Back to results
US 12,390,038 B2Granted
System and method of providing packing inventory sensing and management of a supply compartment for a storage receptacle
AssigneeBig Belly Solar, Inc.
InventorsJames A. Poss, Jeffrey Satwicz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A package deposit enclosure designed for public use is powered by an efficient storage battery and photovoltaic cell array. These unique features allow the package deposit enclosure to be placed in locations where no power is available, but where there is frequent human traffic. Sensing and wireless data communication features allow the unit to be emptied less often than typical package delivery enclosures. Wireless communication also allows users' access to real-time information. On board power enables other functions, such as lighting and audio, to enhance device functionality.
Claims19
A storage container comprising:
- an enclosure comprising a storage compartment for receiving a plurality of packages from end users, wherein the storage compartment is configured to receive the plurality of packages from the end users via an insertion door but does not enable the end users to retrieve any deposited packages;
- at least three sensors configured on the storage container, each respective sensor of the at least three sensors being of a different type than other sensors of the at least three sensors;
- a programmable logic controller connected to each respective sensor, wherein the programmable logic controller controls at least one of the at least three sensors based on data received from one or more of the at least three sensors;
- and
- a supply compartment for storing packaging materials and made available to the end users, the supply compartment comprising an access door and an inventory sensor, wherein the inventory sensor is configured to detect a presence of packaging materials contained within the supply compartment, wherein the programmable logic controller is connected to a battery and the inventory sensor, wherein the programmable logic controller is configured to trigger the inventory sensor when an access door sensor detects the access door is in an open position or when an insertion door sensor detects that an insertion door is in an open position.
2 more elements
A method comprising:
- collecting solar energy via a photovoltaic panel connected to a storage container having a package compartment configured to receive packages from end users, wherein the storage container comprises a supply compartment for storing packaging materials and made available to the end users and wherein the supply compartment comprising an access door and an inventory sensor;
- gathering, at a programmable logic controller, data from each respective sensor of at least three sensors including the inventory sensor, the at least three sensors each being configured with the storage container, wherein the programmable logic controller is connected to a battery and the inventory sensor;
- controlling at least one of the at least three sensors based on the data from at least one sensor of the at least three sensors;
- detecting, via the inventory sensor, a presence of packaging materials contained within the supply compartment;
- and
- triggering, via the programmable logic controller, the inventory sensor when an access door sensor detects the access door is in an open position or when an insertion door sensor detects that an insertion door is in an open position.
3 more elements
A storage container comprising:
- a battery;
- at least three sensors, the at least three sensors including an inventory sensor;
- a programmable logic controller connected to the battery at the at least three sensors;
- a package compartment, the package compartment configured to receive packages from end users but not enable the end users to access deposited packages;
- a supply compartment for storing packaging materials and made available to the end users, the supply compartment being associated with the inventory sensor;
- an access door to the supply compartment;
- and
- a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions which, when executed by the programmable logic controller, cause the programmable logic controller to perform operations comprising:
- collecting solar energy via a photovoltaic panel connected to the storage container;
- gathering, at the programmable logic controller, data from each respective sensor of the at least three sensors, the at least three sensors each being configured with the storage container;
- controlling at least one of the at least three sensors based on the data from at least one sensor of the at least three sensors;
- detecting, via the inventory sensor, a presence of packaging materials contained within the supply compartment;
- and
- triggering, via the programmable logic controller, the inventory sensor when an access door sensor detects the access door is in an open position or when an insertion door sensor detects that an insertion door is in an open position.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.