EP3053113A1

EP3053113A1 - Lockerbank network and method of operation

Info

Publication number: EP3053113A1
Application number: EP14781631.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dan Turner; Anthony BROODIE; Robin MINTO; Steven Finch
Original assignee: Bybox Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Bybox Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2013-09-30
Filing date: 2014-09-30
Publication date: 2016-08-10
Also published as: WO2015044692A1; GB201317313D0

Abstract

A network of lockerbanks (10) controlled by a remote computer system (40). In one aspect, a network of package reception terminals (50) are located at third party commercial premises (60) close to each of the lockerbanks. A package (2) is identified by the customer ID (43) of the addressee customer (3) and delivered to the commercial premises (60) proximate the customer's preferred lockerbank (10). When the customer ID is input at the package reception terminal (50), the terminal relabels the package with a new package ID (64) in a standard format, or transmits a notification (65') to the remote computer system or lockerbank, whereby the package is recognised and received in a delivery compartment (11) on arrival at the lockerbank. In another aspect, the package (2) may be received with other packages (2) in an overflow compartment (11') and then transferred later to a delivery compartment (11) for collection by the customer (3). In another aspect, deliveries may be authorised and/or allocated to a delivery compartment (11) or an overflow compartment (11') based on the target delivery time of the package (2) and the forecast future occupancy level (80) of the lockerbank (10), wherein the delivery compartments (11) are made available to receive other deliveries until the arrival of each respective package (2). The aforementioned aspects may be combined to facilitate interoperability with third party delivery systems while optimising the average occupancy and availability of the network.

Description

Lockerbank network and method of operation

This invention relates to lockerbanks used for the delivery and collection of goods.

A lockerbank comprises a group of secure compartments, a local computer controlling access to each of the compartments, and a local user interface whereby a user may interact with the local computer so as to obtain access to collect a package (i.e. an article, for example, goods or a letter) from, or, optionally, deposit a package in, one of the compartments.

The local computer includes a data link, whereby a group of lockerbanks are linked to a remote computer system to form a network serving a group of customers.

Networked lockerbanks may be used for example to provide a "last mile" delivery process for consumer goods ordered by telephone or over the Internet, or to provide overnight delivery of time-critical parts for field service engineers. In a known first mode of operation, a customer orders a package from a supplier who offers delivery via the lockerbank network. The supplier liaises with the remote computer system when the order is placed, and the remote computer system generates a standard package ID (i.e. a package ID having a recognised format) and stores it in association with the customer ID in the database.

Optionally, and particularly where the delivery time is guaranteed, the remote computer system may reserve one of the compartments in the customer's preferred lockerbank to receive the package. The supplier delivers the package to the lockerbank, which recognises the format of the standard package ID and opens a compartment to receive the package. Advantageously, by using a standard package ID in a recognised format, the lockerbank is able to accept authorised deliveries (and conversely, and equally importantly, to reject unauthorised attempts to gain access to an empty

compartment) while functioning asynchronously - i.e. without real-time communications with the remote computer system, such as when the data link is temporarily interrupted.

In a known variant of the first mode of operation, the package can be identified by a nonstandard package ID (i.e. a package ID that is not in the recognised format of the standard package ID) which is generated by the supplier or third party delivery organisation rather than by the remote computer system, and which may be in a format which is not recognised by the lockerbank. In this case, the remote computer system will transmit the nonstandard package ID to the lockerbank which stores it in the local memory and reserves one of the compartments to receive the package. When the package arrives the lockerbank recognises it as a valid delivery and opens the compartment to receive it.

The first mode of operation and its variant therefore provide scheduled deliveries, i.e. deliveries that are notified to the remote computer system at the time of dispatch.

It is desirable that customers of a lockerbank network should be able to arrange for goods to be delivered to their preferred lockerbank, even from a supplier that is unfamiliar with the lockerbank network and can only deliver to a conventional street address and/or requires a signature from a human recipient on delivery.

In a known second mode of operation a customer is registered to use a network of lockerbanks controlled by a remote computer system, which provides the customer with a customer ID. The customer orders a package from a supplier and provides the supplier with the delivery address of the lockerbank management organisation together with the customer ID. The supplier labels the package with the delivery address including the customer ID, and usually also a tracking number, and delivers the package via a conventional third party delivery service to the lockerbank management organisation, which identifies the customer from the customer ID and redelivers the package to the customer's preferred lockerbank.

Although this second known mode of operation allows arm's length integration with conventional third party delivery services, it disadvantageously increases the distance travelled by the package. It also introduces a higher degree of uncertainty into the delivery process since the deliveries are unscheduled, and so no advance warning is provided of the volume of packages entering the logistics chain and destined for delivery to a customer's preferred lockerbank. Where a package is scheduled for delivery under the first mode of operation in accordance with a defined service level agreement (SLA) - for example, for next day delivery by 08:00 in accordance with a higher priority SLA, or for next day delivery by 20:00 in accordance with a lower priority SLA - it is therefore necessary to reserve a compartment to ensure that the preferred lockerbank does not become unavailable to receive the package because it has been filled with unscheduled deliveries arriving via the second mode of operation. Since reserved lockers cannot be used to accept other deliveries, this disadvantageously reduces the average occupancy rate of the lockerbank (i.e. the average proportion of its compartments which contain a package at any given moment), and also reduces its availability to receive unscheduled deliveries, so that packages delivered via the second mode may be delayed.

It is a general objective of the present invention to improve the operational efficiency of a lockerbank network, in particular by improving the occupancy rate of the lockerbanks, improving the average availability of the lockerbanks to receive scheduled or unscheduled deliveries, and/or better integrating the network with conventional third party delivery organisations. In accordance with its various aspects the invention provides a system and a method as defined in the claims. First and second embodiments in accordance with first and second aspects of the invention are directed to a network of lockerbanks for the delivery of packages to a plurality of customers; each lockerbank comprising a plurality of secure delivery compartments, a local computer, and a local user interface in communication with the local computer, the local computer having at least one data link for

communicating with a remote computer system, the local computer controlling access to each of the delivery compartments.

In the first embodiment, a method of operating the network of lockerbanks comprises: providing at a first said lockerbank at least one secure overflow compartment; after arrival at the first lockerbank of a package for delivery to a respective one of the customers, making in respect of the package a delivery process determination between a normal delivery process and an overflow delivery process, and carrying out in respect of the package either the normal delivery process or the overflow delivery process in accordance with the delivery process determination; and invoking a collection process to allow collection of the package by the respective customer; wherein in the normal delivery process a first package for delivery to a first customer is received in a vacant one of the delivery compartments; and in the overflow delivery process the first package is received in the overflow compartment, wherein the overflow compartment contains at least one second package for delivery to a second customer; and after receiving the first package in the overflow compartment according to the overflow delivery process, a package transfer process is invoked, wherein in the package transfer process at least one of the first and second packages is removed from the overflow

compartment and replaced in a vacant one of the delivery compartments. In the second embodiment, a method of operating the network of lockerbanks comprises: iteratively generating based on expected future deliveries to and collections from the first lockerbank a forecast future occupancy level of a first lockerbank; receiving from a supplier a request for delivery of a first package to a first customer via the first lockerbank in a first future time period; based on the forecast future occupancy level for the first future time period, providing to the supplier an indication as to the availability of the first lockerbank to receive the first package; at a first time of arrival of the first package at the first lockerbank, determining whether any one of the delivery compartments is vacant and suitable to receive the first package, and if any one of the delivery compartments is vacant and suitable, then receiving the first package in the said vacant one of the delivery compartments; and invoking a collection process to allow collection of the first package by the first customer; wherein the said vacant one of the delivery compartments is made available to receive other packages up until the first time of arrival of the first package.

Third and fourth embodiments in accordance with third and fourth aspects of the invention are directed to a system including a network of lockerbanks for the delivery of packages to a plurality of customers, and a remote computer system including a database, the database including contact details and a customer ID for each of the plurality of customers. Each lockerbank comprises a plurality of secure compartments, a local computer, and a local user interface in communication with the local computer. The local computer has at least one data link for

communicating with the remote computer system, and controls access to each of the compartments. A plurality of package reception terminals are provided, each package reception terminal being located at a respective commercial premises proximate a respective one of the lockerbanks; each package reception terminal including a data input means and a data output means. In the third embodiment, each package is identified on dispatch by dispatch data and address details; the dispatch data including at least a first dispatch data item associated with a respective one of the customers; the address details indicating a respective one of the commercial premises proximate a respective one of the lockerbanks selected for delivery of the package to the customer. On delivery of a first said package to the respective commercial premises and responsive to inputting at least the respective first dispatch data item at the data input means of the respective package reception terminal, the data output means is arranged to generate an output identifying the first package, wherein the output includes at least one of a notification and a secondary data item; and responsive to receiving the notification or the secondary data item at the remote computer system or at the local computer of the selected lockerbank, the local computer of the selected lockerbank is arranged to receive the first package in a respective one of the secure compartments when the first package is delivered from the commercial premises to the lockerbank.

In the fourth, related embodiment, a method includes selecting for a first said package a respective one of the lockerbanks for delivery of the package to a first one of the customers; identifying the first package on dispatch by dispatch data and address details; the dispatch data including at least a first dispatch data item associated with the first customer; the address details indicating a respective one of the commercial premises proximate the selected lockerbank; delivering the first package to the respective commercial premises and inputting at least the first dispatch data item at the data input means of the respective package reception terminal; responsive to inputting at least the first dispatch data item at the data input means, the data output means generating an output identifying the first package, wherein the output includes at least one of a notification and a secondary data item; delivering the first package from the commercial premises to the selected lockerbank; responsive to receiving the notification or the secondary data item at the remote computer system or at the local computer of the selected lockerbank, receiving the first package on delivery in a respective one of the secure compartments; and invoking in respect of the first package a collection process, wherein the collection process allows collection of the respective package by the respective customer.

In the first embodiment, the overflow compartment allows the lockerbank to continue to receive deliveries even where the deliveries are unscheduled and the delivery compartments are full. The average occupancy rate can therefore be increased without compromising the availability of the lockerbank to receive deliveries.

In the second embodiment, forecasting allows lockerbank occupancy to be managed as a stochastic variable so that more deliveries can be scheduled without reducing the availability of the lockerbank to accept unscheduled deliveries.

Advantageously, the first and second embodiments can be combined to maximise both availability and average occupancy so that capacity is used with maximum efficiency. For example, when high occupancy is forecast, lower priority packages can be assigned to the overflow locker, or if placed in a delivery compartment, the collection process can be delayed so that if necessary the delivery compartment can be dynamically re-allocated as an overflow compartment.

In the third and fourth embodiments, the lockerbank network is made available to receive unscheduled deliveries via conventional delivery processes, while reducing the distance travelled by each package. Advantageously, the third and fourth embodiments can be combined with either or both of the first and second embodiments to maximise lockerbank availability and occupancy while handling an increased volume of unscheduled deliveries. It will be understood therefore that while each of the foregoing embodiments can be practised alone, they are more advantageously combined for optimal efficiency so as to maximise the occupancy and availability of the network. Further features and advantages will be understood from the following illustrative embodiment in which the features of the foregoing embodiments are combined, and which will now be described purely by way of example and without limitation to the scope of the claims, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a lockerbank network; and

Fig. 2 illustrates a forecast of the future occupancy level of one of the lockerbanks of the network.

In this specification, a "network" means a group whose members are "networked", i.e. connected to a shared resource such as a remote computer system, by data connections. A "remote" computer system means a computer system that is not wholly embodied in any individual one of the lockerbanks in the network; it may be physically centralised or distributed, e.g. in the cloud. A customer means a user of the lockerbank network, and a supplier means any entity that provides a package for delivery to a customer. A supplier could be for example an etailer or retailer or, in some scenarios, the lockerbank management organisation or another customer.

A package ID means a data item that identifies a package, and a customer ID means a data item that identifies a customer. A package ID and a customer ID are preferably unique to the package and the customer respectively. The customer ID is preferably unique to a respective customer but not unique to a respective package, so that each of a plurality of packages for delivery to a respective one of the customers will be marked with the same customer ID. A customer ID could be in a form (e.g. an alphanumeric code) that does not convey the customer's identity, so that the customer can interact anonymously with the supplier, or alternatively could include or consist of, for example, an email address or mobile telephone number or even the customer's name and address.

A package ID can be in any convenient form, e.g. printed as a barcode, an alphanumeric string or other indicium on a package label, encoded on an electronic tag, or even recorded on a separate medium or device accompanying the package.

A standard package ID means a package ID having a predefined format common to a plurality of package IDs, each uniquely identifying a respective one of a group of packages. When inputted into the local user interface of a lockerbank, a standard package ID can be recognised and validated by its predefined format, which may comprise for example a common constituent part or an overall characteristic of a barcode.

A nonstandard package ID means a package ID that does not have a predefined common format recognisable by the local computer or remote computer system. A nonstandard package ID could be for example a tracking number assigned to a package by a third party supplier or delivery organisation.

A personnel ID means a data item that identifies a person or organisation, particularly a delivery person or delivery organisation. It could be a smart card, a barcode, a biometric identifier, or the like. A package reception terminal is a networked or stand-alone processing device with data input and output means. A commercial premises means a premises of an organisation independent of the lockerbank management organisation.The commercial premises could be a local shop, a petrol filling station, or any other premises independent of the lockerbank management organisation where staff are available to receive deliveries. Referring to Fig. 1, a package delivery system includes a network 1 of

lockerbanks 10 operated by a lockerbank management organisation 6 for the delivery of packages 2 to a plurality of customers 3.

Each lockerbank 10 comprises a plurality of secure delivery compartments 11, a local computer 15, and a local user interface 20 in communication with the local computer. Each delivery compartment 11 has a door 12 with an electrically controlled lock. The local computer controls the operation of the locks and hence controls access to each of the delivery compartments 1 1. The local user interface 20 includes a touchscreen or conventional display screen 21, a keypad 22, a barcode scanner, a card reader, a short range scanning or other wireless data communication means, a biometric scanner, and other

communication elements as well known in the art. The local computer 15 has a local memory 16 and at least one data link 17 for communicating with a remote computer system 40. In the example shown, the data link is via the Internet 4, but it could be for example a dedicated, hardwired or wireless network connection. The remote computer system 40 includes a database 41 containing contact details 42 (e.g. a mobile phone number or email address) and a customer ID 43 for each of the customers 3. Advantageously, the local computer is arranged to store all of the data required to operate autonomously for a sufficient period of time that it can continue to accept deliveries and allow collections in the event of a communications failure. All of the steps including the transmission of data relating to an event such as the delivery or collection of a package are thus performed asynchronously. Of course, although less preferred, it is possible for the remote computer system to control the local computer in real time (i.e. synchronously). The data communication means of the local user interface may include means for transmitting (downloading) to and receiving (uploading) from a portable handheld data storage and processing device 30 carried by delivery personnel, which typically comprises a power pack, a keypad, a touchscreen or display screen, a barcode scanner, a short range scanning or other wireless data communication means, a memory, a biometric scanner, and/or other features as well known in the art. Optionally, communications between the delivery person 7 and the local user interface 20 may be via the handheld device 30.

The data communication means of the local user interface 20 may also include means for transmitting or receiving data from a handheld device of a customer, such as a mobile phone 93, so that the customer can interact with the local computer using their mobile phone, for example, to enter a collection code so as to collect a package. The system also includes a plurality of package reception terminals 50, each of which is located at a respective commercial premises 60 proximate (i.e. within a convenient distance of) a respective one of the lockerbanks. Typically the network will include at least twenty lockerbanks, more preferably at least fifty lockerbanks, each lockerbank having a respective package reception terminal associated with that lockerbank and located at a respective commercial premises proximate the respective lockerbank. Preferably each respective commercial premises will be within about 1km, more preferably within about 250m of the respective

lockerbank. Each package reception terminal comprises a fixed module including a data input means 51, which in the illustrated embodiment includes a touchscreen 52, a keypad 53 and a barcode scanner 54, a data output means 55 which may include a label printer 56, and preferably also a data connection 57.

In the illustrated embodiment, the data connection 57 is arranged to communicate via the Internet 4 with the remote computer system 40, and if necessary, via the remote computer system 40 and data link 17 with the local computer 15 of the respective one of the lockerbanks 10. In alternative embodiments, it may be more convenient for the data connection 57 to communicate instead directly (e.g. via a hard wire or short range wireless link) with the local computer 15 of the respective lockerbank 10, and optionally via the local computer 15 and data link 17 with the remote computer system 40.

The remote computer system 40 (or, alternatively, the local computer 15) iteratively generates based on expected future deliveries to and collections from each lockerbank 10 a forecast future occupancy level of the lockerbank, illustrated in Fig. 2 as a line 80 representing the estimated proportion P (as a percentage) of the total number of delivery compartments 1 1 of the respective lockerbank 10 which are expected to contain a package at any given point in time T.

The forecast is continuously updated by real time data indicating deliveries and collections that have taken place at the lockerbank, as well as advance

notifications of intended deliveries or requests from suppliers and from customers, received for example via a website of the lockerbank management company. Such requests may comprise requests to facilitate a delivery, e.g. by providing a package ID 64 for the respective delivery, or by providing a block of delivery address information which a customer can copy and paste into a supplier's website when ordering goods online. Of course, for each advance notification or request there is some uncertainty as to whether the package will in fact be dispatched, and when it will arrive at the respective lockerbank, and so a probability factor can be assigned to each piece of information. The forecast is based on a stochastic analysis of all the available data, and may be refined over time by identifying patterns of customer collections, supplier deliveries, or other trends in the data and building those into the forecasting process.

When a request 81 is received from a supplier 5 to facilitate the delivery of a package 2 to a customer 3 via a lockerbank 10 in a first future time period Tl, the remote computer system 40 provides to the supplier 5, based on the forecast future occupancy level 80 for the first future time period Tl, an indication 82 (embodied in a data transmission to the supplier's computer) as to the availability of the lockerbank to receive the package.

The indication could be a positive or negative indication of availability (dispatch / do not dispatch), with a negative indication triggered for example by a threshold occupancy level (say, above 97% or 98%). Alternatively, it could be an indication of the probablity that the lockerbank will be available to receive the delivery; in the latter case, the supplier may decide whether to dispatch or not dispatch the package to that lockerbank, based on what level of probability (hence what risk of a failed or delayed delivery) is acceptable to the supplier or its customer.

At the time of arrival T3 of each package 2 at the respective lockerbank 10, the local computer 15 determines whether any one of the delivery compartments 1 1 is vacant and suitable (e.g. by virtue of its size and position - some customers may require a more accessible locker, for example, at a lower height to suit wheelchair users) to receive the package. If any one of the delivery compartments 1 1 is vacant and suitable, then the package 2 is received in the vacant compartment 1 1. The local computer 15 is also arranged to invoke a collection process to allow collection of the package by the respective customer to whom it is addressed. Preferably, the collection process is invoked responsive to receiving the respective package 2 in the delivery compartment 11, e.g. responsive to locking the door of the delivery compartment containing the package 2.

Advantageously, the respective vacant compartment 11 in which the respective package 2 is deposited is made available to receive other packages 2 up until the time of arrival of that package, e.g. by setting a data flag in the memory of the local computer indicating that the compartment is available, or by listing the respective compartment in a list of available compartments in the local memory. The determination as to whether any one of the delivery compartments 11 is vacant and suitable to receive the package may be made at the time of arrival of the package at the lockerbank, or alternatively at any time after inputting the first dispatch data item at the data input means of the respective package reception terminal and before receiving the first package in the respective one of the secure compartments. For example, the determination could be made at the time of arrival of the package at the package reception terminal, in which case, if the package is urgent, then the respective vacant compartment 1 1 can be reserved until the package 2 arrives at the lockerbank. Even though the supplier may have shipped a package following a positive indication of the availability of the lockerbank to receive it, there is uncertainty as to the exact time of dispatch and the exact time of arrival of the package, and when averaged over a large volume of packages, this uncertainty can be expressed as a high probability that a certain proportion of expected deliveries will be cancelled or delayed. By routinely reserving a compartment 1 1 for each expected delivery in accordance with the prior art procedure, the capacity of the lockerbank is disadvantageously reduced because a certain proportion of its compartments 1 1 will always be empty waiting for delayed or cancelled deliveries. By providing that each compartment normally remains available to receive any delivery up until the moment that the package arrives at the lockerbank, instead of routinely reserving a compartment 1 1 for each package, this otherwise wasted capacity can be utilised.

Of course, a supplier may still opt to reserve a particular delivery compartment 11 where a particular package 2 is of sufficiently high priority, or the local computer or remote computer system may reserve a delivery compartment where an expected package (for example, a package that has just arrived at a respective package reception terminal 50) is due for urgent collection. Each of the packages 2 is dispatched by one of a plurality of suppliers 5 for delivery to a respective one of the customers 3. Packages may be generated and dispatched in any of a variety of ways as known in the art, including as scheduled deliveries in accordance with the known first mode of operation and the variant of the known first mode of operation, and unscheduled deliveries in accordance with the known second mode of operation, as set out above. A delivery may be scheduled by the customer 3 visiting a website of the supplier 5 which provides a link to a website operated by the remote computer system 40 of the lockerbank management organisation 6. Alternatively, the customer may simply provide their customer ID 43 to the supplier, together with address details 61 indicating the respective commercial premises 60 proximate the customer's preferred lockerbank 10. The lockerbank 10 may be selected to receive the delivery at the time of ordering the package, or in advance, for example when the customer registers to use the service. For example, a list of convenient lockerbanks may be stored in the database 41 so that the customer can select the preferred lockerbank from the list. In the illustrated embodiment, each package 2 is identified on dispatch with the address details 61 and dispatch data 62. The address details 61 will generally comprise the street address of the respective commercial premises 60, which is printed on a label affixed to the package.

The dispatch data 62 includes at least a first dispatch data item 63 which is associated with the respective one of the customers 3. Usually the dispatch data will also include a package ID 64. Where the package is an unscheduled delivery in accordance with the second mode of operation, the dispatch data item 63 could be the respective customer ID 43 of the customer to whom the package is to be delivered. In this case, the dispatch data 62 will usually (but not necessarily) include a nonstandard package ID 64 generated by the supplier or third party delivery organisation which will not be notified at the time of dispatch and so will not be stored in the database 41.

Alternatively, where the package is a scheduled delivery, the dispatch data item 63 could be the package ID 64 which is stored in the database 41 in association with the customer ID 43 of the customer 3 to whom the package is to be delivered.

In this case, if the delivery is initiated in accordance with the first mode of operation then the package ID 64 will be a standard package ID, typically generated by the remote computer system 40 at the time of dispatch of the package.

If the delivery is initiated in accordance with the variant first mode of operation then the package ID 64 will be a nonstandard package ID, e.g. a tracking number generated by the supplier or third party delivery organisation. In this case, the nonstandard package ID 64 may be communicated to the remote computer system 40 together with an identification of the customer 3 in a data transmission from the supplier 5 or third party delivery organisation at the time of dispatching the package, or alternatively on arrival of the package at a staffed depot of the lockerbank management organisation 6. The nonstandard package ID 64, or alternatively, a validation code 64' generated by the remote computer system and corresponding to the nonstandard package ID 64, is then transmitted by the remote computer system to the local computer 15 of the selected lockerbank, which stores it in the local memory 16.

It will be understood therefore that the lockerbank network can receive packages in many different modes of operation, including by way of example those described above, each package being uniquely identified by a respective package ID, and so in practice deliveries may include at least a first group 2' of packages 2 having standard package IDs 64, and a second group 2" of packages 2 having nonstandard package IDs 64 which are stored in the local memory 16.

In the first and variant first modes of operation, the package 2 may be delivered by the delivery person 7 directly to the lockerbank.

However, for suppliers that operate a conventional delivery process, perhaps requiring a signature on delivery and perhaps without any knowledge of the operational principles of a lockerbank network, the second mode of operation offers the possibility to deliver the package directly in the conventional way to the commercial premises 60, where the conventional delivery process ends. The only special requirement is that the dispatch data 62 includes a dispatch data item 63 which identifies the customer 3.

Conveniently, the customer will simply communicate their customer ID 43 to the supplier 5 as part of the delivery address information including the address details 61, for example, verbally over the telephone or by entering it into an order form on the supplier's website. The supplier simply marks the delivery address information on the package, including the address details 61 and the dispatch data item 63 comprising the customer ID 43. Usually but not necessarily, the supplier will also mark the package with a nonstandard package ID 64 which allows the supplier to track the delivery but which is not recorded in the database 41 of the remote computer system and so will not convey any information to the lockerbank management organisation. During this first, conventional phase of the delivery, the lockerbank management organisation may thus be unaware of the existence of the package.

When the package 2 arrives at the respective commercial premises 60, the staff 66 at the premises input the dispatch data item 63 comprising the customer ID 43, together with the nonstandard package ID 64 if any, at the data input means 51 of the respective package reception terminal 50, conveniently by scanning a barcode on the package and/or entering the customer ID 43 via the keypad.

When the package reception terminal 50 receives the dispatch data item 63, the data output means 55 generates an output 65 which identifies the package 2. The output includes at least one of a notification 65' and a secondary data item 65", and optionally both. Where the identity of the customer is not already stored in the database 41 in association with the package ID 64, it is preferably included in the output so that either the secondary data item or the notification identifies the customer. For example, the notification could comprise the customer ID 43 (from the dispatch data item 63) together with the nonstandard package ID 64 applied by the supplier, which are transmitted to the remote computer system 40 so that the package can be recognised on delivery to the lockerbank and the collection code 70 can be sent to the correct customer 3 when the collection process is invoked as further explained below. Alternatively or additionally, the secondary data item 65" may comprise a new, standard package ID 64 uniquely identifying the package, which is assigned to the package responsive to inputting the dispatch data item 63 at the package reception terminal. The standard package ID 64 can be generated by the package reception terminal 50, or alternatively may be generated at the local computer 15 or the remote computer system 40 and sent to the package reception terminal via the data connection 57.

The notification 65' preferably identifies the package and/or the customer and may be transmitted to the local computer or remote computer system, which may respond by generating the standard package ID 64 and sending it to the package reception terminal 50. Alternatively, a list of standard package IDs could be generated in advance and transmitted to the package reception terminal which assigns the new package on arrival the next standard package ID on the list.

Alternatively, the first package ID 64 can be generated and/or assigned to the first package by software 58 at the package reception terminal, wherein the software is controlled by the remote computer system or the local computer, so that the package reception terminal is controlled by the lockerbank management organisation (although located on third party premises) but is able to operate asynchronously in the event of a communications failure. In this way, a new package that arrives bearing only the customer ID 43 can be assigned a standard package ID 64 and successfully delivered to the lockerbank, even during a communications failure.

The secondary data item 65" and/or the standard package ID 64 can also include the customer ID 43, or the identity of the customer can be transmitted later in the notification 65' from the package reception terminal to the local computer or the remote computer system in association with the identity of the package, e.g.

together with a standard package ID 64 included in the output 65 or a nonstandard package ID 64 included in the dispatch data 62. The package 2 can thus be identified with the correct customer 3 when this data is inputted at the local user interface on receipt at the lockerbank. Alternatively or additionally, the notification 65' or secondary data item 65" could include or consist of a validation code 64' corresponding to the standard or nonstandard package ID 64. For example, a validation code 64' could be derived by a mathematical function from the package ID 64, or vice versa, so that one code can be validated by the other.

In a variant of the second mode of operation, when ordering goods from a supplier, the customer can visit a website of the lockerbank management organisation, identify themselves and enter a customer personal identification number (PIN) 71 or the like to verify their indentity, and request a delivery. The remote computer system 40 generates a dispatch data item 63 comprising a standard package ID 64, which is recorded in the database 41 in association with the customer's customer ID 43 so that it uniquely indentifies, not only the package, but also the customer. The customer selects a preferred lockerbank from their list of local lockerbanks, and the website presents the customer with a block of delivery address information including the dispatch data item 63 comprising the standard package ID 64 together with the address details 61. The customer copies the block of delivery address information into an order form on the supplier's website. The suppliers labels the package with the delivery address information and delivers it to the respective commercial premises 60 where the dispatch data item 63 is entered at the data input means 51.

As in the previous example, when the package reception terminal 50 receives the dispatch data item 63, the data output means 55 generates an output 65 which identifies the package 2, wherein the output includes at least one of a notification 65' for transmission via the data connection 57 to the local computer or remote computer system, and a secondary data item 65". In this case, the notification or secondary data item may include or consist of a copy of the standard package ID 64 that the customer provided to the supplier when ordering the goods, and which identifies both the package 2 and also (by its association in the database 41 with the customer ID 43) the customer 3.

When the package reception terminal generates the second data item, it may be arranged to record the secondary data item 65" as an indicium 67 on the package or, via label printer 56, on a label 68 for attachment to the package.

Alternatively or additionally to re-labelling the package, the package reception terminal may transmit the secondary data item 65" or the notification 65' via the data connection 57 to the local computer or the remote computer system. A data flag or a data item corresponding to the package can then be stored in the local memory of the selected lockerbank, which is referenced or updated on delivery of the package to the lockerbank.

This transmission enables the remote computer system to include details of the package in the data used to generate a forecast future occupancy level of the selected lockerbank, and optionally (if the package is of high priority) to reserve a compartment to receive it, and/or to modify the delivery process determination or collection process determination of other packages delivered to the lockerbank in accordance with the forecast future occupancy level and the relative priority level of the new package, as further explained below.

Furthermore, where the package is marked with a nonstandard package ID 64, then responsive to receiving, at the remote computer system or at the local computer of the selected lockerbank, the transmission containing the notification 65' or the secondary data item 65", the local computer may be arranged (e.g. automatically or responsive to an instruction from the remote computer system) to store in the local memory 16, either the nonstandard package ID 64 or a validation code 64' corresponding to it. Such a validation code 64' can be generated for example at the package reception terminal and included in the notification 65', or generated at the remote computer system or local computer responsive to receiving the package ID 64.

In this way the local computer of the selected lockerbank is arranged to validate the nonstandard package ID when it is inputted via the local user interface and so to receive the first package in a respective one of the secure compartments when the first package is delivered from the commercial premises to the lockerbank, and (preferably, responsive to receiving the notification or the secondary data item at the remote computer system or at the local computer of the selected lockerbank, and after receiving the package in the respective compartment 11) to invoke a collection process to allow collection of the first package by the respective customer, as further explained below.

In each case, after scanning or otherwise inputting the dispatch data item 63 at the package reception terminal and applying the label 68 (if any) to the package, the staff 66 of the commercial premises 60 (or staff of the lockerbank management organisation, or a delivery' person 7, or any other convenient personnel) will deliver the package the short final distance to the selected lockerbank 10.

Where the package was marked with a secondary data item 65" comprising a standard package ID 64 generated by the package reception terminal, for example, as an indicium 67 on the label 68, then the secondary data item 65" will be received at the local computer when the standard package ID 64 on the package label is scanned at the local user interface 20. Responsive to receiving the secondary data item 65 " at the local computer, the package is then received in a respective one of the secure compartments, and the collection process is preferably also invoked, as further explained below. It will be understood from the foregoing description that irrespective of the mode of operation, the package 2 will usually bear at least one standard or nonstandard package ID 64. On arrival of the package at the lockerbank, the delivery person 7 will input the respective package ID 64 (e.g. by scanning the barcode on the package label or typing the code into the keypad) at the local user interface 20. The package ID 64 is then validated by the local computer in one of two alternative validation modes. In the first validation mode, if the package has a standard package ID, then the local computer recognises the predefined format. If the package has a nonstandard package ID then the local computer 15 initiates the second validation mode, in which the nonstandard package ID 64 is compared with the corresponding package ID or validation code stored in the local memory 16 and validated if it corresponds.

If the local computer cannot successfully validate the inputted package ID 64 in either of the first and second validation modes, then it may be arranged to accept the delivery in a third validation mode in which the delivery person 7 (or other personnel delivering the package) inputs a personnel ID 8 via the local user interface 20. The local memory 16 contains a list of personnel IDs 8 (or personnel validation codes corresponding to the personnel IDs), each personnel ID being unique to a verified individual or organisation carrying out deliveries to the lockerbank network. The local computer compares the inputted personnel ID 8 with the list and validates the delivery if there is a correspondence.

When a package is delivered in the third validation mode, the identity of the customer 3 to whom it is to be delivered can be input at the time of delivery or can be transmitted later from the delivery organisation to the remote computer system 40. In this manner, a package with a nonstandard package ID 64 that has been notified to the remote computer system 40 can be delivered even when the local computer 15 has not received the package ID 64 or corresponding validation code due to a communications failure, as long as the identity of the delivery person 7 has previously been verified.

After successfully validating a package ID or personnel ID in one of the first, second or third validation modes, the local computer 15 makes a delivery process determination between a normal delivery process and an overflow delivery process, and carries out in respect of the package 2 either the normal delivery process or the overflow delivery process in accordance with the delivery process determination. The local computer 15 also invokes a collection process to allow collection of the package by the customer, as further described below.

In the normal delivery process the package 2 is received in a vacant one of the delivery compartments 1 1 and a data record of the package is associated in the local memory with the compartment which contains it. Preferably, responsive to receiving the notification or the secondary data item at the remote computer system or at the local computer of the selected lockerbank, and after receiving the package in the respective compartment 1 1, the collection process is then invoked in respect of that package.

In the overflow delivery process, the package 2 is received instead in an overflow compartment 1 Γ, each package in the overflow compartment similarly having a data record which is associated in the local memory with the overflow

compartment. Preferably the overflow compartment 1 1 ' is one of the delivery compartments 1 1 which is controlled and allocated as necessary for use as an overflow compartment by the local computer in accordance with the volume of packages received and expected to be received at any given time; in this way, any number of the delivery compartments 1 1 can be allocated for use as overflow compartments and then re-allocated as delivery compartments, as the demand requires.

The overflow compartment 11 ' is distinguished from the remaining delivery compartments 11 in that it contains at least one second package 2 for delivery to a second customer 3. In this way, during periods of high demand, many packages for many different customers may be stored in a single large compartment so that the lockerbank can continue to receive deliveries. This is particularly useful where, as described above, suppliers are provided with a positive indication as to availability based on stochastic forecasting but the delivery compartments are not routinely reserved for particular packages, because it ensures that the lockerbank 10 can continue to accept packages even if the occupancy level 80 exceeds 100%.

After receiving a package in the overflow compartment according to the overflow delivery process, a package transfer process is invoked, wherein at least one of the packages 2 in the overflow compartment 1 1 ' is removed from the overflow compartment and replaced in a vacant one of the delivery compartments 1 1.

The package transfer process can be initiated by the local computer, responsive to an input by a delivery person (e.g. when the delivery person logs on to the local computer or delivers a package), by displaying via the local user interface an instruction to the delivery person to remove the respective package from the overflow compartment and replace it in the new delivery compartment. The local computer unlocks the overflow compartment 1 1 ' as well as the new compartment 1 1, and then re-locks the new compartment 11 after the package has been deposited in it and the door closed by the delivery person carrying out the package transfer process. The local computer may be arranged to unlock the new compartment 1 1 when initiating the package transfer process, or responsive to receiving the package ID of the transferred package (input for the first time when the package was delivered) for a second time via the local user interface, when the delivery person removes it from the overflow compartment and re-scans it. The local computer also updates the local memory to dissociate a data record of the replaced package in the local memory from the overflow compartment and re- associate the data record of the replaced package with its new delivery

compartment 1 1.

Preferably, the collection process is then invoked in respect of at least the said replaced package. Optionally, the delivery process determination in respect of each package is based at least in part on the forecast future occupancy level in respect of a future time period prior to the target delivery time of that package.

For example, a first package delivered at 08:00 on a given day may have a domestic SLA whereby delivery is guaranteed by 20:00 on the same day.

However, the lockerbank may be forecast to be full or nearly full with packages from 10:00 to 17:00 on that particular day, including packages on a commercial SLA which are guaranteed to be delivered by 17:00 that day. In this case, the first package may be delivered in accordance with the overflow delivery process. After 17:00, when most of the commercial SLA packages have been collected by their respective addressees and the occupancy rate has reduced, the package transfer process is invoked and the first package is moved to an available delivery compartment in time for the 20:00 deadline. Each package may have an indicator comprising an indication of the SLA status or target delivery time T2, T3 of the package, e.g. as a data item or data flag in the local memory (which may be downloaded from the remote computer system) or as a data item on the package which is input into the local user interface on delivery. The local computer (or, less preferably, the remote computer system) may make the determination of the delivery process for each package based on the said indicator as well as the forecast future occupancy level and/or a time indication from a clock of the local computer or remote computer system.

Conveniently, the package transfer process is initiated by the local computer 15 when a delivery person 7 arrives at the lockerbank with a new package for delivery. If at that time there is an available delivery compartment 11 to receive the transferred package, then the local computer 15 opens the overflow

compartment 11 ' and the vacant compartment 1 1. The delivery person is prompted (e.g. via the screen 21) to remove one of the packages 2 from the overflow compartment, scan or otherwise input at the local user interface its package ID 64, and then replace it in the vacant delivery compartment 1 1 and close both doors 12 which are then re-locked by the local computer.

If there were only two packages 2 in the overflow compartment, so that only one package is left in the overflow compartment after carrying out the package transfer process, then the overflow compartment can be re-allocated as a delivery compartment 1 1 and the collection process can be invoked in respect of both of the packages. If there were more than two packages in the overflow compartment, then the package transfer process is repeated in respect of the remaining packages until each package is contained in a respective delivery compartment 1 1 and the collection process has been invoked in respect of each of them.

Rather than making the delivery process determination on arrival of the package at the lockerbank, it could alternatively be made at any time after inputting the dispatch data item 63 at the package reception terminal and before receiving the package in the delivery compartment 1 1 or overflow compartment 11 '. For example, the delivery process determination could be made before the package is delivered to the lockerbank, when the package reception terminal generates the output 65, at which time, if the package 2 is urgent, a delivery compartment (which was previously made available to receive any delivery) could be reserved to receive the urgent package. In this way, when the lockerbank operates on very high occupancy level with frequent deliveries and collections, the small advance warning provided by the notification 65' from the package reception terminal may significantly increase the probability that an urgent package can be received directly in a delivery compartment 1 1 in accordance with the normal delivery process and the collection process can be invoked immediately on arrival of the package 2 at the lockerbank 10.

As noted above, each package will be associated with a respective target delivery time T2, T3, corresponding to its SLA. Optionally, when carrying out the normal delivery process, a collection process determination may be made between invoking the collection process and delaying the collection process, based at least in part on the target delivery time of the respective package. The collection process is then preferably either invoked immediately or delayed in accordance with the collection process determination.

The collection process determination in respect of each package may be based at least in part on the forecast future occupancy level in respect of a future time period prior to the target delivery time of that package.

For example, where a first package that arrives at the lockerbank many hours in advance of its target delivery time, if the occupancy level of a lockerbank 10 is forecast to rise to around 100% and then fall again before the target delivery time T2 of the package, then the first package may be received in a vacant delivery compartment 1 1, but the collection process delayed. If the actual occupancy level remains below 100% then the collection process for the first package can be initiated after the forecast peak occupancy period has passed. However, if the actual occupancy level reaches 100% and a second package arrives for which there is no vacant delivery compartment 1 1 , then the delivery compartment 1 1 containing the first package 2 can be re-allocated by the local computer 15 for use as an overflow compartment 1 1 ' to receive the second package, and, optionally, any further packages as necessary. A list can be updated or a data flag can be set in the local memory by the local computer to indicate that the status of the respective delivery compartment 1 1 has been changed to an overflow

compartment 11 ' . Once the occupancy level reduces, the package transfer process is invoked by the local computer 15, followed by the collection process in respect of the first and second packages. The list can be updated again or the data flag reset by the local computer once the overflow compartment has been emptied of all but one package to indicate that the status of the compartment has been changed to an ordinary delivery compartment 11 so that the collection process can then be invoked for that compartment.

This ensures that the package transfer process only needs to be invoked after the actual occupancy rate exceeds 100%, so that the need for intervention by delivery personnel 7 is minimised.

When delivery personnel of the lockerbank management organisation visit the lockerbank, any data that needs to be transmitted between the local computer 15 and the remote computer system 40 may be downloaded to or uploaded from a handheld device 30 carried by the delivery personnel, which transfers it to or from the remote computer system 40. In this way, data communications between the local computer 15 and the remote computer system 40 may be facilitated via multiple parallel routes. When the collection process is invoked, the remote computer system 40 (or local computer 15) retrieves the customer contact details 42 from the database 41 and sends to the respective customer 3 in accordance with their contact details (e.g. an an email or as a text message to their mobile phone) an indication 90 to collect the respective package 2 from the lockerbank 10. Preferably, the indication 90 includes a collection code 70, and the local computer 15 provides access to the respective delivery compartment 11 to allow collection of the respective package 2 when the collection code 70 is entered by the customer via the local user interface 20, optionally in combination with a customer PIN 71. Optionally, communication 92 between the customer and the local user interface 20 may be via the customer's mobile device, e.g. mobile phone 93.

Optionally, the collection code 70 for each package may be selected from a first, lower security collection code which is derivable by means of an algorithm from the package ID 64, and a second, higher security collection code (for example, a pseudorandom collection code) which is not derivable from the package ID 64.

The second, higher security collection code may be generated by the local computer 15 and assigned to the package when the collection process is invoked, in which case it must be communicated from the local computer 15 to the remote computer system 40 which includes it in the indication 90 to the customer. The remote computer system 40 may then send an instruction to the local computer 15 to disable the first collection code. Therefore, when the lockerbank 10 is in functional communication with the remote computer system 40, the second, higher security collection code is used, wherein the local computer 15 is arranged to provide access to the respective delivery compartment 1 1 to allow collection of the respective package 2, responsive to receiving at least the second collection code at the local user interface, but not to provide access to the respective delivery compartment 1 1 to allow collection of the respective package 2, responsive to receiving the first collection code at the local user interface.

If the lockerbank 10 is not in functional communication with the remote computer system 40 (for example, if the data link 17 of the lockerbank is not working), but the remote computer system 40 has confirmation (for example, from the delivery person 7 or via the handheld device 30) of the delivery of a package 2, then the indication 90 may be generated and sent to the customer 3 with the first collection code. In this case, the local computer is arranged to provide access to the customer to collect the package 2 from the respective compartment, responsive to entering at least the first collection code at the local user interface, wherein the first collection code is validated by comparing it with the package ID 64 inputted via the local user interface when the package 2 was delivered or transferred to the respective delivery compartment 1 1.

In summary, a preferred embodiment provides a network of lockerbanks 10 controlled by a remote computer system 40. In one aspect, a network of package reception terminals 50 are located at third party commercial premises 60 close to each of the lockerbanks. A package 2 is identified by the customer ID 43 of the addressee customer 3 and delivered to the commercial premises 60 proximate the customer's preferred lockerbank 10. When the customer ID is input at the package reception terminal 50, the terminal re-labels the package with a new package ID 64 in a standard format, or transmits a notification 65' to the remote computer system or lockerbank, whereby the package is recognised and received in a delivery compartment 1 1 on arrival at the lockerbank. In another aspect, the package 2 may be received with other packages 2 in an overflow compartment 11 ' and then transferred later to a delivery compartment 1 1 for collection by the customer 3. In another aspect, deliveries may be authorised and/or allocated to a delivery compartment 1 1 or an overflow compartment 11 ' based on the target delivery time of the package 2 and the forecast future occupancy level 80 of the lockerbank 10, wherein the delivery compartments 1 1 are made available to receive other deliveries until the arrival of each respective package 2. The aforementioned aspects may be combined to facilitate interoperability with third party delivery systems while optimising the average occupancy and availability of the network. Of course, a default collection process determination and/or delivery process determination could be made in respect of all packages (rather than in respect of each individual package) based on the predicted occupancy of the lockerbank, until the predicted occupancy reaches a threshold level, at which point the collection process determination and/or delivery process determination is made individually in respect of each package on arrival at the lockerbank, based at least in part on its respective target delivery time. Similarly, a default collection process determination and/or delivery process determination could be made in respect of all packages having a predefined target delivery time, so that as long as a vacant delivery compartment 1 1 is available, the collection process is invoked

immediately for higher priority packages. Similarly, each package 2 could have a default target delivery time unless it is allocated a specific target delivery time. If desired, rather than invoking the collection process after the package 2 is deposited in the respective delivery compartment 1 1 , the collection process could be invoked before the package is deposited in the delivery compartment 1 1 - for example, when the package is scanned at the package reception terminal, or even (depending on the mode of operation) at an earlier point in the delivery process.

Rather than dynamically allocating each of the delivery compartments 1 1 for use as an overflow compartment 1 1 ' as the need arises, one of the secure

compartments of the lockerbank may be designated as a dedicated overflow compartment, which is preferably also controlled by the local computer.

Although in the illustrated embodiment the features of each of the first mentioned embodiments are combined, it will be understood that each of the first mentioned embodiments may be implemented without the features of the other embodiments. Moreover, the various preferred or secondary features may be implemented mutatis mutandis in various combinations with any one or more of the first mentioned embodiments. The possible combinations of features falling within the scope of the claims are not set out exhaustively herein but will be evident from the foregoing description to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A method of operating by means of a remote computer system a network of lockerbanks for the delivery of packages to a plurality of customers;

each lockerbank comprising a plurality of secure delivery compartments, a local computer, and a local user interface in communication with the local computer,

the local computer having at least one data link for communicating with the remote computer system,

the local computer controlling access to each of the delivery compartments; comprising:

providing at a first said lockerbank at least one secure overflow

compartment;

after arrival at the first lockerbank of a package for delivery to a respective one of the customers,

making in respect of the package a delivery process determination between a normal delivery process and an overflow delivery process,

and carrying out in respect of the package either the normal delivery process or the overflow delivery process in accordance with the delivery process determination;

and invoking a collection process to allow collection of the package by the respective customer;

wherein in the normal delivery process a first package for delivery to a first customer is received in a vacant one of the delivery compartments;

and in the overflow delivery process the first package is received in the overflow compartment, wherein the overflow compartment contains at least one second package for delivery to a second customer;

and after receiving the first package in the overflow compartment according to the overflow delivery process, a package transfer process is invoked, wherein in the package transfer process at least one of the first and second packages is removed from the overflow compartment and replaced in a vacant one of the delivery compartments.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein each package is identified by a package ID, and during the package transfer process the package ID of the said replaced package is inputted at the user interface.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the remote computer system includes a database, the database including contact details for each of a plurality of customers; and the collection process comprises sending to the respective customer an indication to collect the respective package.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the indication includes a collection code, and the local computer provides access to the respective delivery

compartment to allow collection of the respective package when the collection code is entered via the local user interface.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the local computer controls access to the overflow compartment.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the local computer allocates one of the delivery compartments for use as the overflow compartment.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein after invoking the package transfer process, a respective one of the first and second packages is left in the overflow compartment, the overflow compartment is reallocated for use as a delivery compartment, and the collection process is invoked in respect of both of the first and second packages.

8. A method according to claim 1, including associating with each package a respective target delivery time;

and, when carrying out the normal delivery process, making a collection process determination between invoking the collection process and delaying the collection process, and then either invoking the collection process or delaying the collection process for the respective package in accordance with the collection process determination;

wherein the collection process determination is based at least in part on the target delivery time of the respective package.

9. A method according to claim 8, including, on arrival of the second package at the first lockerbank and before making the delivery process determination in respect of the first package, receiving the second package in a vacant one of the delivery compartments in accordance with the normal delivery process, and delaying the collection process in respect of the second package;

and then, on arrival of the first package at the first lockerbank and after making the delivery process determination in respect of the first package, allocating the respective delivery compartment containing the second package for use as the overflow compartment to receive the first package.

10. A method according to claim 8 or claim 9, including:

iteratively generating based on expected future deliveries to and collections from the first lockerbank a forecast future occupancy level of the first lockerbank; wherein the collection process determination in respect of each package is based at least in part on the forecast future occupancy level in respect of a future time period prior to the target delivery time of that package.

1 1. A method according to claim 1, including:

associating with each package a respective target delivery time; and iteratively generating based on expected future deliveries to and collections from the first lockerbank a forecast future occupancy level of the first lockerbank; wherein the delivery process determination in respect of each package is based at least in part on the forecast future occupancy level in respect of a future time period prior to the target delivery time of that package.

12. A method according to claim 1, including:

generating in respect of a future time period based on expected deliveries to and collections from the first lockerbank a forecast future occupancy level of the first lockerbank;

receiving from a supplier a request for delivery of the first package to the first customer via the first lockerbank in the future time period;

based on said forecast future occupancy level, providing to the supplier an indication as to the availability of the first lockerbank to receive the first package; and on receiving the first package at the first lockerbank, then carrying out in respect of the first package either the normal delivery process or the overflow delivery process in accordance with the delivery process determination,

wherein each vacant one of the delivery compartments is made available to receive other packages up until the delivery process determination.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein each of the said packages is identified by a package ID unique to the respective package;

and the said packages include a first group of packages and a second group of packages;

and each of the first group of packages is identified by a first said package

ID, all of the first package IDs having a common, predefined format;

and each of the second group of packages is identified by a second said package ID, and the local computer stores each of the second package IDs or a validation code corresponding thereto in a local memory; and on arrival of a said package at the lockerbank, the respective package ID is inputted at the local user interface;

and each inputted first package ID is validated by the local computer in a first validation mode wherein the local computer recognises the predefined format;

and each inputted second package ID is validated by the local computer in a second validation mode wherein the inputted second package ID is compared with the corresponding stored second package ID or validation code;

and the local computer is arranged to carry out the normal delivery process or the overflow delivery process in accordance with the delivery process determination responsive to successful validation of an inputted package ID in either of the first and second validation modes.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein following unsuccessful validation of an inputted package ID in either of the first and second validation modes, the local computer is arranged to carry out the normal delivery process or the overflow delivery process in accordance with the delivery process

determination responsive to inputting at the local user interface a personnel ID and successfully validating the inputted personnel ID in a third validation mode,

wherein in the third validation mode the inputted personnel ID is compared with a stored data item comprising the personnel ID or a personnel validation code corresponding thereto, the stored data item being unique to a verified delivery individual or organisation.

15. A method of operating by means of a remote computer system a network of lockerbanks for the delivery of packages to a plurality of customers;

each lockerbank comprising a plurality of secure delivery compartments, a local computer, and a local user interface in communication with the local computer, the local computer having at least one data link for communicating with the remote computer system,

iteratively generating based on expected future deliveries to and collections from the first lockerbank a forecast future occupancy level of the first lockerbank; receiving from a supplier a request for delivery of a first package to a first customer via the first lockerbank in a first future time period;

based on the forecast future occupancy level for the first future time period, providing to the supplier an indication as to the availability of the first lockerbank to receive the first package;

at a first time of arrival of the first package at the first lockerbank, determining whether any one of the delivery compartments is vacant and suitable to receive the first package, and if any one of the delivery compartments is vacant and suitable, then receiving the first package in the said vacant one of the delivery compartments;

and invoking a collection process to allow collection of the first package by the first customer;

wherein the said vacant one of the delivery compartments is made available to receive other packages up until the first time of arrival of the first package.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the remote computer system includes a database, the database including contact details for each of a plurality of customers; and the collection process includes sending to the respective customer an indication to collect the respective package.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the indication includes a collection code, and the local computer provides access to the respective delivery compartment to allow collection of the respective package when the collection code is entered via the local user interface.

18. A method according to claim 15, wherein each of the said packages is identified by a package ID unique to the respective package;

and each of the first group of packages is identified by a first said package ID, all of the first package IDs having a common, predefined format;

and each of the second group of packages is identified by a second said package ID, and the local computer stores each of the second package IDs or a validation code corresponding thereto in a local memory;

and on arrival of a said package at the lockerbank, the respective package ID is inputted at the local user interface;

and the local computer is arranged to receive the respective package in the said vacant one of the delivery compartments responsive to successful validation of an inputted package ID in either of the first and second validation modes.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein following unsuccessful validation of an inputted package ID in either of the first and second validation modes, the local computer is arranged to receive the respective package in the said vacant one of the delivery compartments responsive to inputting at the local user interface a personnel ID and successfully validating the inputted personnel ID in a third validation mode,

20. A system for the delivery of packages to a plurality of customers, including:

a remote computer system;

the remote computer system including a database, the database including contact details and a customer ID for each of the plurality of customers;

a network of lockerbanks, each lockerbank comprising a plurality of secure compartments, a local computer, and a local user interface in communication with the local computer,

the local computer controlling access to each of the compartments;

wherein a plurality of package reception terminals are provided, each package reception terminal being located at a respective commercial premises proximate a respective one of the lockerbanks;

each package reception terminal including a data input means and a data output means;

and each package is identified on dispatch by dispatch data and address details;

the dispatch data including at least a first dispatch data item associated with a respective one of the customers;

the address details indicating a respective one of the commercial premises proximate a respective one of the lockerbanks selected for delivery of the package to the customer;

and on delivery of a first said package to the respective commercial premises and responsive to inputting at least the respective first dispatch data item at the data input means of the respective package reception terminal, the data output means is arranged to generate an output identifying the first package, wherein the output includes at least one of a notification and a secondary data item;

and responsive to receiving the notification or the secondary data item at the remote computer system or at the local computer of the selected lockerbank, the local computer of the selected lockerbank is arranged to receive the first package in a respective one of the secure compartments when the first package is delivered from the commercial premises to the lockerbank.

21. A system according to claim 20, wherein the first dispatch data item is the customer ID of the respective customer;

and each customer ID is unique to a respective customer but not unique to a respective package, so that each of a plurality of packages for delivery to a respective one of the customers is marked with the same customer ID;

and the output identifies the respective customer.

22. A system according to claim 20, wherein the package reception terminal includes a data connection for communicating with the remote computer system or the respective local computer, and the package reception terminal is arranged to transmit the notification or the secondary data item via the data connection to the remote computer system or the respective local computer.

23. A system according to claim 22, wherein the dispatch data for the first package includes a first package ID unique to the first package, and the first package ID or a validation code corresponding to the first package ID is included in the notification or secondary data item transmitted via the data connection to the remote computer system or the respective local computer;

and the local computer is arranged to store the first package ID or a validation code corresponding thereto in a local memory;

and responsive to inputting the first package ID at the local user interface, the local computer is arranged to validate the inputted first package ID in a first validation mode wherein the inputted first package ID is compared with the stored first package ID or validation code, and responsive to successful validation in the first validation mode, to receive the package in the respective one of the secure compartments.

24. A system according to claim 23, wherein each of a plurality of second packages has a respective second package ID, each second package ID being unique to the respective second package, and all of the second package IDs have a common, predefined format;

and responsive to inputting a second package ID at the local user interface, the local computer is arranged to validate the second package ID in a second validation mode wherein the local computer recognises the predefined format; and responsive to successful validation of an inputted package ID in either of the first and second validation modes, the local computer is arranged to receive the respective package in the respective one of the secure compartments.

25. A system according to claim 24, wherein following unsuccessful validation of an inputted package ID in either of the first and second validation modes, the local computer is arranged to receive the respective package in the respective one of the secure compartments responsive to inputting at the local user interface a personnel ID and successfully validating the inputted personnel ID in a third validation mode,

26. A system according to claim 20, wherein the output includes at least the secondary data item, and the package reception terminal is arranged to record the secondary data item as an indicium on the package or on a label for attachment to the package.

27. A system according to claim 26, wherein the secondary data item includes a first package ID unique to the first package, the first package ID being generated at the package reception terminal, the local computer or the remote computer system;

and the first package ID is assigned to the first package responsive to inputting at least the first dispatch data item at the data input means of the package reception terminal;

and responsive to inputting the first package ID at the local user interface, the local computer is arranged to validate the inputted first package ID, and responsive to successfully validating the inputted first package ID, to receive the first package in the respective one of the secure compartments.

28. A system according to claim 27, wherein the package reception terminal includes a data connection for communicating with the remote computer system or the respective local computer, and the first package ID is assigned to the first package by software at the package reception terminal, and the software is controlled by the remote computer system or the local computer.

29. A system according to claim 27, wherein the first package is one of a plurality of packages, each having a respective package ID unique to the respective package, and all of the package IDs have a common, predefined format; and the local computer is arranged to validate the inputted first package ID in a first validation mode wherein the local computer recognises the predefined format.

30. A system according to claim 29, wherein each of a plurality of second packages has a respective second package ID, each second package ID being unique to the respective second package;

and the local computer is arranged to store each second package ID or a validation code corresponding thereto in a local memory;

and responsive to inputting a second package ID at the local user interface, the local computer is arranged to validate the inputted second package ID in a second validation mode wherein the inputted second package ID is compared with the corresponding stored second package ID or validation code;

and responsive to successful validation of an inputted package ID in either of the first and second validation modes, the local computer is arranged to receive the respective package in the respective one of the secure compartments.

31. A system according to claim 30, wherein following unsuccessful validation of an inputted package ID in either of the first and second validation modes, the local computer is arranged to receive the respective package in the respective one of the secure compartments responsive to inputting at the local user interface a personnel ID and successfully validating the inputted personnel ID in a third validation mode,

32. A method for the delivery of packages to a plurality of customers, including:

providing a remote computer system;

the remote computer system including a database, the database including contact details and a customer ID for each of the plurality of customers; providing a network of lockerbanks, each lockerbank comprising a plurality of secure compartments, a local computer, and a local user interface in communication with the local computer,

the local computer controlling access to each of the compartments;

providing a plurality of package reception terminals, each package reception terminal being located at a respective commercial premises proximate a respective one of the lockerbanks;

selecting for a first said package a respective one of the lockerbanks for delivery of the package to a first one of the customers;

identifying the first package on dispatch by dispatch data and address details;

the dispatch data including at least a first dispatch data item associated with the first customer;

the address details indicating a respective one of the commercial premises proximate the selected lockerbank;

delivering the first package to the respective commercial premises and inputting at least the first dispatch data item at the data input means of the respective package reception terminal;

responsive to inputting at least the first dispatch data item at the data input means, the data output means generating an output identifying the first package, wherein the output includes at least one of a notification and a secondary data item;

delivering the first package from the commercial premises to the selected lockerbank;

responsive to receiving the notification or the secondary data item at the remote computer system or at the local computer of the selected lockerbank, receiving the first package on delivery in a respective one of the secure

compartments;

and invoking in respect of the first package a collection process, wherein the collection process allows collection of the respective package by the respective customer.

33. A method according to claim 32, wherein in the selected lockerbank the said compartments comprise a plurality of secure delivery compartments and at least one secure overflow compartment;

and including, after inputting the first dispatch data item at the data input means of the respective package reception terminal and before receiving the first package in the respective one of the secure compartments, making in respect of the first package a delivery process determination between a normal delivery process and an overflow delivery process;

and on delivery of the first package to the selected lockerbank, carrying out in respect of the first package either the normal delivery process or the overflow delivery process in accordance with the delivery process determination;

wherein in the normal delivery process the first package is received in a vacant one of the delivery compartments;

34. A method according to claim 33, including: generating in respect of a future time period based on expected deliveries to and collections from the selected lockerbank a forecast future occupancy level of the selected lockerbank;

receiving from a supplier a request for delivery of the first package to the first customer via the selected lockerbank in the future time period;

and based on said forecast future occupancy level, providing to the supplier an indication as to the availability of the selected lockerbank to receive the first package;

35. A method according to claim 34, wherein the delivery process

determination is made before the delivery of the first package to the selected lockerbank, and the first package is received in the said vacant one of the delivery compartments in accordance with the normal delivery process, and the said vacant one of the delivery compartments is reserved for the first package on making the delivery process determination.

36. A method according to claim 32, wherein in the selected lockerbank the said compartments include a plurality of secure delivery compartments;

and including:

iteratively generating based on expected future deliveries to and collections from the selected lockerbank a forecast future occupancy level of the selected lockerbank;

receiving from a supplier a request for delivery of the first package to the first customer via the selected lockerbank in a first future time period;

based on the forecast future occupancy level for the first future time period, providing to the supplier an indication as to the availability of the selected lockerbank to receive the first package; and including, after inputting the first dispatch data item at the data input means of the respective package reception terminal and before receiving the first package in the respective one of the secure compartments, making a determination as to whether any one of the delivery compartments is vacant and suitable to receive the first package;

and if any one of the delivery compartments is vacant and suitable, then receiving the first package in the said vacant one of the delivery compartments; wherein up until making the said determination the said vacant one of the delivery compartments is made available to receive other packages.

37. A method according to claim 36, wherein the said determination is made before the delivery of the first package to the selected lockerbank, and the said vacant one of the delivery compartments is reserved for the first package on making the said determination.