WO2008113568A1

WO2008113568A1 - Parcel drop box, system and method for monitoring status of parcel drop box

Info

Publication number: WO2008113568A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/002192
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian Johnson
Original assignee: Deutsche Post Ag
Priority date: 2007-03-22
Filing date: 2008-03-19
Publication date: 2008-09-25

Abstract

The present invention relates to a parcel drop box with an integrated apparatus for monitoring the status of the parcel drop box. The drop box is equipped with a wireless communication module which can communicate with respective wireless communication modules of remote drop boxes via a mesh network. The communication module dynamically and automatically routes data received from sensors of the drop box or from remote drop boxes to a parcel drop box which comprises a communication gateway module coupled to a central controller unit. The central controller can thereby collect data from all parcel drop boxes via one drop box with a gateway module. The invention further relates to a system and method for monitoring such drop boxes via a mesh network.

Description

Parcel drop box, system and method for monitoring status of parcel drop box

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is generally related to parcel drop boxes and a system for monitoring the status of a plurality of parcel drop boxes. In particular, the present invention is related to the use of mesh networking for monitoring parcel drop boxes and for notifying a parcel delivery service party that one ore more parcels have to be picked up at a parcel drop box.

2. Description of the Related Art

Parcels are picked up at a variety of locations, including customer locations, parcel delivery service offices, electronic compartment devices or parcel drop boxes.

Usually, one or more couriers regularly visit these locations and pick up parcels, which were deposited in a compartment or are provided at a customer location. Parcel drop boxes are attended on a daily basis at fixed collection times, for example. In order to reduce ineffective tours when no parcels are deposited in a parcel drop box, for example, parcel drop boxes, which notify the parcel delivery service company that a pick up is required at a specific location, are state of the art. For example, U.S. Application No. 2005/0154602 Al discloses a parcel pick up notification apparatus and method. The automated notification apparatus is installed into a parcel drop box to be monitored and registers the status of at least one monitoring sensor. When one of the sensors changes its state, the change in state is monitored by the automated notification system. The notification system identifies the change in state and acts in a pre-programmed manner to communicate the change in state to a centralized computer or a text -messaging device carried by a service person. The data can be transmitted to the centralized computer by means of wired or wireless technology.

Thereby, each parcel drop box can connect to the centralized computer or a text-messaging device of a service person in order to notify the change in state of a sensor. This requires a connection between each individual parcel drop box and the central unit, which is not very cost-effective. Furthermore, when a plurality of parcel drop boxes are located in a wide area, not all of them can connect to the central unit by means of short-distance wireless technology, because the central unit which monitors all drop boxes might be too far away. However, a wired communication technology for each drop box is not cost-effective and might limit the desired locations for the parcel deposit boxes.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide an improved system for monitoring the status of parcel drop boxes . SUMIVIARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides for a parcel drop box with an integrated apparatus for monitoring the status of the parcel drop box. The drop box is equipped with a wireless communication module which can communicate with respective wireless communication modules of remote drop boxes via a mesh network. The communication module dynamically and automatically routes data received from sensors of the drop box or from remote drop boxes to a parcel drop box which comprises a communication gateway module coupled to a central controller unit. The central controller can thereby collect data from all parcel drop boxes via one single drop box with a gateway module.

Preferably, the wireless communication module uses Wi-Fi technology for wireless communicating with the communication modules of remote drop boxes.

Preferably, a sensor connected to the operating unit of the drop box measures the temperature within the enclosure of the drop box and/or a sensor measures the humidity within the enclosure of the drop box.

The invention further provides for a system for monitoring the status of a plurality of parcel drop boxes. The system comprises at least two parcel drop boxes with wireless communication modules which are combined to a grouping of parcel drop boxes. The system further comprises a central controller module, which can connect to one of the parcel drop box comprising a communication gateway with means for communicating with the central controller module. The central controller module comprises means for receiving data from the communication gateway of the one parcel drop box, means for processing the data, means for creating a message and means for sending this message to a wireless communication device in the range of a courier.

Preferably, the communication gateway of the one parcel drop box is connected to the central controller module via wired or wireless technology.

The invention further provides for a method for monitoring the status of a plurality of parcel drop boxes. The method comprises the step of transmitting a signal from a sensor of a parcel drop box to the wireless communication module of said parcel drop box when a parcel is deposited in the parcel drop box. The signal is received from the sensor and data corresponding to said signal is transmitted by means of the wireless communication device via a mesh network of remote drop boxes to a parcel drop box with a communication gateway module. Data corresponding to said signal is transmitted from the communication gateway module to a central controller module, which processes said data and creates a message. The message is sent to a mobile communication device in the range of a courier.

In one embodiment of the invention, the data is processed in the central controller module dependent on the specifications of the system of drop boxes.

Preferably, a message for a courier is created dependent on the location of the courier, the time of day and the valid route of the courier. When a temperature sensor and/or a humidity sensor are used for measuring the conditions within the parcel drop box, the corresponding signals are transmitted to the central controller module via the mesh network of drop boxes and a message for a courier is created dependent on the measured values .

In one aspect of the invention, a map is attached to the message to guide the courier to one or more drop boxes. Preferably, an URL is attached to the message that displays the map .

The use of a mesh network for a system for monitoring parcel drop boxes is advantageous, because it allows data to be moved across a local area by "hopping" from one drop box to the other. This allows for use of low-powered cost-effective wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi. Furthermore, wireless communication modules of drop boxes can dynamically be added, removed or relocated. Thus, drop boxes can simply be installed or removed with minimal impact on the network performance .

Further advantages are described in the detailed description of the drawings .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a parcel drop box illustrating the main aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a parcel drop box monitoring system illustrating the main aspects of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a representative parcel drop box 100 which can be used by a customer for depositing parcels. Preferably, the drop box is located in public areas where customers can deposit parcels 24 hours a day. In another embodiment of the invention, the drop box is installed at a customer location, where one or more customers have access to the drop box.

The parcel drop box 100 comprises a parcel drop box enclosure 102 with a base, side wall (s) and a cover. The enclosure 102 limits access to parcels once they have been deposited in the enclosure by a customer. The enclosure should also be weather-proof. It further comprises a customer access door 104 for depositing parcels in the drop box. It also comprises a service door 106 for picking up parcels by a service person (courier) .

The drop box can apply different means for placing a parcel into the drop box. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drop box comprises a customer access door 104 with a shute 105 coupled to the door. The access door is moveably coupled to the enclosure 102 and the customer can open the shute 105 by pulling a door handle 108. The customer can then place the parcel on the base plate of the shute. When the customer pushes the shute back into the enclosure of the drop box, the parcel falls into the drop box. The assembly of access door 104 and shute 105 ensures that a customer can not reach into the drop box and remove parcels from the drop box when the access door is open. This type of door assembly for blocking access to deposited parcels is well known.

In another embodiment of the invention, which is not illustrated in the drawings, the access door is designed like a roller blind. The customer can pull the roller blind up or down in order to cover or uncover the shute . When the roller blind is opened, part of the blind moves to the back side of the shute and thereby blocks access to the interior of the drop box.

Within the drop box enclosure 102, means for catching or guiding the parcel and thereby absorbing the shock can be provided. For that purpose, flexible plates or nets can be used, for example. Furthermore, means like deflector plates for uniformly arranging several parcels within the enclosure can be provided, too.

Preferably, the parcel drop box comprises an operating unit 110 with means for communication with customers and/or service persons. For example, the operating unit comprises a display 112 which displays the filling status of the drop box, collection times or other information. The operating unit can also comprise input means such as a keyboard 114 or a touch screen for inputting information. It can also comprise a card reader and/or a barcode scanner. The card reader can be used for identifying a service person by means of an identification card, whereas the barcode scanner can be used for scanning barcode labels of parcels. Furthermore, the operating unit 110 comprises a CPU (computer processing unit) for controlling the functions of the operating unit in communication with the different components of the drop box. The operating unit can be connected to a battery 116 within the drop box 100 or the unit can use a permanent power supply. Alternatively, the drop box can use regenerative power sources such as a solar panel, which is not shown in the drawings .

When a parcel is deposited in the drop box the delivery is detected. This can be achieved in different ways which are well known. When a parcel is deposited, it can pass across one ore more sensors installed in the parcel drop box, for example. The sensors are coupled to the operating unit 110 and transmit a change in state to the operating unit. To conserve battery power, it is advantageous to activate the sensors only when the parcel drop box access door 104 is opened.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 114 such as a large coil runs on the inner side walls of the parcel drop box enclosure 102 just below the shute 105. The coil creates a magnetic flux and when a parcel passes through the coil, the magnetic flux is changed. The sensor transmits the change of flux to the operating unit 110 via a data link 122.

In another embodiment of the invention, a mechanical switch below the shute 105 is activated by the weight of a parcel when it passes from the shute to the base of the drop box. Furthermore, a weight sensor can be provided on the base of the drop box enclosure 102. When a parcel falls onto the base of the drop box or onto parcels already accumulated on the base of the drop box, the weight sensor transmits a corresponding signal to the operating unit 110. Alternatively, a consequent deposit can be detected by input means of the operating unit 110. A customer can scan a barcode of a parcel, for example, before he or she deposits the parcel in the parcel drop box. In another embodiment of the invention, a parcel is deposited and the customer then presses a button of the operating unit 110 to indicate that a parcel has been deposited.

When parcels are equipped with a RFID-tag, the tag can be read by an RFID-antenna within the drop box, when the parcel is deposited. The RFID-antenna will then transmit a signal to the operating unit. When RFID-tags are used, several additional data stored in the tag can be transmitted to the operating unit 110 as well.

The parcel drop box 100 can also comprise sensors which monitor the conditions within the enclosure 102. For example, a temperature sensor 124 measures the temperature within the enclosure of the drop box or a humidity sensor measures the humidity within the enclosure. These sensors are coupled to the operating unit 110 as well.

These sensor means can be used for monitoring the conditions which parcels are exposed to within the enclosure of the drop box. Usually, parcels contain goods that can be stored in a drop box for quite a time. However, if a parcel contains sensitive goods they might have to be protected against certain temperature or humidity conditions. Usually, that kind of goods is directly delivered to a service company which ensures these conditions during transport of the parcel. In order to offer a drop box for easy deposit of that kind of goods 24 hours a day, special drop boxes can be equipped with temperature and/or humidity sensors. The drop box guarantees certain temperature conditions by means of cooling or heating means, for example. If certain critical values are monitored despite these means, an immediate pick up of parcels will take place.

If a parcel contains a RFID-tag, the required conditions during deposit and transport can be read by an antenna. The data is transmitted to the operating unit which monitors the conditions within the enclosure by means of the sensors. When conditions get critical for the content of one parcel, an alarm is activated. The alarm can be sent to a central controller which effects an immediate pick up of parcels by a courier.

Furthermore, a temperature sensor can signal vandalism such as burning of the drop box, whereas a humidity sensor can signal water within the drop box.

An important aspect of the parcel drop box according to the invention is a wireless communication module 118, which is coupled to the operating unit 110. In an alternative embodiment, the wireless communication module is directly coupled to different sensors of the drop box 100. The communication module 118 can be coupled to the operating unit 110 by wired or by wireless technology as well. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a drop box can be equipped with a communication module in addition to an existent operating module.

Preferably, the communication module 118 uses wireless technology such as WI-Fi for communication with other components remote from the drop box. The wireless communication module 118 receives data from the operating unit 110 and transmits these data to remote devices. The data can be transmitted in real-time or on demand.

According to another aspect of the invention, the drop box 100 and its wireless communication module 118 are part of a drop box monitoring system, which is illustrated in FIG. 2. Such drop box monitoring system comprises at least one grouping 200 of a plurality of parcel drop boxes 100 distributed such that each parcel drop box is within radio range of at least one other parcel drop box. Thereby, the wireless communication modules 118 of each drop box can communicate with each other.

At least one of the parcel drop boxes 101 comprises additional means for connecting to a central controller module 300. These means comprise a communication gateway module 126, which can connect to the central controller module 300. The gateway means for connecting to the central controller module can use wireless or wired technology. Wireless technology can use cellular, Satellite, Wi-Fi, etc., whereas wired technology can use an Ethernet connection, the internet or a modem and standard telephone lines, for example .

Several groupings 200 of parcel drop boxes are connected to the central controller module 300, whereby each grouping comprises at least one drop box with a communication gateway module. Preferably, a grouping of drop boxes comprises two drop boxes with gateway functions. Thus, the grouping can still connect to the central controller module, even if one gateway fails to work. The central controller module 300 collects data from each drop box grouping 200 and processes the received data. Furthermore, the central controller module 300 can connect to mobile communication devices 310 of couriers. These communication devices can be handhelds or scanner, for example. In one embodiment of the invention, the central controller module 300 can connect to vehicles 320 of couriers as well. Thus, data can directly be transmitted from the central controller module 300 to a device integrated in the vehicle 320.

The data received from the groupings 200 of drop boxes contains information about the status of each drop box within the respective grouping. The data is processed and pick up messages are sent to the couriers via handhelds or their vehicles. Thus, the courier receives a message from the central controller module 300 which drop box or drop boxes have to be emptied. That message can imply that one single parcel or several parcels have to be picked up at a drop box.

Before a message is sent to a service person, the location and current route of the driver is determined. This can be accomplished by considering the regular schedule of a courier or by a Global Positioning System (GPS) , for example, which is connected to the vehicle of the courier. The central controller module tracks the position of each courier and determines, which service person is the closest and has enough time drive to a drop box which has to be emptied.

Thereby, the central controller module at least takes into account the filling status of each drop box, the time of day and the valid route of a courier. If a courier will come to a drop box on his or her regular schedule later that day anyway, no message might be required, if a parcel is deposited. If a message for a first parcel in a drop box has already been sent, no further message is sent when a second parcel is deposited. However, when a drop box is full of parcels, a service person might have to attend the drop box immediately in order to empty the drop box and allow further deposits. When the temperature of a drop box is monitored, it might be required to attend that drop box with high priority, because the temperature exceeds certain temperature ranges. Thus, the signal data from each drop box of the system is processed according to the specifications of the system and can be used accordingly.

In one embodiment of the invention, the courier receives a map along with a message. Preferably, an URL is attached to the message which displays the map. The map shows one or more drop boxes which have to be attended by the courier. Preferably, the map also shows the most effective route to reach all those drop boxes.

When a courier receives a message, he or she will drive to the respective drop box 100 and will open the service door 104. The deposited parcels can be removed from the drop box and the operating unit 110 detects the removal of parcels. In one embodiment of the invention, the opening of the service door 106 changes the filling status of the drop box and the status is set to "empty" . In another embodiment of the invention, the courier enters information about the pick up into the input means 110 of the drop box. For example, a menu button stating "drop box has been emptied" can be pressed. The operating unit 110 will then change the status of the drop box and the information is sent to the central controller module 300 via the mesh network. The configuration of each grouping of drop boxes according to the invention uses well known mesh network technology. Each wireless communication module 118 employs mesh networking techniques to dynamically and automatically route data signals to the gateway module 126 of one drop box within the grouping of drop boxes . Since the drop boxes are in radio range to each other, their communication modules can use wireless short-distance communication means such as Wi-Fi. As a consequence, there is the need for only one long distance connection back to the central controller module from the gateway of each grouping of drop boxes .

Preferably, the gateway 126 can choose between different forms of data communication. This flexibility allows for the use of the most effective communication medium, which may vary from one location to the other.

Furthermore, special drop boxes with temperature and/or humidity sensors for monitoring the conditions within the drop box can simply be integrated into the system without the need for complex connections to the central controller. If a drop box is not used adequately by customers, because the location of the drop box does not attract customers, for example, it can be removed without much effort as long as the new location is in range of another drop box. This makes the use of mesh network technology very advantageous for parcel drop box systems with a plurality of drop boxes, when suitable locations for drop boxes have to be found and might change after a while.

Furthermore, a parcel drop box can be located at a customer site, where one or more customers have access to the drop box. The drop box can be installed at the customer location for a while and can be de-installed again, when the customer does not require that service any longer. Alternatively, drop boxes can be installed in public areas which are frequented by customers only temporarily. For example, drop boxes can temporarily be installed at events or exhibitions. The mesh technology allows for a flexible installation of drop boxes to a very high degree, which is not known so far.

LIST OF REFERENCES

100 parcel drop box 101 parcel drop box with gateway function

102 parcel drop box enclosure

104 access door

106 service door

108 access door handle 110 operating unit

112 display

114 keyboard

116 battery

118 wireless communication module 120,122 data link

124 temperature sensor

125 humidity sensor

126 communication gateway module

200 grouping of parcel drop boxes 300 central controller module

310 mobile communication device, handheld, scanner

320 courier, courier vehicle

Claims

What is claimed:

1. A parcel drop box and integrated apparatus for monitoring the parcel drop box, the parcel drop box comprising:

a parcel drop box enclosure,

a customer access door,

a service door,

sensor means which monitor at least the deposit of a parcel through the customer access door into the drop box, and

communication means for transmitting a change of state of the sensor means from the sensor means to the integrated apparatus for monitoring the parcel drop box,

the integrated apparatus comprising:

means for receiving signals from the sensor means of the drop box, and

a wireless communication module with a transceiver for communicating with respective wireless communication modules of remote drop boxes,

wherein the wireless communication module comprises means for dynamically and automatically routing data received from the sensor means of said drop box or from wireless communication modules of remote drop boxes over a mesh network.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication module uses Wi-Fi technology for wireless communicating with the communication modules of remote drop boxes.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein a sensor connected to the operating unit of the drop box measures the temperature within the enclosure of the drop box .

4. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein a sensor connected to the operating unit of the drop box measures the humidity within the enclosure of the drop box.

5. System for monitoring the status of a plurality of parcel drop boxes comprising:

at least two parcel drop boxes according to claim 1 combined to a grouping of parcel drop boxes,

a central controller module,

one of the parcel drop box comprising a communication gateway with means for communicating with the central controller module,

wherein the central controller module comprises means for receiving data from the communication gateway of the one parcel drop box, means for processing the data, means for creating a message and means for sending this message to a wireless communication device in the range of a courier.

6. System according to claim 5, wherein the communication gateway of the one parcel drop box is connected to the central controller module via wired or wireless technology.

7. Method for monitoring the status of a plurality of parcel drop boxes according to claim 1 comprising the steps of :

transmitting a signal from a sensor of a parcel drop box to the wireless communication module of said parcel drop box, when a parcel is deposited in the parcel drop box,

receiving the signal from the sensor and transmitting data corresponding to the signal by means of the wireless communication device via a mesh network of remote drop boxes to one parcel drop box with a communication gateway module,

transmitting data corresponding to said signal from the communication gateway module to a central controller module,

processing said data in the central controller module, whereby a message is created, and sending said message to a mobile communication device in the range of a courier.

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein the data is processed in the central controller module dependent on the specifications of the system of drop boxes.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein a message for a courier is created dependent on the location of the courier, the time of day and the valid route of the courier.

10. Method according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein a temperature sensor and/or a humidity sensor measure the condition within the parcel drop box, the corresponding signals are transmitted to the central controller module via the mesh network of drop boxes and a message for a courier is created dependent on the measured values.

11. Method according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein a map is attached to the message to guide the courier to one or more drop boxes.

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein an URL is attached to the message that displays the map.