System for automated package-pick up and delivery

An automated package pick-up and delivery station comprising:

• a housing;
• at least one information input system coupled to the housing to receive shipping and identification information, the input system including a touch screen display device, a data reader device arranged to read information from a credit/debit card, a scanner arranged to read a bar code and a biometric input device;
• at least one package portal located in the housing and arranged to receive and dispense packages, the portal including an access control arrangement to secure a received package within the housing;
• a controller coupled to the at least one information input system and the access control arrangement of the at least one package receiving and dispensing portal, wherein the controller is arranged to associate package and intended recipient identification information with a received package, and control operation of the access control arrangement to permit depositing of the package into the at least one package portal, the controller also being arranged to process identification information to authenticate identity of an intended recipient, send and receive identification and authentication information to a remote central data collection system and to control operation of the access control arrangement to permit dispensing of the package from the at least one portal;
• and
• a video conferencing system connected to the controller for allowing an individual present at the housing to communicate with an off-site attendant.

An automated package pick-up and delivery station comprising:

• a housing;
• at least one information input system coupled to the housing to receive shipping and identification information, the input system including a touch screen display device, a data reader device arranged to read information from a credit/debit card, a scanner arranged to read a bar code and a camera arranged to identify information and communicate the information to an off-site attendant for authentication;
• a plurality of package and receiving dispensing bays located in the housing and arranged to receive and dispense packages;
• an access control arrangement to secure a received package within the housing including a door and an electronically controllable latch mechanism connected to each receiving and dispensing bay;
• a controller coupled to the at least one information input system and the access control arrangement of the at least one package receiving and dispensing portal, wherein the controller is arranged to associate package and intended recipient identification information with a received package, and control operation of the access control arrangement to permit depositing of the package into the at least one package portal, the controller also being arranged to process identification information to authenticate identity of an intended recipient, send and receive identification and authentication information to a remote central data collection system and to control operation of the access control arrangement to permit dispensing of the package from the at least one portal;
• an automated package transport mechanism operated by the controller to automatically transport a package deposited into the portal to a designated bin holder located within the housing;
• and
• a video conferencing system connected to the controller for allowing an individual present at the housing to communicate with the off-site attendant.