GB2483474A

GB2483474A - Apparatus for delivery or exchange of a postal item

Info

Publication number: GB2483474A
Application number: GB1014961.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steve Bungard; Simon Humphries
Original assignee: PARCELPAL Ltd
Current assignee: PARCELPAL Ltd
Priority date: 2010-09-08
Filing date: 2010-09-08
Publication date: 2012-03-14
Also published as: GB201014961D0

Abstract

Apparatus 1 for exchange of a postal item comprises at least one container 2 provided with a controller 3, the or each container having a lock operated by the controller and the controller being adapted to communicate with other devices via one or more communications networks, such that the controller opens the lock when in receipt of a pre-determined signal from another device via a communications network. The apparatus further comprises a command device 4 and a communications device 5, such as a mobile telephone or other handset. In use the command device configures the controller so as to respond to the pre-determined signal via a communications network â Aâ and supplies the communications device with the pre-determined signal via a communications network â Câ . The communications device is used by an individual wishing to open the container and either place a postal item therein or remove a postal item there from, the communications device transmitting the pre-determined signal to the controller via a communications network â Bâ so as to cause the controller to release the lock. The apparatus may comprise a single container or a plurality of containers each being adapted to respond to an individual pre-determined signal.

Description

Apparatus for Secure Exchange of Postal Items This invention relates to apparatus for the secure delivery and/or collection of postal items, for use particularly, but not exclusively, when the recipient is absent from the exchange location.

Many items sent by post or courier require signed confirmation of receipt by the recipient. This allows the sender to confirm that the package has been received safely, and has not been mislaid in transit. However, this kind of arrangement is dependent on the intended recipient being present at the point of delivery to sign the appropriate documents. If that person is absent, the package may have to be transported to a depot and collected at some inconvenience to the recipient, or re-delivered at another time or to another address, or even returned to the sender. Each of these events incurs unnecessary cost.

To avoid the problems associated with missing a delivery, many people will wait for prolonged periods at one address, which is inconvenient and wastes time.

Further, if a postal item is to be securely collected from a location, the sender must be present to ensure a safe exchange.

GB2406201 in the name of BUNGARD discloses apparatus for exchange of a postal item comprising a container provided with lock means, control means adapted to control the lock means and to communicate with communication means at a different location, in which the lock means can be operated by the communication means, when it is in communication with the control means, in use.

In one embodiment the control means comprises a computer provided with a first telephone, and the communication means at a different location is a second telephone. A signal can be sent between the first telephone and the second telephone to operate the lock means.

The control means further comprises an intercom provided adjacent the container and connected to the computer, such that a telephone call between the first telephone and the second telephone can be accessed at the intercom.

Therefore, a courier arriving at the point of delivery operates the intercom, and a telephone call is made to the customer, at a different location. After a telephone conversation to confirm the identity of the courier, the customer sends a signal with their telephone which opens the lock, allowing the courier to place the postal item inside.

However, this arrangement suffers from a number of drawbacks. Firstly, the successful operation of the system is dependent on the customer answering the second telephone. They may be away from the second telephone when it is called, or if the second telephone is a mobile telephone the call may not get through successfully if the signal is lost, which is a common occurrence.

Secondly, while the customer can speak to the courier over the telephone to establish his identity and purpose, this is not an infallible arrangement. Anyone posing as a courier could operate the system, and dupe the customer into remotely opening the container.

A number of prior art documents disclose other solutions to the basic problem of delivering postal items in a secure manner when the recipient is absent. EP1237445 in the name of DYNAMID LIMITED discloses a secure delivery system in which a unique security code is affixed to a postal item, and also sent to a container at the delivery address. To place the postal item in the container, the unique security code is provided thereto, and the container opens if the code matches that it was sent. EPI21 1971 in the name of BUSINESS DIRECT LIMITED discloses something similar.

W00207021 in the name of BYBOX HOLDINGS LIMITED is slightly different, in that the postal items are delivered not to the customer's address, but to an automated collection point.

But again, the containers at the collection point are controlled such that they only allow the postal item to be placed therein after a security code has been checked and matches that in a database. A similar arrangement is disclosed in GB2409748 also in the name of BYBOX HOLDINGS LIMITED, but in that case a postal item which was not successfully delivered is taken to a holing facility and placed in a container which is locked with a code. That code is provided on a card which is left at the delivery address, and the customer can collect the postal item by providing it to the container. W003046782 also in the name of BYBOX HOLDiNGS LIMITED again discloses a system in which a container can be opened by a customer using a code previously provided to the container.

However, all of these solutions suffer from the major drawback that the container must be provided with the means to enter or provide the unique code. In these cases this is done variously with key pads, barcode readers, tag readers and so on. This kind of functionality is very expensive to provide on large numbers of separate containers, and makes them considerably more complex and prone to failures.

The object of the present invention is to overcome some of the above problems.

Therefore, according to a first aspect of the present invention, apparatus for exchange of a postal item comprises a container and control means, in which the container is closable and comprises a lock means adapted to lock it closed, in which the control means is adapted to communicate wh other devices with which it is used via one or more communications networks, in which the control means is adapted to open the lock means when in receipt of a pre-determined signal from one of said other devices via a communications network, characterised in which: the apparatus further comprises command means and a communications device, in which said command means is adapted to configure said control means with said pre-determined signal via a communications network, and in which said communications device is adapted to communicate with said control means via a communications network such that said pre-determined signal is transmittable to said control means.

Thus, the present invention provides a novel arrangement in which a courier can open a container by establishing a telephone call with it himself via his mobile phone, and entering the pre-determined signal. This removes the requirement for the customer to remotely control the container, as in GB2406201. Abuse of the system can also be avoided because the pre-determined signal can be given only to legitimate couriers. As such, it is not beholden on the customer to establish the legitimacy of the courier over the telephone. In addition, one portable device can be used to enter the pre-determined signals to multiple containers, which represents a considerable cost saving and reduction in complexity over the other prior art documents described above.

(The apparatus of the invention is primarily for use in receiving postal items, but it can also be used to allow them to be collected from within the container. Some of the terminology used herein refers to the receiving of a postal item as opposed to allowing it to be collected, for example the terms "receipt confirmation means" and "delivery confirmation means" used below.

However, these terms are used for ease of explanation only, and they should be understood to also refer to instances where a postal item is collected. For example, the "receipt confirmation means" can also obviously function to provide confirmation of a collection.) In a preferred embodiment the command means can be adapted to provide for the sending of said pre-determined signal to said communications device via a communications network. Therefore, the pre-determined signal can be issued to the control means and the communications device in a co-ordinated and secure manner. The communication of the pre-determined signal can be verbal, ie it can be given to a courier manually over the phone, or it can be issued automatically as a text or email or the like. However, preferably said command means can be adapted to send said pre-determined signal to said communications device as data.

Alternatively, the apparatus can further comprise an intermediary communications device, said command means can be adapted to provide for the sending of said pre-determined signal to said intermediary communications device via a communications network, and said intermediary communications device can be adapted to provide for the sending of said pre-determined signal to said communications device via a communications network. With this construction the communication of the pre-determined signal can be via a courier company computer. In other words, the command means can send the pre-determined signal to the courier company, and it can then send it on to the appropriate courier's mobile phone.

In one construction said control means can comprise a first telephone, and said communications device can be a user mobile telephone adapted to communicate with said first telephone via a mobile telephone network. Said pre-determined signal can be a PIN number which is transmittable to said first telephone by using a keypad of said user mobile telephone during a telephone call established with said first telephone. Alternatively, it is possible for the communications device to be a landline telephone, although this is not as practical.

Therefore, the courier can be sent a text message to their mobile phone which contains the correct PIN number for a particular delivery. When they arrive on site they establish a telephone call with the first telephone, and then enter the PIN on the key pad of their mobile phone to open the container.

In one construction the telephone number required to establish a telephone call with said first telephone can be displayed on said container. This way the courier has to be on site to be able to establish a telephone call with the first telephone.

However, in an alternative arrangement the telephone number required to establish a telephone call with said first telephone can be sent to the user mobile telephone as data by the -5..

command means. This way only the legitimate courier can make contact with the control means to open the container.

The command means can in theory be any device which can configure the control means with the pre-determined signal via a communications network, and also send it to the user mobile telephone. This could be a customer's mobile phone, in which case the customer would operate the system themselves by configuring the control means with a PIN, and sending that PIN to the user mobile telephone. However, in a preferred construction the command means can comprise a service provider computer, which can communicate with the control means over the lnternet. The business model behind the present invention involves a service provider company providing the containers to customers, and acting as an intermediary between one or more courier companies and the customers. When a courier company has a delivery to make to a customer with a container, it communicates this to the service provider company, which then arranges for the pre-determined signal to be issued for the delivery.

The manner in which the apparatus is operated by any of the various parties involved in the dispatch and receipt of a postal item can differ from this, and in particular in the way the command means is instructed. For example, a courier company with a delivery to make can communicate this to the customer rather than the service provider, who can then access the service provider computer over the Internet so a computer generated or customer inputted PIN number is then issued to the control means over the Internet, and communicated to the courier either by the service provider (either directly or via an intermediary communications device) or by the customer himself. (If the customer communicates the PIN number to the courier then the device they use to do so would be an "intermediary communications device" as described above.) Alternatively, before the courier company is even involved, the customer can access the service provider computer so a computer generated or customer inputted PIN number is issued to the control means, and then the customer can provide this PIN number to a sender of a postal item, for example a retailer, who can then pass it onto the courier company. (There would be a plurality of "intermediary communications devices" in this case.) As another alternative, a sender of a postal item can access the service provider computer over the Internet so a computer generated or even a sender inputted PIN number is then issued to the control means, which can then be communicated to the courier company by the sender. (Here a sender computer could be the intermediary communications device). In each case the essential elements of the invention that the command means issues the PIN number to the control means, and that the communication device transmits the PIN number to the control means, are still utilised.

In one version of the invention the pre-determined signal can be postal item specific, and the command means can be adapted to generate a unique pre-determined signal to configure said control means and for sending to said communications device, for every postal item to be exchanged. This arrangement provides the maximum security, as the pre-determined signal required to open the container can only ever be used once. Each time a postal item is to be exchanged, the service provider computer can generate the unique code and issue it to the control means and the courier's mobile phone.

A simpler alternative is that the pre-determined signal is merely container specific, and is issued to the communications device whenever it may be required. (This arrangement can find particular application where a customer also has the ability to remotely operate the container, as discussed below, and requires the pre-determined signal to remain constant.) The pre-determined signal can be more than a mere code, and can comprise one or more functional components. For example, the pre-determined signal can be job-type specific, which is to say that it can comprise sequences or integers which can be indicative of any characteristic of the job-type being performed. For example, it can indicate the particular courier company using the apparatus, it can indicate whether an item is being delivered to the container, or collected therefrom, it can indicate the time or date it was issued, or even some characteristic of the item to be delivered, for example its size or weight. This information may be useful in compiling and maintaining a database of issued pre-determined signals.

The above described apparatus can be used in isolation, or it can be used alongside the arrangement disclosed in GB2406201, to provide a system with a variety of possible manners of use. This may be advantageous where some courier companies subscribe to the arrangement described above, but where others do not, and the facility to allow the customer to open the container remotely is still required.

Therefore, in one version of the invention the control means can be further adapted to communicate with a customer telephone at a different location via a telephone network. The control means can further comprise an intercom provided adjacent the container, which can be adapted to function as the speaker and microphone of the first telephone. The control means can be adapted to establish a telephone call to the customer telephone when the intercom is operated, and said PIN code can be transmittable to said first telephone by using a keypad of said customer telephone during said telephone call. Therefore, the courier and the customer can speak to one another to confirm the details of the delivery or the collection, before the customer can send the signal to open the container.

With this arrangement the PIN code can be one which is constant, and which is known to the customer as described above. This PIN code can be one which the command means configures the control means with and which is also communicated to the customer, or it can be one which is set by the customer himself. In an enhanced arrangement new PIN codes can be issued to the control means and the customer from time to time to improve the security of the system. This can be done daily, weekly or monthly. Alternatively, it is also possible to have apparatus in which there are different PIN codes which each work, including a customer PIN code for use when the customer is contacted by a courier via the intercom, as well as postal item specific PIN codes used by couriers from companies subscribing to the system.

The apparatus can further comprise a door bell. The intercom can comprise a first button and a second button; operation of the first button can activate the door bell and initiate a telephone call to the customer telephone, and operation of the second button can simply activate the door bell. The first button can be labelled "Deliveries" and the second button can be labelled "Door Bell". Therefore when a courier presses the "Deliveries" button the door bell will ring, and anyone inside the property can answer the door. At the same time a call to the customer telephone will be made, so if no-one is present at the address the customer will be contacted. The intercom can be further adapted to cancel the telephone call to the customer telephone when either the first or second button is depressed for five seconds, so a customer present at the address can cancel the call to the customer telephone which has been made.

The presence of the second button allows visitors to the address to attempt to raise anyone inside without initiating a telephone call to the customer telephone, and without having to initiate a telephone call to the control means.

The arrangement disclosed in GB2406201 was also not satisfactory because it did not allow for sufficient exchange confirmation to be provided to interested parties, such as the courier company, the product retailer, the provider of the apparatus nor the customer. In addition! there was no means by which the exchange could be actively monitored by any of these interested parties. Further, there was no means by which deliveries or collections could be recorded and stored for future reference.

W0201001 0314, in the name of PARCELPAL discloses apparatus for exchange of a postal item comprising a container, control means and remote customer communication means, in which the container is closable and comprises a lock means adapted to lock it closed, in which the control means is adapted to communicate with the remote customer communication means, in which the control means is adapted to open and close the lock means when in receipt of a pre-determined signal from the remote customer communications means, characterised in which: the apparatus further comprises a first remote monitoring means and receipt confirmation means adapted to perform a receipt confirmation function, in which the control means is adapted to communicate with the first remote monitoring means, and to send a receipt confirmation signal thereto once the receipt confirmation function has been performed.

Therefore, in the present case the apparatus can further comprise a first remote monitoring means and receipt confirmation means adapted to perform a receipt confirmation function. The control means can also be adapted to communicate with the first remote monitoring means, and to send a receipt confirmation signal thereto once the receipt confirmation function has been performed.

Therefore, once the receipt confirmation function has been performed, the first remote monitoring means is informed. Thus, a service provider company can remotely monitor the delivery or collection from afar, and keep an up to date record of progress, and this information can be made available for remote access by the other interested parties, for example over the Internet The receipt confirmation function can be any of the functions or actionable events disclosed in W02010010314 which can be performed when the container is accessed in use by the courier.

In one embodiment the receipt confirmation means can comprise a camera, and the receipt confirmation function can comprise the capture of a still or moving image of a postal item being placed in the container or removed therefrom. The camera can be positioned adjacent to the container, so the still or moving images can show the whole process of the container being opened, accessed and closed. Alternatively the camera can be positioned inside the container.

The receipt confirmation signal can comprise said captured still or moving image. With this arrangement the service provider, and then other interested parties can actually see the postal item being delivered, or collected, and the still or moving image can be stored for future reference. It will be appreciated how this arrangement can be readily realised with modern digital cameras and digital communication means.

However, in an alternative construction the receipt confirmation means can comprise sensor means adapted to sense the open and closed state of the container, and the receipt conformation function can comprise the recording of the opening and closing of the container in use. The receipt conformation signal can comprise data relating to the recorded open and closed state of the container.

Alternatively, the receipt confirmation means can comprise a weight scale, and the receipt confirmation function can comprise the weighing of a postal item placed in the container or removed therefrom in use. The receipt confirmation signal can comprise data relating to the weighing of the postal item placed in the container or removed therefrom.

In another version of the invention the receipt confirmation means can comprise a Near Field UHF Tag reader adapted to read a Near Field UHF Tag carried by the postal item being received. The receipt confirmation signal can comprise data relating to the Near Field UHF tag carried by the postal item. This embodiment of the invention is only applicable where the apparatus is used to receive items, however it has the added advantage that individual items received can be uniquely identified.

The first remote monitoring means can comprise a part of the service provider computer referred to above, and as described above the control means can communicate with the service provider computer over the Internet. Therefore, once the delivery has been completed, the control means can immediately, or soon thereafter, initiate communications with the service provider computer and the receipt confirmation signal can be sent.

Therefore, the service provider computer can comprise a database as well as a connection to the Internet, and the database can contain data relating to receipt confirmation signals received in use, which can be accessible remotely over the Internet.

Therefore, the service provider can keep a record of all the deliveries and collections performed by the apparatus. This information can be "live" in the sense that as soon as a delivery or collection is made and the receipt confirmation signal received, that information can be made available. Any interested parties can access this information on line, and obtain up to date information. Customers in particular can also see the history of the use of their container, and how many times deliveries have been made and so on. Computer programs adapted to facilitate such functions are well known, and are not further described here.

Preferably the control means can comprise a clock function and a database, and time and event type data can be entered into the database when any of the above described events occur, so a complete record is created. Data can be entered into the database when the control means is configured with the pre-determined signal, when a telephone call to the first telephone is made, when the pre-determined signal is received from the user mobile telephone, when the first button is operated, when a telephone call to the customer telephone is answered, when a telephone call to the customer telephone is not answered, when a telephone call to the customer telephone is ended, when the pre-determined signal is received from the customer telephone, when the container is opened, when the receipt confirmation function is performed, when the container is closed, and when the receipt confirmation signal is sent.

All this time and event type data can be sent to the first remote monitoring means with the receipt confirmation signal, and this data can be made available on the Internet. Thus, the interested parties can access a complete record of what happened and when. This is particularly useful if the customer was not able to answer the customer telephone when it was called, and they want to confirm whether a courier did or did not arrive at the point of delivery or collection and try to raise them.

In addition, the service provider may monitor a large number of separate apparatus belonging to a large number of customers, and all this data can be compiled for evaluation. For example, the service provider can evaluate the success levels of its service, and compile useful data on performance.

In one version of the invention the apparatus can also comprise second remote monitoring means, a courier communication means and an identifier inside the container. The courier communication means can be adapted to allow for the identifier to be recorded, and it can be adapted to communicate with the second remote monitoring means, to send a delivery confirmation signal thereto once the identifier has been recorded.

With this extra feature the courier company can remotely monitor the delivery or collection directly rather than through the service provider, and keep its own up to date record of progress.

In a simple version of this arrangement the identifier can comprise indicia, and the courier communication means can be adapted to allow for the indicia to be manually inputted thereto. The indicia can be a number, and the courier communication means can comprise a key pad adapted to allow the number to be manually inputted.

Alternatively, the identifier can comprise automatically recordable data, and the courier communication means can be adapted to automatically record said data. There are various known ways this can be done, for example the identifier can comprise a bar code, and the courier communication means can be adapted to scan said bar code. In anther version the identifier can comprise a Near Field UHF Tag, and the courier communication means can be

adapted to detect said Near Field UHF Tag.

The second remote monitoring means can comprise a courier company computer, and the courier communication means can comprise a portable computer adapted to communicate with the courier company computer over a communications network. This arrangement can be performed in any of the known ways, including using a telecommunications network, the Internet, Bluetooth and so on. It will be appreciated that in practice the portable computer can be the same device as the user mobile telephone, as smart devices capable of performing all the above described functions are now well known.

As with the service provider computer described above, the courier company computer can comprise a database and a connection to the Internet, and the database can contain data relating to delivery confirmation signals received in use, which can be accessible remotely over the Internet. Therefore, the courier company can keep a record of all its deliveries, which can be "live" in the sense that as soon as a delivery is made that information can be made available.

Again, interested parties can access this information on line, and obtain up to date information.

The customer telephone number can be removably stored in the database of the control means, such that it can be readily changed.

Preferably the container can comprise a visual indicator adapted to indicate when the lock means is opened. The container can also comprise a base portion and a door portion, which can be mounted on hinges adapted to bias it into a closed position. With this construction the container will automatically close after a delivery or collection, so the courier does not have to be relied upon.

The lock means can be open and closable with a key, so the customer can manually access the interior. The container can also be provided with an alarm adapted to activate if the door is opened without the use of the key or without the pre-determined signal being received by the control means.

An electricity supply for the components described above may be supplied from the premises where the container is installed, from a battery or from a solar panel.

It will be appreciated that the invention described above can comprise just one container, but in practice the invention finds suitable application with a plurality of containers.

These containers can be located at the separate addresses of various subscribing customers, or they can be grouped at special delivery sites, to where customers travel to obtain their deliveries. In both cases a courier may have deliveries to make to a plurality of containers, in which case the apparatus may need to provide a plurality of pre-determined signals.

Therefore, according to a second aspect of the present invention, apparatus for exchange of postal items comprises a plurality of containers, each provided with a control means, in which each container is closable and comprises a lock means adapted to lock it closed, in which each control means is adapted to communicate with other devices with which it is used via one or more communications networks, in which each control means is adapted to open its corresponding lock means when in receipt of a pre-determined signal from one of said other devices via a communications network, characterised in which: the apparatus further comprises command means and a communications device, in which said command means is adapted to configure each control means with a pre-determined signal via a communications network, and in which said communications device is adapted to communicate with any of said control means via a communications network such that the corresponding pre-determined signal is transmittable to that control means.

Where containers are grouped together in one location, or grouped as part of a couriers delivery route, it may be preferred to issue just one pre-determined signal, which will work with all the relevant containers. This way a couriers task at one delivery site, or during the course of their route, would be simplified as he would only have to use the one PIN to open all the relevant containers.

Therefore, in one construction the pre-determined signal can be adapted to function with two or more control means.

The invention can be performed in various ways, but two embodiments will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic display of first apparatus according to the present invention; and, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic display of second apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in Figure 1 apparatus for exchange of a postal item 1 comprises a container 2 and control means 3, in which the container 2 is closable and comprises a lock means (not shown) adapted to lock it closed. The control means 3 is adapted to communicate with other devices with which it is used (4, 5) via one or more communications networks (A, B), as described below. The control means 3 is adapted to open the lock means when in receipt of a pre-determined signal from one of said other devices (5) via a communications network (B). The apparatus 1 further comprises command means, in the form of service provider computer 4, and a communications device, in the form of user mobile telephone 5. Said command means (4) is adapted to configure said control means 3 with said pre-determined signal via a communications network, in the form of Internet connection A. Said communications device (5) is adapted to communicate with said control means 3 via a communications network, in the form of mobile telecommunications network B, such that said pre-determined signal is transmittable to said control means 3.

The control means 3 comprises a computer with an Internet connection and a telephone.

The computer is programmed to function as described below, and comprises an operating system with various programmes and sub-programmes running thereon in the known way. The service provider computer 4 is a standard PC, which again has a connection to the Internet, as well as the ability to send SMS text messages over the mobile telecommunications network C. It too has an operating system with various programmes and sub-programmes running thereon in the known way. The manner in which the control means 3 and the service provider computer 4 can be programmed to function as described below is very well known, and would present no difficulties to the man skilled in such art. Therefore, the manner of operating and programming of these parts of the apparatus 1 is not further described here.

The apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1 represents the present invention in its most simple format. When it is necessary for a subscribing courier company to deliver a postal item to the container 2, this is communicated to the service provider in any know way, for example via email or over the Internet. The service provider computer 4 is then operated to configure the control means 3 with a unique PIN number via the Internet connection A, and to send said unique PIN number to the user mobile phone 5 as an SMS text message, via mobile telecommunications network C. The user mobile phone 5 will be in the possession of the courier who will make the delivery, and its number can be identified when the courier company first informs the service provider of the need to make a delivery. The user mobile phone 5 is a standard mobile phone of the well-known type, with the ability to receive SMS text messages, and to send PIN number data in any of the known ways.

Once these first steps have been performed, the user mobile phone 5 can be operated to establish a telephone call with the control means 3 via a mobile telecommunications network B, during which the PIN number can be entered on the keypad 6 of the user mobile phone 5, and sent to the control means 3. When the PIN number is received, it is processed by the control means and compared with the PIN sent earlier, and if it is a correct match, the control means opens the door 7 of the container 2. The postal item can then be placed inside the container 2, and the door 7 can be closed again by the courier.

The apparatus 1 can be arranged to function in a number of different ways, depending on the requirements. For example, in one arrangement the telephone number required to establish a telephone call with the telephone of the control means 3 is displayed on the container 2. This way the courier has to first arrive on site to be able to establish a telephone call with the control means 3 and open the container 2.

However, in an alternative arrangement the telephone number required to establish a telephone call with the telephone of the control means 3 is sent to the user mobile telephone 5 by the service provider computer 4 in the same SMS text message as the PIN number. This way only the legitimate courier can make contact with the control means 3 to open the container 2.

In addition, in one arrangement the PIN number can be postal item specific, so it can only be used to open the container 2 once. Each time a further postal item has to be delivered, the service provider computer 4 generates a new PIN number for the control means 3 and the user mobile phone 5. The apparatus can be set up such that only the last issued PIN number will open the container 2, or such that more than one PIN number can be issued, which can be used in any order, but each time only once.

However, in an alternative set-up, the PIN number is merely specific to the container 2, and after being issued to the control means 3, is not changed. The PIN number is then repeatedly issued to communications devices 5 whenever it may be required. The PIN number can be changed periodically for security purposes, for example every week or month.

In practice, the present invention finds suitable application in apparatus also incorporating the inventions disclosed in GB2406201 and W0201001 0314, and such an apparatus is shown in Figure 2.

In Figure 2, apparatus for exchange of a postal item 20 comprises a container 21, control means, in the form of base station 22, a service provider computer 23, a user mobile phone 24 and a customer mobile phone 25. As before, the container 21 is closable and comprises a lock means (not visible) adapted to lock it closed, and is opened by the base station 22 when it is in receipt of a correct PIN number from either the user mobile phone 24 or the customer mobile phone 25.

The base station 22 comprises a computer with a telephone, and the service provider computer 23 is a standard PC with a connection to the Internet 27, as indicated by arrow D, a database, and the ability to send SMS text messages over telecommunications networks. The database is adapted to contain data relating to receipt confirmation signals received in use. The service provider computer 23 is further adapted to allow this information to be accessed remotely over the Internet 7.

Both the base station 22 and the service provider computer 23 have operating systems with various programmes and sub-programmes running thereon in the known way. The manner in which these parts can be programmed to function as described below is very well known, and would present no difficulties to the man skilled in such art. As such it is not described further here.

In this instance the service provider computer 23 is adapted to communicate with the base station 22 via a telecommunications network, as indicated by arrow E, in order to configure it with the PIN number and to receive receipt confirmation signals and data. The service provider computer 23 is also adapted to communicate with the user mobile phone 24 and the customer mobile phone 25 via a telecommunications network, as indicated by arrows F and G respectively.

Both the user mobile phone 24 and the customer mobile phone 25 are standard mobile phones of the well-known type, with the ability to receive SMS text messages and to send PIN number data in any of the known ways. They can establish telephone calls with the base station 22 in order to transmit the PIN number, as indicated by arrows H and I respectively.

The apparatus 20 further comprises receipt confirmation means, in the form of CCIV camera 26. The receipt confirmation means are adapted to perform a receipt confirmation function, in the form of capturing a moving image of the container 21 being opened, accessed and closed.

In Figure 2 customer computers 28 are shown, which comprise at least a connection, as indicated by arrows J, to the Internet 27, and any of the known Internet browser programs. As such, the customers using the system can monitor deliveries via access to the service provider computer 23.

In addition, Figure 2 also shows courier company computer 29, and sender computer 30.

Again, both comprise at least a connection, as indicated by arrows K and L respectively, to the Internet 27, and any of the known Internet browser programs. As such, the courier company and senders of a postal items can monitor deliveries via access to the information hosted by the service provider computer 23.

Access to the service provider computer 23 can be security restricted in any of the known ways. In particular, the customers, the courier company and the sender can be provided with security codes to allow them to access the information on the service provider computer 23. As such, this information is not made available to the general public. Likewise, the customers, the courier company and the sender can have accounts with the service provider, such that only information which is relevant to them can be accessed. Software to provide for all these features is well known, and is not further described here.

Therefore, the service provider can keep a record of all the deliveries and collections performed by the apparatus 1. This information can be "live" in the sense that as soon as a delivery or collection is made that information can be made available. Users, and in particular the intended recipient, can access this information on line, and obtain up to date information.

Customers can also see the history of the use of their container, and how many times deliveries have been made and so on.

In Figure 2 line 31 indicates the separation between the components of the apparatus 20 which are at the location of the container 21, and those components which are remote from that location.

Referring to the on-site equipment, the base station 22 is connected to an intercom 32.

The on-site equipment is located at the customer's delivery address, which is likely to be a home or business address. The container 21 is provided at the front door of that address, and the intercom 32 is provided adjacent the container 21, for example where a front door bell or ordinary intercom would normally be located. The intercom 32 is provided with a speaker and microphone in the known way, and it is adapted to function as the speaker and microphone of the telephone provided by the base station 22. To facilitate this function the base station 22 and the intercom 32 communicate with one another via a wireless or wired connection, as indicated by arrow M. The base station 22 is located within the container 21.

The computer of the base station 22 comprises software which facilitates the calling of the customer mobile phone 25 over a telecommunications network I in the known way. The computer of the base station 22 is provided with a database which has the number of the customer mobile telephone 25 stored therein. This can be changed via manual access of the base station 22, in any of the known ways that such data entry can be done.

The intercom 32 is provided with a first button 33, the operation of which initiates a door bell which is integral with the base station 22, and a telephone call with the customer mobile telephone 25 via the computer of the base station 22. The first button 33 can be provided with a label indicating its purpose, for example "Deliveries".

The intercom 32 is also provided with a second button 34, the operation of which simply initiates the door bell. The second button 34 can be provided with a label indicating its purpose, for example "Door Bell".

The intercom 32 is adapted such that once a telephone call to the customer mobile telephone 25 is initiated via depression of the first button 33, depression of either the first 33 or second button 34 for an extended period cancels that telephone call. This allows a customer who answers the door to stop an unnecessary call to the customer mobile telephone 25.

The presence of the second button 14 allows visitors to the address to attempt to raise anyone inside without initiating a telephone call to the customer mobile telephone 25.

The CCIV camera 26 is trained on the area of the container 21, such that it can capture a moving image of a courier opening the container 21, accessing its interior, and closing it again. The CCTV camera 26 is electronically connected to the base station 22, as indicated by arrow N, so the computer in the base station 22 can control the operation of the CCIV camera 26, and so that the moving images captured by the CCIV camera 26 are transmitted to the base station 22.

The computer of the base station 22 comprises a clock function and a database, and time and event type data is entered into the database as "timestamps" when various monitorabte events occur. In particular, a timestamp is entered in the database whenever the base station 22 is configured with a PIN number by the service provider computer 23, when a telephone call to the base station 22 is made by a user mobile telephone 24, when the PIN number is received from the user mobile telephone 24, when the first button 33 is operated, when a telephone call to the customer mobile phone 25 is answered, when a telephone call to the customer mobile phone 25 is not answered, when a telephone call to the customer mobile phone 25 is ended, when the PIN number is received from the customer mobile phone 25, when the container 21 is opened, when the when the moving image is captured by the CCTV camera 26, when the container 21 is closed, and when the captured moving image is sent.

The computer of the base station 22 can be further adapted to send all this recorded timestamp information to the service provider computer 23 in any known way. The service provider computer 23 can be adapted to make this information available over the Internet 27 in the manner described above. As such, the customer can access a complete record of what happened and when. This is particularly useful if the customer was not able to answer the customer mobile telephone 25 when it was called, and they want to confirm whether the courier did or did not arrive at the point of delivery, and whether they delivered the item by telephoning the base station 22 directly to access the container 21 themselves.

Each time the base station 22 communicates with the service provider computer 23 its internal real time clock is updated with the current time. In addition, the base station 22 is adapted to contact the service provider computer 23 when it is turned on for the very first time, in order to obtain the accurate time. A suitable confirmation mechanism is used to ensure that any and all data transferred between the base station 22 and the service provider computer 23 has completed successfully.

The container 21 has an indicator light 35 which illuminates when the lock means is unlocked and the container 21 can be opened. The container 21 comprises a base portion 36 and a door portion 37, which is mounted on hinges 38 adapted to bias it into a closed position.

With this construction the container 21 automatically closes after a delivery or collection, so the courier does not have to be relied upon. The lock means (not shown) is adapted to lock the door 37 a pre-determined time after it has been unlocked. This amount of time is sufficient for the door 37 to be opened, for a postal item to be placed therein, and for the door 37 to be closed again. If the door 37 is still open after this time has elapsed, it will lock immediately upon being closed once more. The base station 22 and the container 21 communicate with one another via a communication link, as indicated by arrow 0 for the purpose of locking and unlocking the container 21.

The lock means is open and closable with a key operated handle 39, so the customer can manually access the interior. The container 21 also has an alarm (not visible) which is adapted to activate if the door 37 is opened without the use of the key or without the PIN number being received from the customer mobile telephone 25 or the user mobile telephone 24.

The base station 22 is provided with power from either a mains electricity supply at the address, or an internal battery. The container 21, the CCTV camera 26 and the intercom 32 are all supplied from this source.

The apparatus 20 also comprises second remote monitoring means, in the form of the courier company computer 29, and delivery confirmation means, in the form of a Near Field UHF Tag (not visible) provided inside the container 21, and portable computer 40, which is adapted to scan for a Near Field UHF Tag. The delivery conformation means are adapted to perform a delivery confirmation function, in the form of the scanning of the Near Field UHF Tag and the recording of a unique identifier associated therewith, which is only performable when the container 21 is open.

The portable computer 40 is adapted to communicate with the courier company computer 29, as indicated by arrow P, and to send a delivery confirmation signal thereto once the delivery confirmation function has been performed. Again, this communication is performed in a known way over a telecommunications network. (It will be appreciated that in practice the user mobile phone 24 and the portable computer 40 could be the same device carried by the courier, as such smart devices capable of performing all the above described functions are now well known. These two components are shown separately in Figure 2 for ease of explanation.) The courier company computer 29 is a PC of a known construction, which, as referred to above, comprises at least a database and a connection, as indicated by arrow K, to the Internet 27. The database is adapted to contain data relating to delivery confirmation signals received in use. The courier company computer 29 is further adapted to allow this information to be accessed remotely over the Internet 27. Software adapted to perform these functions is well known, and is not further described here. Therefore, the courier company can keep a record of all its deliveries, which can be "live" in the sense that as soon as a delivery is made that information can be made available. Again, interested parties can access this information on line, and obtain up to date information.

This information can be accessed by the sender computer 30, and by any of the customer computers 28 in similar ways to how they can access information on the service provider computer 23. In particular, security measures can be provided as well as accounts tailored to suit each particular party.

The courier company computer 29 is also adapted to communicate with the service provider computer 23 over the Internet 27 whenever a postal item is to be delivered. Such a communication initiates either the generation of a unique PIN number for issuance to the base station 22 and the user mobile phone 24, or the issuance of a constant container specific PIN number to the user mobile phone 24. It will be appreciated that the PIN number can be issued directly to the user mobile phone 24, as indicated by arrow F, if the user mobile phone telephone number is provided to the service provider computer 23 by the courier company computer 29, or the PIN number can be sent back to the courier company computer 29, which can issue it to the user mobile phone 24 (in particular if the user mobile phone 24 and the portable computer 40 are the same device, as described above). This way the courier company computer 29 comprises an "intermediary communications device", as referred to above.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus 20 can be arranged to operate in a number of different ways according to how it is set-up. in one particular arrangement it can operate as follows. A postal item for delivery to the address is received by the courier company, and logged on the courier company computer 29. The courier company computer 29 is adapted to check the delivery address against a list of known addresses which subscribe to the service, which is stored in its database. If the delivery address is one which subscribes to the service, a message is sent by the courier company computer 29 to the service provider computer 23. Once this message is received, the service provider computer 23 generates a unique postal item specific -21 -PIN number, and configures the base station 22 with this unique PIN number via a telephone call over a telecommunications network E. At the same time, the service provider computer 23 sends text messages to the user mobile phone 24 and the customer mobile phone 25 which contain the unique PIN number.

The courier then travels to the delivery address to deliver the postal item. When he arrives on site he has two options. The first, is to attempt to deliver the postal item in the regular way, by raising any occupants of the address. To do this he depresses the first button 33, which operates the door bell and initiates a telephone call to the customer mobile phone 25. The base station 22 tries to connect a telephone call with the customer mobile phone 25, according to the entry in the database. When this action is performed a timestamp is entered into the database.

If anyone is present at the address they answer the door, and collect the postal item.

The telephone call to the customer mobile phone 25 can be cancelled at this point by pressing either the first button 33 or the second button 34 for an extended period. If the customer has their mobile phone 25 they can of course also use it to refuse the call.

If no one answers the door the courier awaits an answer from the customer mobile phone 25. If it is answered a telephone call is conducted between the customer and the courier via the intercom 32. The courier and the customer speak to one another to confirm the details of the delivery, before the customer sends the unique PIN number over the telecommunications network Ito open the container 21. If the PIN number is correct the base station 22 sends a signal to the container 21, and it is unlocked. When this occurs the indicator light 35 illuminates.

(It is also possible for the customer to request that the courier initiate a telephone call with the base station himself to enter the PIN number. This might be suitable if the customer did not receive, or has lost the PIN number sent by the service provider computer 23.) If the customer mobile phone 25 is not answered, then the courier can then initiate a telephone call to the base station 22 using the user mobile phone 24, and transmit the PIN number to the base station 22 himself. As before, if the PIN number is correct the base station 22 sends a signal to the container 21, and it is unlocked.

The second option the courier has when he arrives on site is to simply telephone the base station 22 immediately, and not bother trying to raise any occupant of the address, or the absent customer. If so, he initiates a telephone call to the base station 22 using the user mobile phone 24, and transmits the PIN number to the base station so the container 21 is opened.

Regardless of the manner in which the container 21 is unlocked, once this is the case the courier then opens the door 37 and places the postal item inside the container 21.

At some point while the door 37 is open the courier uses their portable computer 40 to scan for the Near Field UHF Tag inside the container 21. The portable computer 40 indicates when this has been completed, for example by emitting a sound. When this action is performed the unique identifier associated with the Near Field UHF Tag is detected and recorded by the portable computer 40.

The door 37 is then closed, either manually, or by virtue of its hinges 38, and shortly thereafter the lock means automatically re-engages, and the indicator light 35 goes out.

When the first button 33 is depressed, or when a telephone call is established between the user mobile phone 24 and the base station 22, the computer of the base station 22 activates the CCTV camera 36, and it begins to record a digital moving image of the area around the container 21, which will include the courier himself.

All the actions of the courier opening the container, delivering the item, scanning the Near Field UHF TAG, and then closing the container is recorded by the CCTV camera 26, which stops recording once the door 37 is locked shut, which is either when it is closed by the courier, or a short time afterwards. The digital moving images is then sent to the base station 22 as data Timestamps are entered into the database of the base station 22 whenever any of the above described events take place. After the delivery the base station 22 initiates a telephone call to (or establishes an internet connection with) the service provider computer 23, as indicated by arrow E, to send the timestamp information and the digital moving image taken by the CCTV camera 26 to the service provider computer 23, where it is entered into the database of that computer. This information is then made available over the Internet 27, as described above.

When the customer returns to the address, they use the key to unlock the container 21 and remove the postal item. (They can also in theory establish a telephone call with the base station 22 using the customer mobile phone 25, and enter the PIN number to open the container 22. For this to work the apparatus would have to be arranged to allow a unique PIN number to be used twice in this way, or to allow for a constant customer PIN to be used, as described below.) In addition, after the exchange has taken place the portable computer 40, either automatically or manually, initiates a telephone call to (or establishes an internet connection with) to the courier company computer 29 as indicated by arrow P. During this brief telephone call the portable computer 40 sends the unique identifier to the courier company computer 29, where it is received and an entry into the database of that computer is made to show that the delivery has been successful. (The unique identifier can also be checked against an entry in the database to confirm that the postal item was delivered to the correct address. This entry can be the unique PIN number itself, as provided by the service provider computer 23.) This information is then made available over the Internet 27, as described above.

The use of the CCTV camera 26 has one particular advantage, which is that if the apparatus 20 is used more than once during a customer's absence, the moving image captured by the CCIV camera 26 will show if a postal item placed in the container 21 is removed therefrom without approval by a second or subsequent courier. This provides a level of security against theft or misuse.

As referred to above, the apparatus 20 can be used to allow a postal item to be collected. The process is the same as that described above, except that the postal item is placed in the container 21 by the customer before they leave the address, and the customer then contacts the service provider to inform them that a collection is required. The service provider computer 23 then generates and issues a unique PIN to the user mobile phone 24 and the customer mobile phone 25 as described above. (The service provider computer can also communicate with the courier company computer 29 to inform the courier company that the collection is required, or the collection by the courier company can already have been ordered by the customer in the known way.) The courier arrives at the address to collect the item, and removes it from the container when they either open it themselves using the user mobile phone 23 and the PIN number, or it is opened for them by the customer after they are contacted on the customer mobile phone 25 via the intercom 32. The CCTV camera 26 is used to show that the postal item was removed from the container 21, and the Near Field UHF Tag is scanned to confirm receipt thereof.

As with apparatus 1 described above, apparatus 20 can be arranged to function in a number of different ways, depending on the requirements. For example, in one arrangement the telephone number required to establish a telephone call with the telephone of the base station 22 is displayed thereon. This way the courier has to first arrive on site to be able to establish a telephone call with the base station 22 and open the container 21. However, in an alternative arrangement the telephone number required to establish a telephone call with the base station 22 is sent to the user mobile telephone 24 by the service provider computer 23 in the same SMS text message as the PIN number. This way only the legitimate courier can make contact with the base station 22 to open the container 21.

In addition, in one arrangement the PIN number can be postal item specific, so it can only be used to open the container 21 once. Each time a further postal item has to be delivered, the service provider computer 23 generates a new PIN number for the base station 22. The apparatus can be set up such that only the last issued PIN number will open the container 21, or such that more than one PIN number can be issued, which can be used in any order, but each time only once. However, in an alternative set-up, the PIN number is merely specific to the container 21, and after being issued to the base station 22, is not changed. The PIN number is then repeatedly issued to user mobile telephones 24 whenever it may be required. The PIN number can be changed periodically for security purposes, for example every week or month.

This arrangement removes the requirement for the PIN number to be sent to the customer mobile phone 25, as the customer will already have the PIN number to open the container 21.

This is also suitable for occasions when a courier who does not subscribe to the system arrives at the address and contact is made with the customer via the intercom 32. The customer can then use the known PIN number to open the container 21 for the courier. The service provider computer 23 can be arranged such that the customer can access it over the Internet 27 and actually create their own PIN number for this purpose, and the service provider computer 23 can then configure the base station 22 with this PIN number as described above.

It will also be appreciated that the manner in which the apparatus is operated by any of the various parties involved in the dispatch and receipt of a postal item can differ from that described above, and in particular in the way the service provider computer 23 is initially instructed. For example, a courier company with a delivery to make can communicate this to the customer rather than the service provider, who can then access the service provider computer 23 over the Internet 27 so a computer generated or customer inputted PIN number is then issued to the base station 22 over the Internet, and communicated to the courier either by the service provider or the customer. Alternatively, before the courier company is even involved, the customer can access the service provider computer 23 over the Internet 27 so a computer generated or customer inputted PIN number is issued to the base station 22, and then the customer can provide this PIN number to a sender of a postal item, for example a retailer, who can then pass it onto the courier company. As another alternative, a sender of a postal item can access the service provider computer 23 via the sender computer 30 and the Internet 27 so a PIN number is generated and issued to the base station 22, which can then be communicated to the courier company by the sender.

It is also possible for the container 21 to be openable using either a unique PIN number generated for a specific exchange, or by using a constant PIN number known to the customer.

This arrangement covers all possible eventualities.

The apparatus 20 can also be arranged such that the PIN number comprises one or more functional components. For example, it can be made to comprise sequences or integers which indicate a characteristic of the job-type being performed. For example, it can indicate the particular courier company using the apparatus 20, it can indicate whether an item is being delivered to the container 21 or collected therefrom, it can indicate the time or date it was issued, or even some characteristic of the item to be delivered, for example its size or weight.

This information can be used alongside delivery confirmation information to enhance the functionality of the apparatus 20, or to enhance the data gathering and displaying capabilities.

For example, the PIN numbers can be compiled to indicate the numbers of small, medium and large items delivered or collected, as well as the numbers of times particular courier companies used the apparatus.

The apparatus 20 can also be arranged such that a master PIN number can provide administrator access to the base station 22. In particular, the master PIN number can be used to allow other stored PIN numbers to be changed, new ones to be entered, and data such as the number of the customer mobile phone 25 to be changed. This arrangement would allow this kind of set-up functionality to be available to customers via their mobile phone 25, as well as via access to the service provider computer 23 over the Internet 27. (If a customer configures the base station 22 with a P1N number which is then used by a courier, the customer mobile phone performs the function of the "command means" of the invention, rather than the service provider computer 23.) Figure 2 shows an illustrative example of the invention in which only one container 21 is provided. However, it will be appreciated that in use there could be a large number of containers 21 at different locations, according to the number of customers of the service. Where multiple containers 21 are used, there is still only one service provider computer 23, and it is contacted individually by each base station 21 in use.

In addition, the apparatus 20 comprises only one container 21, but it is also possible for more than one container 21 to be provided at one address, with one intercom 32 and base station 22 controlling all the containers 21.

The courier company would also in practice deliver to multiple containers 21, in which case there is still only one courier company computer 29, and it contacts the service provider computer 23 each time a PIN number is needed to make a delivery to a particular container 21.

There could also be a plurality of courier companies using the same system, and for each one there is a separate courier company computer, like computer 29, which contacts the service provider computer 23 accordingly.

In yet another possible arrangement, multiple containers 21 could be grouped at special delivery sites, to where customers travel to obtain their deliveries. Where this is the case, the apparatus 20 can be arranged to issue just one PIN number which will work with all containers 21 a courier needs to access at one time. This way a courier's task at one delivery site would be simplified, as he would only have to use the one PIN to open all the relevant containers. A single multi-use PIN number could also be used where the containers 21 are at different locations, but they are all included in a particular delivery schedule. For example, if a courier has ten postal items to deliver in one journey, a single PIN number can be used for all ten, simplifying the courier's task.

Where multiple containers 21 are used, both the service provider and the courier company, or companies, can compile illustrative data on the performance of the apparatus 20, based on all the information which is received. For example, the service provider can evaluate the success levels of its service, and compile useful data on performance.

The apparatus 20 can be altered without departing from the scope of Claim 1. In particular, in alternative embodiments (not shown) the delivery confirmation function comprises indicia entered manually into the portable computer, and a bar code which is scanned by the

portable computer.

In other alternative embodiments (not shown) the receipt confirmation means comprises sensor means adapted to sense the open and closed state of the container, and the receipt conformation function comprises the recording of the opening and closing of the container in use.

In another alternative embodiment (not shown) the receipt confirmation means comprises a weight scale inside the container adapted to sense the placing or removing of an item therefrom.

In yet another alternative embodiment (not shown) the receipt confirmation means comprises a Near Field UHF Tag reader adapted to read a Near Field UHF Tag carried by the postal item being received, and the receipt confirmation signal comprises data relating to the

Near Field UHF Tag carried by the postal item.

The CCTV camera 26 is shown in apparatus 20 as a separate device which communicates with the base station 22, however in an alternative embodiment (not shown) the CCIV camera 26 is integral to the intercom 32.

In yet another alternative embodiment (not shown) the CCTV camera is housed inside the container, so it captures a still or moving image of the placing of a postal item in the container, or being removed therefrom, from within the container itself.

In another alternative embodiment (not shown), apparatus is the same as apparatus 20 show in Figure 2, except that there is no intercom or customer mobile phone. With such an arrangement only the courier can open the container using the user mobile phone. Such an arrangement may be suitable where containers are grouped together at special delivery sites.

In another alternative embodiment (not shown), there is no customer mobile phone, and instead the customer can contact the base station using a landline phone.

It is also not an essential feature of the invention that the pre-determined signal is communicated to the courier in a technical way. Therefore, in another alternative embodiment (not shown) there is no technical communications link between the service provider computer and the user mobile phone, and instead the pre-determined signal is communicated to the courier by other conventional means, for example verbally or in a written way.

It is not an essential feature of the invention that the command means is a service provider computer, and in an alternative embodiment (not shown) the command means can comprise the customer mobile phone. As such, the customer can telephone the base station with the customer mobile phone and manually enter a PIN number via the keypad thereof. (It will be appreciated that it is also possible to include this functionality into the embodiment shown in Figure 2, in which case the "command means" would comprise both the service provider computer 23 and the customer mobile phone 25.) Thus apparatus for exchange of a postal item is provided, in which a courier can operate the container by telephoning it himself and entering a pre-determined signal. This removes the requirement of the prior art apparatus for the customer to remotely control the container. Abuse of the system can also be avoided because the pre-determined signal can be given only to legitimate couriers. As such, it is not beholden to the customer to establish the legitimacy of the courier over the telephone. Apparatus is also provided which combines the present invention with prior art arrangements, to provide apparatus which can be used in multiple ways to eliminate any possibility that a postal item cannot be delivered or collected, and which allows for the remote monitoring of the exchange, and the compiling of useful data on the performance of the system.

Claims

Claims 1. Apparatus for exchange of a postal item comprising a container and control means, in which the container is closable and comprises a lock means adapted to lock it closed, in which the control means is adapted to communicate with other devices with which it is used via one or more communications networks, in which the control means is adapted to open the lock means when in receipt of a pre-determined signal from one of said other devices via a communications network, characterised in which: the apparatus further comprises command means and a communications device, in which said command means is adapted to configure said control means with said pre-determined signal via a communications network, and in which said communications device is adapted to communicate with said control means via a communications network such that said pre-determined signal is transmittable to said control means.
2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which said command means is adapted to provide for the sending of said pre-determined signal to said communications device via a communications network.
3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 further comprising an intermediary communications device, in which said command means is adapted to provide for the sending of said pre-determined signal to said intermediary communications device via a communications network, and in which said intermediary communications device is adapted to provide for the sending of said pre-determined signal to said communications device via a communications network.
4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which said control means comprises a first telephone, in which said communications device is a user mobile telephone adapted to communicate with said first telephone via a mobile telephone network, in which said pre-determined signal is a PIN number which is transmittable to said first telephone by using a keypad of said user mobile telephone during a telephone call established with said first telephone.
5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 in which the telephone number required to establish a telephone call with said first telephone is displayed on said container.
6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 in which the telephone number required to establish a telephone call with said first telephone is sent to the user mobile telephone as data by the command means.
7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which the command means comprises a service provider computer which communicates with the control means over the Internet.
8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 in which the pre-determined signal is postal item specific, and in which the command means is adapted to generate a unique pre-determined signal to configure said control means and for sending to said communications device, for every postal item to be exchanged.
9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 in which the pre-determined signal is job-type specific
10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 in which the control means is further adapted to communicate with a customer telephone at a different location via a telephone network, in which the control means further comprises an intercom provided adjacent the container, in which the intercom is adapted to function as the speaker and microphone of the first telephone, in which the control means is adapted to establish a telephone call to the customer telephone when the intercom is operated, and in which said PIN number is transmittable to said first telephone by using a keypad of said customer telephone during said telephone call.
11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10 in which the apparatus further comprises a door bell, in which the intercom comprises a first button and a second button, in which operation of the first button activates the door bell and initiates a telephone call to the customer telephone, and in which operation of the second button activates the door bell only.
12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 11 in which the apparatus further comprises a first remote monitoring means and receipt confirmation means adapted to perform a receipt confirmation function, in which the control means is adapted to communicate with the first remote monitoring means, and to send a receipt confirmation signal thereto once the receipt confirmation function has been performed.
13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 in which the first remote monitoring means and the command means comprise a service provider computer, in which the service provider computer comprises a database and a connection to the Internet, in which the database contains data relating to receipt confirmation signals received in use, and in which the database is accessible remotely over the Internet.
14. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, when dependent on Claim 11, in which the control means comprises a clock function and a database, in which time and event type data are entered into the database when the control means is configured with the pre-determined signal, when a telephone call to the first telephone is made, when the pre-determined signal is received from the user mobile telephone, when the first button is operated, when a telephone call to the customer telephone is answered, when a telephone call to the customer telephone is not answered, when a telephone call to the customer telephone is ended, when the pre-determined signal is received from the customer telephone, when the container is opened, when the receipt confirmation function is performed, when the container is closed, and when the receipt confirmation signal is sent.
15. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 in which the apparatus comprises second remote monitoring means, a courier communication means and an identifier inside the container, in which the courier communication means is adapted to allow for the identifier to be recorded, in which the courier communication means is adapted to communicate with the second remote monitoring means and to send a delivery confirmation signal thereto once the identifier has been recorded.
16. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 15 in which the second remote monitoring means comprises a courier company computer, in which the courier communication means comprises a portable computer adapted to communicate with the courier company computer over a communications network.
17. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 16 in which the courier company computer comprises a database and a connection to the Internet, in which the database contains data relating to delivery confirmation signals received in use, and in which the database is accessible remotely over the Internet.
18. Apparatus for exchange of postal items substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
19. Apparatus for exchange of postal items comprising a plurality of containers, each provided with a control means, in which each container is closable and comprises a lock means adapted to lock it closed, in which each control means is adapted to communicate with other devices with which it is used via one or more communications networks, in which each control means is adapted to open its corresponding lock means when in receipt of a pre-determined signal from one of said other devices via a communications network, characterised in which: the apparatus further comprises command means and a communications device, in which said command means is adapted to configure each control means with a pre-determined signal via a communications network, and in which said communications device is adapted to communicate with any of said control means via a communications network such that the corresponding pre-determined signal is transmittable to that control means.
20. Apparatus for exchange of a postal item as claimed in Claim 19, in which a pre-determined signal is adapted to function with two or more control means.