WO2014182259A1

WO2014182259A1 - A drop-off delivery service system

Info

Publication number: WO2014182259A1
Application number: PCT/TH2013/000065
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nithipont THAIYANURAK
Original assignee: Thaiyanurak Nithipont
Priority date: 2013-05-09
Filing date: 2013-12-27
Publication date: 2014-11-13
Also published as: MY173305A

Abstract

The present invention disclosed a drop-off deliver service system 100 comprising: a chip card 200, at least one Point of Sale (POS) & Service Systems 300, at least one locker system 400, and a central host system. The POS & Service System 300 is connected to the central host system 500 over a network. The said chip card 200 is configured to be operable with the said POS & Service system 300 or the said locker system 400 via software applications installed on the said POS & Service System 300 and the locker system 400 so as to enabling a customer/card holder to perform a request/command sequences to place a service request, drop off items requiring service or pick up serviced items at the POS & Service system 300 and/or the locker system 400.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

A Drop-off Delivery Service System

TECHNICAL FILED OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a drop-off delivery service system BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a traditional drop-off delivery service such as a laundry service, the customer is required to visit the premises of the service provider to drop off and pick up the laundry, which such drop-off and pick up must be within the opening hour. This is rather an inconvenience for certain group of customer who has irregular schedule. Dropping off in early morning or late picking up at night in some instance is not possible as it is outside of the opening hour of the service provider. Accordingly, automate / self-service drop-off facilities wherein the customers may drop off the item requiring service or picking up the serviced items at their convenience is therefore desirable.

Japanese Patent Application No. JP2003093217 disclosed an automatically managed locker equipment of a package and so forth which provides the functions of automatic handing over of a home- delivered package, the clean laundry, and a developed film, and is compact. The automatically managed locker equipment of a package and so forth provides a locker part which has a number of lockers and a controller which controls opening a lock and locking of each locker. The locker part includes a laundry delivery locker for a dry-cleaning shop and a film locker for a DPE shop.

Japanese Patent No. 4094041 disclosed a laundry system to eliminate a need for acceptance work and carry out laundry acceptance and handing over without the intervention of an attendant. The laundry delivery system has a bag storage section storing laundry bags containing unwashed clothes, a plurality of locker units for storing washed clothes and the laundry bags, a mechanism to supply a specifying means to specify users and the laundry bags, a recognition means to recognize the specifying means, relating means to relatedly store the specifying means and prescribed locker units, an identification means to identify prescribed locker units and relating to the prescribed specifying means through the recognition means and the relating means, and a mechanism to unlock the prescribed locker units and identified by the identification means.

Alternative drop-off delivery service system is desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention disclosed a drop-off deliver system wherein a customer drop off an item or items requiring services at a designated locker system and after serviced is completed, the item or items are returned to the designated locker system by the service provider enabling the customer to pick up the items or items following a receipt of a notification from the service provider after the services have been completed

In an embodiment, the drop-off delivery system comprising a chip card, at least one

Point of Sale & Service (POS & Service) system, at least one locker system, and a central host. The chip card, the POS & Service system and the central host are connected over a network and is configured to operable so as to allow monitoring, exchange of information, data, over the said network. The locker system comprising a plurality of slave locker and is configured to open and close the said locker upon of completion of opening or closing sequence.

In an embodiment, the drop-off delivery system comprising a chip card, at least one Point of Sale & Service (POS & Service) system, at least one locker system, and a central host. The chip card, the POS & Service system, the locker system and the central host are connected over a network and is configured to operable so as to allow monitoring, exchange of information, data, over the said network. The locker system comprising a plurality of slave locker and is configured to open and close the said locker upon of completion of opening or closing sequence.

In an embodiment, the drop-off delivery system comprising a locker system comprising a master locker and at least one slave locker unit comprising a plurality of slave locker electronically connected to the master locker. The slave lockers function is response to the request/command performed at the master locker by the customer or card holder using the chip card. In an embodiment, the master locker comprising a computer with a display, a speaker, an RFID card reader, a barcode reader house within the master locker and linked to the said computer.

In an embodiment, the master locker further comprising a key lock.

In an embodiment, the master locker further comprising a payment/transaction slot to facilitate cash/e-money payment for service fee at the master locker.

In an embodiment, the master locker further comprising a printer configured to issue a receipt for the settled service fees.

In an embodiment, the master locker further comprising a key lock and a corresponding key lock sensor configured to authenticate a key or object insert into the key lock and the master locker is configured to issue a notification in case of unauthenticated key or foreign object is detected.

In an embodiment, the slave locker unit comprising one or more service tabs configured to restrict unauthorized access to the slave locker unit wiring system or access to the slave locker.

In an embodiment, the slave locker unit further comprising a slave locker key sensor configured to authenticate the key or detect foreign object inserted into the service tab key lock. The slave locker key sensor is configured to transmit authentication report to a controller linked to the slave locker unit, and the controller subsequently transmit the report to the master locker to issue a notification or warning in case of unauthenticated key report is receipt/detected.

In an embodiment, the slave locker comprising a locking device with a micro switch electronically linked to the controller of the slave locker unit.

In an embodiment, the slave locker comprising an FRID card reader configured to open or close a front door of slave locker in response to a sequence performed by a customer /card holder using the chip-card.

In an embodiment, the locker system comprising a CCTV system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Advantages and characteristics of the invention will be appreciated from the following description, in which, as a non-limiting example, some preferable embodiments of the principle of the invention are described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a scheme of an embodiment of a service drop-off delivery system according to the principle of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a scheme of an embodiment of a service drop-off delivery system according to the principle of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows an example of an embodiment of a locker system of the service drop-off delivery system according to the principle of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows an example of an embodiment of a locker system of the service drop-off delivery system according to the principle of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows an example of an embodiment of a locker system of the service drop-off delivery system according to the principle of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows an example of an embodiment of a master locker of a locker system;

FIG. 7 shows an example of an embodiment of a master locker of a locker system;

FIG. 8 shows an example of an embodiment of a slave locker unit of a locker system;

FIG. 9 shows an example of an embodiment of a slave locker unit of a locker system; FIG. 10 shows an example of an embodiment of a slave locker unit of a locker system;

FIG. 1 1 shows an example of an embodiment of a slave locker of a locker system;

FIG. 12 shows an example of an embodiment of a slave locker of the locker system;

FIG. 13 shows a connectivity scheme of an example of an embodiment of a slave locker of a locker system;

FIG. 14 shows a scheme of connectivity of an embodiment of a locker system of the service drop-off delivery system according to the principle of the present invention;

FIG. 1 5 shows a schematic operation flow by a customer at a locker system of an embodiment of the drop-off delivery service system of the present invention; and

FIG. 16 shows a schematic operation flow by the service provider at a locker system of an embodiment of the drop-off delivery service system of the present invention. DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention disclosed a drop-off delivery system wherein a customer drop off an item or items requiring services at a designated locker system and after serviced is completed, the item or items are returned to the designated locker system by the service provider enabling the customer to pick up the items or items following a receipt of a notification from the service provider after the services have been completed as shown in FIGs. 1-16. The drop-off delivery system will now be referred to a "a system"

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a drop-off delivery service system (100) in the first aspect of the invention in which the system 100 is an offline system. The system 100 comprising a chip card 200, at least one Point of Sale (POS) & Service system 300, at least one locker system 400, and a central host with a central server 500 (which will now be referred to as a "central host"). Each of the at least POS & Service System 300 and the at least locker system 400 are preferably installed at a different location. The chip card 200, the POS & Service system 300 and the central host 500 are connected over a network and is configured to operable so as to remotely monitor, allows exchange of information, data, over the said network.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a drop-off delivery system (100) in the second aspect of the invention in which the system 100 is an online system. The system 100 comprising a chip card 200, at least one (POS) & Service system 300, at least one locker systems 400, and a central host 500 with a central server. In this aspect of the system 100 which is an online system, the chip card 200, the POS & Service system 300, the locker system 400, and the central host 500 are connected over a network and is configured to operable so as to remotely monitor, allows exchange of information, data, over the said network.

The chip card 200 is issued by the drop-off delivery service provider and is configured to contain at least information of a customer or card holder such as name, address, ID card number, customer number, e-mail address, telephone number, etc. The chip card 200 is also specifically designated for administrative purposes by the drop-off delivery service provider and may also be configured to contain information and data of staff members of the drop-off delivery service provider so as to enable the staffs of the drop-off deliver service provider to perform necessary administrative functions to provide services to the customers / card holders. The chip card 200 is configured to be operable with the locker system 400 or the POS & Service system 300 enabling the customers / card holder to place an order for services, gain drop off or pick-up access from the locker system 400 or POS & Service system 300 as well as to perform administrative functions for the chip card 200 hold by the staff member of the drop-off delivery service provider.

Further, in an embodiment, the chip card 200 is configured to store electronic money and used as electronic purse for performing payment transaction for the services being provided, the detail of which will be further described.

The POS & Service system 300 is configured to operable in a similar manner to the locker system 400. It is provided as a human assisted operating system enabling the customer or the card holder to place an order for services drop off and picking up access in the event that direct order for services placement drop off or picking up cannot be performed at the locker system 400, the detail of which will be further discussed in the exemplary examples. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the POS & Service system 300 comprising a computer with a display 301 , a POS & Service printer 303, a POS & Service card reader 304, and a POS & Service barcode reader 305 communicate to the computer 301. In an embodiment, the POS & Service system 300 further comprising a camera 302. The camera 302 is configured to take photographic image of the items requiring services and recorded in the system as a confirmation of characteristic of the items in case of dispute or lost or for lost prevention purposes. The POS & Service printer 303, the POS & Service card reader 304 and the POS & Service barcode reader 305 perform the same function as with the same devices on the master locker 405 of the locker system 400.

The locker system 400 is configured to operate with a software application and functions in response to a request/command performed by the customer or card holder using the chip card 200 as authorized access to the locker system 400. FIGs. 3-5 show exemplary examples of embodiments of a locker system 400 according to the present invention. The locker system 400 is connected to a power source, and preferably further connected to a backup power source to ensure continuity of the locker system 400 in the event of power interruption. The locker system 400 comprising a master locker 405 and a plurality of slave locker units 410, each slave locker unit 410 is made of a plurality of locker 415 electronically connected to the master locker 405 such that the slave lockers 410 and locker 415 function in response to the request/command performed at the master locker 405 by the customer or card holder using the chip card 200. In an example as shown in FIG. 3, the locker system 400 comprising a unit of a master locker 405 and two slave locker units 410 electronically connected to the master locker 405. Each slave locker unit 410 is made of two slave lockers 415. In an example as shown in FIG. 4, the locker system 400 comprising a unit of master locker 405 and two unit of slave locker unit 410 electronically connected to the mater locker 405. Each slave locker unit 410 is made of four salve lockers 415. In an example as shown in FIG. 5 the locker system 400 comprising a unit of master locker 405 and two units slave locker unit 410 electronically connected to the mater locker 405. Each slave locker unit 410 is made of eight slave lockers 415. It will be appreciated by a skilled person in the art that the number of slave locker units 410 and the number of salve lockers 415 making up each of the slave locker unit 410 are only a mere floor plan arrangement and is designed as such to satisfy the ease and convenience of installation of the locker system 400. Further, it is not a technical feature and also it is not an essential feature that the locker system always be arranged as such nor it is essential that the master locker 405 must always be situated in a centre between multiple units of slave locker unit 410 on each side of the master locker 405. The locker system 400 could be arranged differently as long as the slave locker unit 410 or slave locker 415 is electronically connected to the master locker 405 and that the slave locker 415 is functioned in response to a request/command performed by the customer or card holder using the chip card 200 as authorized access to the locker system 400.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a master locker 405 of the locker system 400 of the drop-off delivery system 100 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the master locker 405 comprising a computer with a display 420, a speaker 425, an RFID card reader 430, a barcode reader 435 house within the master locker 405's housing. The master locker 405 may further comprising a key lock 440, see also in FIG. 7 to prevent tampering or theft or vandalism of the equipment of the master locker 405. The computer with the display 420 at the master locker 405 is installed with a software application developed to be suitable for the designated type of services offering to the customer. For a compact installation purposes, the display may be of a digital display or touchscreen display with an embedded key pad enabling the customer or the system administrator to make a request, create an input request to the master locker 405 or for other general reconfiguration or calibration of the master locker 405 as needed. The speaker 425 is configured to issue sound and/or other notifications to the customers/card holder or the staffs of the service provider corresponding to the command, request, input made to the master locker 405 or the locker system 400, the example of which will be further described. The RFID card reader 435 is configured to read and process the data/information on the chip card 200 and grant access to the master locker 405 enabling the customers/card holders or the staff of the service provider to create command/input as required. The barcode reader 435 is configured to read barcode or identification code generated by the system 100, the detail of which will also be further described. The master locker 405 collects and processes the information/data and request/command performed by the custom ers/card holders or the staff of the service provider and sends necessary command to the slave locker 415 to function, such as unlocking, or locking corresponding to the command/request made by the customers/card holders or the staff of the service provider on both offline or online configuration. In the online configuration, the locker system 400 also communicates to a central host 500 with a central sever and database enabling real time display of request/log of request made by the customers/card holders or the staffs of the service provider, issuing/sending notification, and status of the slave locker 415 at the locker system 400.

In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 7, the master locker 405 may be equipped with a payment/transaction slot 445 and corresponding payment transaction software applications configured to process cash or electronic money transaction for services or topping up of the value on the chip-card 200. The master locker 405 may also be equipped with a printer 450 for issuing receipt of the transaction and/or to issue a receipt as a proof of dropping off.

FIGs. 8-12 show various embodiments and arrangement of the slave locker(s) 415. The slave locker 415 is electronically connected to a controller 416 of which communicates to the master locker 405 as shown as an example in FIG. 13. The controller 416 of the slave locker 415 is configured to recognized, transmit/receive command/request or input made at the master locker 405 of which subsequently transmitted to the slave locker 415. The slave locker 415 defines a cavity for holding and storing an item or items requiring services; and a closure such as a slave locker door 455 wherein the said slave locker door 455 via the controller 416 and a corresponding micro-switch is configured to unlock or lock the slave locker 415 in response to the command/request, input sequence made at the master locker 405. The slave locker 415 via the controller 416 configured to receive signal or command/request sequence from the master locker 405 enabling the slave locker 415 to function/respond as programmed.

In an embodiment, the slave locker 415 is equipped with a locking device 460 disposed on the slave locker door 455 of the slave locker 415. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 1 , the locking device 460 is realized as a solenoid locking device with an integrated micro-switch 465 of which upon receipt of signal or command/request sequence from the controller 416, the micro switch 465 actuates the solenoid shaft 466 to move towards or away from a corresponding locking member 470 disposed on a front door 445 of the slave locker 415. The said locking member 470 is configured to engage/disengage with the solenoid shaft 466 so as to lock or unlock the door 455 on the slave locker 415. Further, the slave locker 415 also comprising a door sensor 475 configured to examine/detect the status of the door 455 on the slave locker 415 and transmit a corresponding signal respective to the specific status of the door 455 to the controller 416 and the controller 416 subsequently relay/transmit the door closing status to the master locker 405 to issue a corresponding notification so as to warn or inform the customer/ card holder, staff of the drop-off delivery service provider or system administrator with regard to the closing status of the slave locker door 455 on the slave locker 415. For example, in order to ensure that after dropping off of items requiring services, the slave locker door 455 on the slave locker 415 must be securely shut in order to avoid theft. After completion of dropping off/picking up the item requiring services or returning the services item by the service provider or picking up the serviced items by the customer/card holder into/from the slave locker 415 the customer/card holder must close the slave locker door 445 confirm door closing at the master locker 405. In the event that the slave locker door 445 was not properly closed, the door sensor 475 will examine and detect as such and will send a signal to the master locker 405 to issue a notification such as light, sound or text alert (on the display 420 screen) to let the customer/card holder , staff of the drop-off delivery service provider or system administrator know that the slave locker door 445 was not properly closed so that the customer/card holder , staff of the drop-off delivery service provider must return to the slave locker 415 and re-close the slave locker door 445 to complete the dropping- off.

In an embodiment, each slave locker unit 410 comprising one or more service tab 480 disposed on the slave locker unit 410. See FIGs. 8-10. The service tab 480 may be provided as a single tab for the upper and lower slave locker 415. However, it is also possible for each individual slave locker 415 to have its own service tab 480. The service tab 480 is designed to protect the wiring of the slave locker unit 410 or slave locker 415 as well as to restrict unauthorized access, provide manual access by the service provider (such as unlocking the slave locker door 445) to the slave locker 415 in the event of facing technical problems with opening the salve locker door 445, as well as for general service purposes. The service tab 480 comprises a service tab key lock 485 as a mean to restrict access to the component inside or to gain access to the slave locker 415.

In an embodiment, the slave locker 415 comprising a slave locker RFID card reader 490 installed on the slave locker 415 itself. With this arrangement, while it will be more costly, the customer/card holder will be able to gain access the slave locker 415 including to activate the locking device 460 to unlock or lock so as to open or close the slave locker front door 455 using the chip card 200 to perform the required sequence without the need to use the master locker 405 to perform such steps i.e. required actions to gain access to the slave locker 415 including opening and closing.

In an embodiment, in order to restrict unauthorized access to the master locker 405 or to the slave locker unit 410 or the slave locker 415 via the service tab 480, the master locker key lock 440 and the service tab key lock 485 may respectively be equipped with a key sensor 417 to detect if there is any unauthorized access (or attempt thereto) or foreign objects other than the pre-coded key entering the key hole of the master locker key lock 440 or service tab key lock 485. If the key sensor 417 detects as so, it will transmit the signal to the locker system 400 or the master locker 405 to issue a notification, for example, sound (as alarm) to alert the care taker or generate and send notification online to the system administrator at the central host 500.

As mentioned above, the master locker 405 is electronically connected to the slave locker unit 410 and subsequently the slave locker 415. The slave locker 415 is configured to send status report, such as vacant/occupied to the master locker 405 and hence the master locker 405 is made current of any available slave locker 415 such that when a customer/card holder visit the locker system 400 to make a drop-off, the master locker 405 will automatically and selectively in running sequence, open the vacant slave locker 415 for the customer/card holder.

Further, as also mentioned that in the online aspect, in which the locker system 400 is connected to the central host 500, the locker system 400 will generate and maintain a log of use and send reports such as log of use by the customer/card holder, occupancy report, including any other status, such as which slave locker 415 is occupied, and by which customer/card holder ID, etc. This enables the system administrator to monitor and manage the locker system 400 at various locations more conveniently in comparison to an offline system. In an offline system, the system administrator will not be able to learn of the status, for example, occupancy of the slave locker 415. Thus, the drop-off delivery service provider will instead make scheduled visit(s) to the locker system 400 to pick up the item requiring services. In the online system, the system administrator will be able to monitor the status of the occupancy at the locker system 400 online. Accordingly, the drop-off delivery service provider is able to adjust pickup schedules or arrange additional pickup rounds to clear occupancy should all slave lockers 415 at the locker system 400 be fully occupied to ensure availability of the slave locker 415 for the customers/card holders.

Further, according to the principle of the present invention, the locker system 400 is configured to maintain a log of history of making a deposit by a specific customer/card holder. Such log is maintained for a duration corresponding to the scheduled pick-up round by the drop-off delivery service provider. That is, for example, in the event that if a customer/card holder has made a deposit and completed the drop-off, and should there be a need to open the same slave locker 415, the locker system 400 is configured to check the log history (for that specific duration, before pick-up is made by the drop-off deliver service provider, or before, the expiration of a specific duration), if the locker system 400 detects through a recognition of customer/card holder ID that the same customer/card holder has made earlier deposit, the locker system 400 will open the slave locker 415 in which the item requiring services belong to that specific customer/card holder. With this arrangement, the customer/card holder will be able to access the same slave locker 415 to add or remove/retrieve articles from the slave locker 415. The number of re-opening of the same slave locker 415 by the same customer/card holder in a single duration (of pick-up schedule) of time may be restricted by the drop-off delivery service provider. The log history is cleared after each pick-up schedule so that the customer/card holder may not gain access to the slave locker 415 belong to a different customer/card holder, even if it is the same slave locker 415 in which he/she has made a deposit earlier.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the locker system 400 further comprising a CCTV system (not shown) of which configured to send feed to the central host 500 to permit security surveillance of the locker system by the drop-off delivery service provider.

According to the principle of the present invention, once the drop-off is completed by the customer/card holder, the drop-off delivery service provider will visit the locker system 400, based on a schedule developed and maintained by the drop-off delivery service provider. The drop-off delivery service provider will be able to access the occupied slave locker 415 by providing the drop-off delivery service provider ID with a chip card 200 and/or a passcode to the locker system 400. The locker system 400 is configured to open all occupied slave locker 415 allowing the drop-off delivery service provider to pick up the item requiring services for further processing and services. After picking up of the item requiring services, the drop-off delivery service provider will process the item according to the system maintained by the drop-off delivery service provider in order to be able to identify the types, kinds of services is/are requested for that specific item, to which customer/card holder that specific item belong, from which location that specific item is picked up, on which date, time, etc. For this specific purpose, the POS & Service 300 further comprising a computer with display 301, POS & Service camera 302, a POS & Service printer 303, a POS & Service card reader 304, a POS & Service barcode scanner, QR code reader 305, installed at the POS & Service 300. See FIGs 1 and 2. Further, the system may further comprising a camera 302 for maintaining image records of the item requiring services so that in the additional identification support may be referred to in case of disputes or missing of item or for lost prevention purposes. The identification system will identify the types, kinds of services being requested for that specific item, to which customer/card holder that specific item belong to, from which location that specific item is picked up, on which date, time, etc. Such information will enable the drop-off delivery service provider to provide the accurate services requested, return the serviced item to the right customer/card holder, to the right location, on the right delivery schedule. Further, the identification as described may be linked to a payment/transaction software application in order that an invoice/receipt for the services may be generated.

According to the principle of the present invention, the drop-off deliver system 100 is configured to issue a notification of delivery to the customer/card holder once the sequence for delivery is completed by the drop-off delivery service provider. That is, upon completion of servicing of the item by the drop-off delivery service provider, the item is returned to the locker system 400 wherein the information relating to the customer/card holder ID, the slave locker 415 ID number of which the item belong to that customer/card holder, including payable service fee are generated and recorded at the locker system 400 based on a coding system generated at the POS & Service system 300 of which said coding system is readable by the barcode reader 435 at the master locker 405. Once the delivery sequence is completed or the serviced item is deposited in the designated slave locker 415 is completed, the system (100) is configured to issue and send a delivery notification to the customer/card holder to notify them of the delivery via, for example, sms service, chat application, etc. so that the customer/card holder may pick up the serviced item. That is, because, specifically, for the embodiment on which the locker system 400 is online with the central host 500, the completion of delivery sequence at the locker system 400 is communicated to the central host 500 and that the central host server is configured to send short text message as a notification of delivery to customer/card holder. The notification of delivery to the customer/card holder may also include information relating to service fees. In an offline system, the notification of delivery may be performed manually, i.e. by for example, sending a text message from a mobile device to the mobile devices of the customer/card holder According to the principle of the present invention, the slave locker 415 at the locker system 400 is configured to open once the sequence for picking the delivery is completed by the customer/card holder. That is, once the customer/card holder visits the locker system 400 to pick up the item, i.e. by providing his identification via the chip card 200 which contains his ID number, the locker system will pair the customer/card holder's ID to the information relating to the customer/card holder ID, the slave locker 415 ID number of which the items belong to that customer/card holder, including payable service fee are generated and recorded at the locker system 400 by the drop-off delivery service provider at the time of delivering of the serviced item such that the locker system 400 will be able to recognize which slave locker 415 the item belonging to that particular customer/card holder and will open that slave locker 415 once settlement of the service fee is completed.

In an embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the master locker 405 comprising a payment/transaction slot 445 configured to accept cash e-money transaction. In this embodiment, the customer/card holder will be able settle service fee as cash payment or e-money at the master locker 405. That is, as the customer comes in to pick up the delivery and performed the delivery picking sequence at the master locker 405, the master locker 405 is configured (based on the data, information, generated at the locker system 400 or communicated to the locker system 400 by the drop-off delivery service provider) to display the designated slave locker ID number and the applicable service fee on the display 420 so as to inform the customer/card holder of where his/her delivery is stored and the amount of payable service fee. Once, the payment is made and the service fee is settled, master locker 405 is configured to issue a receipt via the printer 450 and transmit the request to the controller 416 of the slave locker 415 to open the slave locker 415 which stores the delivery of that customer/card holder. In an embodiment in which payment is in a form of prepaid package, the master locker 405 is also configured to display the amount of service fee on the display 420 for which the amount has been deducted from the account balance maintained by the drop-off delivery service provider. The printer 450 will also issue a statement indicating the amount of service fee for that service and the available balance on the customer/card holder's account. In this respect, customer must first register and set up a deposit or pre-paid account with the drop-off delivery service provider who will maintain a balance record for the customer/card holder. At the time of issuing a delivery notification to the customer/card holder, the delivery notice may include a notification of insufficient balance to notify the customer to top-up the balance before picking the delivery

The drop-off delivery system 100 according to the principle of the present invention will be described using a laundry drop-off delivery as an example of application of the system 100. The customer must first register with the drop-off delivery service provider for which a chip card 200 will be issued to the customer/card holder. The chip card 200 contains the necessary information of the customer/card holder such as name, address, ID card number, customer number, e-mail address, telephone number, etc. The chip card 200 as electronic purse containing information of the e-money value on the chip card 200 is also included. The customer ID number, ID card number e-mail address, telephone number, etc. are also maintained by the drop-off delivery service provider database and server at the central host 500. The drop-off delivery service provider will also issue one or more laundry bags to the customer/card holder. A coding system, such as a barcode, QR code, readable by the barcode/QR code scanner 435 at the locker system 400 and the POS & Service system 300 to differentiate different types of services such as normal cleaning, dry cleaning, hand wash, etc. integrated to the laundry bag so that the laundry may be washed/cleaned as instructed. Other information such as customer ID is also included in the barcode integrated to the laundry bag for the purpose of identification. The laundry bag, however, is not essential element in operating the system as drop-off service provider may rely on different coding system, not only a barcode to identify the type of services request or whose the laundry contained inside the laundry bag as the drop-off delivery service provide can retrieve the information from the log generated by the master locker 405 or recorded at the POS & Service system 300.

FIG. 15 shows a flow chart of sequence to be performed on the display 420 of the master locker 405 upon dropping off or picking up the laundry. That is, when the customer/card holder visits the locker system 400, the customer is required to select from the application menu on the display 420 whether the customer/card holder wishes to drop-off or pick up the laundry. In the event of a drop off, the customer/card holder is required to tab the chip-card 200 at the card reader 430. The system will determine if the same customer has made earlier dropping in the same duration for a single pick up schedule. If not, the master locker 405 will detect and send request to the controller 416 of an empty slave locker 415 which run in sequence of ID number of the slave locker 415, for example from slave locker 410 NO. 1 to No. 8 in sequential order. The next available empty slave locker 415 will open allowing the customer/card holder to load the laundry (contained in a laundry bag) into the slave locker 415. In the event that the same customer has made earlier dropping in the same duration within same picking schedule, the master locker will detect base on a log history maintain by the locker system 400 and will open the same slave locker 415 of which the customer has previously made a drop-off. This is useful and beneficial to the customers/card holders in the case that they wish to add additional piece of clothing or remove certain article, including any valuable belongings inadvertently left behind in the laundry bag. After the drop off is made, the customer is required to complete the drop-off by pressing a button confirming completion of a drop off on the menu on the display 420 The locker system 400 will detect through the controller 416 and the door sensor 475 at the slave locker whether the front door 455 of the slave locker 415 of which the drop-off was made was securely shut. If the door 445 was not shut securely, the door sensor 475 will send signal to the controller which will transmit the signal to the master locker 405 or the back end server of which will issue a relevant notification such as a text notification on the display 420 informing the customer/card holder that the door 445 was not shut securely and request the customer/card holder to re- close the door 455 securely. After the door 455 is securely closed, the drop-off sequence is regarded as completed. In the event where the laundry requiring service is too large to be fitted inside the slaver locker 415 the customer/card holder may contact the POS & Service 300 counter for a separate drop-off.

The laundry will then be collected based on a pick up scheduled maintained by the drop-off delivery service provider for further processing and cleaning. In the embodiment in which the locker system 400 is online with the central host 500 the status on slave locker 410 occupancy among other data are sent to the central host 500 enabling the system administrator to monitor and manage the locker system 400 and the drop-off delivery system 100 as a whole as earlier described.

As shown in FIG. 16 once the drop-off was made and based on the pick-up schedule, the drop-off delivery service provider will visit the locker system 400 to collect the dirty laundry. As shown in FIG. 16, the drop-off delivery service provider is required to tab the system administrator chip card 200 at the card reader 430 at the locker system 400 and/or enter a passcode to the locker system 400 to gain access to the slave locker 415 whether to pick up the dirty laundry or to return the cleaned laundry. A log of use by the drop-off delivery service provider will be generated and maintained either at the locker system 400 or at the central host 500 which is linked to the locker system 400.

In the event that the drop-off delivery service provider visits the locker system 400 to pick up the dirty laundry, the locker system 400 and/or through the central host 500 will display on the display 420, the slave locker 415 of which is occupied. The drop-off delivery service provider will then select the corresponding slave lockers 415 during which the master locker 405 will send request to the controller 416 at the slave locker 415 to open its door 445. The drop-off delivery service provider will then collect the laundry bag from inside the slave locker 415 and will confirm pick-up by scanning the barcode on the laundry bag using the barcode reader 430. A data of customer ID number, the location at which that particular laundry bag was dropped-off is generated and recorded by the system 100. Manually entry of the barcode or data may be necessary in the event of missing barcode (obtained of a log of used recorded at the master locker 405) or technical disruption. After the collection is made the drop-off delivery service provider must securely close the slave locker door 455 wherein if the locker door 455 was not securely shut, the system will generate a notification and request the drop-off delivery service provider to reclose and confirm door closing as previously described in the case when the customer/card holder made a drop off.

As described in the description relating to principle of the invention, once the laundry is collected, each piece will be tagged with barcode or other coding system for identification using the POS & Service barcode or QR code reader 305 at the POS & Service 300. The tagging and coding system enable tracing of the article of clothing and the service requested, aiding sorting of the laundry for cleaning and delivery as well as for the purpose of invoicing or charging for the service fee. The result coding will be readable by the barcode reader 435 recorded at the master locker 405 at the time at which the drop-off service provider made a delivery to the locker system 400. The cleaned laundry are sorted for one specific customer and card holder and are packed or bundled together with the original laundry bag in which they were originally collected and ready to be delivered to the locker system for pick-up by the customer/card holder.

As shown in 16, the drop-off delivery service provider visit the locker system 400 for delivery of serviced laundry, the drop-off delivery service provider tabs the chip card 200 and selects delivery of clean laundry menu and scans the barcode generated during services to confirm delivery, informing the customer of services fee, and designates a slave locker 415 for the delivery. The locker system 400 will detect a vacant slave locker 415 and tie the locker ID number with the customer ID number such that once the customer visit the locker system 400 to pick up the laundry, the customer will be directed to the slave locker 415 in which his/her laundry are stored and the locker system 400 is configured to open that specific slave locker 415 to grant access to the customer/card holder once payment for service fee is settled. During the delivery, the locker system 400 will also detect if there is any slave locker 415 previously designated for the same customer/card holder remains in the system. If so, the same salve locker 410 will be open in order that the drop-off delivery service provider may deposit the cleaned laundry into the same slave locker 415 for convenience of the customer in picking up as well as for better management of the slave locker 415. Once the cleaned laundry is deposited in to the slave locker 415, the drop-off delivery service provider must securely close the slave locker door 455 wherein if the locker door 455 was not securely shut, the system will generate a notification and request the drop-off delivery service provider to reclose and confirm door closing as previously described to complete the delivery sequence. After confirmation of completion of delivery sequence, the system is configured to send delivery alert / notification together with payable service fee to the customer/card holder, preferably to the customer/card holder's mobile devices so that the customers/card holders may pick up the laundry at their convenience with the time limit set by the drop-off delivery service provider. For those customers/card holders who maintain an account with the dropoff delivery service provider and there is insufficient fund in the account to settle the service fee, the delivery notification may also advises the customer/card holder to top up the account or make online payment via prescribed financial institution 600, see FIG. 14. For an offline embodiment, delivery notification may be performed manually as described earlier. Also shown in FIG 15, in the event that the customer/card holder visits the locker system 400 to pick up the cleaned laundry, the customer/card holder will select from the application menu on the display 420 that customer/card holder wishes to pick up the laundry. The customer/card holder will then tab the chip card 200 at the card reader 430 after which the display 420 will display payable service fee for which the customer may settle the fee using cash payment/transaction or e-money payment via payment/transaction slot on the master locker 405 or through debiting against the account of which the customer/card holder maintain with the drop-off delivery service provider. For the case of which there is insufficient fund for those customers/card holders who maintain an account with the drop-off delivery service provider, the customer/card holder would have made additional deposit into the account base on the delivery notification sent to them earlier which also notified them of insufficient fund. The system 100 may also configure for the customer to make additional payment in cash via the payment/transaction slot 445 on the master locker 405. Once the payment is settled, the locker system 400 will display the designated slave locker 415 and the locker system 400 will open the said slave locker 415 of which the cleaned laundry is stored granting access to the content of the slave locker 415 to the customer/card holder. Once the cleaned laundry is picked up from the slave locker 415, the customer/card holder is requested to securely close the slave locker door 455 wherein if the locker door 455 was not securely shut, the system will generate a notification and request the customer/card holder to reclose and confirm door closing as previously described to complete the picked up sequence.

It is clear from the foregoing principle that the drop-off delivery service system according to the principle of the present invention may be applied to various drop-off delivery service business and application of the principle for the laundry service business is a mere example and is not intended as a limitation of claim scope of the present invention and that modifications to the embodiments may be performed without necessarily departing from the scope of the present invention.

Lastly, it is also clear from the foregoing description that the principle of the drop-off delivery service system is far more advantages in term of convenience for dropping off and picking up in comparison to traditional delivery service and therefore, the object of the invention set out above has been met.

Claims

CLAIMS We claim:

1. A drop-off deliver service system (100) comprising:

- a chip card (200) configured to contain at least information comprising customer/card holder identification number, name, address, identification card number, e-mail address, telephone number;

- at least one Point of Sale (POS) & Service Systems (300) comprising a computer with a display (301), a POS & Service printer (303), a POS & Service FRID card reader (304), barcode/QR code reader (305); the said a POS & Service printer (303), a POS & Service FRID card reader (304), barcode/QR code reader (305) are linked to the said computer with a display (301); the FRID card reader (304) is configured to read the information on the chip card (200);

at least one locker system (400); and

- a central host system (500) configured to communicate to the POS & Service system (300) and record and maintain information/data generates and collects at the POS &

Service System (300);

wherein the POS & Service System (300) is connected to the central host system (500) over a network; the said chip card (200) is configured to be operable with the said POS & Service system (300) or the said locker system (400) via software applications installed on the said POS & Service System (300) and the locker system (400) so as to enabling a customer/card holder to perform a request/command sequences to place a service request, drop off items requiring service or pick up serviced items at the POS & Service system (300) and/or the locker system (400).

2. The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the locker system (400) comprising:

a master locker (405) comprising a computer with a display (420), an RFID card reader (430) and a barcode reader (435); the speaker (425), the RFID card reader (430) and the barcode reader (435) are electronically connected to the said computer (420); - a plurality of slave locker units (410) electronically connected to the said master locker (405); each slave locker unit (410) comprising a plurality of slave locker (415); the slave locker unit (410) defining a housing with a cavity for holding the item requiring services, a salve locker front door (455), and a locking device (460) disposed on the said slave locker (415);

wherein the slave locker (415) is linked to a controller (416) which linked to the master locker (405); the master locker, the slave locker unit (410) and the controller (416) are configured to open or shut the slave locker front door (455) in response to a request/command sequence transmitted from the master locker (405) to the said controller (416).

3. The system (100) according to claim 2, wherein the slave locker (415) is prepared with a locking device (460) and wherein the controller is configured to unlock or lock the locking device in response to the request/command sequence transmitted from the mater locker (405)

4. The system (100) according to claim 2, wherein the slave locker (415) comprising a door sensor (475) configured to examine and detect the slave locker door closing whereby the door sensor (475) transmits the door closing status to the controller (416) and subsequently to the master locker (405) wherein the master locker (405) is configured to issue a notification to the customer/card holder/ drop-off delivery service provide if unsecure door closing is detected.

5. The system (100) according to claim 3, wherein the locking device (460) is a solenoid locking device with a micro-switch (465), the micro-switch is configured to actuate the solenoid shaft (466) of the solenoid locking device (460) to engage/disengage with a locking member (470) disposed on the slave locker front door (455).

6. The system (100) according to claim 2, wherein the locker system (400) is connected to the central host system (500) over a network enabling the central host system to remotely monitor the locker system's status, exchange information/ data with the said locker system (400).

7. The system (100) according to claim 6, wherein master locker (405) further comprising a speaker (425).

8. The system (100) according to claim 7, wherein the master locker (405) further comprising a printer (450).

9. The system (100) according to claim 8, wherein the master locker (405) further comprising a payment transaction slot (445) configured to accept cash or electronic money transactions.

10. The system (100) according to claim 2 or 6, wherein the chip card (200) is configured to store electronic money acceptable for settlement of service fee at the payment transaction slot (455) of the master locker (405).

1 1. The system (100) according to claim 2 or 10, wherein the master locker (405) further comprising a key lock (440) configured to restrict access to the inside of the master locker (405).

12. The system (100) according to claims 2 or 1 1 , wherein the slave locker unit (410) comprising one or more service tabs (480) and a service tab key lock (485) on each service tab (480); the service tab (480) and the service tab key lock (485).

13. The system (100) according to claim 2 or 12, wherein the POS & Service system further comprising a camera configured to take photographic image of the item requiring services.

14. The system (100) according to claim 2, wherein the slave locker (415) comprising a slave locker RFID card reader (490) configured to activate the locking device (460) to unlock or lock so as to open or close the slave locker (415) upon a completion of sequence with the chip card (200).

15. The system (100) according to claim 2 or 12, wherein the master locker (405) further comprising a key sensor (441) configured to authenticate a key for the key lock (440); the master locker (405) is configured to issue a notification if un-authenticated key or foreign object is detected.

16. The system (100) according to the 2 or 12, wherein the slave locker unit (410) further comprising a service tab key sensor (417) configured to authenticate a key for service tab key lock (485); the service tab key sensor (417) is configured to transmit key authentication report to the controller (416) and the controller (416) is subsequently transmit the report to the master locker (405) whereby the master locker is configured to issue a notification upon receipt of un-authenticated key report.

17. The system (100) according to claim 16, wherein the system (100) is configured to issue a delivery to the customer/card holder upon completion of a delivery sequence at the locker system.

18. The system (100) according to claim 2, wherein the master locker (405) is configured to maintain a log of history of drop-off by a customer/card holder in a single duration of time; and the master locker (405) is configured to open the same slave locker (415) of which the same customer/card holder has made an earlier drop off within that duration of time.