CA2298217A1 - Goods containing unit of programmable limited access and temperature - Google Patents

Goods containing unit of programmable limited access and temperature Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2298217A1
CA2298217A1 CA002298217A CA2298217A CA2298217A1 CA 2298217 A1 CA2298217 A1 CA 2298217A1 CA 002298217 A CA002298217 A CA 002298217A CA 2298217 A CA2298217 A CA 2298217A CA 2298217 A1 CA2298217 A1 CA 2298217A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
unit
computer
goods containing
temperature
door
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002298217A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Vladimir Utkin
Mahid Etienne Bakhos
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA002298217A priority Critical patent/CA2298217A1/en
Publication of CA2298217A1 publication Critical patent/CA2298217A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/10Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property
    • G07F17/12Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
    • G07F17/13Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned the containers being a postal pick-up locker
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47GHOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G29/00Supports, holders, or containers for household use, not provided for in groups A47G1/00-A47G27/00 or A47G33/00 
    • A47G29/14Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels
    • A47G29/141Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels comprising electronically controlled locking means
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47FSPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F10/00Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for
    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05BCONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
    • G05B15/00Systems controlled by a computer
    • G05B15/02Systems controlled by a computer electric
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07CTIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C9/00Individual registration on entry or exit
    • G07C9/30Individual registration on entry or exit not involving the use of a pass
    • G07C9/32Individual registration on entry or exit not involving the use of a pass in combination with an identity check
    • G07C9/33Individual registration on entry or exit not involving the use of a pass in combination with an identity check by means of a password
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07CTIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C9/00Individual registration on entry or exit
    • G07C9/30Individual registration on entry or exit not involving the use of a pass
    • G07C9/38Individual registration on entry or exit not involving the use of a pass with central registration
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47GHOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G29/00Supports, holders, or containers for household use, not provided for in groups A47G1/00-A47G27/00 or A47G33/00 
    • A47G29/14Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels
    • A47G29/141Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels comprising electronically controlled locking means
    • A47G2029/147Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels comprising electronically controlled locking means the receptacle comprising heating or cooling means
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D13/00Stationary devices, e.g. cold-rooms

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Supports Or Holders For Household Use (AREA)
  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)

Abstract

A computer-controlled goods containing system comprising a delivery unit for holding therein items to be delivered thereto and/or picked up therefrom, the unit having a door provided with a lock for limited access to an inside of the unit by authorized personnel only. An authorization identifier is provided to unlock the lock. At least one computer is provided to be in control communication with the authorization identifier. The unit also includes a temperature control system for selectively varying a temperature in the unit.
Typically, the temperature control system is programmable remotely by the computer. The unit may also include a heat transfer control system adapted to at least be operational when the door is open to limit heat exchanges between the inside and an outside of the unit.

Description

GOODS CONTAINING UNIT OF PROGRAMMABLE
LIMITED ACCESS AND TEMPERATURE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a delivery box with computer-controlled access for allowing pre-authorized delivery of items to the box without the physical presence of the recipient.
2. Description of the Prior Art U.S. Patent No. 5,979,750 issued to Kindell on November 9, 1999 discloses a computerized delivery-acceptance system which comprises a delivery box having a computer-control input door for selective access by the delivery personnel. The delivery box also has an outlet door which is in selective communication with a room distinct from that where the input door is accessible, the delivery box being, for instance, mounted on an outside wall of a dwelling such that its input door is accessible by the delivery personnel on the outside of the dwelling, whereas the outlet door is accessible, for example by an occupant of the dwelling, from the inside of the dwelling. The input door has a lock that can be unlocked by computer-controlled recognition of access authorization for allowing the delivery personnel to place items in the delivery box. Thereafter, the input door is closed and locks automatically. The outlet door can then be opened for receiving the delivered items. The delivery box is thus a safe entity which is separate from the dwelling which thus remains unaccessible to the delivery personnel. Various computerized recognition systems are suggested to authorize the delivery of the items to the delivery box. The programming of i the delivery box can be achieved locally or remotely.
The access code to open the input door can be a bar code, a universal product code or infrared code, a physical object such as a key, a magnetic strip, etc.
A timed delete can be programmed into the computer-controllable lock. Also, an automatic delete can be programmed so that there is a only a single access to the inside of the delivery door by a given delivery personnel. If the delivery box is itself a room in the dwelling, the computer-controllable lock is positioned on an outside wall of the dwelling for selective access to the delivery room. Such a delivery room can also have an outlet door in selective communication with other parts of the dwelling. Within the delivery room, there may be various other compartments, such as a refrigerated unit.
U.S. Patent No. 5,624,071 issued on April 29, 1997 to Sosan discloses an apparatus for receiving packages in absentia using a delivery box which is temporarily suspended from a door of the dwelling. A combination lock permits the delivery personnel to open and deposit packages in the delivery box. The delivery box can only be removed from the door, for instance, by first opening the door, and which is thus only possible by the dwelling's occupant and not by the delivery personnel as the door itself is locked. The lock may incorporate a key hole as well as a code lock. A
padlock may also be used.
Japanese Publications No. JP6-100081-A
dated April 12, 1994 and No. JP5-124695-A dated May 21, 1993 are similar to U.S. Patent No. 5,624,071 with the former Japanese Publication showing an electric lock having a numeric keypad.

Japanese Publication No. JP6-100080-A dated April 12, 1994 discloses a further delivery box characterized, for instance, by providing sensors to detect if the merchandise has been delivered to the delivery box thereby preventing a second access to the delivery box with a same ID information.
Japanese Publication No. JP5-201489-A dated August 10, 1993 discloses a further delivery management system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a new computerized delivery acceptance system and, more particularly, to a goods containing unit having programmable limited access and temperature characteristics.
Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a computer-controlled goods containing system, comprising a delivery unit for holding therein items to be delivered thereto and/or picked up therefrom, said unit having a door provided with lock means for limited access to an inside of said unit by authorized personnel only, an authorization identifier to unlock said lock means, at least one computer in control communication with said authorization identifier, a temperature control system being provided for selectively varying a temperature in said unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a computer-control goods containing unit in accordance with the present invention and shown located at a distance from a dwelling;
Fig. 2 is front elevational view of the goods containing unit of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a schematic vertical side cross-sectional view of the goods containing unit of Fig.
1;
Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a refrigeration/heating system awd heat transfer control system used in the goods containing unit of Fig. l; and Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view,of a second embodiment of a goods containing unit in accordance with the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference now mainly to Fig. 1, there is shown a dwelling D and a computer-controlled goods containing unit U in accordance with the present invention. The goods containing unit U constitutes a new merchandise exchange/delivery system intended for this busy day and age. More particularly, the goods containing unit U is in the form of a housing 10 which is lockable by way of a lock which can be opened with a programmable code (see access control panel 12 ) such that a door 14 can be opened and thus that merchandise can be delivered to and/or picked up from the housing 10 by a third party to~which a temporary code has been given by the owner (or possibly leasee) of the unit U; thus, the owner does not, for instance, need to be at home for goods to be delivered to him, or to be picked up from him.
The housing 10 also typically includes a temperature control which can be adjusted/programmed in view of the merchandise held thereby for pick up, or to be held thereby after delivery thereto. The unit U could, for example, be programmed by its owner to have a room temperature for the first half of the day as its housing 10 will hold a computer for pick up, and then to assume a lower temperature for the rest of the day as groceries are to be delivered thereto in the afternoon. As seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the housing 10 includes a refrigeration/heating system 16 to provide a desired draft 18 of cool/cold or warm/hot air to the inside of the housing 10. The unit U can include a system to prevent/reduce temperature losses when the housing's door 14 is open, such as a ventilation air curtain 20 extending across the door opening to deviate at least part of the outside air (as per, for instance, arrows 22 in Fig. 4) and which is triggered by the opening of the door 14; such a system is economical and also prevents substantially important temperature and/or humidity fluctuations on the goods located in the housing 10.
The system can be designed to be a single unit located outside the home (Fig. 1) or a multiple unit U' for use inside (or outside) an apartment or condo dwelling (Fig. 5). The system can be programmed on the panel 12 provided on the unit U or remotely using a telephone modem, an Internet modem, or any other communication means, existing or other.
The unit's programmable electronic system is used to control the access to the inside of the housing 10, to control the inside temperature of the housing 10, to possibly recognize the nature of the goods in the housing 10. The~electronic system would be connected via modem, or the like, to other concerned parties, such as clients, suppliers, and even possibly to an eventual service center acting as an intermediate, e.g. broker-like, between clients and suppliers.
The unit U can even be provided with means to exchange currency, such as a credit card payment module for allowing payment at the unit U by a party buying the goods located therein, whereby the housing 10 would only unlock if the appropriate code is entered by the buyer of the goods and if the buyer electronically pays for these goods at the unit's payment module.
The present system could be used for perishable products, frozen products, prescription drugs, parcels, purchased goods (e. g. clothes), videos, airline tickets, registered mail, etc. The system allows for such exchanges of goods at hours where the unit's owner is not present, or even during the night while he/she is asleep.
The unit U is electrically connected to the dwelling D using, for instance, underground cables 24 but a wireless communication means could also be used.
Obviously, the temperature could be controlled without a programmable feature, wherein the temperature would be set for instance, by way of a thermostat such as to provide in the housing 10 a desired temperature. Such a thermostat could be a programmable unit such that various temperatures could be programmed on site for various events occurring during the day or week. Preferably, again, the refrigeration/heating system could be controlled by computer remotely, for instance from the dwelling D or from a completely different location with the access to the programmability of the refrigeration/heating system 16 being limited to the owner/leasee of the goods containing unit U.
Obviously, for outdoor use, the unit U
would be firmly anchored to the ground using, for instance, a concrete base 26.
Other systems to limit the heat transfers between the inside and the outside of the housing 10 then the herein proposed air curtain 20 may be used.
Such a system may also limit the humidity transfers.
It is noted that the unit U is designed to be transportable for use at a different location of the dwelling D or for use at a new dwelling.
The present system is thus well adapted to E-commerce .
For multiple units such as the unit U' shown in Fig. 5, the refrigeration/heating systems 16 would be separate for each housing 10 such that each owner/leasee can program his unit to his/her needs.
If the goods containing unit U or U' is located in the dwelling D/D', then there may be only a cooling system, that is without heating capabilities.

Claims (5)

1. A computer-controlled goods containing system, comprising a delivery unit for holding therein items to be delivered thereto and/or picked up therefrom, said unit having a door provided with lock means for limited access to an inside of said unit by authorized personnel only, an authorization identifier to unlock said lock means, at least one computer in control communication with said authorization identifier, a temperature control system being provided for selectively varying a temperature in said unit.
2. A computer-controlled goods containing system as defined in Claim 1, further including a heat transfer control system adapted to at least be operational when said door is open to limit heat exchanges between the inside and an outside of said unit.
3. A computer-controlled goods containing system as defined in Claim 1, wherein said temperature control system is programmable.
4. A computer-controlled goods containing system as defined in Claim 3, wherein said temperature control system is programmable remotely by said computer.
5. A computer-controlled goods containing system as defined in Claim 1, wherein said authorization identifier comprises a control panel accessible from an outside of said unit and linked to said lock means.
CA002298217A 2000-02-09 2000-02-09 Goods containing unit of programmable limited access and temperature Abandoned CA2298217A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002298217A CA2298217A1 (en) 2000-02-09 2000-02-09 Goods containing unit of programmable limited access and temperature

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002298217A CA2298217A1 (en) 2000-02-09 2000-02-09 Goods containing unit of programmable limited access and temperature

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2298217A1 true CA2298217A1 (en) 2001-08-09

Family

ID=4165274

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002298217A Abandoned CA2298217A1 (en) 2000-02-09 2000-02-09 Goods containing unit of programmable limited access and temperature

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2298217A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2522718A (en) * 2014-01-29 2015-08-05 Illinois Tool Works A locker system
WO2015114331A1 (en) * 2014-01-29 2015-08-06 Illinois Tool Works Inc. A locker system
CN107255385A (en) * 2014-01-29 2017-10-17 伊利诺斯工具制品有限公司 Storage cabinet system

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2522718A (en) * 2014-01-29 2015-08-05 Illinois Tool Works A locker system
WO2015114331A1 (en) * 2014-01-29 2015-08-06 Illinois Tool Works Inc. A locker system
CN107255385A (en) * 2014-01-29 2017-10-17 伊利诺斯工具制品有限公司 Storage cabinet system
US10883754B2 (en) 2014-01-29 2021-01-05 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Locker system
US10962273B2 (en) 2014-01-29 2021-03-30 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Locker system
US10976092B2 (en) 2014-01-29 2021-04-13 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Locker system

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FZDE Discontinued