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US 11,080,646 B2Granted
System for parcel transport and tracking operated responsive to data bearing records
AssigneeShipperBee, Inc.
InventorJim Estill
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for parcel transport and tracking that operates responsive to data bearing records includes a plurality of geographically spaced repositories. The exemplary repositories include a plurality of enclosed compartment spaces. Access to each of the enclosed compartment spaces is controlled by respective door which is in operative connection with the respective lock. Central control circuitry in operative connection with the repositories is operative to control access to the compartment spaces and to cause compartments to be selectively accessible so that selected parcels may be placed therein or removed therefrom.
Claims28
Apparatus comprising:
- central system circuitry, wherein the central system circuitry is in operative connection with
- at least one data store,
- at least one wireless communication network,
- a plurality of geographically disposed repositories, wherein each repository is selectively operable to accept and make available delivery items to authorized users,
- wherein each repository includes
- a body, wherein the body bounds at least one interior area, wherein each interior area is configured to hold at least one delivery item,
- wherein the body includes a respective opening to one respective interior area,
- a door,
- wherein the door is movably mounted in operative connection with the body,
- wherein the door is movable between
- a closed position, wherein the door closes the respective opening,
- an open position, wherein the door is at least partially disposed away from the respective opening and the interior area is externally accessible from outside the body,
- a lock, wherein the lock is in operative connection with the door,
- wherein the lock is changeable between
- a locked condition, wherein in the locked condition the lock is operative to hold the door in the closed position, and
- an unlocked condition, wherein in the unlocked condition the door is movable from the closed position to the open position,
- repository control circuitry, wherein the repository control circuitry is in operative connection with
- the lock,
- at least one wireless transceiver, wherein the at least one wireless transceiver is in operative connection with the at least one wireless network,
- wherein a first interior area of a first repository includes a delivery item therein,
- wherein the delivery item includes machine-readable indicia that corresponds to a delivery item identifier that uniquely identifies the delivery item,
- wherein the at least one data store includes data corresponding to
- i) the delivery item identifier,
- ii) the first interior area, and
- iii) a first authorized user,
- wherein the data corresponding to at least two of (i), (ii), and (iii) are stored the at least one data store in correlated relation,
- wherein the control circuitry is operative to cause
- the at least one wireless transceiver to be operable to wirelessly receive from a user device, a user identifier,
- a determination that the user identifier corresponds to the stored data corresponding to the first authorized user,
- responsive at least in part to the determination, communication with the repository control circuitry operative to cause the lock that controls access to the first interior area to be changed from the locked condition to the unlocked condition,
- whereby the first authorized user is enabled to remove the delivery item from the first interior area.
28 more elements
Apparatus comprising:
- central system circuitry, wherein the central system circuitry includes at least one data store,
- wherein the central system circuitry is in operative connection with
- a plurality of geographically disposed delivery item repositories, wherein each item repository is configured to receive a plurality of delivery items therein and make accessible the plurality of delivery items therefrom,
- wherein each repository includes
- a body, wherein the body bounds at least one interior area,
- at least one door, wherein one respective door is associated with one respective interior area, and is movably mounted in operative connection with the body to enable and prevent access to the respective interior area from outside the body,
- at least one electrically actuated lock, wherein each respective lock is associated with a respective door, wherein each lock is respectively operative to hold the respective door in a position that prevents access to the respective interior area,
- repository control circuitry, wherein the repository control circuitry is in operative connection with each lock,
- at least one wireless transceiver,
- wherein a first interior area of a first repository includes a delivery item therein,
- wherein the delivery item includes machine-readable indicia that corresponds to a delivery item identifier that uniquely identifies the delivery item,
- wherein the at least one data store includes data corresponding to
- the delivery item identifier,
- the first interior area, and
- a first authorized item carrier,
- wherein the at least one data store includes data usable to determine that the first authorized item carrier is authorized to access the delivery item in the first interior area,
- wherein the central system circuitry is operative
- to receive user data through the at least one wireless transceiver,
- determine that the received user data corresponds to the stored data corresponding to the first authorized item carrier,
- responsive at least in part to the determination cause a lock that controls access to the first interior area to enable access by the first authorized item carrier to the delivery item.
17 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.