Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
  • A47G29/00—Supports, holders, or containers for household use, not provided for in groups A47G1/00-A47G27/00 or A47G33/00 
  • A47G29/14—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels
  • A47G29/141—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels comprising electronically controlled locking means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
  • A47G29/00—Supports, holders, or containers for household use, not provided for in groups A47G1/00-A47G27/00 or A47G33/00 
  • A47G29/12—Mail or newspaper receptacles, e.g. letter-boxes; Openings in doors or the like for delivering mail or newspapers
  • A47G29/1201—Letter-box assemblies for apartment buildings
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
  • A47G29/00—Supports, holders, or containers for household use, not provided for in groups A47G1/00-A47G27/00 or A47G33/00 
  • A47G29/14—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
  • A47G29/00—Supports, holders, or containers for household use, not provided for in groups A47G1/00-A47G27/00 or A47G33/00 
  • A47G29/14—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels
  • A47G29/141—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels comprising electronically controlled locking means
  • A47G2029/145—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels comprising electronically controlled locking means the receptacle comprising means for identifying a deposit; Deposits carrying identification means, e.g. a bar code
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
  • A47G29/00—Supports, holders, or containers for household use, not provided for in groups A47G1/00-A47G27/00 or A47G33/00 
  • A47G29/14—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels
  • A47G29/141—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels comprising electronically controlled locking means
  • A47G2029/146—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels comprising electronically controlled locking means the receptacle comprising identification means, e.g. a bar code

Definitions

• This invention relates to apparatus for ensuring the secure delivery of articles to household or business premises, for example.
• the invention also relates to a method allowing for a secure delivery of articles and the verification of delivery.
• the present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the above mentioned problems.
• One aspect of the present invention provides apparatus for the secure delivery of articles comprising a box having a door openable, when no article is in the box, by a deliverer of the article, wherein, once closed with an article placed in the box, the door is only capable of being re-opened by a holder of the box, thereby preventing the unwanted removal of the article placed therein, once delivered.
• the box may further comprise a second door capable functioning similarly to the first door.
• the box may be divided into two compartments accessible from the first and second doors respectively, with each compartment accessible from the respective doors, thereby permitting the secure delivery of articles on two separate occasions and/or from two separate deliverers.
• the box may be divided by a flexible and/or movable partition so as to allow the size of each compartment to be adjusted to the size of the article to be held therein.
• the box holder may be provided with locking means to enable the box to be re-opened.
• the locking means comprises a key, combination, barcode, keypad or an electronically operated lock.
• the box may be manufactured from plastics material.
• the box may be manufactured from low density polythene.
• the box may be manufactured from metal.
• the box is manufactured from steel.
• the box may be stackable.
• a plurality of the boxes may be manufactured integrally.
• the box may be provided with a unique identifier for use in validating the delivery of the article.
• the identifier can only be read after an article has been placed in the box, and the box door closed.
• the identifier may be rendered unreadable, and is not capable of being re-read until the article is removed from the box by the box holder, a further article is placed in the box, and the box is closed.
• the identifier may be a barcode which is read by a barcode reader carried by the deliverer.
• a barcode reader carried by the deliverer.
• two barcodes are provided, the barcodes being arranged such that sequential reading thereof is only possible once an article is placed in the box and the door is closed.
• the barcode reader may be capable of recording the date and/or time of the delivery.
• the identifier may be supplied by means associated with the box.
• the supply means may comprise a printer which prints the identifier on a sheet retained by the deliverer.
• the supply means may comprise a display that may provide the identifier in the form of a readable alphanumeric code.
• an algorithm may encrypt the unique identifier for output on the display. More preferably the algorithm may further encrypt the time and/or date of delivery and/or an identifier associated with the article.
• the supply means may comprise a transmitter to transmit the unique identifier to a desired location when an article is delivered.
• the transmission means may comprise a radio transmitter. More preferably the radio transmitter may operate using a cellular telecommunications system.
• the unique identifier may only be transmitted once the article is placed in the box, and the box door is closed.
• sensors may be provided to detect whether an article is placed in the box and/or whether the box door is closed.
• the deliverer may verify delivery to the box using coded verification means.
• the coded verification means may be further used to gain access to the box.
• the coded verification means may record the time and/or date of delivery. Preferably the time and/or date of delivery are not recorded until the article has been placed in the box. and the box secured.
• the coded verification means may comprise a smartcard barcode, or alphanumeric code.
• the coded verification means may comprise a smartcard and a smartcard reader may be associated with the box and may be pre-programmed with a verification code, the verification code being supplied to the deliverer prior to the delivery of the article so as to enable the box to be opened.
• the verification code may be a unique identifier associated with the box.
• the smartcard may further hold information required to locate the box.
• the smartcard may contain the access codes and locations of a plurality of boxes.
• the smartcard may store the verification code magnetically and the card is swiped in the card reader to gain access to the box.
• the smartcard may transmit the verification code to the card reader using a radio signal.
• a method of securely and verifiably delivering articles to a box comprises the steps of: a holder of the box or third party supplying a unique identifier associated with the box to a deliverer of the article; the deliverer delivering the article to the box; the deliverer authenticating the unique identifier and the time and/or date of delivery thereby verifying that the deliverer was present at that box at the recorded time and/or date.
• the unique identifier is a barcode and the deliverer may record the delivery using a barcode reader which further records the time and/or date of delivery
• the unique identifier is a code stored by means associated with the box
• the means associated with the box may supply the identifier
• the identifier may be transmitted to a desired location once the delivery has been made
• the supply means ma ⁇ comprise a printer which prints the identifier on a sheet retained by the deliverer
• the supply means may comprise a display that provide the identifier in the form of a readable alphanumeric code.
• the identifier may only be recorded once the article has been placed securely in the box
• a method of securely and verifiably delivering articles to a box comprising the steps of: a holder of the box or third party supplying a verification code to a delivery company; the deliverer locating the box wherein a device associated with the box verifies that the code held by the coded verification means matches a code held within the verifying device previously input by the holder of the box or third party; the verifying device allowing the time and/or date of delivery to be recorded.
• the verifying device further controls access to the box.
• the delivery company may download the verification code onto a coded verification means.
• the verification code is held by the delivery company in the form of a barcode or alphanumeric code
• the coded verification means may be retained by the verifying device until the article is placed within the box, and the box is secured
• FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a box according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of plurality of boxes according to third embodiment of the present invention:
• FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a box according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGURE 8 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the box of Figure 7;
• FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of a door of the box of Figure 7;
• FIGURE 9A is a view of a door projection of Figure 9 in the direction of arrow X;
• FIGURE 9B is a view of a door projection of Figure 9 in the direction of arow Y;
• FIGURE 10 is a side view of a portion of the inside of the box of Figure 7;
• FIGURES 1 1A and 1 IB are perspective views of a box according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention with the door thereof respectively closed and open;
• FIGURE 12 is a schematic diagram of the electronic components controlling the function of the box of Figure 1 1 ;
• FIGURES 13A and 13B are perspective views of a bracket and a time/date stamp for use with the boxes of Figure 1 , 5, or 6;
• FIGURE 14 is a process chart for the integrated payment and delivery system.
• an apparatus for the secure delivery of articles comprising a box 9, 70. 80, 209, 309 having a door 30, 30a. 30b. 230, 330 openable when no article is in the box by a deliverer of the article, wherein, once closed with an article placed in the box, the door is only capable of being re-opened by a holder of the box. thereby preventing the unwanted removal of the article placed therein, once delivered.
• FIG. 1 there is shown a box 9 according to an embodiment of the present invention, to which access may be gained via door 30.
• the door includes locking arrangement shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 3.
• biasing means such as helical springs 55 mounted on rods 54.
• other biasing means such as leaf springs may be used, and the number of biasing means may be adjusted as necessary.
• the door 30 is closed.
• the platform 50 is lifted by cam means such as wedges 42.
• the number of wedges may be altered, or alternative means used to raise the platform 50.
• the wedges are advantageously attached to door 30 by mounting means 43.
• a portion of the edge of the platform 57 may be profiled to cooperate with the wedges 42.
• a dowel 51 preferably attached to the side of platform 50 rises above a latch 34 fitted, in this embodiment, to the inside face of the door 30 as part of projection 33.
• dowel 51 overlies a recess formed by latch 34. Simultaneously, wedges 42 line up with recesses 58 provided in platform 50. and the platform 50 drops under the influence of the weight of the article placed thereon.
• Locking means such as a key operated lock 1 1 attached to the side of the box 10 prevents a lower portion 35 of the latch 33 provided on the projection 3 1 of the box from being pushed back and releasing the door 30. If an article is on the platform 50, the only way of opening the door 30 is to unlock the lock 1 I which releases lower portion 35 freeing dowel 5 1.
• other known locking means for example a combination lock, or a swipe card, may be used. Only the box holder (e.g. a householder or designated company employee) is provided with key 15, or other means to enable the locking means to be released.
• the box holder Once the box holder has undone lock 1 1 they can pull the door 30 open and take the article off the platform 50. As a result the platform 50 will be pushed up by springs 55 and when the door is shut with no article on base 50, the dowel 51 is advantageously releasably caught by recess 36.
• a second door 30b is provided in the opposite side face of a box 70 to a first door 30a, and is preferably provided with an identical locking arrangement such that once the door has been closed and an article left on the platform 50b, it can only be re-opened by the holder of the box releasing the locking mechanism 1 1. If no article is left on the platform 50b the door 30b can still be opened.
• a partition 71 is preferably mounted between the first and second doors 30a and 30b to divide the box into two separate compartments.
• partition 71 is made of flexible material fitted in a concertina configuration.
• Partition 71 is advantageously fixed at the top and bottom and is configured to flex in a single direction such that access around the side of the partition inside the box is not possible.
• the partition is preferably expandable and/or movable such that if a large article is placed in the box (i.e. more than half of the side of the box 70) then the partition wraps around the article and access to the article is not possible from the other compartment.
• the partition is preferably made from durable anti-tear and anti- cut material such as Kevlar TM or Safeknit”TM cloth, or ribbed plastic or metal which substantially prevents tampering in order to access articles placed on the opposite side of the partition 71.
• an assembly 80 is shown which comprises a plurality of individual boxes 9 or 70 for use in multiple residence buildings or offices containing a plurality of separate companies.
• Each individual box 9 or 70 functions in a similar way to the box of the first or second embodiment, and is provided with one or more doors 30, 30a, 30b openable by a deliverer when no article is in the box.
• the box holder can open the box if an article is inside by unlocking lock 1 1.
• a partition 71 may be provided to separate each box into two compartments in a similar manner to the box of Figure 5.
• the arrangement 80 may be formed from boxes 9 or 70 specifically designed to be stackable. or may be manufactured integrally with a standard number of boxes.
• At least two opposed upper and lower edges of the box are bevelled such that a joiner piece may be secured in the gap produced when two or more boxes are stacked.
• the boxes 9, 70, 80 of all three embodiments are preferably manufactured from a tough, durable material to substantially prevent unauthorised persons gaining access to articles held therein, as well as protecting the articles from the elements, should the boxes be installed outside.
• the boxes may be manufactured from metal such as steel or low density polythene which fulfil the above criteria.
• the doors are made as part of the box 9, 70, 81 and meet the relevant security standards.
• Means, such as bolts (not shown), may be provided with the box to secure it to a fixed object to substantially prevent its theft.
• Each box be it the single box 9 of Figure 1 , the two door box 70 of Figure 5 or each individual box 9 of Figure 6 is preferably associated with a unique identifier such as an alphanumeric code, a barcode, a magnetic strip, or some form of microchip which may be interrogated by an appropriate reader in order to obtain the identifier.
• a unique identifier such as an alphanumeric code, a barcode, a magnetic strip, or some form of microchip which may be interrogated by an appropriate reader in order to obtain the identifier.
• the identifier may be provided on an accessible portion of the box, but in a particularly preferred embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the identifier is provided in the form of a barcode 53 which may be mounted on a panel 52.
• a cam follower 12 attached to the cover 16 slides up cam track 37.
• the cam track is preferably mounted on projection 31 via a level portion 38 of the track.
• the sliding motion causes cover 16 to rise up, whilst being held in slots 17.
• the cam follower preferably rests on the level portion 38 of the cam track. The cover 16 is thus held above aperture 14, and the barcode that is now visible can be read by the deliverer.
• the deliverer preferably pushes a portion of the follower 12 projecting from the outer face of the cover 16 to the right, thus pushing it off the edge of cam track 37. A sufficient amount of free play may be provided between the slots 17 for this to be achieved. At this point the follower 12 and cover 16 attached thereto will fall.
• Follower 12 pushes down a non-return catch 39 and comes to rest underneath. Thereafter it is not possible to raise the follower the beyond the catch 39.
• the hinge 37 is arranged to be movable to allow follower 12 to pass, and the mechanism is reset.
• one barcode may be provided on panel 52, and a second on projection 31 , such that when there is an article on the platform 50 and the door is closed, the two barcodes are aligned and the barcode reader is programmed to only record a successful reading of the barcode, if both barcodes are aligned, and read one after the other.
• This arrangement is described in more detail below in the fourth embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 to 10. Where possible, like numerals have been used for like parts with the addition of the prefix "2". Therefore, only those parts that differ are discussed below.
• FIG. 7 there is shown a box 209 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, to which access may be gained via door 230.
• the door includes a locking arrangement shown in more detail in Figures 8, 9, 9A, 9B and 10.
• biasing means such as helical springs 255 mounted on rods 254.
• other biasing means such as leaf springs may be used, and the number of biasing means may be adjusted as necessary. It can be seen that in this embodiment, only one side of the platform is raised on springs.
• dowel 251 preferably attached to the side of platform 250 is lifted by cam means such as an inclined plane portion 236 of a pivotting latch 233 attached to a projection 231 mounted substantially perpendicular to an inside face of door 230 (see Figures 9 and 9B).
• cam means such as an inclined plane portion 236 of a pivotting latch 233 attached to a projection 231 mounted substantially perpendicular to an inside face of door 230 (see Figures 9 and 9B).
• alternative means may be used to raise the platform 250.
• the dowel 251 rises above the latch 233, and as the door reaches a fully closed position, drops down into a recessed portion 240 provided on the other side of pivotting means 238 under the influence of the weight of the article placed on the platform 250.
• Locking means such as a key operated lock 21 1 attached to the side of the box 210 is arranged, when in a set position to abut face 242 of the latch, and prevents the latch 233 from being pivotted back to release the door 230. If an article is on the platform 250. the only way of opening the door 230 is to unlock the lock 21 1 thereby enabling the latch 233 to be rotated in an anticlockwise direction when viewed from direction X, thus freeing dowel 251.
• other known locking means for example a combination lock, or a swipe card, may be used. Only the box holder (e.g. a householder or designated company employee) is provided with key 215, or other means to enable the locking means to be released.
• the box holder Once the box holder has undone lock 21 1 they can pull the door 230 open and take the article off the platform 250. As a result the platform 250 will be pushed up by spring(s) 255.
• the top of latch 233 advantageously releasably catches the dowel 251.
• the deliverer In use, when the deliverer opens the door 230 and places an article on the platform 250 the deliverer cannot read the barcodes 253a and 253b sequentially, and therefore cannot record a successful delivery.
• the weight of the article pushes the platform 250 down on springs 255 such that the barcode 253b is lined up with an aperture 214 provided in the side of the box 210.
• the barcodes are not brought into alignment for sequential reading, and a cover 216 does not allow the deliverer to read the barcode 253b.
• a cam follower 212 attached to the cover 216 slides up cam track 237.
• the cam track is preferably provided on a plate 232 pivotally mounted on the opposite face of projection 231 to the latch 233 by pivoting means 238.
• the sliding motion causes cover 216 to rise up whilst being held in place by plate 217 and sloping projection 218.
• the cam follower 212 is preferably captured in the raised trough portion 219 of aperture 213.
• the cover 216 is thus held above aperture 214, and the barcodes 253a and 253b that are now visible and aligned can now be read sequentially by the deliverer.
• the deliverer preferably lifts the portion of the follower 212 projecting from the outer face of the cover 216 and moves it to the side so as to drop into the lower rest position 222.
• the follower simultaneously drops down edge 244 of plate 232 which is positioned substantially adjacent to cover 216 when the door is closed.
• the pivoting motion of plate 232 enables follower 212 to come to rest below edge 245. thus preventing the cover being lifted, and stopping further barcode readings being taken until the mechanism is reset.
• the above embodiment functions as follows: If no article is placed in the box 209. and the door 230 is closed, if the cover 216 is raised, only one portion of the barcode 253a will be visible, and a delivery cannot be recorded. Additionally, if an article has been placed in the box, once the deliverer has taken a reading of the barcode and pushed follower 212 to the right, the cover 216 hides the barcode portions 253a, 253b that cannot be accessed again until the box is opened and the article removed by the box holder. For the deliverer to be able to verify that a delivery has been made to the box, an article must be placed in the box, and the box then subsequently closed with the article remaining therein.
• a complete mail order/e- commerce delivery system should also have provision for permitting the secure collection of return articles (e.g. articles sent in error, or which are defective).
• the box 209 is advantageously further provided with a second locking means, which in the fourth embodiment comprises key operated lock 220 operating in conjunction with latch 221.
• the box holder places the article in the box on platform 250 and closes the door 230, and locks lock 220, but does not set lock 21 1.
• the collector uses a skeleton key (that can be used to access all such boxes, or a proportion of such boxes, such as those belonging to that delivery firm, for example) to release the lock and thereby open the door to remove the article.
• the barcode portions 253a, 253b can be read before the box is removed to verify pick-up.
• alternative second locking means such as a keypad or a smartcard locking system may be used.
• the box of the fourth embodiment may be adapted to provide two compartments in a similar manner to the box of the second embodiment, or be produced in a stackable/integral form in a similar manner to the boxes of the third embodiment.
• An input means, an electronic locking means, and a reader means are preferably mounted on the box 309.
• the input means is provided by a numeric or alphanumeric keypad 362
• the electronic locking means is a solenoid or preferably a resiliently biased locking means such as spring lock 31 1 operating in conjunction with a latch (not shown)
• the reader means is barcode reader 361 mounted inside the box.
• resiliently biased locking is that it is not necessary for a handle to be provided to access the box.
• the barcode reader 361 and/or keypad 362 may be repositioned such that they are secured to or read through the door 330, for example.
• the box is preferably further provided with one or more article sensors (for example infra red/optical sensors) 367and a transmitter/receiver 363.
• article sensors for example infra red/optical sensors
• a transmitter/receiver 363 Not shown on Figures 1 1 A and 1 IB, but illustrated schematically on Figure 12 are a controller 365, door position sensor 366, and battery 364.
• controller 365 may comprise logic circuits and/or one or more microprocessors. It should be understood that in some circumstances either the barcode reader 361 or the keypad 362 may be dispensed with.
• the deliverer may enter either a delivery company specific code via the keypad 362, or may pass a barcode printed on the article packaging or other pre-printed barcode in front of the barcode reader, thereby releasing spring lock 31 1 if the code entered/read (or part of the code) matches a pre-programmed code stored in the controller 365.
• the deliverer then opens the door 330 and places the article inside and closes the door. The presence of the article is detected by sensor 367 thereby causing sensor 367 to signal to the controller 365 that an article has been placed in the box 309. When the door closes, the controller 365 signals the lock 31 1 to lock the door 330.
• a pressure sensitive pad, the mechanical detecting means of the preceding embodiments, or other suitable pressure detecting means may replace the platform 350, and may signal the controller 365 when an article is placed thereon.
• the controller preferably instructs data regarding the time and/or date of delivery, the identity of the article, the identity of the box and the identity of the deliverer to be sent to a central database (that is administered by the delivery company or an independent company acting for a number of delivery companies, for example) to enable delivery verification to take place.
• a central database that is administered by the delivery company or an independent company acting for a number of delivery companies, for example.
• the transmitter/receiver used is preferably a radiotelephone.
• the data is preferably sent using the conventional cellular telephone network.
• the data may alternatively be sent via a standard fixed phone system, or other suitable communications network. This information is sent only when the door 330 has been shut and the package is secure inside the box.
• the box holder To retrieve an article, once delivered, the box holder enters their personal identification number (PIN) either via the keypad 362, or in the form of a barcode that is issued together with the box. If this matches a number stored within the controller 365, the controller signals the spring lock 31 1 to release door 330. The box holder then removes the article and shuts the door. The sensors 367 signal to the controller that the beams are not broken, and that the article has therefore been removed. When the door is re-closed, door sensor 366 sends a signal to the controller 365, which in turn signals the lock 31 1 to lock the door, and data is advantageously transmitted to the central database indicating the date and/or time of the removal of the article, together with the article details, if available after the door has been shut.
• PIN personal identification number
• the box holder enters a code on the keypad designating returns, or preferably a specific returns button is provided that can be pressed.
• the holder then enters their PIN either via the keypad 362 or barcode reader 361 and scans the original delivery barcode if available, all which is processed by the controller 365 to signal the releasing of the lock 3 1 1 to open the box.
• the box holder may scan a barcode issued together with the box for returned articles. The box holder then places the article to be returned in the box.
• the presence of the article is registered by the optical sensor 367, which in conjunction with a signal from the door sensor that the door is closed causes the controller to signal spring lock 31 1 to lock the door and send data via the transmitter/receiver 363 that an article is ready for collection.
• the collector When the collector picks up the return article, they enter a company/deliverer specific code either via the keypad 362 or barcode reader 361 , thereby releasing spring lock 31 1 and enabling the package to be removed.
• a signal is sent to the controller 365 from the sensor 367, which together with a signal from the door sensor when the door is shut causes the controller to signal the lock 31 1 to lock the door.
• This also preferably causes the controller to send data to the central database after the door is shut via the transmitter/receiver indicating that the article has been collected, together with the box identity, time and/or date of retrieval and the identity of the collector.
• the box also has provision for leaving articles to be collected by third parties (e.g. friends or business associates of the box holder).
• third parties e.g. friends or business associates of the box holder.
• the box holder enters a box holder programmable code to open the box and places the article to be collected in the box.
• the same code is then passed to the third party who enters the code to enable the article to be retrieved.
• the box may further be set so as not to accept deliveries for a certain period of time (e.g. if the box holder has ordered perishable goods, but cannot collect the goods for a period of time) by entering a delay code via the keypad, which is sent to the central database via the transmitter/receiver.
• a similar system is available to divert deliveries to an alternative box if necessary.
• instructions may be sent to the box via the transmitter/receiver using email, a specifically set up website, or a mobile phone (using the short message service, for example) through central database or directly.
• email a specifically set up website
• mobile phone using the short message service, for example
• central database or directly.
• IP Internet Protocol
• the controller is programmed to power down the electronic components after a certain period of inactivity (e.g. two minutes).
• the system powers up once a further input is received. It is however envisaged that in some embodiments mains power, or alternative power sources such photo-voltaic solar cells may be used.
• the box is also advantageously programmed to signal the database when the battery is low, the box is being tampered with, or an error signal is detected.
• a signal may be sent from the database to change box holder pin numbers should this be deemed necessary for operational reasons (if for example, a bill has not been paid).
• the box of the fifth embodiment may be adapted to provide two compartments in a similar manner to the box of the second embodiment, or be produced in a stackable/integral form in a similar manner to the boxes of the third embodiment.
• display means such as Liquid Crystal
• Display is provided on the box exterior and may replace or provide a back-up for the data transmitter/receiver 363.
• the display receives signals from the controller such that when a package has been placed in the box and the door closed, an algorithm running on the controller outputs an alphanumeric code for display on the LCD for use as a verification code.
• the algorithm preferably encrypts one or more of the package barcode, unique box identifier and the time/date of delivery. This may then be recorded by the deliverer, decrypted upon his return to the delivery depot and used as proof of delivery of a particular package at a certain box at a particular time and/or date.
• a similar algorithm may be used for any data transmitted via the transmitter/receiver 363 if increased security is required.
• the LCD may also be used to provide box status information such as battery warnings, for example, as well as instructions to users.
• the electronics provided within the box are housed within a self contained compartment preferably in the base thereof where it cannot be damaged by articles placed in the box and is less susceptible to vandalism as illustrated most clearly in Figure 1 IB.
• the deliverer is preferably provided with means to read the unique identifier, which in a preferred embodiment is a barcode reader (not shown) to read barcode 53 of the first, second and third embodiments, or aligned barcodes 253a, 253b of the fourth embodiment.
• the reader advantageously also records the time and/or date of delivery, and may be integrated, or used in conjunction with a handheld computer of the type already used by some delivery companies, for example. In alternative classes of embodiment, any other suitable form of manual or electronic reading means may be employed.
• a delivery notification may be transmitted using, for example, a cellular telecommunications system back to a central database (e.g. belonging to the delivery company or a third party) to provide 'real-time' article tracking, in which case, the time and/or date may be recorded by the database once the notification is received.
• a central database e.g. belonging to the delivery company or a third party
• means may be provided which will not issue the verification unless the correct article (verified by reading a barcode provided on the article left inside the box) is secured within the box. This may be achieved by placing a bar code reader inside the box, which only permits verification to be supplied once a barcode provided on the article has been successfully read with the door closed. If such a verification system is used, it may be possible to dispense with the above described locking and verifying methods. It is also envisaged that this system may be adapted for use with the electronic box of the fifth embodiment.
• a mechanism may be included which permits the door to be unlocked and the article to be repositioned such that the barcode on the article can be read.
• the reader may be programmed to allow a set number of repositioning attempts before deeming the validation to be a failure. In practice, such a safeguard may not be necessary, as deliverers would soon be discovered if they repeatedly recorded deliveries, but the recipients stated that the incorrect article had been delivered.
• An alternative method of verification would be the embedding of a microchip/ transponder in a delivery note or similar attached to the article, which could be interrogated by a device fitted inside the box 9, 70.
• FIGS 13A and 13B show a suitable verification device 1 10 which may be mounted to the box using a bracket 1 1 1. It can be seen from Figure 13A that the bracket includes a first elongate projection 1 13 which is bolted to the top or side of box 9, 70 or 81. Upon removing the bolts 1 14. the device 1 10 can be taken out of the bottom of bracket 1 1 1 and batteries or printer cartridge changed.
• means such as a radio transmitter such as is used in known cellular telecommunications apparatus could be triggered to signal a delivery company office for example, once the article has been delivered to provide real-time tracking as outlined above.
• the delivery method is integrated into the payment method for the article ordered.
• the merchant i.e. the company supplying the article
• the unique identifier associated with the box 150 such as the barcode number 53, 253a, 253b
• the identifier must have previously been associated with the credit/debit card details relating to the holder of the box, optionally together with personal information of the box holder such as their name, and the location of the box, and the data stored in a database.
• the association may be carried out the first time an article is ordered.
• the merchant queries the database holding the required information, preferably using a secure connection 152. If the box is used by a single delivery company only, this database may be held by the delivery company. Otherwise, an independently administered database may be set-up accessible via a website, for example.
• the identifier data may be integrated into a database of a known secure transaction system such as "ProTx' or 'Worldpay R TM' which may allow additional features to be integrated with the system, such as the ability to bill alternative credit cards, if a customer wishes. It is therefore possible for the holder's credit card to be billed for the purchase of the article by supplying only the identifier when ordering over the phone or Internet connection, for example, thus increasing the security of the transaction.
• the merchant then supplies the identifierto the delivery company 154 which preferably queries the same database, but would usually only require the delivery location.
• the person within the delivery company making the delivery is identified, and their deliveries for a given day allocated.
• the individual will therefore be supplied with a delivery location and identifier 156, along with the identifiers for the rest of the day ' s deliveries.
• the deliverer then goes to the correct location and locates the box 158. and places the article to be delivered within the box, and records the time and date of delivery 160 which is conveyed back to the delivery company by one of the methods outlined above, and is stored for retrieval should the delivery by queried.
• the time and date of delivery may be supplied to the merchant 162 in order to confirm that delivery has taken place.
• the deliverer may be supplied with coded verification means, a smartcard for example, which holds the required delivery data.
• coded verification means a smartcard for example
• the customer places an order with the supplier advantageously including the unique identifier which may again be matched to the customer's credit/debit card details for payment purposes and an alphanumeric order reference which, for security purposes should be a minimum of four digits in length.
• the merchant processes the order and passes the identifier and the purchase reference number, together with the ordered article to a delivery company.
• the unique identifier is used as the order reference, so only a single number must be supplied by the customer.
• the delivery company designates a deliverer and obtains the delivery location by querying the database of unique identifiers.
• the purchase order reference is then downloaded on to the smartcard carried by the deliverer, which preferably also holds data pertaining to the remainder of the deliveries for that day.
• the deliverer Upon reaching the delivery location, the deliverer allows the smartcard to be read by a verifying device such as a smartcard reader associated with the box.

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Citations (4)

• 2000
  • 2000-09-01 DK DK00956704T patent/DK1211971T3/da active
  • 2000-09-01 AU AU68571/00A patent/AU6857100A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2000-09-01 ES ES00956704T patent/ES2296636T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2000-09-01 WO PCT/GB2000/003356 patent/WO2001015579A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 2000-09-01 EP EP00956704A patent/EP1211971B1/de not_active Revoked
  • 2000-09-01 AT AT00956704T patent/ATE377370T1/de active

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