Systems and methods for control of electronic parcel lockers
AssigneeUnited States Postal Service
InventorsDonald Eugene Irwin, Gabriel Michael Yessin, Joram Shenhar, Joel Locknauth Dewnandan, Michael LeRoy Spears, William Albert Tartal
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, devices and methods for storage, delivery, receipt, and/or other handling of an item in an electronically controllable storage receptacle are disclosed. The disclosure provides features for keyless access to the storage receptacle by use of user access information, such as a PIN or bar code. Further, features are disclosed for receiving and/or transmitting data related to the recipient and the item to facilitate the various handling actions of the item.
Claims17
A method of delivery to a storage unit, the method comprising:
- providing, to a user on an input device of a storage unit, a selection of a delivery option for an item, the item associated with an item recipient, the storage unit including a plurality of storage receptacles, a scanner, and one or more processors;
- receiving, in the one or more processors, a scan information from the scanner;
- determining by the one or more processors if the scan information comprises a barcode or other readable identifier;
- if the scan information does not comprise the barcode or other readable identifier, receiving recipient information on the input device and providing an option to a user to enter item recipient information on the input device;
- if the scan information does comprise the barcode or other readable identifier, determining by the one or more processors whether the barcode or other readable identifier is associated with an item recipient;
- and
- if the barcode or other readable identifier is associated with recipient preferences on a signature requirement, determining, by the one or more processors, based on the recipient preferences, whether a signature is required or if a signature is on file.
A method of delivery to a storage unit, the method comprising:
- providing, to a user on an input device of a storage unit, a selection of a delivery option for an item, the item associated with an item recipient, the storage unit including a plurality of storage receptacles, a scanner, and a processor;
- receiving, in the processor, a scan information from the scanner;
- determining by the processor whether a barcode or other readable identifier is associated with a package recipient;
- determining by the processor whether a signature is required or if a signature is on file if the barcode or other readable identifier is associated with a recipient identifying information including recipient preferences on a signature requirement;
- identifying an available receptacle of the plurality of storage receptacles for delivery of the item;
- and
- depositing the item in the available receptacle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.