System and method for providing access to an unattended storage

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to the field of unattended storage devices. Specifically, the invention is directed to a system and method for remotely opening an unattended storage device.

2. Description of Related Art

A homeowner (or businessperson) may want to be able to receive and send valuable parcels from his or her home when he or she is not at home (or at work). Households that participate actively in customer-direct commerce already may avail themselves of an unattended delivery solution that provides a secure storage device (or storage bin), which may be connected to a communication network (e.g., the Internet). Such storage devices are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,774,053, entitled "Storage Device for the Delivery and Pick-up of Goods," the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. The system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,774,053 provides a secure enclosure that enables both inbound delivery and outbound pick-up. A similar storage device also might be an unattended home delivery storage device, such as that described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/161,922, filed Oct. 28, 1999, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Despite the presence of such storage devices, unattended delivery does not provide the carrier with a human signature at the time of delivery. This lack of a signature authorization may create a chain of custody issue, because merchants generally hold the carrier liable for shipped goods until the consumer provides an acknowledgement of the receipt of goods.

Further, on many occasions, customers may desire to make purchases in remote locales, or even in familiar ones, such as in a large city, but cannot easily transport their purchases home. For example, a customer might be on vacation and unable to get many products home in the limited baggage space available. Alternatively, the customer might live in a large city and not have access to personal transportation. Such customers (or business person) may want to be able to receive valuable or heavy parcels at his or her home (or office) regardless whether he or she is not at home (or at work). Such customers may avail themselves of an unattended delivery solution that provides a secure storage device, which may be connected to the communication network (e.g., the Internet).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, a need has arisen for a method that overcomes these and other shortcomings of the related art. A technical advantage of the present invention is that a system and method for providing a digital signature for an unattended delivery system is provided. Another technical advantage of the present invention is that the unattended storage device may use an item's tracking number as an access code. Still another technical advantage of the present invention is that a portable handheld device may be used to provide access to a logistic company's (e.g, shipping company's) representative by scanning in a bar code, and transmitting the bar code to a storage device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for delivery to an unattended storage device and receiving a digital signature is described. The method includes the steps of receiving tracking information; obtaining a digital signature, where the digital signature is created by processing the tracking information; and transmitting the digital signature to a third party.

In another embodiment, a method for registering a digital signature is described. The method includes the steps of registering a customer with a certificate authority; creating a private key; creating a public key; and granting a third party access to the public key.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for delivery to unattended storage device and receiving a digital signature is described. The method includes the steps of receiving an order for an item from a customer; requesting pick-up of the item from a logistics company; and receiving a digital signature, where the digital signature is created by processing the tracking information.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, a method for delivery to unattended storage device and receiving a digital signature is described. The method includes the steps of receiving a request for a pick-up of an item; transmitting tracking information to a storage device; and receiving a digital signature, where the digital signature is created by processing the tracking information.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a method of providing remote access to a storage device is described. The method includes the steps of transmitting tracking information to a storage device; gaining access to an interior of the storage device if the tracking information transmitted to the storage device matches tracking information stored in a memory. In one embodiment, a digital signature may be transmitted if there is a match, and at least one notification may be provided.

In yet a further embodiment, a method for providing remote access to a storage device for the pick-up of an item is described. The method includes the steps of receiving a request for a pick-up of an item; generating tracking information for the item; transmitting the tracking information to a memory; transmitting the tracking information to the storage device; and gaining access to the interior of the storage device, if the tracking information transmitted to the storage device matches the tracking information stored in the memory.

In still a further embodiment of the present invention, a system for delivery to an unattended storage device is described. The system includes a first transmitter for placing an order for an item with a merchant; a second transmitter for transmitting a request for a pick-up of the ordered item; a tracking information generator for generating tracking information in response to a request for a pick-up of the item; a transceiver for receiving and transmitting the tracking information; a memory for storing the tracking information; a third transmitter for transmitting the tracking information to a storage device a comparator for comparing the tracking information transmitted to the storage device to the tracking information stored in the memory; and a digital signature generator for creating a digital signature.

Other objects, features, and advantages will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the needs satisfied thereby, and the features and advantages thereof, reference now is made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic of an unattended delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for creating a digital signature according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for verifying a digital signature according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for registration according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method of staging for an on-line order according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a method for remote access to an unattended delivery device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for accessing an unattended storage device using a tracking number according to, an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for accessing an unattended storage device for pick up of items using a tracking number according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a system for providing access to an unattended storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic of a system for providing access to an unattended storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1-11, like numerals being used for like corresponding parts in the various drawings.

The present invention extends the utility of unattended storage devices to enable the customer to provide a digital signature at times when the customer is not present to physically sign for a parcel. With this invention, an unattended delivery may result in the customer receiving the parcel, the delivery agent (or logistics company) receiving signature confirmation/authorization, and the sender receiving the delivery/receipt assurances that they are seeking. Any party with a tracking number for the unattended delivery could verify the signature by logging online or requesting a copy from the delivery agent.

Further, the present invention extends the utility of hand-held portable units to enable customers to make, pay for, and provide delivery instructions for purchases. The handheld device may enable customers to make purchases while they are away from home or in places from which they do not want to or cannot transport their purchases and to have those purchases delivered to their home (or office).

The customer utilizing an unattended delivery device may enable a digital signature in several ways: (1) by providing a blanket signature authorization card on file at the storage device central operations center; (2) by providing a signature on a case-by-case basis when a parcel is sent requiring a signature; (3) by providing a real-time signature from a remote location; or (4) by providing other real-time authorization which is translated into a digital signature. The first of these forms is the most simple and convenient, but provides the lowest level of control. It is possible that a combination of these solutions may be used, depending on the sensitivity or value of the delivery being made.

In general, once a pre-authorized digital signature is obtained, the digital signature may be passed to the storage device either by translating it into a code that represents the signature, or by converting an actual signature into a digitized string and sending that digitized string to the storage device. The information may be stored locally in the memory of the storage device, awaiting delivery, or it may be stored at the central operations center and sent directly to the logistics company once it is demonstrated that the parcel was delivered and a digital signature is required. The proof may be via a pre-authorized relationship with the logistics company (e.g., Federal Express, or the United Parcel Service, United States Postal System), or a data input mechanism to confirm the presence of the parcel, including a bar code scanner, IR device, digital camera, or the like.

Upon delivery of the parcel, the digital signature may be passed to the logistics company in several ways, including beaming the data to/from an IR port (similar to the IR port on the Palm V.TM. PDA or on the current UPS.RTM. DIAD III.TM. handheld tablet), connection to a handheld device using cable, imprint from a digital stamping device integrated into the storage device, or the like. This transaction also may include sending the digital signature directly to the sender of the parcel (e.g., the merchant). This would have the dual benefit of providing the digital signature directly and confirming receipt of the parcel. Alternatively, the confirmation of receipt to the sender may be withheld until the recipient is physically present at the storage device and removes the parcel.

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic of unattended home delivery system 100 is described. Customer 102 may purchase merchandise from merchant 104, which may be a merchant operating a web-site on the Internet. Customer 102 may have unattended storage device 106 at his or her service. When customer 102 purchases merchandise from merchant 104, it is delivered-by logistics company 108 to storage device 106. Customer 102 subscribes to the pick-up and delivery services of central operations center 110, which communicates with merchant 104, logistics company 108, storage device 106, and customer 102.

Referring to FIG. 2, a method for creating a digital signature according to a first embodiment of the present invention is described. In this embodiment, once an item is delivered to an unattended storage device (or storage bin), the storage device creates a message, which may include the tracking number for the item and a time stamp. The message is processed by a hash function. The hash function is an algorithm, which converts messages or text into a fixed string of digits, known as a hash result. This hash result may be substantially smaller than the text itself. Further, because the hash result is generated by a particular formula, it may be highly unlikely that some other message or text will produce the same hash result. The hash result may be processed through a signing function. The signing function may use a private key to create the digital signature. The private key is unique to the customer, and may be stored at the storage device, central operations center, the customer's personal computer, the customer's hand held device, or a combination of these locations. Once the digital signature is created, it is transmitted, with the message, to the verifier, which may be a logistics company, such as Federal Express, United Parcel Service or the United States Parcel Service, or the like. Once the digital signature is verified, it may be