System and method for remotely coordinating the secure delivery of goods

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for controlling access to a locker for storing goods, comprising: a processor; a user interface, connected to the processor, for establishing communications between a user and the processor; a network connection, connecting the processor with at least one locker used to store goods; and a communications interface, establishing a communications link between the processor and a server; a vending machine; and whereupon receipt of a request by a user, via the user interface, to gain access to a locker, the processor communicates the request to the server, and upon receipt of an approval from the server the processor directs the user, via the user interface to the locker to which access has been granted and unlocks a locking device securing access to the locker.

2. A system for delivering goods to and retrieving goods from a secure storage unit comprising: a locker, further comprising an interior in which at least one good may be inserted and a first door by which access to the interior may be obtained; a locking device attached to the locker and securing access to the interior of the locker via the first door; a server, in communication with the locker; a user interface, in communication with the server; whereupon receipt of a request from a user, via the user interface, to access the interior of the locker, a server determines whether the user is authorized to access the locker and when authorized directs the locking device to unlock the first door; wherein the system further comprises a controller, associated with the locker and in communication with the locker and the server; wherein the controller establishes the communications between the server and the locker and, based upon instructions received from the server, controls the operation of the locking device; wherein the controller and the user interface are located in a kiosk; and wherein the kiosk further comprises a vending machine.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the vending machine dispenses at least one article of commerce.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the locker further comprises one of a plurality of lockers in a storage unit.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the locker further comprises at least one of a garage, a mailbox, a shipping container, a trailer, a box, a single compartment locker, a multiple compartment locker, a refrigerated locker, a heated locker, a video return locker, a self-sterilizing locker, and a clothing locker.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the locker is utilized by a single user to send and receive goods.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the locker is utilized by multiple users to send and receive goods.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the locker is located at a private residence, an apartment complex, a business, a vendor facility, a customer facility, a carrier facility, a centralized location, a transit terminal, an airport, or a shopping mall.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the locker further comprises a second door providing access to the interior of locker via the second door.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the locker is attached to a building and the first door provides access to the interior of the locker from a location outside the building and the second door provides access to the interior of the locker from within the building.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the server controls access to the interior of the locker via at least one of the first door and the second door.

12. The system of claim 2, wherein the locking device further comprises at least one of an electronically activated lock, a hydraulic lock, an electrical lock, a magnetic lock, an electro-magnetic lock, an electro-mechanical lock, and a mechanical lock.

13. The system of claim 2, wherein the server is in communication with a database containing data and content utilized by the server to control the operation of the locker and the locking device and access to the interior of the locker.

14. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller is in communication with the locker via at least one of a wired connection and a wireless connection.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the wired connection further comprises an Ethernet connection.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the wireless connection further comprises at least one established using infrared, satellite, and electromagnetic signals.

17. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller further comprises at least one of a personal computer, a programmable logic controller, a micro-processor, and a micro-controller.

18. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller further comprises a multi-tasking capable processor.

19. The system of claim 2, whereupon receipt of an input received from a user via the user interface, the controller communicates such inputs to the server; whereupon the server determines which of the at least one locker the user is to be provided access thereto and provides a response indicative of the determination to the controller, whereupon the controller commands the locking device to unlock those lockers to which the user is allowed access.

20. The system of claim 2, wherein the locker further comprises at least one sensor for detecting environmental conditions and security conditions, and communicates output signals from the at least one sensor to the controller; whereupon the controller monitors the output signals and generates an alarm when sensed conditions are other than desired.

21. The system of claim 2, wherein the user interface further comprises a user interface device.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the user interface device further comprises a display monitor, a keyboard and a scanner.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the scanner further comprises at least one of a retinal scanner, a fingerprint scanner, a voice scanner, a magnetic card reader, a signature pad, a bar code scanner, and an infrared data transceiver.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the user interface device utilizes a wireless connection to communicate with the server.

25. The system of claim 2, wherein the user interface is provided on at least one of a personal data assistant and a DIAD board.

26. The system of claim 2, wherein the user interface is provided via a wireless connection with at least one of a personal data assistant, a personal computing device, and a carrier DIAD board.

27. The system of claim 2, wherein the customer is notified when a delivery of a good to a locker occurs.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the notification occurs via at least one of an e-mail message, a page, a Short Message Service (SMS), a phone call, a facsimile, and web page message.

29. The system of claim 2, wherein the server is in communication with the kiosk via an Internet connection.

30. The system of claim 2, wherein the system further comprises a vendor's device, in communication with the server, wherein the vendor's device is utilized by a vendor to schedule a delivery of a good to the locker with the server.

31. The system of claim 2, wherein the system further comprises a consumer's device, in communication with the server, for receiving a notification when a delivery for a consumer to a locker has occurred.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the consumer's device is utilized by a consumer to schedule a pickup, by at least one of a carrier, a second consumer, and a vendor, of a good inserted into a locker assigned by the server for the pick-up.

33. A method for delivering goods to a customer by a carrier at a locker, comprising: entering a carrier id into a user verification device at a kiosk associated with a storage unit, the storage unit containing at least one secured locker controlled by a server via a controller; whereupon the server receives the carrier id number and upon verification of the carrier id number by the server, determines to which customer the carrier is scheduled to deliver goods, and provides a listing of such customers to the carrier, and upon receipt of a selection of a customer by a carrier, directs the kiosk to unlock the locker; inserting the good into the locker; and notifying the server of the insertion of the good into the locker.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the carrier id is entered into the user verification device using a scanner, the scanner being further comprised of at least one of a retinal scanner, a fingerprint scanner, a voice scanner, a magnetic card reader, a signature pad, a bar code scanner, and an infrared data transceiver.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the kiosk is associated with the storage unit via a remote connection.

36. The method of 33, wherein the locker is pre-assigned by the server.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein the locker utilized by the carrier to insert the goods therein is dynamically allocated and the process further comprises: receiving an identification of available lockers; and selecting an available locker; whereupon selection of an available locker by the carrier, the server directs the kiosk to unlock the locker.

38. The method of claim 33, wherein the method for delivering goods to a customer further includes: receiving an identification of the customer requesting the delivery; determining a location of the locker to be utilized for the delivery of the good; and assigning the locker to the delivery.

39. The method of claim 33, wherein the determination of the locker to be utilized for the delivery of the goods utilizes at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of: a preferred locker preference, an alternative locker preference, a place of business, a residence address, a type of good to be shipped, a time constraint, and time of day.

40. The method of claim 33, wherein the method further comprises specifying whether a customer must sign for the good before access to the good is allowed.

41. The method of claim 33, wherein the method further comprises: selecting an option to pick up a good to be delivered, wherein the good is located in a locker associated with the kiosk; and removing the good from the locker; wherein the good was previously inserted into the locker by a customer upon establishing a shipment request with the server and obtaining access to the locker.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein notifying the customer of the delivery of the at least one good to the at least one locker further comprises sending at least one notification message selected from the group consisting of: a page, a telephone message, an e-mail, a Short Message Service (SMS), a written message, a facsimile, and a web page message.

43. The method of claim 41, further comprising notifying the server that the locker is available for subsequent use upon retrieval of the good from the locker by the customer.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising processing the request via the server to determine at which locker the goods are to be delivered and delivering the goods to the locker identified by the server.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein the request is received via an internet connection between a consumer's device and the server.

46. The method of claim 43, wherein the request is received via a connection between a consumer's device and a vendor's device and the request is communicated to the server via a second connection between the vendor's device and the server.

47. The method of claim 33, further comprising notifying the customer of the delivery of the good.

48. The method of claim 43, wherein the method is initiated by a customer requesting delivery of goods to a locker.

Description Submit all comments and votes

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of secure delivery systems which utilize, coordinate, deliver and securely store goods at a location remote from the merchant of such goods. The present invention allows a customer to request the delivery of goods from a vendor, and coordinates the delivery of these goods to a secure locker from which the goods can be retrieved by the customer, at his or her convenience.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The acceptance of the Internet for commercial transactions by the public has afforded tremendous opportunities for new and existing companies in the fields of merchandising and delivery. The customer is now faced with the pleasant challenge of being able to select a wide variety of goods and services that include books, music, compact discs, videotapes, clothing, food, medicine, and prepared meals via a personal computer or similar electronic device. Customers are often able to place an order at their convenience, and arrange for payment and delivery, often without human intervention by the vendor.

Many companies are striving to use the new Internet technology to revive older types of sales and service franchises. In particular, home delivery of perishable food products invokes the memory of the old milk and egg or ice delivery systems popular until the middle of this century. Other companies merchandise general products like books, compact discs, clothing, videotapes, and small household items. Typically the merchants use a general-purpose shipper to complete the delivery step, like the United Parcel Services (UPS.RTM.), the U.S. Postal Service.RTM. (the "mail"), and FedEx.RTM.. Another category of delivery service firms are those that perform routine errands for people, for example, the pick-up and delivery of dry cleaning.

A critical aspect of order fulfillment is the actual placing of goods in the customer's hands. In many cases, the delivery location is specified by the customer, but the actual delivery date and time are specified by the deliverer. In many other cases, the customer can make a specific appointment with a particular vendor for a shipment receipt within a certain specified delivery time window: for example, "on Tuesday, March 16, between 3:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m." However, these types of delivery services are often not available, or are more expensive, or are interrupted due to unplanned changes in either the delivery service or the customer's schedule.

Modern consumers are challenged by busy work and social schedules and often do not have the time or opportunity to arrange for the personal delivery or pickup of items at times convenient to both the merchant and the customer. This is especially the case with delivery systems such as the mail and UPS which often deliver only during normal business hours, when the customer is also working. Since delivering personal items at a work location is often undesirable, impractical, and impossible, many customers can not conveniently receive goods via delivery systems currently available.

Various solutions to these problems in conveniently delivering goods and services have been attempted. Generally, these solutions only address the delivery aspect of the purchase/fulfillment circle and require the customer to be present at a more opportune time. Such solutions often do not address the vendor's or the delivery service's needs to reduce and/or eliminate missed deliveries, concerns with theft, payment considerations, receiver authorizations, and various other concerns. In the simplest case, for a locally furnished item, the customer may often elect to pick-up the product at the merchant's or shipper's location. Typical examples include dry cleaners, and going to a will-call window or a receiving dock. Other solutions include specifying precise delivery locations and time windows when the customer is at a specific location (for example, pizza delivery services). All of these solutions, however, inherently contain inefficiencies for the customer, the vendor, and/or the delivery service.

Therefore, a system is needed which enables a customer to specify a delivery or pick-up of goods while allowing a vendor and/or delivery service to schedule the pick-ups/deliveries based upon their schedules and needs and not necessarily based upon a particular customer's needs or availability. Additionally, such a system reduces deliverer and vendor concerns with payment by not having to carry cash or make change, while also maximizing a delivery service's utilization of resources by eliminating subsequent delivery attempts. The system would also minimize the amount of time a customer has to wait to receive specific goods and/or services, and eliminate the need for the customer to personally wait to sign for a delivery. The system should provide opportunities for merchants to accumulate and schedule related deliveries and to offer marketing opportunities for increasing business to others (i.e., to the areas of delivery).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a system and method for aggregating customer orders and delivery fulfillment requirements is provided. The system and method utilizes a storage unit which contains a plurality of individual lockers. The lockers may be of varying sizes, and configurations, and may provide heating, cooling, and other environmental features. In one embodiment, the storage unit includes a kiosk that is coupled to a server which allows a customer to place an order for the delivery or pick-up of goods. However, in other embodiments, a kiosk is not utilized and instead a controller associated with the lockers is utilized. The server also allows a merchant to identify those customers or potential customers to whom additional bargains, offers, or promotions may be made. By aggregating the demand for a given good at particular locations, the vendor is able to lower delivery costs and offer a discount to the customer.

The system and method of the present invention further enables vendors, delivery services, and customers with a system that allows them to reserve lockers in advance, from a remote location, for example via a wireless communications device. By reserving the lockers, vendors and deliverers are assured that a receptacle for delivering or receiving an order will be available on a specific date, at a specific time, thereby eliminating the need to return to a location because of a missed delivery. Further, the system supports the dynamic allocation of lockers, thereby allowing multiple users to utilize a given number of lockers on an as needed and/or as available basis. Additionally, customers will be assured by the present invention that their delivered goods will be at their designated location, on a specific date in a secure receptacle until they can arrive to claim the goods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 provides a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a system utilized to provide the various features and functions of the present invention.

FIG. 2 provides a schematic representation of an embodiment of a storage unit utilized in the present invention.

FIG. 3 provides a flow diagram illustrating a methodology utilized in at least one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 provides a flow diagram illustrating another embodiment of the methodology utilized by the present invention.

FIGS. 5A-5J provide a series of screen displays presented to and utilized by a carrier to interface with the system for the delivery and pick-up of goods at lockers for one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A-6F provide a series of screen displays presented to and utilized by a customer to interface with the system and retrieve a good inserted into a locker for one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A-7N and 7P-7R provide a series of screen displays presented to and utilized by a customer to request a locker in which to insert a good for a pick-up by a carrier and/or a vendor for one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the various applications utilized by one embodiment of the present invention to interface with the users, the server, and the locker.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention facilitates the secure storage and subsequent transfer of goods (which may include serviced goods) from a first entity (e.g., a vendor) to a second entity (e.g., a customer). Throughout this description the term "customer" or "consumer" shall herein be defined to include any person or entity to whom a transfer of goods is to be accomplished via the present invention. As such, a commercial entity receiving goods from another commercial entity via the system may be considered to be a "consumer". Similarly, the term "vendor" shall herein be defined to include any person or entity from whom a transfer of goods is to be accomplished via the present invention. Thus, a private person returning goods to a manufacturer might be considered to be a "vendor". Further, the term "carrier" shall be defined to include any entity who transfers goods from the system to a third location, for example, UPS or FedEx. Further, in certain situations, it is appreciated that an entity may be both a vendor and a carrier (for example, a pizza delivery service is both the vendor and the carrier). Lastly, the term "user" is herein defined to be any person or entity who utilizes the system to receive or transfer goods and, based upon the context of such use, a "user" may be a customer, a vendor and/or a carrier. Thus, it is to be appreciated that the present invention facilitates the secure transfer and/or storage of goods from a vendor to a customer via a carrier.

One embodiment of a system for facilitating the transfer of goods from a vendor to a customer is shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the system 100 includes at least one "locker" 120, having an interior, in which the goods are stored. The lockers 120 are connected to a controller 116, which via a server 102, controls the operation of and access to the lockers 120. Further, the controller 116 receives inputs from a user verification device 114 over a communications link 144. Signals from the user verification device 114 are utilized by the system 100 to determine to whom, when, and where access to a locker 120 is to be provided.

Additionally, the server 102 provides centralized implementation of all of the data and content utilized by the system 100 to provide and perform the various features and functions specified herein below. Such data and content is suitably retrieved from a database 108 in communication with the server, for example, via an Internet connection 136 or a direct connection 134. Additionally, the system 100 enables consumers and vendors to specify parameters, features, and functions related to a given or a group of delivery and storage needs via appropriate Internet connections 124, and 138, respectively, or via direct connections 122 and 132, respectively, with the server 102. Such connections 122, 124, 132 and 138 may utilize any communications links, protocols, systems, processes, and devices commonly known in the art.

Further, remote consumer and/or vendors devices such as a Personal Data Assistant (PDA) 112, cell phone or similar device may be utilized to communicate with the server 102 over direct 120 or Internet 128 connections. Each of these components of the system are described in greater detail below. Additionally, it is to be appreciated that while this embodiment includes the above mentioned components, other embodiments may utilize fewer or additional components as specific implementations require.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the system 100 permits any number, size, shape and type of locker to be utilized. The determination as to which locker to provide in a given application of the system 100 is based upon specific needs and wants. As such, it is to be appreciated that variations of lockers 120 may occur within the scope of the present invention. In its most basic form, each locker 120 provides an enclosure in which a vendor may insert and securely store goods until a customer, directly or through a third party, is able to receive the goods. As such, for purposes of this description, the term "locker" shall be construed to include any device or structure which is suitable for securely storing goods of any size, shape, fungibility (i.e., capable of providing environmental or other specialized features), or any other characteristic. As such, the system 100 is not limited to and may include any size, shape or configuration of lockers. Further, a locker 120 may be utilized by itself or in combination with other lockers, which may also be of a different size, shape, configuration and features. Examples of the numerous variations of a locker 120 contemplated by the present invention include, but are not limited to, a garage (for example, one used to securely store an automobile, furniture, or other large item), a mailbox used to store parcels or letters (for example, one provided by FedEx.RTM.), a mobile locker (e.g., a shipping container or U-Haul.RTM. vehicle/trailer which is capable of being transported to a designated address for subsequent on-site storage of goods), a single compartment locker, a multiple compartment locker, a refrigerated locker for holding perishable items, a heated locker (for example, for storing delivered pizza), a self-sterilizing locker, and a clothing locker (for example, for storing dry cleaning).

It is to be appreciated that the list of variations and combinations of features supportable by the lockers of the system 100 are infinite and therefore can not be expressly identified herein. As such, the present invention contemplates any device, structure, system or method for storing goods as being within the purview of a locker 120.

Further, as explained in greater detail herein below, it is to be appreciated that the locker 120 may be located at any location desired, and is not to be construed as being limited to lockers located at a private residence, an apartment complex or similar dwelling. The locker 120 may be provided, for example, within a vendor's or a delivery service's facility (for example, in a grocery store). Further, the locker 120 may be provided at a centralized location (for example, at a MailBoxes Etc..RTM. location) or at any other location where secure delivery of goods is desired (for example, a construction site, an airport, a transit terminal, or a business).

Additionally, the locker 120 may include any security feature or function desired to efficiently and securely store delivered goods. Such security features and functions may include, but are not limited to, providing public and secure access points to the interior of a locker, providing alarm and monitoring functions, providing locking mechanisms, and any other specialized security features and functions which may be desired based upon the characteristics of goods to be stored in the locker, the location of the locker, the time of day, the frequency of use of the locker, or any other variable.

One example of such specialized security features is providing access into the locker from both inside and outside a house or other structure. For example, a dry cleaner might provide a locker which allows a customer to retrieve their clothes after normal business hours. Such a locker might include a rotating clothes line that rotates a customer's clothes into a locker, from which the customer, upon the entry of the customer's access code, may retrieve the clothes, while an automatically controlled interior door prohibits access to the remainder of store. For such an embodiment, only one locker might be needed to service the dry cleaner's numerous customers after business hours.

Another example of a security feature supported by the lockers 120 is the use of remotely or automatically controlled locks 118. Such locks 118 may be utilized to secure access through a door to a compartment within which a given good is temporarily stored. It is to be appreciated that such locks 118 may include an electronically activated lock such as a MalLok.RTM. or TraveLok.RTM., both of which are manufactured by SmartLok.RTM.. Various other types of locks are also available and may be suitably utilized by the system 100 to secure a locker 120 and provide controlled access to the interior thereof including, for example, hydraulic, electrical, magnetic, electro-magnetic, electro-mechanical and/or mechanical locks.

More specifically, when electronic locks are utilized, a solenoid, mechanical locking mechanism, and electronic firing board are utilized. Further, a door latch position sensor is utilized to determine when a locker is forced open and provides an indication thereof to the controller 116, which then emits the appropriate alarm signal locally and/or to the server 102. Similarly, the position sensor can also be utilized to determine whether a user has correctly opened and/or closed a locker, after having received access thereto. As such, this configuration enables the controller 116 to control and monitor access to a locker 120. Further, it is to be appreciated that the system is not limited to a specific lock or set of locks, or even electrically activated locks (e.g. solenoid), and various other locking systems may be utilized in the system 100 of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2 (with reference to corresponding components in FIG. 1), multiple lockers 206 (120) of various size, shape and configuration may be combined into a storage unit 200. Regardless of the number of lockers 206 (120) utilized, a communications link 204 (142) connects each locker 206 (120) with a controller/processor 214 (116) situated in a kiosk 202. The communications link 204 (142) is preferably an Ethernet link. However, in other embodiments, a serial link, a networked connection, or similar connectivity may also be utilized to connect a locker 206 (120) with the processor 214 (116). Those skilled in the art appreciate that each component connected to an Ethernet, serial and/or network connection is suitably identified by a unique address and that such addresses may be added, modified and/or deleted, as necessary, without affecting addresses for other nodes on the network. Further, since an Ethernet or similar connection is utilized to provide control signals from the controller 214 (116) to an individual locker, lockers may be added/removed as desired without having to reconfigure the system or operation of an existing locker 206 (120) or a storage unit 200 and by merely assigning/deleting an Ethernet or serial address to the added/removed lockers 206 (120).

Additionally, while a wired connection is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is to be appreciated that electromagnetic, wireless, fiber optic, infrared, satellite, and other connections may be utilized to connect a locker 206 (120) with a controller/processor 214 (116). Further, it is to be appreciated that combinations of wired and/or wireless links may be utilized to connect given lockers 206 (120) with a controller/processor 214 (116).

With reference again to FIG. 1, access to each locker 120 is controlled by a controller 116. The controller 116 may be any device capable of performing the features and functions identified herein. In certain applications, for example, the kiosk approach shown in FIG. 2, the controller/processor 214 is provided via a personal computer or other computer workstation. In other embodiments, various other control devices may be utilized, for example, a programmable logic controller, a micro-controller, a micro-processor, or other controllers utilized in devices such as, but not limited to, a PDA, an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), or any other device which facilitates local control via communications received from a centralized server 102.

Further, instead of one local controller, for example, in a kiosk, controlling multiple lockers, the functions of the controller may also be implemented by a combination of local controllers with at least one remote centralized server. In such an embodiment, controllers may be associated with each or a certain number of lockers 120, which are then controlled via a remote connection (for example, one provided over an Internet connection) with the centralized server 102 (for example, an Application Service Provider). As such, the present invention preferably utilizes a local controller 116 in combination with a centralized server 102 to provide the features and functions specified herein.

Additionally, the controller/processor 116 may be co-located with the lockers 120 which it is controlling (for example, as shown in FIG. 2). However, it is to be appreciated that the controller 116 may also be remotely located relative to the lockers 120, the locks 118, and/or the user verification device 114. For example, the system 100 may be configured such that a centrally located controller 116 controls access to numerous boxes 120, for example, distributed throughout an apartment complex, via the communications link 142 (which, as discussed previously, may be wired or wireless). In such an embodiment, each of the lockers or groups of lockers is suitably accessible via a user verification device 114, which similarly may establish a wired or a wireless communications link 144 with the controller 116, the server 102 and/or a locker 120 (which contains a suitable interface). In such an embodiment, a customer may access a locker 120, upon entry of the appropriate access code (or similar identifier), without physically visiting a centralized controller or kiosk (for example, one located at a manager's office for the apartment complex). As such, for large scale operations, such as a large apartment complex in which numerous lockers 120 are located throughout the complex, only one controller 116 may be needed to control access to the lockers 120.

Referring now to FIG. 2 and as mentioned previously, one embodiment of the present invention utilizes a kiosk 202 connected to at least one locker 206 via an Ethernet connection 204 and further connected to the server (not shown) via a Digital Subscriber Link 220 or similar connection. In this embodiment, the kiosk 202 utilizes a personal computer to provide many of the features and functions of the present invention. As is commonly appreciated, a personal computer/computer workstation includes a proc