WO2019102506A1 - System for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods and related method - Google Patents

System for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods and related method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019102506A1
WO2019102506A1 PCT/IT2018/000148 IT2018000148W WO2019102506A1 WO 2019102506 A1 WO2019102506 A1 WO 2019102506A1 IT 2018000148 W IT2018000148 W IT 2018000148W WO 2019102506 A1 WO2019102506 A1 WO 2019102506A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
managing
parcel
autonomous
communication
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IT2018/000148
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Marco ALBIERO
Original Assignee
Absolute Ternus S.r.l.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Absolute Ternus S.r.l. filed Critical Absolute Ternus S.r.l.
Priority to EP18842578.9A priority Critical patent/EP3714408A1/en
Publication of WO2019102506A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019102506A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to a system and a method for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods.
  • the invention refers to a system configured to manage the autonomous and verified reception of goods, for example remotely purchased through Internet, in a plurality of containers, each of such containers being associated with at least one user of the system and designed to operate as delivery or collection point of the goods and dispatch of information related to the delivery or collection; the container can be installed at the user's domicile or in any place chosen by the user, and the delivery of goods can also happen in his absence.
  • each of such containers comprises position detecting means, and the address corresponding to each of such containers is signaled by sending to the system the detected position; alternatively, the address corresponding to each of such containers is indicated to the system by the user.
  • the invention further refers to a container equipped with an opening/closing device controlled by the system, associated with at least one user of the system and designed to operate as delivery point of the goods .
  • Systems and method for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods, in particular purchased through Internet, are known, and they provide for the delivery of the goods at the user's domicile .
  • a solution to this problem used by organizations which manage systems and method for selling and distributing goods is providing for self-service withdrawal points which are not nominal, but used by many users, equipped with containers in which the ordered goods are delivered, to allow the customers, after they receive a notification mail with a univocal code to be used for opening the container, to withdraw their own goods autonomously at a following time.
  • Object of the present invention is solving the above prior art problems by providing a system and a method for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods which allows a user to receive a good by a container associated therewith, also in case of his absence; moreover, the system and the method for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods of the invention allow receiving a purchased good from any supplier.
  • the above and other objects and advantages of the invention are reached with a system and a method for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods as claimed in the independent claims.
  • Preferred embodiments and non-trivial variations of the present invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.
  • the present invention also deals with a container which can be installed at the address chosen by a user, designed to operate as delivery point of goods shipped by third parties and integrated in a system for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a system for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods according to the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a block diagram of an electronic circuit of a container of the system for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods according to the present invention.
  • Figure 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a method for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods according to the present invention.
  • a system 20 for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods comprises a plurality of containers 1, each of such containers 1 being associated with at least one user of the system 20 and designed to operate as delivery or collection point of the goods and dispatch of information related to the delivery or collection; a communication server 4, configured to manage the communication of the system 20 through a network 15, preferably an Internet network, each container 1 further comprising communication means designed to connect it to the communication server 4 and/or to at least one other container 1 through the network 15.
  • each of such containers 1 comprises position detecting means, for example a Global Positioning System, GPS, module of a known type, and the address corresponding to each of such containers 1 is signaled by sending to the communication server 4, through the communication means, the detected position; alternatively, the address corresponding to each of such containers 1 is indicated to the communication server 4 by the user of the system, through the communication means .
  • position detecting means for example a Global Positioning System, GPS, module of a known type
  • the system 20 further comprises a WEB server 6 connected, through the network 15, through communication means of a known type and a suitable transmission protocol designed to guarantee the safety of the data transmission, to the communication server 4 and designed to be connected with a plurality of electronic processors 14, such as smartphones or personal computers, configured to communicate users and suppliers, such as sellers or carriers, or other users, for example for the withdrawal of a parcel from a box and the transmission to another box, with the system 20;
  • the WEB server 6 is configured to manage information related to users and to suppliers of the system 20, to the shipments and to the registry of the containers, to manage the transmission and the reception of messages through a server 10 for managing mails/SMSs/notifications of a known type, preferably via e-mail and/or SMS, and for managing commands/information from and to the container 1.
  • the communication server 4 is configured to manage, with suitable managing programs, the exchange of messages with the containers 1, the control of the operating presence of the containers 1, the firmware updates, the interchange of data with the containers 1 and with the WEB server 6, using one or more operating Databases, DB 8a, containing data related to the containers 1, such as for example profiling data, data related to their operating status, the history of in/out messages and the like, and using a file server 9 of a known type containing log files, message queues, backup data.
  • DB 8a operating Databases
  • the WEB server 6 is configured to manage, with suitable managing programs, the interchange of data, related to the delivery or of other type, with electronic processors 14 of users and suppliers connected to the network 15 and with the communication server 4, the activation of the containers 1, the recording of users, dispositive activities, report activities, using one or more WEB Databases, DB 8b containing data related to users and to suppliers of the system 20, to shipments and to the registry of containers 1, and using the server 10 for managing mails/SMSs/notifications of a known type, to manage for example the interchange of messages with users and suppliers for authentication and marketing procedures, the periodic reporting transmission, the transmission/reception of diagnostic messages from the containers 1.
  • the managing program is designed to manage said at least one WEB database 8b comprising information related to executed orders and information related to the user which has performed the order, to the suppliers, in particular sellers or carriers, such as for example: name and surname, residence/domicile address, tax code, telephone numbers, payment methods, electronic mail address or user name provided in the recording step, and password .
  • the managing program is further designed to manage said at least one WEB database 8b comprising information related to the suppliers of the goods which can be received by the user and to the couriers that can be used to perform the shipment, such as for example name, address, telephone numbers, electronic mail address.
  • the system 20 for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods comprises managing modules 3 and 5 configured to use the information related to the containers 1 contained in the operating database 8a, and the information related to the performed shipments, the information related to users and to suppliers contained in the WEB database 8b.
  • the communication server 4, the WEB server 6 and optionally at least one of the electronic processors 14 comprise software managing means 3, 5, 7 configured to manage the operating database 8a and the WEB database 8b; preferably, the electronic processors 14 comprise the software managing means 7, in particular an APP in case of a smartphone, configured to manage the insertion of information in the WEB database 8b, preferably by connecting through a Web portal .
  • the containers 1 and/or the communication server 4 of the system 20 for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods of the invention preferably comprise identifying software modules configured to manage the identification of every container 1, and the activation of the opening/closing device through access control means 34, using the information related to the user which has performed the order, the univocal shipment information, and the information related to suppliers of goods which can be purchases or received by the user, and to the couriers that can be used to perform the shipment, contained in the WEB database 8b.
  • the container 1 comprises a carrier structure, designed to contain the received parcel, an electronic circuit 30 and an electric supply module 31, for example a battery or a solar panel and/or the domestic electric network, electrically connected to the electronic circuit 30;
  • the carrier structure comprises fastening means, configured to allow the fastening to the ground and/or to a wall, in an accessible from outside, of the container 1; alternatively, the carrier structure is configured to be removably fastened, to allow its movement upon the user's choice, in order to use it from different addresses.
  • the container 1 further comprises at least one access opening closed by a door having an opening/closing device 35, for example an electric lock 35, controlled by the system 20, preferably by the container 1, through the access control means 34 connected thereto, and capable of being activated by the system 20, in a preferred way by the communication server 4 through the software managing means 7, in particular an APP in case of a smartphone; preferably, the container 1 comprises two access openings, each closed by a door, an upper one for depositing the parcels by a courier, and a lower or rear one from which the parcels are withdrawn by the user.
  • an opening/closing device 35 for example an electric lock 35
  • the container 1 comprises two access openings, each closed by a door, an upper one for depositing the parcels by a courier, and a lower or rear one from which the parcels are withdrawn by the user.
  • the electronic circuit 30 comprises a microcontroller 33, the access control means 34 comprising identifying means designed to identify a user and/or a supplier and/or a parcel to enable it to access to the container 1, for example composed of a video-camera or of an optical code reader, for example QR codes, IR codes, barcodes, preferably printed on the parcel being delivered.
  • the access control means 34 comprising identifying means designed to identify a user and/or a supplier and/or a parcel to enable it to access to the container 1, for example composed of a video-camera or of an optical code reader, for example QR codes, IR codes, barcodes, preferably printed on the parcel being delivered.
  • the electronic circuit 30 further comprises the opening/closing device 35, for example the electric lock 35, a communication module 36, for example a communication module of the wireless Wi- Fi or Bluetooth type, or a network card or GPRS modem, designed to communicate the container 1 with the communication server 4 through the network 15, preferably the Internet network, and/or designed to communicate the container 1 with the electronic processors 14 by means of the software managing means 7, in particular an APP in case of a smartphone, which can be coupled through a univocal code, for example QR, binary, alphanumeric codes, etc.
  • the electronic circuit 30 comprises: a signaling module 32 configured to manage status information, for example the operation of the container 1, battery level, etc. through signaling means, such as for example LED or alphanumeric display; a presence detecting module 37, for example a Rfid reader designed to detect the presence of a courier, and a push-button 41 designed to activate the system 20 in order to save the battery; a modulo 38 for verifying the door opening/closure 38, designed to detect the opening, and a presence verifying module 39 of the parcel in the container 1.
  • a signaling module 32 configured to manage status information, for example the operation of the container 1, battery level, etc. through signaling means, such as for example LED or alphanumeric display
  • a presence detecting module 37 for example a Rfid reader designed to detect the presence of a courier, and a push-button 41 designed to activate the system 20 in order to save the battery
  • a modulo 38 for verifying the door opening/closure 38, designed to detect the opening, and a presence verifying
  • Figure 3 shows an example of a method for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods according to the invention comprising a first, optional step 101 of purchasing a good, in which a user which uses the system 20 comprising a container 1 performs a purchase order of a good, for example on an Internet site, by a supplier which in turn receives said order.
  • the system 20 communicates to the supplier which user has a container 1, for example via e-mail, and the supplier sends the parcel containing the purchased good to a courier.
  • the method goes on with a step 103 of receiving the parcel by the courier, which can be the starting step of the method, for example in case of a shipment of a good between two users of the system 20, without its purchase; in this step 103, the courier provides the shipment code to the supplier or to the user which ships the good, and from this latter one the code is supplied to the user which must receive the good, who, after a protected access, programs the container 1 for receiving the good and the code placed on the parcel containing the shipped good, preferably through the communication module 36 and the software managing means 3, 7, in particular an APP in case of a smartphone .
  • the courier provides the shipment code to the supplier or to the user which ships the good, and from this latter one the code is supplied to the user which must receive the good, who, after a protected access, programs the container 1 for receiving the good and the code placed on the parcel containing the shipped good, preferably through the communication module 36 and the software managing means 3, 7, in particular an APP in case of a smartphone .
  • the communication server 4 is warned, through the software managing means 3, 7, in particular an APP in case of a smartphone, of the incoming arrival of the parcel and verifies the presence, in the WEB database 8b, of a user subscription, and sends an opening code to the container 1 , through the network 15.
  • Step 105 is then performed, for arranging the container 1, wherein the container 1 receives the opening code from the communication server 4 and programs itself for the arrival of the shipped parcel .
  • the method goes on with a step 106 of transmitting and delivering the parcel by the courier, wherein the parcel is shipped and, once it has reached the container 1, is identified by the access control means 34, in particular by the identifying means.
  • the container 1 signals with the signaling means the consent to the opening and through the access control means 34 enables the opening of the opening/closing device 35 of the container 1; preferably, a timer is started for controlling the opening time of the door .
  • step 108 the parcel is inserted by the courier into the container 1, and in a step 109 the closure of the opening/closing device 35 of the container 1 is enabled, preferably before the timer arrives at the end of the count.
  • the presence verifying module 39 verifies that the parcel is in the container 1, and signals to the communication server 4, through the software managing means 3, 7, in particular an
  • the WEB server 6 notifies a message to the user, through the software managing means 3, 7, in particular an APP in case of a smartphone, the occurred delivery or the absence of the parcel, through the network 15.
  • step 111 the container 1 signals with the signaling means that the consent to the opening has been denied and goes back to a sleeping step.
  • the system and method for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods of the invention thereby allow receiving the good by a container associated with the user, also when he is absent, and receiving a purchased good from any supplier.
  • the system and method for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods of the invention allow: receiving parcels having various sizes; suitably protecting from adverse weather and common climatic conditions (temperatures included between -20 and 80 °C) , both parcels and electronics; guaranteeing an adequate safety against possible tampering; resisting in time through adequate materials which do not deteriorate; guaranteeing repeatability of opening and closure of doors; guaranteeing an easy maintenance and a quick replacement of failed components; guaranteeing deposit and withdrawal of parcels.

Abstract

A system (20) is described, for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods comprising: a plurality of containers (1) associated with users of the system (20) and operating as delivery or collection point of the goods and dispatch of information related to the delivery or collection, each container (1) comprising communication means designed to connect it to a communication server (4) through a network (15); a WEB server (6) connected, through the network (15) and through communication means, to the communication server (4) and designed to be connected with a plurality of electronic processors (14) configured for communicating users and suppliers with the system (20). A method for managing of such system is also described.

Description

SYSTEM FOR MANAGING THE AUTONOMOUS AND VERIFIED RECEPTION OF GOODS AND RELATED METHOD
The present invention refers to a system and a method for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods.
In particular, the invention refers to a system configured to manage the autonomous and verified reception of goods, for example remotely purchased through Internet, in a plurality of containers, each of such containers being associated with at least one user of the system and designed to operate as delivery or collection point of the goods and dispatch of information related to the delivery or collection; the container can be installed at the user's domicile or in any place chosen by the user, and the delivery of goods can also happen in his absence.
In an embodiment of the invention, each of such containers comprises position detecting means, and the address corresponding to each of such containers is signaled by sending to the system the detected position; alternatively, the address corresponding to each of such containers is indicated to the system by the user.
The invention further refers to a container equipped with an opening/closing device controlled by the system, associated with at least one user of the system and designed to operate as delivery point of the goods .
Systems and method for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods, in particular purchased through Internet, are known, and they provide for the delivery of the goods at the user's domicile .
These known systems and method however are not satisfactory and have the problem of requiring the presence of a user upon delivery.
A solution to this problem used by organizations which manage systems and method for selling and distributing goods is providing for self-service withdrawal points which are not nominal, but used by many users, equipped with containers in which the ordered goods are delivered, to allow the customers, after they receive a notification mail with a univocal code to be used for opening the container, to withdraw their own goods autonomously at a following time.
These known systems and methods anyway have the problem of not allowing the user to receive the parcel at an address of his choice and without an attendance; moreover, they are owned by the distribution and/or sales organization and do not allow the user to receive a purchased good from different suppliers.
Object of the present invention is solving the above prior art problems by providing a system and a method for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods which allows a user to receive a good by a container associated therewith, also in case of his absence; moreover, the system and the method for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods of the invention allow receiving a purchased good from any supplier.
The above and other objects and advantages of the invention, as will result from the following description, are reached with a system and a method for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods as claimed in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments and non-trivial variations of the present invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims. The present invention also deals with a container which can be installed at the address chosen by a user, designed to operate as delivery point of goods shipped by third parties and integrated in a system for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods.
It is intended that all enclosed claims are an integral part of the present description.
It will be immediately obvious that numerous variations and modifications (for example related to shape, sizes, arrangements and parts with equivalent functionality) can be made to what is described, without departing from the scope of the invention as appears from the enclosed claims .
The present invention will be better described by a preferred embodiment thereof, provided as a non- limiting example, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:
— Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a system for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods according to the present invention;
— Figure 2 is a block diagram of an electronic circuit of a container of the system for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods according to the present invention; and
— Figure 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a method for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods according to the present invention.
With reference to the Figures, a system 20 for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods according to the invention comprises a plurality of containers 1, each of such containers 1 being associated with at least one user of the system 20 and designed to operate as delivery or collection point of the goods and dispatch of information related to the delivery or collection; a communication server 4, configured to manage the communication of the system 20 through a network 15, preferably an Internet network, each container 1 further comprising communication means designed to connect it to the communication server 4 and/or to at least one other container 1 through the network 15.
Preferably, each of such containers 1 comprises position detecting means, for example a Global Positioning System, GPS, module of a known type, and the address corresponding to each of such containers 1 is signaled by sending to the communication server 4, through the communication means, the detected position; alternatively, the address corresponding to each of such containers 1 is indicated to the communication server 4 by the user of the system, through the communication means .
The system 20 further comprises a WEB server 6 connected, through the network 15, through communication means of a known type and a suitable transmission protocol designed to guarantee the safety of the data transmission, to the communication server 4 and designed to be connected with a plurality of electronic processors 14, such as smartphones or personal computers, configured to communicate users and suppliers, such as sellers or carriers, or other users, for example for the withdrawal of a parcel from a box and the transmission to another box, with the system 20; the WEB server 6 is configured to manage information related to users and to suppliers of the system 20, to the shipments and to the registry of the containers, to manage the transmission and the reception of messages through a server 10 for managing mails/SMSs/notifications of a known type, preferably via e-mail and/or SMS, and for managing commands/information from and to the container 1.
In a preferred way, the communication server 4 is configured to manage, with suitable managing programs, the exchange of messages with the containers 1, the control of the operating presence of the containers 1, the firmware updates, the interchange of data with the containers 1 and with the WEB server 6, using one or more operating Databases, DB 8a, containing data related to the containers 1, such as for example profiling data, data related to their operating status, the history of in/out messages and the like, and using a file server 9 of a known type containing log files, message queues, backup data.
In a preferred way, the WEB server 6 is configured to manage, with suitable managing programs, the interchange of data, related to the delivery or of other type, with electronic processors 14 of users and suppliers connected to the network 15 and with the communication server 4, the activation of the containers 1, the recording of users, dispositive activities, report activities, using one or more WEB Databases, DB 8b containing data related to users and to suppliers of the system 20, to shipments and to the registry of containers 1, and using the server 10 for managing mails/SMSs/notifications of a known type, to manage for example the interchange of messages with users and suppliers for authentication and marketing procedures, the periodic reporting transmission, the transmission/reception of diagnostic messages from the containers 1.
The managing program is designed to manage said at least one WEB database 8b comprising information related to executed orders and information related to the user which has performed the order, to the suppliers, in particular sellers or carriers, such as for example: name and surname, residence/domicile address, tax code, telephone numbers, payment methods, electronic mail address or user name provided in the recording step, and password .
The managing program is further designed to manage said at least one WEB database 8b comprising information related to the suppliers of the goods which can be received by the user and to the couriers that can be used to perform the shipment, such as for example name, address, telephone numbers, electronic mail address. The system 20 for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods comprises managing modules 3 and 5 configured to use the information related to the containers 1 contained in the operating database 8a, and the information related to the performed shipments, the information related to users and to suppliers contained in the WEB database 8b.
In an embodiment of the system 20 for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods according to the invention, the communication server 4, the WEB server 6 and optionally at least one of the electronic processors 14 comprise software managing means 3, 5, 7 configured to manage the operating database 8a and the WEB database 8b; preferably, the electronic processors 14 comprise the software managing means 7, in particular an APP in case of a smartphone, configured to manage the insertion of information in the WEB database 8b, preferably by connecting through a Web portal .
The containers 1 and/or the communication server 4 of the system 20 for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods of the invention preferably comprise identifying software modules configured to manage the identification of every container 1, and the activation of the opening/closing device through access control means 34, using the information related to the user which has performed the order, the univocal shipment information, and the information related to suppliers of goods which can be purchases or received by the user, and to the couriers that can be used to perform the shipment, contained in the WEB database 8b.
Preferably, the container 1 comprises a carrier structure, designed to contain the received parcel, an electronic circuit 30 and an electric supply module 31, for example a battery or a solar panel and/or the domestic electric network, electrically connected to the electronic circuit 30; in a preferred way, the carrier structure comprises fastening means, configured to allow the fastening to the ground and/or to a wall, in an accessible from outside, of the container 1; alternatively, the carrier structure is configured to be removably fastened, to allow its movement upon the user's choice, in order to use it from different addresses.
The container 1 further comprises at least one access opening closed by a door having an opening/closing device 35, for example an electric lock 35, controlled by the system 20, preferably by the container 1, through the access control means 34 connected thereto, and capable of being activated by the system 20, in a preferred way by the communication server 4 through the software managing means 7, in particular an APP in case of a smartphone; preferably, the container 1 comprises two access openings, each closed by a door, an upper one for depositing the parcels by a courier, and a lower or rear one from which the parcels are withdrawn by the user.
The electronic circuit 30 comprises a microcontroller 33, the access control means 34 comprising identifying means designed to identify a user and/or a supplier and/or a parcel to enable it to access to the container 1, for example composed of a video-camera or of an optical code reader, for example QR codes, IR codes, barcodes, preferably printed on the parcel being delivered.
The electronic circuit 30 further comprises the opening/closing device 35, for example the electric lock 35, a communication module 36, for example a communication module of the wireless Wi- Fi or Bluetooth type, or a network card or GPRS modem, designed to communicate the container 1 with the communication server 4 through the network 15, preferably the Internet network, and/or designed to communicate the container 1 with the electronic processors 14 by means of the software managing means 7, in particular an APP in case of a smartphone, which can be coupled through a univocal code, for example QR, binary, alphanumeric codes, etc.
In a preferred way, the electronic circuit 30 comprises: a signaling module 32 configured to manage status information, for example the operation of the container 1, battery level, etc. through signaling means, such as for example LED or alphanumeric display; a presence detecting module 37, for example a Rfid reader designed to detect the presence of a courier, and a push-button 41 designed to activate the system 20 in order to save the battery; a modulo 38 for verifying the door opening/closure 38, designed to detect the opening, and a presence verifying module 39 of the parcel in the container 1.
Figure 3 shows an example of a method for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods according to the invention comprising a first, optional step 101 of purchasing a good, in which a user which uses the system 20 comprising a container 1 performs a purchase order of a good, for example on an Internet site, by a supplier which in turn receives said order.
In a second, optional step 102, of receiving the order, the system 20 communicates to the supplier which user has a container 1, for example via e-mail, and the supplier sends the parcel containing the purchased good to a courier.
The method goes on with a step 103 of receiving the parcel by the courier, which can be the starting step of the method, for example in case of a shipment of a good between two users of the system 20, without its purchase; in this step 103, the courier provides the shipment code to the supplier or to the user which ships the good, and from this latter one the code is supplied to the user which must receive the good, who, after a protected access, programs the container 1 for receiving the good and the code placed on the parcel containing the shipped good, preferably through the communication module 36 and the software managing means 3, 7, in particular an APP in case of a smartphone .
In a following verifying step 104, the communication server 4 is warned, through the software managing means 3, 7, in particular an APP in case of a smartphone, of the incoming arrival of the parcel and verifies the presence, in the WEB database 8b, of a user subscription, and sends an opening code to the container 1 , through the network 15.
Step 105 is then performed, for arranging the container 1, wherein the container 1 receives the opening code from the communication server 4 and programs itself for the arrival of the shipped parcel .
The method goes on with a step 106 of transmitting and delivering the parcel by the courier, wherein the parcel is shipped and, once it has reached the container 1, is identified by the access control means 34, in particular by the identifying means.
If the parcel is identified by the access control means 34, in a step 107 the container 1 signals with the signaling means the consent to the opening and through the access control means 34 enables the opening of the opening/closing device 35 of the container 1; preferably, a timer is started for controlling the opening time of the door .
In a following step 108, the parcel is inserted by the courier into the container 1, and in a step 109 the closure of the opening/closing device 35 of the container 1 is enabled, preferably before the timer arrives at the end of the count.
In the step 109, the presence verifying module 39 verifies that the parcel is in the container 1, and signals to the communication server 4, through the software managing means 3, 7, in particular an
APP in case of a smartphone, the occurred delivery or the absence of the parcel , through the network 15.
Finally, in a step 110, the WEB server 6 notifies a message to the user, through the software managing means 3, 7, in particular an APP in case of a smartphone, the occurred delivery or the absence of the parcel, through the network 15.
Alternatively to step 107, if the parcel is not identified by the access control means 34, in a step 111 the container 1 signals with the signaling means that the consent to the opening has been denied and goes back to a sleeping step. Advantageously, the system and method for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods of the invention thereby allow receiving the good by a container associated with the user, also when he is absent, and receiving a purchased good from any supplier.
Advantageously, the system and method for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods of the invention allow: receiving parcels having various sizes; suitably protecting from adverse weather and common climatic conditions (temperatures included between -20 and 80 °C) , both parcels and electronics; guaranteeing an adequate safety against possible tampering; resisting in time through adequate materials which do not deteriorate; guaranteeing repeatability of opening and closure of doors; guaranteeing an easy maintenance and a quick replacement of failed components; guaranteeing deposit and withdrawal of parcels.

Claims

1. System (20) for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods comprising:
a plurality of containers (1) , each of such containers (1) being associated with at least one user of the system (20) and designed to operate as delivery or collection point of the goods and dispatch of information related to the delivery or collection, each container (1) comprising communication means designed to connect it to a communication server (4) through a network (15) ; the communication server (4) , configured to manage the communication of the system (20) through the network (15) ;
- a WEB server (6) connected, through the network (15) and through communication means, to the communication server (4) and designed to be connected with a plurality of electronic processors (14) configured for communicating users and suppliers with the system (20) , said WEB server (6) being configured to manage information related to users and to suppliers of the system (20) and to manage transmission and reception of messages and/or commands/information from and to the container (1) ; characterized in that every container (1) comprises :
a carrier structure designed to contain the received parcel, an electronic circuit (30) and an 5 electric supply module (31) electrically connected to the electronic circuit (30) ;
at least one access opening closed by a door having an opening/closing device (35) controlled through the access control means (34) connected 10 thereto, and capable of being activated by the communication server (4) through the software managing means (7) ; and
the electronic circuit (30) comprises a microcontroller (33), access control means (34) 15 comprising identifying means designed to identify a user and/or a supplier and/or a parcel to enable it to access the container (1) , and further comprises the opening/closing device (35) , a communication module (36) designed to communicate the container 20 (1) with the communication server (4) through the network (15) , and/or designed to communicate the container (1) with the electronic processors (14) by means of the software managing means (7) .
2. System (20) for managing the autonomous and 25 verified reception of goods according to claim 1, characterized in that each of such containers (1) comprises position detecting means, and the address corresponding to each of such containers (1) is signaled by sending to the communication server (4) , through the communication means, the detected position.
3. System (20) for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the address corresponding to each of such containers (1) is indicated to the communication server (4) by the user of the system, through the communication means.
4. System (20) for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the communication means are designed to connect each container (1) to at least one other container (1) .
5. System (20) for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the WEB server (6) is connected to the communication server (4) through a suitable transmission protocol designed to guarantee the safety of the transmission of data.
6. System (20) for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the communication server (4) is configured to manage an interchange of data with the containers (1) and with the WEB server (6) , using one or more operating databases (8a) containing data related to the containers (1) and a file server (9) .
7. System (20) for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the WEB server (6) is configured to manage the interchange of data related to delivery or of other type, with electronic processors (14) of users and suppliers connected to the network (15) and with the communication server (4) using one or more WEB databases (8b) containing data related to the users and to the suppliers, and using a server (10) to manage the interchange of messages with users and suppliers and the transmission/reception of messages to the containers (1) .
8. System (20) for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises managing modules (3, 5) configured in order to use the information related to containers (1) contained in the operating database (8a) and the information related to performed shipments, the information related to users and to suppliers contained in the WEB database (8b) .
9. System (20) for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the communication server (4) , the WEB server (6) and optionally at least one of the electronic processors (14) comprise software managing means (3, 5, 7) configured to manage the operating database (8a) and the WEB database (8b) .
10. System (20) for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods according to claim 9, characterized in that the electronic processors (14) comprise the software managing means (7) configured to manage an insertion of information in the WEB database (8b) .
11. System (20) for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the containers (1) and/or the communication server (4) comprise identifying software modules configured to manage the identification of every container (1) and the activation of an opening/closing device of the container (1) using at least one among information related to users, information related to suppliers of goods and to couriers contained in the WEB database (8b) .
12. Container (1) for a system (20) for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises a carrier structure designed to contain the received parcel, an electronic circuit (30) and an electric supply module (31) electrically connected to the electronic circuit (30) , at least one access opening closed by a door having an opening/closing device (35) controlled by the system (20) through the access control means (34) .
13. Method for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods with a system (20) for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the method comprises:
an optional step (101) of purchasing a good, in which a user performs a purchase order of a good by a supplier which in turn receives said order; an optional step (102) of receiving the order in which the system 20 communicates to the supplier which user has a container (1) , and the supplier sends the parcel containing the purchased good to a courier;
a step (103) of receiving the parcel by the courier, in which the courier provides the shipment code to the supplier or to a user which ships the good, and from him the code is supplied to the user that must receive the good, who, after a protected access, programs the container (1) for receiving the good and the code placed on the parcel containing the shipped good, through the communication module (36) and the software managing means (3, 7) ;
a verifying step (104) , wherein the communication server (4) is warned through the software managing means (3, 7) of the incoming arrival of the parcel and verifies the presence, in the WEB database (8b) , of a user subscription, and sends an opening code to the container (1) through the network (15) ;
a step (105) of arranging, wherein the container (1) receives the opening code from the communication server (4) and programs itself for the arrival of the shipped parcel ;
- a step (106) of transmitting and delivering the parcel by the courier, wherein the parcel is shipped and, once it has reached the container (1) , is identified by the access control means (34) ;
a step (107) wherein, if in the step (106) the parcel is identified by the access control means
(34) , the container (1) signals with signaling means the consent to its opening and through the access control means (34) enables the opening of the container (1) ;
- a step (108) , in which the parcel is inserted by the courier into the container (1) ,
a step (109) in which the closure of the opening/closing device (35) of the container (1) is enabled, and the presence verifying module (39) verifies that the parcel is in the container (1) , and signals to the communication server (4) through the software managing means (3, 7) the occurred delivery or the absence of the parcel, through the network (15) ;
- a step (110) wherein the WEB server (6) sends a message to the user, through the software managing means (3, 7) about the occurred delivery or the absence of the parcel , through the network (15) ;
- a step (111) , alternative to step (107) , in which, if the parcel is not identified by the access control means (34) , the container (1) signals with the signaling means that the consent to the opening has been denied.
PCT/IT2018/000148 2017-11-21 2018-11-16 System for managing the autonomous and verified reception of goods and related method WO2019102506A1 (en)

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WO2015089570A1 (en) * 2013-12-19 2015-06-25 Glynn Simon Postal delivery system and method
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JP2002114341A (en) * 2000-10-12 2002-04-16 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Home delivery business system
US20110302040A1 (en) * 2009-02-03 2011-12-08 Blank Pol Emanuilovich Vending system
WO2015089570A1 (en) * 2013-12-19 2015-06-25 Glynn Simon Postal delivery system and method
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