GB2366644A - Secure home delivery apparatus and method - Google Patents
Secure home delivery apparatus and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2366644A GB2366644A GB0109231A GB0109231A GB2366644A GB 2366644 A GB2366644 A GB 2366644A GB 0109231 A GB0109231 A GB 0109231A GB 0109231 A GB0109231 A GB 0109231A GB 2366644 A GB2366644 A GB 2366644A
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- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- container
- control unit
- customer
- control centre
- goods
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
- G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/10—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property
- G07F17/12—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
- G07F17/13—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned the containers being a postal pick-up locker
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G29/00—Supports, holders, or containers for household use, not provided for in groups A47G1/00-A47G27/00 or A47G33/00
- A47G29/14—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels
- A47G29/141—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels comprising electronically controlled locking means
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G29/00—Supports, holders, or containers for household use, not provided for in groups A47G1/00-A47G27/00 or A47G33/00
- A47G29/14—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels
- A47G29/141—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels comprising electronically controlled locking means
- A47G2029/144—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels comprising electronically controlled locking means the receptacle being transportable and attachable to a building
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G29/00—Supports, holders, or containers for household use, not provided for in groups A47G1/00-A47G27/00 or A47G33/00
- A47G29/14—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels
- A47G29/141—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels comprising electronically controlled locking means
- A47G2029/146—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels comprising electronically controlled locking means the receptacle comprising identification means, e.g. a bar code
Landscapes
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Economics (AREA)
- Human Resources & Organizations (AREA)
- Development Economics (AREA)
- Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Marketing (AREA)
- Operations Research (AREA)
- Quality & Reliability (AREA)
- Strategic Management (AREA)
- Tourism & Hospitality (AREA)
- General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
- Supports Or Holders For Household Use (AREA)
Abstract
Apparatus and method for the secure home delivery of goods. After a customer has placed an order for goods, the supplier places the goods in a lockable container (22, Fig. 4); mounts a control unit to the container (26, Fig. 4); locks the container; delivers the container and locks it to a receiving mechanism (Figs. 6 and 7) at the delivery destination, using securing means (36, Fig. 4) on the container. The control unit monitors for docking to a receiving mechanism and sends a message to a remote control centre, identifying the control unit and the delivery location. If the control centre determines that the container has been correctly delivered, the customer is informed of delivery. On returning home, the customer contacts the control centre, which transmits a code to the control unit on the container to open the container. Alternatively the control centre could transmit the lock release code to the customer. After the customer has removed the goods, a delivery man collects the container which is released from the docking port by the control unit, either under direct command from the control centre or via the delivery man.
Description
2366644 HOME DELIVERY APPARATUS & METHOD
DESCRIPTION
The invention relates to apparatus and a method for the 10 home delivery of ordered goods.
At present it is possible for a customer to place orders by telephone or by using the Internet for goods to be delivered to domestic premises. one major disadvantage of home delivery is that the customer needs to be at home 15 to receive the goods if the risk of pilferage is to be minimised and thus a delivery time which is convenient for both the customer and the deliverer must be arranged. As Internet shopping becomes more widespread there will be a corresponding increase in home deliveries and thus the 20 problems associated with organising a convenient delivery time will increase.
The problem of secure home delivery is addressed in International patent applications WO 00/09841 and WO 97/41541 and in US patent US 5624071. WO 00/09841 2 describes a home delivery system comprising a container with a lockable lid which is delivered and secured to a docking port in a wall of the customer's house via a cable. In WO 97/41542 there is provided a storage device which 5 comprises an enclosure for enclosing goods and a communication apparatus for providing notification that goods have been delivered or collected. In US 5,624,071, a receptacle is temporarily attached to a door of a house, the receptacle being opened by a combination lock to permit 10 a mail carrier to open and deposit packages in the receptacle.
As an alternative to home delivery, UK application GB 2302976 proposes a system in which a customer may collect goods from a secured locked cabinet at a warehouse. The 15 cabinet may be opened by a code which the customer receives by telephone.
According to the invention, there is provided apparatus for the secure home delivery of goods ordered from a remote control centre to a customer, the apparatus 20 comprising ò receiving mechanism at a delivery destination, ò container for housing goods to be delivered, the container comprising locking means to prevent unauthorised 3 access to the container and securing means for securing the container to the receiving mechanism, and a detachable control unit which is attachable to the container to control activity of the securing and/or 5 locking means, the control unit communicating with a remote control centre which provides remote control of the securing and/or locking means via the control unit.
Thus, in contrast to previous solutions, the system proposed above provides a supplier located at the control 10 centre with remote control of the locking/ securing of the container via the control unit. Thus, there is no need for physical intervention by a customer or a delivery man. Although, the control centre may also authorise the customer and delivery man to communicate with the control 15 unit and thereby exercise remote control of the securing and/or locking means.
The communication between the control unit and the control centre is preferably via a wireless telephone operator, e.g. a mobile telephone operator. Since the 20 control unit and control centre are remote, and particularly, if communication is wireless, there is no geographical limitation on the operation of the apparatus subject to the control unit and control centre being able to communicate. By using a detachable control unit, 4 flexibility of operations may be achieved in that a control unit may be compatible with several types of container. Thus, the control unit may be regarded as transforming a simple container into an intelligent unit for receiving 5 goods.
The receiving mechanism may comprise identifying means to identify the delivery destination. The identifying means may be in the form of registration number stored in a magnetic coded registration module. The registration number 10 may be derived from postcodes with, if necessary, a prefix or suffix. The control unit may comprise means to decode the registration number of the delivery destination and may further transmit this information to the control centre.
The receiving mechanism may be a wall bracket with 15 multiple, e.g. two locking member pins. The receiving mechanism may be approximately the size of a letterbox. The registration module may be mounted on or inserted in the bracket. The registration module may be protected by a cover e.g. of plastics. The receiving mechanism may also 20 comprise a location plate on a wall at the delivery destination, the location plate supporting the container when secured to the receiving mechanism. A template may be used to install the mechanism to ensure fixing at the correct height.
The securing means may comprise a spring-steel locking strip mounted on the container which engages with the locking pins on the receivi ng mechanism. The strip may be a snap-fit on the pins. The strip may be replaceable, i.e.
5 as a result of wear and tear.
The container is preferably made of a suitable light but robust material, e.g. metal or plastics. The material may be plastic coated aluminium or mild steel. The containers may be of various sizes, such that a particular 10 size of container may be chosen to suit a particular delivery. The interior of the container may be customised to meet the particular loading and unloading requirements, for example if the goods had to be kept at a certain temperature. The containers may be further customised to 15 meet the storage and transporting requirements of a supplier. Each variation of container has securing means compatible with the receiving mechanism. In this way, the container may be altered to meet the requirements of a particular delivery whilst ensuring compatibility in the 20 system.
The container may comprise a lockable lid. The lid may comprise a stay to prevent accidental closure. The locking mechanism may be in the form of a bolt lock. The control unit preferably controls both locking and unlocking of the 6 container lid. The controlunit may open the container on receipt of a code from the control centre. Alternatively, after delivery, the customer may communicate with the control centre to confirm delivery and obtain the correct 5 unlock code.
The customer may have an identification number, for example, the order number given at the time of ordering plus perhaps the postcode. Alternatively, if the customer regularly uses the services of the supplier he may have a 10 personal number. The control centre may verify the identity of the customer before supplying the unlock code. In this way, the code for unlocking the lid may be altered for each delivery. The code may be the customer identification number of the customer followed by a short 15 cipher. or it could be the number of the transceiver followed by a short cipher.
The container may further comprise display means to display information to the deliverer or the customer. The display means may be in the form of an LED or LCD display.
The control unit may be detachable from the container The control unit may be mounted to the container by brackets. The control unit may be sealed and/or mounted to prevent access by the customer to components in the unit. A control unit may have an individual identification number.
7 The control unit may further comprise means to read the information stored on the registration module. The control unit may further comprise transceiver means to send a signal containing the identity of the delivery 5 destination and the identity of the container to the control centre. The signal may be automatically generated on attachment or removal of the container from the receiving mechanism. The transceiver means may be linked to the system of a wireless, e.g. mobile, telephone operator 10 so that the signal is sent via the operator. Depending on the technology used at the control centre the signal may be translated into e- mail using wireless applications protocol (WAP). The individual identification number of the control unit may be allocated by the mobile telephone operator and 15 may be associated with the transceiver of the control unit.
on receipt of a message identifying the -container and the delivery destination, the control centre may verify the container has been delivered to the correct delivery destination, for example by comparing the message with 20 order details. If the delivery is correct the control centre may send a confirmation message to the control unit. The control unit may then activate the display means to display a message for the deliverer showing that delivery 8 is correct. The control centre may also send a message to the customer to confirm delivery and delivery time.
Alternatively, if the container has been delivered to the incorrect address, the control centre may send a 5 message to the control unit to activate the release of the container from the receiving mechanism. The deliverer is thus notified of the incorrect delivery and may then return the container to base.
The securing means may be released by transmitting a 10 correct release code to the transceiver in the control unit. The release code may be transmitted by the customer or a collector. The release code may be supplied on communication with the control centre and may comprise the customer number followed by a short cipher or the number of 15 the transceiver followed by a short cipher. Alternatively, a signal sent from the control centre to the control unit may release the securing means.
The control centre may monitor for release of the container via the control unit. The monitoring may be 20 achieved by a break of the connection between the control unit and the magnetic registration code module, the control unit then activating a message to the control centre. Thus, the control unit provides real time logging and messaging 9 to the control centre both for the release means and for the securing means as explained above.
The system may further comprise an electric battery, for example a rechargeable dry-cell battery. The system 5 may further comprise a back-up means to allow the release of the securing means or the locking means in the event of a battery or control unit failure. The back-up means may be in the form of a jack plug protected by a code number.
According to a second aspect of the invention, theie 10 is provided a method for delivering goods to a delivery destination using apparatus as described above, the method comprising the steps of placing the goods to be delivered in the container, detachably mounting a control unit to the container, locking the container to prevent unauthorised 15 access to goods therein, transporting the container to the delivery destination and securing the container to a receiving mechanism provided at the delivery destination, providing access means for a customer to access the goods in the container, providing release means to release the 20 container from the receiving mechanism, the access means and the release means being controlled by communication from the control unit and providing a remote control centre which communicates with the control unit to control access to the access and release means.
The control unit may determine the identity of the receiving means from identification means located in the receiving means and may communicate the identity to the control centre. After receipt of the identity of the 5 receiving means, the control centre may verify the container has been delivered to the correct delivery destination.. If the container has been delivered correctly, the control centre may transmit an access code to the control unit to open the access means to enable a 10 customer to access the goods. Alternatively, the customer may obtain the access code from contacting the control centre and may then transmit the access code to the control unit. The control unit may communicate to the control centre that the goods have been accessed.
15 If the container is delivered to an incorrect destination or once the customer has removed the goods from the container, the control centre may also transmit a code to the control unit to release the release means to enable the container to be removed by a supplier. The control 20 centre may communicate with the control unit to monitor for release of the container.
The invention is diagrammatically illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings in which 11 Figure 1 is a schematic of a home delivery system embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is a second schematic view of the home delivery system of Figure 1; 5 Figure 3 is a perspective view of a container of the present invention; Figure 4 is second perspective view of the container of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a front view of the securing means of the 10 present invention Figure 6 is a front view of the receiving mechanism of the present invention; Figure 7 is a side view of the receiving mechanism of the present invention; 15 Figure 8 is a schematic of the lid locking means of the present invention; Figure 9 is a combined securing and lid locking means; Figure 10 is a perspective of a container embodying the combined securing and lid locking means of Figure 9; 20 Figure 11 is a schematic of a control unit of the present invention; Figure 12 is a flow chart of the method of the present invention and 12 Figure 13 is a simple schematic of the invention in operation.
In Figures 1 and 2, there are shown schematics of the operation of apparatus for the secure home delivery of 5 remotely ordered goods to a customer (20) The apparatus comprises a container (22) for housing the goods to be delivered, the container comprising a detachable control unit (26) and locking devices (28). The control unit (26) communicates with a remote control centre (24).
10 The sealed container (22) is delivered to the customer's home by a collection man (30) and secured to a wall (32) of the home. On delivery, a message (A) is transmitted via the control unit to the control centre (24) informing the control centre (24) of the delivery. The 15 control centre (24) then sends a message (B) and (C) to the control unit in the container and customer (20) respectively to confirm delivery. On return home, the customer (20) contacts (stage C) the control centre (24) to confirm delivery of the container (22). The control centre 20 (24) supplies the information regarding opening the container (22) in message (D) to the customer. The customer (20) transmits a number to the control unit (26) and opens (stage E) the container (22) to remove the delivered goods and closes the container after use.
13 Finally, the control centre (.24) or the collection man (30) sends a message (F) to the control unit to release the container (22) from the wall (32) for collection by the collection man (30) The control centre will have the 5 necessary database and computer programs /manpower to carry out these functions.
Figures 3 and 4 show the detail of the container (22) which comprises a detachable control unit (26), locking means (34) to prevent unauthorised access to the container, 10 and securing means (36) for securing the container to a receiving mechanism shown in Figures 6 and 7. The container comprises a lockable lid (36) pivotable about hinge (38) and spring biased to open the lid; release of the locking means (34) which is controlled by the control unit causes 15 the lid to open and enables the customer to retrieve goods from inside the container (22).
Figures S and 6 shows the mechanism of the securing means (36) which secures the container (22) to the receiving mechanism (46). The securing means (36) 20 comprises a latching mechanism comprising a spring steellocking strip (40) connected to a servo unit (42) or solenoid and powered by a battery pack (44) and which engages in recesses in locking pins (48) on the receiving mechanism (46). Before engagement, the strip (40) is in the 14 position indicated by the solid line. The locking pins (48) on the receiving mechanism (46) slot into holes (50) in the securing means. The strip (40) then moves into the position indicated by the dotted lines and thus engages the locking 5 pins (48). To release the securing means the steel strip (40) is pushed forward to disconnect it from the pins (48). This release is controlled by the control unit (26) which is connected to the securing means.
As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the receiving mechanism 10 (46) is a wall bracket (52) with two locking pins (48). The wall bracket (52) is mounted on the wall (32) with screws (56). The receiving mechanism (40) further comprises a magnetic coded registration module (58) to identify the customer's home and an ejector spring (54) to push the 15 container (22) away from the wall (32) on release of the securing means.
Figure 8 shows the detail of the locking means (34) in the form of a standard bolt lock on the container lid (36). The locking means (34) thus comprises a bolt (60), a hasp 20 (62) and a solenoid (64). The locking means is connected to the control unit and input of the correct key code releases the bolt lock.
Figure 9 shows a combined locking and securing means (66) comprising all the features of the individual means shown in Figures 6 to 8, namely a bolt (60), a hasp (62) and a solenoid (64) powered by a batter pack for the locking means and a spring steel- locking strip (40) connected to a servo unit (42) or solenoid and powered by a 5 battery pack (44) for the securing means. Figure 10 shows a container (22) comprising the combined locking and securing means (66) and control unit (26). One difference between the container (22) of Figures 3 and 10 is the position of the magnetic registration module decoder (68) 10 on the control unit. In Figure 3 the decoder (68) is located at the bottom of the control unit (26) to align with module (58) on the receiving mechanism. In contrast, in Figure 10 the decoder (68) is located at the bottom of the control unit (26) to align with module (58).
15 When it is installed in the container the control box is fixed by a small screw coming through the wall facing side of the container. This means that the customer cannot access the components when the lid is opened.
In Figure 11, there is shown a schematic of a control 20 unit (26) comprising a transceiver (70) linked to the system of a major mobile telephone operator to enable communication between the control unit and the control centre, between the customer and the control unit and between the collection man and the control unit, a CPU unit 16 (72) a decoder (68) solenoids (74) jack plug (76) to provide back-up means in the event of a power failure and a connection (78) for recharging the batteries (not shown) to power the transceiver/CPU unit and the solenoids. The 5 control unit (26) also comprises microswitches, a wire leading from the solenoids to a jack plug and a LED device (all not shown). The electronics systems (microprocessing and transceiver) will require a constant low current power from the battery. The solenoids will require a higher 10 current supply for a short period from a separate battery.
The communication between control unit and control centre and between the customer and the control unit and between the collection man and the control unit is provided through a signal sent via the system of a mobile telephone 15 operator to which the transceiver is connected. Depending on the technology used at the control centre the signal may be translated into e- mail using wireless applications protocol (WAP).
Figure 12 is a flowchart showing all the steps of one 20 method of operation of the apparatus. After a customer has placed an order for goods with a supplier, the supplier places the goods in a container; mounts a control unit to the container and locks the container. The container is then delivered to the customer and locked to the docking port or receiving mechanism. The control unit monitors for locking to a receiving mechanism and after locking sends a delivery message to a remote control centre. The delivery message contains information identifying the receiving 5 mechanism and thus the delivery location together with information identifying the control unit and hence the container.
The control centre checks the information received from the control unit to ascertain whether the container 10 has been delivered to the correct address. If the container has not been delivered correctly, the control centre transmit a message to the control unit to unlock the container from the docking port. Thus a delivery man is alerted to the incorrect delivery and returns the container 15 to the supplier.
If the container has been delivered to the correct address, the customer is informed of the delivery. When the customer returns home, he contacts the control centre with his customer number. If the customer number is 20 correct, the control centre transmits a code to the control unit to the open the container. The transmission may be direct from control unit to control centre or via the customer. Once the customer has retrieved his goods, he closes the container which remains locked. A delivery man 18 returns to collect the container and the container is released from the docking port by the control centre either direct or via the delivery man. The delivery man returns the locked container to the supplier. If the customer 5 number is incorrect, the container remains locked and is returned to the supplier as above.
Figure 13 is a simple schematic showing that the control centre (24) transmits information to and also receives information from the control unit (26).
10 Similarly, there is a two-way communication between the control centre and the customer (20) The control centre (24) performs the functions of data retrieval (e.g. from control unit or customer) and data processing. Additionally, the control centre interrogates and/or 15 instructs the customer and the control unit.
Since the control centre is fully computerised, it is able to communicate with as many customers and control units as necessary. The control centre is operated by the supplier of the ordered goods and may be integrated into 20 other logistical systems of the supplier. Thus the system provides the following:
a) physical security for the goods b) a messaging and logging system which protects the interests of the customer and supplier 19 c) physical security for the equipment used d) a simple operating system e) minimum reliance on - the initiative/common sense of the customer 5 f) a means of dealing with system breakdowns without compromising the integrity of the system
Claims (1)
1. Apparatus for the secure home delivery of goods ordered f rom a remote control centre to a customer, the apparatus comprising 5 a receiving mechanism at a delivery destination, a container for housing goods to be delivered, the container comprising locking means to prevent unauthorised access to the container and securing means for securing the container to the receiving mechanism, and 10 a detachable control unit which is attachable to the container to control activity of the securing and/or locking means, the control unit communicating with a remote control centre which provides remote control of the securing and/or locking means via the control unit.
15 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises transceiver means to communicate with the control centre.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transceiver means is linked to the system of a wireless 20 telephone operator so that communication between the control unit and control centre is via the operator.
4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the securing means is released by the control centre 21 transmitting a correct release code to a transceiver means in the control unit.
5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the securing means is released by a release code 5 which is transmitted to the control unit by the customer.
6. Apparatus according to any one preceding claims 2 to 4, wherein the locking means is released by the control centre transmitting an unlock code to a transceiver means in the control unit.
10 7. Apparatus according to any one claims 1 to 5, wherein the locking means is released by a customer transmitting an unlock code to the control unit.
8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving mechanism comprises 15 identifying means to identify the delivery destination.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control unit comprises means co-operating with the identifying means to decipher the identity of the delivery destination.
10. Apparatus according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the 20 identifying means is in the form of a registration number stored in a magnetic coded registration module.
11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each control unit has an individual identification number.
22 12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the receiving mechanism is a wall bracket with multiple locking pins.
13. Apparatus according to- claim 12, wherein the securing means comprises a spring-steel locking strip mounted on the container which engages with the locking pins on the receiving mechanism.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the strip is a snap-fit on the pins.
10 15. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the container comprises a lockable lid, the unlocking and locking of the lid being controlled by the control unit. 16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the lid is lockable via a bolt lock.
15 17. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the container further comprises display means to display information to deliverer or customer 18. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the size of container is chosen to suit a particular 20 delivery.
19. A method for delivering goods to a delivery destination using apparatus as described above, the method comprising the steps of placing the goods to be delivered in the container, detachably mounting a control unit to the 23 container, locking the container to prevent unauthorised access to goods therein, transporting the container to the delivery destination and securing the container to a receiving mechanism provided at the delivery destination, 5 providing access means for a customer to access the goods in the container, providing release means to release the container from the receiving mechanism, the access means and the release means being controlled by communication from the control unit and providing a remote control centre 10 which communicates with the control unit to control the access and release means 20. Method according to claim 19, wherein the control unit determines the identity of the receiving means from identification means located in the receiving means and 15 communicates the identity to the control centre.
21. Method according to claim 20, wherein after receipt of the identity of the receiving means, the control centre verifies the container has been delivered to the correct delivery destination.
22. Method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the control centre transmits a code to the control unit to open the access means to enable a customer to access the goods.
24 23. Method according to any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the control centre transmits a code to the control unit to release the release means to enable the container to be removed by a supplier.
24. Method according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein the control centre communicates with the control unit to monitor for release of the container.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0092023 | 2000-04-14 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0109231D0 GB0109231D0 (en) | 2001-05-30 |
| GB2366644A true GB2366644A (en) | 2002-03-13 |
Family
ID=9906111
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0109231A Withdrawn GB2366644A (en) | 2000-04-14 | 2001-04-12 | Secure home delivery apparatus and method |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2366644A (en) |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2002058519A1 (en) * | 2001-01-27 | 2002-08-01 | WÜBBE, Roland, Hermann | Device and method for the automatic handover of goods |
| GB2371832A (en) * | 2001-01-25 | 2002-08-07 | Secure Storage Solutions Ltd | Lockable container and delivery system |
| GB2364413B (en) * | 2000-07-06 | 2004-02-11 | Andrew Christopher Holding | Secure home delivery system |
| GB2394509A (en) * | 2002-10-25 | 2004-04-28 | James Welland | Secure delivery box |
| US10902375B2 (en) | 2016-12-14 | 2021-01-26 | Walmart Apollo, Llc | System and method for delivering packages to customers |
| EP3287399B1 (en) * | 2016-02-15 | 2023-03-08 | V-Sync Co., Ltd. | Delivery system |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2000009841A1 (en) * | 1998-08-11 | 2000-02-24 | Homeport (Cayman) Limited | Secure home delivery method |
| WO2001078022A1 (en) * | 2000-04-06 | 2001-10-18 | Hollming Oy | System and method for delivery of goods to a customer |
-
2001
- 2001-04-12 GB GB0109231A patent/GB2366644A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2000009841A1 (en) * | 1998-08-11 | 2000-02-24 | Homeport (Cayman) Limited | Secure home delivery method |
| WO2001078022A1 (en) * | 2000-04-06 | 2001-10-18 | Hollming Oy | System and method for delivery of goods to a customer |
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2364413B (en) * | 2000-07-06 | 2004-02-11 | Andrew Christopher Holding | Secure home delivery system |
| GB2371832A (en) * | 2001-01-25 | 2002-08-07 | Secure Storage Solutions Ltd | Lockable container and delivery system |
| WO2002058519A1 (en) * | 2001-01-27 | 2002-08-01 | WÜBBE, Roland, Hermann | Device and method for the automatic handover of goods |
| US7191932B2 (en) | 2001-01-27 | 2007-03-20 | Roland Wubbe | Device and method for the automatic handover of goods |
| GB2394509A (en) * | 2002-10-25 | 2004-04-28 | James Welland | Secure delivery box |
| EP3287399B1 (en) * | 2016-02-15 | 2023-03-08 | V-Sync Co., Ltd. | Delivery system |
| US10902375B2 (en) | 2016-12-14 | 2021-01-26 | Walmart Apollo, Llc | System and method for delivering packages to customers |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0109231D0 (en) | 2001-05-30 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |