Chattel management apparatus and methods
OwnerMark J. Gazdzinski, Robert F. Gazdzinskiinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for tracking or otherwise accounting for chattel (e.g., personal property such as keys, pocket knives, and the like) at a point of departure such as an airport, bus station, train station, etc., or areas where people congregate (e.g., sporting events, concerts, etc.). In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a kiosk adapted for use near a security checkpoint, wherein passengers or patrons can efficiently deposit their items for shipment to their home, travel destination, or third party.
Claims16
A method of forwarding chattel from a first location to another location, comprising:
- receiving using a mobile device of a temporary possessor of said chattel information from the owner of said chattel as to said another location;
- placing said mobile device in communication with a receptacle apparatus at said first location, said receptacle apparatus being adapted to receive said chattel;
- communicating said information from said mobile device to said receptacle apparatus;
- and
- electronically encoding said chattel or packaging of said chattel with at least a portion of said information, said at least portion facilitating delivery of said chattel to said another location.
Apparatus for receiving and forwarding chattel from an originating point of departure to another location, comprising:
- a receptacle configured to receive said chattel;
- first apparatus configured to receive information from the possessor of said chattel;
- and
- second apparatus configured to encode said chattel or packaging of said chattel with at least a portion of said information after said chattel is deposited in said receptacle, said at least portion facilitating delivery of said chattel to another location;
- and
- apparatus adapted to cause insurance coverage to be issued for or applied to said chattel.
Apparatus for receiving and forwarding chattel from an originating point of departure to another location, comprising:
- a receptacle configured to receive said chattel;
- first apparatus configured to receive information from the possessor of said chattel;
- and
- second apparatus configured to encode said chattel or packaging of said chattel with at least a portion of said information after said chattel is deposited in said receptacle, said at least portion facilitating delivery of said chattel to another location;
- wherein said first apparatus comprises a USB (universal serial bus) key portable device.
Apparatus for receiving and forwarding chattel from an originating point of departure to another location, comprising:
- a receptacle configured to receive said chattel;
- first apparatus configured to receive information from the possessor of said chattel;
- and
- second apparatus configured to encode said chattel or packaging of said chattel with at least a portion of said information after said chattel is deposited in said receptacle, said at least portion facilitating delivery of said chattel to another location;
- wherein said first apparatus comprises apparatus adapted to receive payment information from a billing account associated with a cellular telephone placed in data communication with said apparatus.
Apparatus for receiving and forwarding chattel from an originating point of departure to another location, comprising:
- a receptacle configured to receive said chattel;
- first apparatus configured to receive information from the possessor of said chattel;
- and
- second apparatus configured to encode said chattel or packaging of said chattel with at least a portion of said information after said chattel is deposited in said receptacle, said at least portion facilitating delivery of said chattel to another location;
- wherein said second apparatus comprises:
- a radio frequency device attached to said chattel or packaging after said chattel is deposited in said receptacle, and adapted to store a plurality of data;
- and
- a radio frequency encoder adapted to encode a data representation of said information onto said radio frequency device.
Cellular telephone apparatus adapted for chattel forwarding from an originating location, comprising:
- a processor;
- memory in data communication with said processor;
- and
- a client process operative to run on said processor, said client process configured to process and transmit user-specific information, said user-specific information enabling the encoding and forwarding of chattel from a first originating location to another location, said another location comprising a travel destination for said user, said travel destination being obtained from a computerized travel reservation system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.