, delivering, after the ordering step, at least one retail good by the supplier to a secure receptacle, entering, after the delivering step, a primary user access code by the user into a wireless key, the wireless key being physically separate from the secure receptacle, entering, after the delivering step ,a secondary user access code by the user into a keypad, the keypad being physically integrated to the secure receptacle, processing, after the delivering step, the primary user access code entered into the wireless key, after the step of entering a second user acces code by the user into a keypad, processing the secondary user access code entered into the keypad, and after the first and second processing steps, disengaging a locking mechanism of the secure receptacle, thereby allowing the user to gain access to at least one retail good previously ordered and delivered. 30. The process of claim 29, wherein the primary and secondary access codes comprise knowledge-based information that distinguishes the user who ordered at least one retail good from an unauthorized user attempting to gain access to the secure receptacle. 31. The process of claim 29, wherein the primary and secondary access codes comprise a combination of alphanumeric characters. 32. The process of claim 29, wherein the primary access code comprises a combination of colors. 33. The process of claim 29, wherein the primary access code comprises physical characteristics of the user. 34. The process of claim 33, wherein the physical characteristic of the user comprises a finger print. 35. The process of claim 33, wherein the physical characteristic of the user comprises a voice print.