System for receiving delivery items and method therefor
AssigneeJames Kenneth Ivarson
InventorJames Kenneth Ivarson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A parcel-lock system and methods for securely receiving delivery items or parcels. The system has an electronically controllable parcel-lock on a door of an enclosure. The parcel lock stores one or more unlocking codes such as QR codes or barcodes. When the parcel lock receives an access code matching one of the unlocking codes, the parcel lock unlocks the door to allow the deposition of the delivery items, and starts video-recording using a front and a rear camera thereof. The parcel lock also continuously plays a beeping sound during the time the door is open.
Claims19
An apparatus installable to a lockable door of an enclosure at an entrance thereof for receiving one or more delivery items into the enclosure, the apparatus comprising and integrating:
- a front input structure for installing on the lockable door on a first side thereof corresponding to an exterior of the enclosure;
- a first imaging component for installing on the lockable door on a second side thereof corresponding to an interior of the enclosure;
- an actuation structure for installing on the lockable door for locking and unlocking the lockable door;
- and
- a control circuitry for installing on the lockable door for functionally coupling to the first imaging component, the front input structure, and the actuation structure, the control circuitry being configured for:
- storing one or more unlocking codes;
- receiving an access code from a visitor via the front input structure;
- determining that the access code corresponds to one of the one or more unlocking codes;
- commanding the actuation structure to unlock the lockable door for receiving the one or more delivery items into the enclosure;
- activating the first imaging component for monitoring the entrance and at least a first portion of the exterior of the enclosure adjacent a first side of the entrance;
- and
- a door-status detection structure for detecting a status of the lockable door;
- wherein the door-status detection structure comprises a door-status sensor and a mark detectable by the door-status sensor;
- and
- wherein one of the door-status sensor and the mark is installable on the lockable door and the other one of the door-status sensor and the mark is installable on a doorjamb associated with the lockable door.
A method for receiving one or more delivery items into an enclosure having a lockable door at an entrance thereof, the method comprising:
- storing one or more unlocking codes in an apparatus coupled to the door, the apparatus comprising a door-status detection structure;
- receiving, by the apparatus, an access code from a visitor;
- determining, by the apparatus, that the access code corresponds to one of the one or more unlocking codes;
- unlocking, by the apparatus, the lockable door for receiving the one or more delivery items into the enclosure;
- monitoring, by the apparatus, the entrance and at least a first portion of the exterior of the enclosure adjacent a first side of the entrance using a first imaging component installed on the lockable door on a side thereof corresponding to the interior of the enclosure;
- and
- detecting, by the door-status detection structure, the status of the lockable door;
- wherein the door-status detection structure comprises a door-status sensor and a mark detectable by the door-status sensor;
- and
- wherein one of the door-status sensor and the mark is installable on the lockable door and the other one of the door-status sensor and the mark is installable on a doorjamb associated with the lockable door.
One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage devices comprising computer-executable instructions for storing in an apparatus coupled to a lockable door of an enclosure at an entrance thereof for receiving one or more delivery items into the enclosure, the apparatus comprising a door-status detection structure, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause a processing structure to perform actions comprising:
- storing one or more unlocking codes in the apparatus;
- receiving, by the apparatus, an access code from a visitor;
- determining, by the apparatus, that the access code corresponds to one of the one or more unlocking codes;
- unlocking, by the apparatus, the lockable door for receiving the one or more delivery items into the enclosure;
- and
- monitoring, by the apparatus, the entrance and at least a first portion of the exterior of the enclosure adjacent a first side of the entrance using a first imaging component installed on the lockable door on a side thereof corresponding to the interior of the enclosure;
- and
- detecting, by the door-status detection structure, the status of the lockable door;
- wherein the door-status detection structure comprises a door-status sensor and a mark detectable by the door-status sensor;
- and
- wherein one of the door-status sensor and the mark is installable on the lockable door and the other one of the door-status sensor and the mark is installable on a doorjamb associated with the lockable door.
An apparatus installable to a lockable door of an enclosure at an entrance thereof for receiving one or more delivery items into the enclosure, the apparatus comprising:
- a front input structure for installing on the lockable door on a first side thereof corresponding to an exterior of the enclosure;
- a first imaging component for installing on the lockable door on the first side thereof;
- a second imaging component for installing on the lockable door on a second side thereof corresponding to an interior of the enclosure;
- an actuation structure for installing on the lockable door for locking and unlocking the lockable door;
- a door-status detection structure for detecting a status of the lockable door;
- wherein the door-status detection structure comprises a door-status sensor and a mark detectable by the door-status;
- and
- wherein one of the door-status sensor and the mark is installable on the lockable door and the other one of the door-status sensor and the mark is installable on a doorjamb associated with the lockable door;
- and
- a control circuitry for installing on the lockable door for functionally coupling to the first imaging component, the front input structure, and the actuation structure, the control circuitry being configured for:
- storing one or more unlocking codes;
- receiving an access code from a visitor via the front input structure;
- determining that the access code corresponds to one of the one or more unlocking codes;
- commanding the actuation structure to unlock the lockable door for receiving the one or more delivery items into the enclosure;
- activating the first imaging component and/or the second imaging component for monitoring the entrance, at least a first portion of the exterior of the enclosure adjacent a first side of the entrance, and/or at least a portion of the interior of the enclosure;
- and
- detecting the status of the lockable door.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.