ES2764874A1 - Method, system and computer programs for unattended home delivery (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Method, system and computer programs for unattended home delivery. The method performs, by a virtual assistant (100), a security test of an order for a merchandise that has to be delivered by a delivery agent (1) to a user (2), where the security test involves identifying merchandise and delivery agent information (1) and validate it by using a Smart Contract (20). Then, the virtual assistant (100) checks the location of the user (2) and determines that he is not in a position to attend to the agent to collect or arrange the delivery of the order. Next, it initiates an unattended delivery process that includes requesting the Smart Contract (20) for different characteristics of the merchandise and inferring a context for the delivery of the order based on the characteristics of the merchandise to determine where or to whom the order must be delivered. . (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Method, system and computer programs for unattended home delivery

Field of technique

The present invention generally concerns artificial intelligence technologies and Smart Contracts. In particular, the invention concerns a method, system and computer programs for unattended home delivery.

Background of the Invention

The exponential increase in home deliveries in recent years and the imminent emergence of robotic delivery agents as part of the delivery process has led to more and more technologies in this sector.

For example, the product Amazon Key, from the company Amazon ™, is a smart lock that allows opening by means of an access code and remote opening. Likewise, the product is integrated with the Amazon service, allowing dealers access to the address for the delivery of the merchandise, without the need to share any access code with them.

Wallmart "Delivery Straight Into Your Fridge” describes an experimental service of the Walmart ™ chain whereby the delivery of fresh products is carried out in the customer's refrigerator. In the absence of the customer, the dealer has a use code for opening The customer is notified on his mobile phone that the delivery is taking place, being able to follow the process using security cameras and receive a notification when his door is blocked again.

Some patents and / or patent applications related to intelligent access control and virtual assistants are also known in the state of the art.

Document US 20180053365 A1 discloses a system that manages access to a building to deliver a package, comparing the product identifier presented at the access to the building with that corresponding to an item purchased through an electronic commerce platform, as well as the estimated arrival time.

Document WO 2002005228 A2 discloses a system that manages access to a storage space for the delivery of a package, by means of a secure code that is delivered to the dispatcher.

Document US 20150145643 A1 discloses a system that manages the delivery of a package in an unattended smart consignment, based on delivery information associated with the package and / or dispatcher.

Document US 20180108191 A9 describes an access control system by which, when access is requested, a video session is established with the owner's mobile phone, which once the identity has been verified can give an order to allow access.

Document US 20170103628 A1 provides a system that manages access to a building for delivery of an order linked to a purchase by a user, verifying that delivery is to be made at a pre-planned time, informing the user of the time of arrival and departure of the delivery man and saving a video of the stay of the delivery man in the building.

Document US 9858925 B2 discloses a Virtual Assistant that interprets the commands that arrive and executes corresponding actions.

Document EP 3005150 A2 discloses another Virtual Assistant that interacts conversationally with the user and performs various actions available on an electronic device or on Internet services.

US 20170163435 A1 provides a system with an NLP interface to control "smart home" devices .

Despite the progress made in recent years in home delivery, there are still certain obstacles that prevent 100% success in delivery. Below is a list of the most significant limitations:

- Configuration of delivery conditions: Some manufacturers offer partial solutions such as: preferences in delivery times, alternative locations, third-party contact persons, etc. In any case, these are approximate parameterizations, defined a priori and that can hardly be modified depending on the conditions of the delivery context.

- Difficulty contacting the consignee of the shipment during delivery: In the event that the user is not at home, the most common method for order pickers to communicate with the consignee of the shipment is by making a phone call to a number provided by the company that invoiced the order. On rare occasions, the recipient does not answer this call for different reasons: they are usually unknown numbers for the user (since the distributors usually use their own terminal to make the call), the distribution is usually made during working hours (with the corresponding low probability answering the call), the lack of coverage in certain areas or jobs prevent the call from being completed, etc.

- Privacy violations in user data: Currently, there are no mechanisms that allow the context of delivery to be deduced and decisions to be made as events occur. The shipping protocol, with the aim of trying to complete the delivery when the recipient is not at home, includes two alternative options: send a direct call to the user or deliver the package to a close contact (neighbor, concierge, ... ). These alternative solutions achieve a higher percentage of delivery in the first instance, but at the cost of exposing private user information and secondary actors who do not have express authorization or consent to be used. In short, the user loses control of his data in order to satisfy a need of the service provider.

- Security violations in the user's home: There are solutions on the market that allow, through security cameras in the home and a smartLock, to deliver an order to the home by an operator. These solutions present the following problems: the final customer must supervise the delivery remotely, which does not constitute an advantage in saving time; does not offer security guarantees since in case of theft, an alarm can be raised (if the end user realizes it), but in no case avoid theft.

- Only applicable to certain homes: Other solutions require the installation of additional hardware outside the home (with the additional cost that this implies, provided that the installation is feasible and with the corresponding risk of theft of the installed equipment) and They assume that the end user has something similar to an entrance hall in their home where they can deliver. This is not usually fulfilled in most cases, especially if we are in a large city where homes are usually small blocks of flats. Furthermore, these hall-type structures do not guarantee the safety of the delivered merchandise or the condition of perishable products.

Disclosure of the invention

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide, according to a first aspect, a method for unattended home delivery. Unlike the known proposals, the proposed method uses a virtual assistant, that is, an intelligent automated assistant that provides an interface between a human and a computer, implementing on a computer server, and invoked from an electronic device, for example a telephone, located outside a user's home, to:

a) carry out a security test of an order for a merchandise that must be delivered by a delivery agent, human or non-human, for example a drone, to said user;

b) check, once the security test has been passed (that is, once the information on the merchandise and the delivery agent has been correctly identified and validated by using a Smart Contract, previously agreed between the supply company of the merchandise, the delivery company and the managing entity of the Data Processing Center (for example, a telecommunications operator), the location of the user using geolocation data from a user's mobile communication device (for example, obtained through procedures from the mobile network or by identification of nearby WiFi networks), and determine using geolocation data that the user is not in a position to attend to the delivery agent to collect or arrange the delivery of the order;

c) initiate an unattended delivery process that includes requesting the Smart Contract for different characteristics of the merchandise; and

d) infer a context of the delivery of the order taking into account said characteristics of the requested merchandise in order to determine where or to whom the order must be delivered.

Particularly, according to the present invention, the different characteristics of the merchandise include, at least, dimensions of the merchandise, a perishable condition of the merchandise and / or a privacy level of the merchandise.

The identification of the merchandise information in an exemplary embodiment comprises scanning, by a camera included in or associated with the electronic device, an electronic code (for example, a QR code, among others) identifying the order and included in the merchandise. . Likewise, the identification of the information of the delivery agent includes detecting, by a biometric sensor included in the device or associated with it, a biometric proof of the agent of distribution. The biometric test may include a facial, voice, or fingerprint scan.

In an embodiment, in the particular case that the merchandise is perishable, the virtual assistant in the aforementioned step d) also takes into account the user's present and historical location, estimating a time of arrival of the user at home or alternatively, estimating an alternative delivery point.

In another example of embodiment, in the particular case that the level of privacy of the merchandise allows it to be delivered to an alternative recipient, for example a neighbor, janitor, relative, etc., the virtual assistant in step d) determines that the merchandise has to be delivered to the alternative recipient, after having made a verification of geolocation data of the alternative recipient or after having made a phone call to the alternative recipient.

In yet another embodiment, the virtual assistant also searches for an alternative delivery point, for example using a database or web platform that allows you to explore maps, find points of interest and obtain directions to any place in the world such as Google maps ™, among others, and verifies that in this alternative delivery point there is a storage space available taking into account the dimensions of the merchandise. If the merchandise can be delivered at the alternative delivery point, the virtual assistant indicates the delivery agent and the user the new delivery point.

According to a second aspect, examples of embodiment of the present invention also provide a system for unattended home delivery. The proposed system comprises a virtual assistant, invoked from an electronic device located outside a user's home, and a delivery agent (for example a drone) to deliver an order for merchandise to said user.

The virtual assistant can interact with a Smart Contract previously agreed by the merchandise supply company, the delivery company and the managing entity of the Data Processing Center (for example, a telecommunications operator), and can access data from geolocation of a user's mobile communication device.

Likewise, in the proposed system, the virtual assistant: performs an order security test identifying information on the merchandise and the delivery agent and validating said information through the use of said Smart Contract; checks, once the security test has been passed, the user's location using said geolocation data and determines, using the geolocation data, that the user is not at home or cannot pick up the order; initiates an unattended delivery process that includes requesting the Smart Contract for different characteristics of the merchandise; and infer a context of the delivery of the order based on at least the characteristics of the merchandise requested to determine where or to whom the order must be delivered.

In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic device includes or is associated with a camera adapted and configured to identify the merchandise information by scanning an electronic code, for example a QR code, identifying the order and included in the merchandise.

In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic device includes or is associated with a biometric sensor adapted and configured to identify delivery agent information by detecting a delivery agent biometric test, including a facial, voice, or voice scan. fingerprint.

Other embodiments of the invention disclosed herein also include computer program products for performing the steps and operations of the method proposed in the first aspect of the invention. More particularly, a computer program product is an embodiment having a computer readable medium that includes computer program instructions encoded therein which when executed in at least one processor of a computer system cause the processor to perform the operations indicated in the present document as embodiments of the invention.

Therefore, the present invention through the application of technologies related to the field of Artificial Intelligence and Smart Contracts (preferably based on Blockchain technology), builds the core of a delivery system where the action of the end user is optional. All this, combined with the analysis of data of different nature, such as: geolocation, biometric parameters and local environment, allowing to infer the context of the distribution in a dynamic way, selecting the best option available to guarantee delivery.

Beyond unattended Human-Machine delivery, this combination of technologies aims to lay the foundations for M2M (Machine-Machine) cooperation in the field of order delivery, where human interaction with a delivery agent is no longer optional and becomes irrelevant.

Brief description of the drawings

The foregoing and other features and advantages will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of some exemplary embodiments, merely illustrative and not limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates the different elements / units that can be part of the proposed system for unattended delivery.

Fig. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method for unattended delivery.

Fig. 3 illustrates a flow diagram (left) and the message flow (right) of performing the security test.

Fig. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the determination of delivery dialogue, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the determination of interlocution on delivery, according to an exemplary embodiment. In this particular example, the user is not at home, the "Call me if a package arrives" option is activated and the "Do not disturb" mode is deactivated.

Fig. 6 is a flow chart illustrating different alternative delivery scenarios depending on the characteristics of the package.

Detailed description of the invention and of some embodiment examples

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the overall diagram of the proposed system and the possible interactions between the main components. The purpose of each of them is briefly explained below:

- Virtual assistant 100: it is the central core of the unattended delivery system and performs the following tasks autonomously:

• Centralizes all intermediation operations between the data company / ies and the delivery agent 1 that makes the delivery, which can be a human or a robotic agent, for example a drone. In this context, the operator has the mission provide user personal data of various kinds (always with the appropriate authorization). Later, the specific data that each company must provide will be detailed.

• Deploys Human-Machine communication interfaces. Specifically, it provides:

or an interface capable of communicating by voice with the delivery agent 1; or a screen capable of projecting additional information about the delivery context.

• Enable data exchange protocols with:

or cognitive learning models;

or decentralized supply chain management mechanisms.

• It incorporates action mechanisms with physical devices capable of facilitating the distribution in the user's home 2 (Smart-locks, Smart-boxes, ...).

• Establishes communication channels with the telecommunications service provider who will provide, in real time, supporting data for the composition of the delivery context.

- Recipient's facilities: the recipient's facilities need to meet a series of characteristics so that unattended delivery can be carried out successfully. As described below, the system requires certain minimum capacities and other optional capacities that, although not essential, increase the possibilities of delivery:

• Communication capacity: individual or community telephone.

• Integrated biometric system (camera and / or fingerprint reader).

• Mailbox or delivery cabinet (optional).

• SmartBox1 system (optional).

• SmartLock2 system (optional).

- GCS (Decentralized Supply Chain Management Mechanism): currently Blockchain technology offers a framework where the following characteristics can be highlighted:

• Cost and time savings in data recording and control tasks in transactions.

• Security: You cannot modify or delete anything, just add. This means that once the transaction is made, they cannot dishonestly manipulate the system.

• Transparency: it works as a registry where you can only access to consult, without being able to modify those transactions.

• Trust: decentralization and consensus policy allows the parties involved to fully trust this technology.

This framework is ideal for developing decentralized applications where the selected consensus algorithm allows to guarantee the validity of the operations carried out on the blockchain in a transparent and legitimate way.

The guarantee of the conditions of delivery, traceability and monitoring of the distribution, and the resolution of the payment for service will be made by means of a Smart Contract 20 previously agreed with the supply companies of goods and delivery companies at home, and by the entity Data Processing Center manager 51. In particular, an ERC204 token can be used if the solution is implemented on Ethereum or another equivalent for deployments on a private network. In any case, the method of the present invention is agnostic to the specific deployment model.

The Smart Contract 20 will be nourished by a series of predefined parameters that allow modeling both the framework of the purchase-sale agreement and the context of unattended delivery. The following table suggests a set of parameters as an example to visualize the idea stated above. In any case, any other data model can be used without altering the objective and result of the present invention. The purpose of each column is described below:

• Identifier: Unique identifier of the parameter

• Source: indicates the functional block of the system to which each parameter belongs • Type: within each functional block to which type of entity it belongs

• Name: name of the parameter in question

• Description: brief summary of the parameter in question

• Purpose: indicates what the function of the parameter is within the unattended delivery process

• Storage: suggests where the information associated with each parameter should be stored.

• Owner: indicates who should provide the information related to each parameter

Table 1: Data model for the unattended delivery system

- Biometrics module 11: to guarantee the authenticity of the identity of the delivery agent 1, it is proposed to use facial, voice and / or fingerprint recognition methods, in such a way that the pattern / s of biometric comparison are declared in the Smart Contract 20 previously presented. In this way the virtual assistant 100 is able to identify the selected delivery agent 1 unequivocally and thus avoid potentially fraudulent transactions.

- Network infrastructure 52: the operator's network infrastructure plays a decisive role in the delivery of user information. With the aim of enriching the delivery context, radio access networks or WiFi collect real-time monitoring data from subscriber terminals. Once added to the access nodes, this data is delivered to the operator's CPD where they are stored and prepared to feed the system's geolocation database.

- Data processing center 51: within the vicinity of the operator, the data processing center is responsible for hosting the following data sources:

• Data from access networks for subsequent conversion into geolocation information.

• User profile data registered in the unattended delivery service.

• User consent regarding different services contracted with the operator.

• Personal data of the user.

• Cognitive learning models capable of:

or infer the context of delivery;

o provide relevant data to identify the optimal scenario for delivery;

^or reformulate its learning model including attributes related to the process of unattended delivery, so that the system's response to successive deliveries is more successful.

- Unified Relational Model API 53: through this API the operator exposes in a controlled and standardized way the various data sources that are housed in its data processing center. Virtual assistant 100 behaves like another client of this unified data model, consuming on demand any type of information that can be used in the process of unattended delivery.

- Third-party e-Commerce platforms 40: Currently, the vast majority of home delivery processes are usually launched as a result of a purchase order through an online platform. For this reason, it is advisable to view this e-commerce (or eCommerce) subsystem as one more piece of the unattended delivery process. Traditionally, the eCommerce platform recorded the purchase and sale of the item, managed the appropriate transactions with the payment platforms and recorded some aspects of the delivery, such as whether the order had been delivered. These types of solutions kept records in a product database, articulated the buying and selling operations through back-office processes, and allowed interaction with their product catalog through a web front.

The unattended delivery process aims to add new features to these platforms such as:

o Monitoring at all times the state of the supply chain.

o The incorporation of new delivery parameters in the supply of goods. o The inclusion of third-party services to optimize delivery (that is, security companies, delivery, ...).

^o Autonomous interaction with the delivery process through the Smart Contract 20.

For this, an additional layer is incorporated into the architecture of these platforms that allows establishing a dialogue with the blockchain where Smart Contract 20 resides. This new interaction module can be seen as a connector that facilitates the translation of back-processes. office from the e-Commerce platform to the transactional language of Ethereum or any other distributed network chosen for this purpose.

Referring now to Fig. 2, an embodiment for unattended home delivery is shown therein. The virtual assistant 100 executes or performs all the steps described in Fig. 2. Indicate that the virtual assistant is invoked from the electronic device 10 located outside the home of the user 2 who has to receive the order for the merchandise. Likewise, also indicate that the method starts at the moment when the delivery agent 1, which can be a human or a robotic agent, for example a drone, interacts with the electronic device 10.

In step 201 of Fig. 2, virtual assistant 100 performs a security test of said order, identifying information on the merchandise and delivery agent 1, and validating the information using a Smart Contract 20. In step 202, once the security test has been passed, virtual assistant 100 checks the location of user 2 using geolocation data from a mobile communication device of the same, for example a Smartphone, and determines that user 2 is not found willing to attend to the delivery agent 1 to collect or arrange the delivery of the order. At step 203, virtual assistant 100 initiates an unattended delivery process that includes requesting 20 different characteristics of the merchandise from the Smart Contract. Finally, in step 204, virtual assistant 100 infers an order delivery context based on the requested merchandise characteristics to determine where or to whom the order is to be delivered.

Fig. 3 illustrates more details of said security test. In a first instance, the virtual assistant 100 performs a check on the merchandise that the delivery agent 1 intends to deliver. For this, in an embodiment, a QR code that identifies the order is scanned using a camera that incorporates the hardware associated with virtual assistant 100. Then, virtual assistant 100 makes a request for validation against Smart Contract 20, passing as parameter the corresponding identifier of the package (for example, SHA256). Smart Contract 20 will return an OK if the order was originally registered in a user 2 purchase transaction. Otherwise Smart Contract 20 will return an error.

Once the order has been validated, the next step is to validate the identity of delivery agent 1. Delivery agent 1 will be invited by virtual assistant 100 to carry out a biometric recognition process. By means of a facial, voice and / or fingerprint scanner, virtual assistant 100 sends a biometric validation request back to Smart Contract 20, including as parameters the biometric data obtained as a result of the previous recognition process. Smart Contract 20 will return an OK if these parameters match the biometric patterns previously provided by the delivery company. Note that the biometric signature check is performed on the blockchain so that at no time would sensitive data be revealed.

Referring now to Fig. 4, it illustrates an embodiment of how the virtual assistant 100 determines who will be responsible for receiving the order. According to this exemplary embodiment, the virtual assistant 100 first verifies that the user 2 cannot attend to the delivery agent 1 because he is not at home. For this, the virtual assistant 100 checks the location of user 2 using the geolocation data of his phone (see Fig. 5). Likewise, it is assumed that user 2 has contracted the service of unattended reception of shipments, that is: a) he has given his consent to the use of his personal data in this service: subscriber number and geolocation of the terminal (provides more information to determine the delivery context, but it is not essential as we will see later); b) you have the option of "Call me if a package arrives".

Additionally, user 2 can configure the option "Do not disturb" for specific occasions, with which the virtual assistant 100 would go into "unattended mode" automatically. This being so, virtual assistant 100 places a call to the subscriber number provided in the user profile, advising him that a valid order is waiting at the door of his home to be delivered. From here several things can happen:

i. User 2 is at home and decides to receive the order in person. Virtual assistant 100 says goodbye and the user receives the order. The delivery is completed following the usual mechanisms.

ii. User 2 is at home but cannot receive the call or has simply configured a "Do not disturb" option. Virtual assistant 100 notifies User 2 with a message that he is going to receive the request on his behalf and continues the flow of unattended delivery.

iii. User 2 is not at home and decides to speak to Delivery Agent 1 to indicate the best delivery option. Virtual assistant 100 says goodbye and user 2 receives the order in the conditions that have been agreed with the delivery agent 1. The delivery is completed following the usual mechanisms.

iv. User 2 is not at home and cannot answer the call (business meeting, driving a vehicle, etc.). Virtual Assistant 100 continues the flow of unattended delivery.

As of this moment, virtual assistant 100 has exhausted the possibilities to notify user 2 and give him the opportunity to take over delivery. Virtual Assistant 100 continues the flow of unattended delivery.

It is important to note that at all times and regardless of the options selected, no sensitive user data is handled by the delivery agent 1, and user 2 is aware at all times of what information is being provided to the service.

Fig. 6 illustrates the different alternatives for delivering the merchandise depending on its characteristics. According to this exemplary embodiment, it is first verified whether the home has the appropriate means for the virtual assistant 100 to physically receive the order. For this, the user profile will include a section that will collect relevant information in this regard. The following table shows possible configurations of the house:

Particular

Comunitaria

living place

Particular

Community

- Smart Lock

- Access to - I laughed / pantry / warehouse / delivery room - portal to delivery room / warehouse - Free access to housing - front door - front door portal

- Smart Box

- Integrated hatch on the main door - main door - main door portal

- External mailbox for receiving orders - front door - front door portal Table 2: Possible home configurations for unattended package delivery

It is not within the scope of the invention to analyze the different physical arrangements of the home. The table above should serve simply as an orientation tool. What is possible to determine and is the object of the present invention is the viability of each one of them depending on the characteristics of the merchandise shipped. In any case, each configuration will have a corresponding physical delivery protocol (note that it is not the object of the invention to detail which physical mechanisms should be enabled for each situation).

Once the configuration of the house has been determined, the virtual assistant 100 makes a request to the Smart Contract 20 to know the dimensions of the merchandise. If these dimensions do not match the physical properties of the enclosure, Virtual Assistant 100 may dismiss the physical receipt of the shipment. Otherwise, its content will be evaluated. For this, in particular, it is proposed to contemplate the following characteristics of the merchandise: the dimensions, the perishable condition of the content (it may be a generic indication YES / NO or detailed indicating the maximum time that it can remain without refrigeration, which can be more or less critical, as in the case of frozen products), and / or the level of privacy of the package content.

In the case of perishable merchandise, the virtual assistant 100 will be able to use the position of user 2 and the usual routes of user 2, based on the present and historical geolocation data to calculate:

a) the arrival time of user 2 at his home in case the delivery agent 1 could wait a reasonable time (virtual assistant 100 having detected that user 2 is returning to or close to his home);

b) an alternative delivery point 31. It will be the optimal point depending on the delivery route (this information is known by the delivery company and easily incorporated into the system) and the position and usual routes of user 2. They can also be contemplate:

or the dimensions of the package (already known),

^or if user 2 is moving in a vehicle or on foot (this information can be inferred from present and historical geolocation data).

Once the above parameters have been calculated, virtual assistant 100 initiates a dialogue with delivery agent 1 proposing new alternatives. In case of not reaching an agreement with the delivery agent 1 and not being able to attend the physical delivery, the virtual assistant 100 can look for additional solutions depending on the preferences of the user 2.

Considering now the privacy level of the merchandise, two things can happen: the privacy level only allows the package to be delivered to the original recipient or the privacy level allows the package to be delivered to an alternative recipient 30.

In the second case, virtual assistant 100 can present delivery agent 1 with the following scenarios:

a) Delegate delivery to a neighbor: in this case, user 2 has previously provided a list of neighbors to which to send the shipment. At this time, virtual assistant 100 has enough information to:

1. Determine, from the set of neighbors selected in the list, who of them is in your home (as long as they have given their consent in this regard). To do this, you should only check the geolocation information of your mobile terminal.

2. Make a call to a neighbor to inform them that a third-party order needs to be delivered, and request the receipt of said order at their address. Only in case the neighbor is at home.

3. If the request is successful with a neighbor, the address of the house will be provided to the delivery agent 1. At this point, the virtual assistant 100 finishes his work.

b) Delegate delivery to a concierge: similar to the previous case, but this time, it is the concierge of the building / address who completes the receipt of the shipment.

In another exemplary embodiment, in case the delivery cannot be attended in any of the above scenarios, the virtual assistant 100 will search for the closest delivery points 31 enabled by third-party companies (eg: community mailboxes, points distribution, etc.). Also, the virtual assistant 100 will verify that there is a storage space available and according to the dimensions of the package. Virtual assistant 100 will notify delivery agent 1 and user 2 of the new collection point. If user 2 is not satisfied with the new collection point, delivery agent 1 will give the package as "not delivered" and will implement the corresponding protocol designated by the delivery company.

Below are the main parameters used in the Smart Contract 20 chain to guarantee unattended delivery.

// Delivery Status:

/ / - allows to trace the delivery status at any time

uint internal constant DS_SHIPPING = 1;

uint internal constant DS_ON_DELIVERY = 2;

uint internal constant DS_BIOMETRY_PASSED = 3;

uint internal constant DS_RECEIVER_HOME = 4;

uint internal constant DS_WAITING_FOR_USERS_ARRIVAL = 5;

uint internal constant DS_ALTERNATIVE_LOCATION = 6;

uint internal constant DS_ALTERNATIVE_PERSON = 7;

uint internal constant DS_3RD_PARTY_STORAGE = 8;

// Item Status:

/ / - states of the article according to the phase of the purchase-sale

uint internal constant ACTIVE = 1;

uint internal constant LOCKED = 2;

uint internal constant INACTIVE = 3;

// Data Structures:

struct DeliveryRecord {

uint id;

uint status;

uint expectedDate;

uint expectedReceiverId;

address seller;

address buyer;

}

struct DeliveryStaffBiometry {

uint id;

uint VoiceRecognitionSignature;

uint FaceRecognitionSignature;

}

struct DeliveryItem {

uint id;

uint dimensions;

uint freshContent;

uint privacyLevel;

}

The methods of a standard purchase-sale contract and the necessary modifications to adapt it to the unattended delivery system are detailed below:

function createPurchaseForItem ( uint id, uint price)

function confirmPurchase ( uint itemId)

function abort ( uint itemId)

These first three methods allow you to execute purchase operations for a specific item (they do not require any additional modification). The first one manages the entry of new items in the Smart Contract 20. The second one manages the deposit made by buyer 2 so that the selected item can be sent to him. And the third, allows aborting the operation, terminating the contract according to its status at the time of cancellation.

function confirmReceived ( uint itemId)

The only peculiarity in the confirmation of receipt is that virtual assistant 100 is the one who will execute this method on behalf of client 2, once the unattended delivery has been successfully resolved.

function setDeliveryStatus ( uint userId)

function getAllDeliveryRecordByReceiver ( uint userId)

function getDeliveryStaffBiometryTestResult ( uint itemId, uint bioSignl, uint bioSign2, ...) function getDeliveryItemParams ( uint itemId)

Methods that virtual assistant 100 will execute to read Smart Contract 20 and be able to complete the different phases of unattended delivery. In the first case, the virtual assistant 100 has a writing method to reflect the delivery status at all times depending on the decisions it is making. The second method is used during startup to verify that the merchandise was indeed purchased by customer 2 and that the corresponding order was waiting to be received. The third method allows computing the biometric signature of delivery agent 1 with the values registered in Smart Contract 20 and thus be able to carry out the corresponding security test. The fourth allows to read from the Smart Contract 20 the characteristics of the package / merchandise to be delivered.

The mechanisms that virtual assistant 100 uses to infer the delivery context from the data available in the different back-ends of the system are explained below:

- Geolocation:

• Geolocation-based cognitive model to learn the most common routes of user 2 according to time of day.

• Deduct the travel speed of user 2 and be able to infer whether he is in some type of vehicle or on foot.

• Calculate the average time of arrival from the current position of user 2 to the address or alternative delivery point 31.

• Deduct if user 2 is in the home.

• Deduct if 30 neighbors are in their homes.

• Establish alternative delivery points 31 with the delivery agent 1.

• Select 31 closest third party delivery points.

-Biometry:

• Improvement of security checks using a cognitive model based on the results of previous biometric tests, so that the most common delivery agents 1 who have passed the tests are registered.

- Network traffic:

• Deduct if user 2 is in the home.

• Deduct if 30 neighbors are in their homes.

The proposed invention can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, functions can be stored in or encoded as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium.

The computer readable medium includes computer storage medium. The storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such a computer-readable medium may comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that may be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a computer. Disc and disk, as used herein, include compact discs (CDs), laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), floppy discs, and Blu-ray discs where discs ( disks) normally reproduce data magnetically, while discs (discs) reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable medium. Any processor and storage medium can reside on an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. As an alternative, the processor and the storage medium can reside as discrete components in a user terminal.

As used herein, computer program products comprising computer-readable media include all forms of computer-readable media except, to the extent that such media are considered to be non-established transient propagation signals.

The scope of the present invention is defined in the attached claims.

Claims (15)

1. Method for unattended home delivery, the method includes: a) Perform, by a virtual assistant (100) invoked from an electronic device (10) located outside a user's home (2), a security test of an order for a merchandise that has to be delivered by a delivery agent (1) to said user (2), where: the security test includes identifying information on the merchandise and the delivery agent (1) and validating it by using a Smart Contract (20), the Smart Contract (20) has been previously agreed between the merchandise supply company, the delivery company and a managing entity of a Data Processing Center (51), and the virtual assistant (100) has access to geolocation data from a mobile communication device of the user (2); b) determine, by the virtual assistant (100), once the security test has been passed, that the user (2) is not in a position to attend to the delivery agent (1) to collect or arrange the delivery of the order; c) initiate, through the virtual assistant (100), an unattended delivery process that includes requesting said Smart Contract (20) different characteristics of the merchandise; and d) infer, by the virtual assistant (100), a context of the delivery of the order based on at least the characteristics of the merchandise requested to determine where or to whom the order must be delivered. 2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the different characteristics of the merchandise include at least some dimensions of the merchandise, a perishable condition of the merchandise and / or a privacy level of the merchandise. 3. Method according to claim 2, where if the merchandise is perishable, the virtual assistant (100) to carry out said step d) also takes into account the present and historical location of the user (2), estimating a time of arrival of the user (2) to the address or an alternative delivery point (31). 4. Method according to claim 2, wherein if the privacy level of the merchandise allows it to be delivered to an alternative recipient (30), the virtual assistant (100) in said step d) determines that the merchandise has to be delivered to said alternative recipient (30), after having performed a verification of geolocation data of the alternative recipient (30) or making a phone call to the alternative recipient (30). 5. Method according to claim 2, wherein the virtual assistant (100) further comprises: conduct a search for at least one alternative delivery point (31) using a database or web platform that allows you to explore maps, find points of interest and get directions to anywhere in the world; verify that there is a storage space available at said alternative delivery point (31) taking into account the dimensions of the merchandise; and indicate to the delivery agent (1) and the user (2) the alternative delivery point (31). The method according to claim 1, wherein the identification of the merchandise information comprises scanning, by a camera included in or associated with the electronic device (10), an electronic code identifying the order and included in the merchandise. 7. Method according to claim 6, wherein the electronic code includes a QR code. Method according to claim 1, wherein the identification of the information of the delivery agent (1) comprises detecting, by a biometric sensor (11) included in or associated with the device (10), a biometric test of the delivery agent cast (1). 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the biometric test includes at least one of a facial, voice or fingerprint scan. The method according to claim 1, wherein the partitioning agent (1) comprises a human agent or a non-human agent including a drone. 11. System for unattended home delivery, includes: a virtual assistant (100) invoked from an electronic device (10) located outside a user's home (2); and a delivery agent (1) adapted and configured to deliver an order for a merchandise to said user (2), where the virtual assistant (100) is adapted and configured to interact with a Smart Contract (20) previously agreed by the merchandise supply company, the delivery company and a managing entity of a Data Processing Center (51) ; access geolocation data from a user's mobile communication device (2); and to: a) carry out a security test of said order, wherein said security test includes identifying information on the merchandise and the delivery agent (1) and validating said information by using said Smart Contract (20); b) determine, once the security test has been passed, that the user (2) is not in a position to attend to the delivery agent (1) to collect or arrange the delivery of the order; c) initiate an unattended delivery process that includes requesting said Smart Contract (20) different characteristics of the merchandise; and d) infer a context of the delivery of the order based on at least the characteristics of the merchandise requested to determine where or to whom the order must be delivered. 12. System according to claim 11, wherein the electronic device (10) includes or is associated with a camera adapted and configured to identify said merchandise information by scanning an electronic code identifying the order and included in the merchandise, in where the electronic code includes a QR code. 13. System according to claim 11, wherein the electronic device (10) includes or is associated with a biometric sensor (11) adapted and configured to identify said information of the delivery agent (1) by detecting a biometric test of the agent delivery (1), where the biometric test includes at least one facial, voice or fingerprint scan. 14. System according to claim 11, wherein the partitioning agent (1) comprises a human agent or a non-human agent including a drone. 15. Computer program that includes non-transient code instructions that when implemented in a computer system or server implement a method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.