Automated article delivery and collecting machine

A storage unit for depositing articles for subsequent retrieval, the storage unit comprising:

• a plurality of storage compartments;
• two retractable and foldable shelf members within each storage compartment, each retractable and foldable shelf member having a front side and a back side, wherein the retractable and foldable shelf members within each storage compartment define the size of the storage compartment, the retractable and foldable shelf members being movable between an in-use position in which the shelf members are arranged for supporting articles to be deposited and a stored position which merges at least two of the storage compartments to create a larger storage compartment, wherein each shelf member includes two foldable parts which are foldable along multiple lap joints, wherein each shelf member is foldable at the middle of the shelf along the multiple lap joints, wherein a first retractable and foldable shelf member folds from the middle and turns approximately 90 degrees to position the two foldable parts at a first side wall along the interior wall of the storage unit and a second retractable and foldable shelf member folds from the middle and turns approximately 90 degrees to position the two foldable parts at a second side wall along the interior wall of the storage unit;
• a set of doors configured to cooperate with each other and movable between a closed configuration which disallows access to the plurality of storage compartments and an opened configuration which allows access to the plurality of storage compartments;
• a lock mechanism arranged to lock the set of doors in the closed configuration and unlock the set of doors in the open configuration, wherein the lock mechanism comprises an electric lock which is controlled by a storage unit processor board, wherein the set of doors includes a door having a top side and a bottom side corresponding to each storage compartment and a guide rail having a top side and a bottom side between each door, wherein the top side of each door includes a joining pin which can engage a hole in the bottom side of the guide rail and the bottom side of each door includes a joining pin which can engage a hole in the top side of the guide rail, wherein the joining pins are activated by an electric actuator embedded in each door and controlled by the storage unit processor board, wherein the back side guide rail is in a fixed position and the front side guide rail is movable, wherein the set of doors and the front side guide rail have one of a right hand swing and a left hand swing;
• a bidirectional electric motor which provides movement to retract the foldable shelf members, wherein the bidirectional electric motor turns a shaft transferring movement to a first gear, wherein movement of the first gear transfers movement to a main movement gear, wherein movement of the main movement gear transfers movement to a first moving arm by a first belt and a second movement arm by a coupling gear and a second belt, wherein the moving arms are connected to the foldable parts by connecting arms and the connecting arms are attached to the foldable parts by a square shaft;
• and
• a control system comprising a computer, the processor board and software for receiving and processing an input and for moving the set of doors to the open configuration based on the input and to selectively define an access opening between the set of doors for accessing a storage section, the storage section being selected from at least one of the storage compartments, wherein the input includes a dimension of an article to be deposited, and the control system is configured to assign at least one of the storage compartments as the storage section based on the dimension and wherein the input includes a unique code which is associated with the storage section, wherein two or more storage compartments are capable of being assigned as the storage section, wherein the access opening is capable of being arranged to match openings of the two or more storage compartments, wherein the control system calculates freight charge, wherein payment may be accepted by debit/credit card through a smart card reader and writer, Near Field Communication (NFC) through a NFC/RFID card reader or cash through a cash recycle unit to dispense and deposit bank notes, wherein the control system includes a touch screen display for entering an input, a graphical user interface which allows users to enter details of a sender and a receiver of an article, a printer to print shipment documents and payment receipts, a finger print scanner to identify operators, a barcode scanner to enter shipping and receiving information from article barcodes, a security camera to record activities during operation, a secure Personal Identification Number (PIN) pad, and a display screen for advertisements.