WO2021255716A1

WO2021255716A1 - Home delivery system of consumer goods

Info

Publication number: WO2021255716A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/055468
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fabio Salvadori
Original assignee: Alfa Holding Di Annarita Caponi E C. Sas
Priority date: 2020-06-19
Filing date: 2021-06-21
Publication date: 2021-12-23
Also published as: IT202000014830A1; EP4168960A1

Abstract

A home delivery system for consumer goods including: a central control unit (10); a memory module (20) communicating with the central control unit (10) and configured to contain a list (35) of goods to be monitored, each of the goods (30) being associated with an article code (31); a first subsystem (50) arranged in the user's home (40) and configured to identify by RFID scanning and the like the presence of goods (30) in the home and to provide a list (55) of goods present in the home, the first subsystem (50) being configured to communicate with the central control unit (10); a comparison module (60) configured to compare the list (35) of goods to be monitored with the list (55) of goods present in the home, and to form a list (65) of goods to be purchased when goods on the list (35) of goods to be monitored are present in the home (40) in less than a predetermined value; a purchase form (66), configured to automatically order electronically from suppliers available on the electronic market the goods in the list (65) of goods to be purchased; a delivery box (70) arranged in a peripheral position (45), external to the house (40) or on a perimeter of the house (40); a second subsystem (80) arranged in the delivery box (70) and configured to identify by RFID scanning and the like (81) the presence of goods (30) in the delivery box (70) and to provide a list (85) of goods delivered, the second subsystem (80) being configured to communicate with the central control unit (10); an updating module (90) configured to update the list (55) of goods present in the home by adding to it the goods delivered (85) in the delivery box (70). A delivery box to be used in said system.

Description

HOME DELIVERY SYSTEM OF CONSUMER GOODS

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a home delivery sys tem of consumer goods.

Technical problems - Background of the invention

[0002] There are increasingly widespread services for the delivery of consumer goods at home, both food and of any other kind, with orders placed online by the user. Most companies are equipped to receive online orders and make home deliveries.

[0003] Two types of problems arise with these services. A first is linked to having to remember to order in time the supplies that are running out or missing. In fact, delivery times can vary from a few hours to a few days, and therefore reordering must be done well in advance to avoid running out of products. The second is that of delivery, which requires people to be present and available to collect the incoming goods, or to equip themselves with sophisticated delivery boxes, such as those of the known technique de scribed below.

[0004] There are various methods of home sourcing of consumer goods. These systems allow to know automatically if a con sumer good is out of stock in the user's home.

[0005] For example, KR20070071420 or US7448546 have RFID sys tems that determine the presence or absence of a consumer good in the refrigerator at home or in a closet, and send an automatic notification to the user's mobile phone, which then has the updated list of what is in the fridge and what is missing. Similar systems are known from KR101136226 and KR20060114900. From KR20080089943, the user can know if the consumer goods are about to expire or have expired, so that the user can buy them back.

[0006] In US2015112759, an evolution of the above citations, the described system also prepares a shopping list, indi cating the items that are out of stock or running out and that should be restored.

[0007] In US10410177B2 a domestic inventory system is de scribed which, in addition to determining, for example by means of an RFID, or other remote object recognition system, which items are present in the home, can also automatically order them for delivery at home, as an alternative to simply alerting the user with notifications.

[0008] US2014252091A1 discloses an electronic identification system of purchased goods. It includes a scanning system and coded labels that facilitate uniform identification of goods within a retail zone or within a family. The goods are delivered directly to the sales zone or into the hands of the consumer, with complete tracking of the same. There is no delivery system without the direct intervention of the recipient of the goods.

[0009] As far as delivery is concerned, there are known de livery boxes, i.e. safety containers to allow couriers to introduce parcels for delivery and prevent theft of parcels left near the house in the absence of the recipient, as for example described in US2018029760. Similarly, W02020025098 provides for a remote opening delivery box with blockchain authentication .

[0010] There are also dual access delivery boxes, street side and home side, to allow both the courier making the delivery and the user to have safe access. For example, US2020020189 describes a type, in which the authentication of the courier is done through security codes issued by the courier's vehicle, to activate the opening on the street side.

[0011] The aforementioned systems enable a safe delivery of the goods. Although the user receives in many cases a notification of the delivered goods, the tracking of the goods is interrupted upon delivery in the delivery box. The user then picks up the goods and places them at home in the appropriate places.

[0012] Locker systems are also known, as described in US2003025590, controlled by a central processor which mon itors their status and assigns rewritable access codes, allowing them to be reserved for the withdrawal of objects. The system works as a goods delivery hub, especially suit able for those who do not have a delivery box at home, and may not be present at the time of a home delivery. The user is notified of the number of the locker where the goods were delivered and a password for opening, so that they can freely arrange for collection.

[0013] US2012326840 finally describes a system for send ing or collecting postal parcels provided with boxes of different sizes and having a unique identifier in order to be able to open the relative access door. A control unit knows which delivery boxes are free, and what their size is. A label with its own RFID transponder to it associated is applied to the object, indicating also the size of the object. A centralized reading device simultaneously detects the RFID transponders of objects located within a dispatch area and the control unit signals which cassette is free with suitable volume so that the user can place a certain object to be shipped.

Summary of the invention

[0014] An object of the invention is to provide a home delivery system for consumer goods that allows the tracking of the goods not to be interrupted when passing from the delivery box to the home.

[0015] It is also an object of the invention to provide a home delivery system for consumer goods that allows the user to safely manage the delivery of goods by couriers and collection by the user.

[0016] It is also an object of the invention to provide a home supply system for consumer goods that allows the user to store fresh or hot food even in the phase between deliv ery and collection by the user.

[0017] It is a further purpose of the invention to provide a similar home delivery system for consumer goods that al lows the user to automatically receive goods before stocks run out in the user's home.

[0018] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a delivery box that can be used in such a system.

[0019] It is a particular object of the invention to pro vide a delivery box that is easily manageable both by the operators and by the users of the home supply system for consumer goods.

[0020] These and other objects are achieved by a home sup ply system for consumer goods comprising:

- a central control unit;

- a memory module communicating with the central control unit and configured to contain a list of goods to be monitored, each of the goods being associated with an item code;

- a first subsystem arranged in the user's home and con figured to identify the presence of goods in the home by RFID scanning and the like and to provide a list of goods present in the home, the first subsystem being configured to communicate with the central control unit; - a comparison module configured to compare the list of goods to be monitored with the list of goods present in the home, and to form a list of goods to be purchased when goods from the list of goods to be monitored are present in the home in less than a predetermined value;

- a purchase module, configured to automatically order the goods of the list of goods to be purchased from suppliers available on the electronic market;

- a delivery box arranged in a peripheral position, ex ternal to the house or on a perimeter of the house;

- a second subsystem arranged in the delivery box and configured to identify by RFID scanning and the like the presence of goods in the delivery box and to pro vide a list of delivered goods, the second subsystem being configured to communicate with the central con trol unit;

- an update module configured to update the list of goods present in the home by adding to it the goods delivered in the delivery box.

[0021] In this way, the tracking of the goods is not inter rupted at the time of delivery in the delivery box.

[0022] Advantageously, the delivery box comprises a safe opening device and a recognition module, configured to au thorize the safe opening device when an operator, for ex ample a courier, is carrying out the delivery in the deliv ery box.

[0023] In particular, the delivery box comprises an input device for input of a code connected to the safe opening device in such a way that, upon delivery, the courier re ceives from the system an opening code of limited duration which the courier can input through the input device for opening the delivery box. [0024] In particular, the recognition module is config ured to receive an opening request from the operator, to perform a scan to recognize goods in a neighborhood of the delivery box, to recognize the article code of at least one of the items on the list of goods to be purchased in the vicinity of the delivery box, sending an opening command to the safe opening device.

[0025] Advantageously, the delivery box comprises at least one refrigerated compartment. Preferably, the deliv ery box comprises at least one refrigerated compartment and at least one freezer compartment.

[0026] In a possible embodiment, the delivery box is transportable, for example on wheels. In this way, the user can use the delivery box as a trolley to carry objects from the peripheral position to the home, and vice-versa.

[0027] In a possible embodiment, the delivery box is equipped with wheels and in particular is configured as a trolley, so that the user can carry the objects from the peripheral position to the home, and vice versa.

[0028] In a possible embodiment, the delivery box is formed by a first fixed portion and a mobile portion equipped with wheels. In particular, the fixed portion com prises the refrigerated and / or heated compartment, and the mobile portion of the delivery box comprises non-re- frigerated or non-heated departments. In this way, the mov able portion can be made of light materials and therefore easily transportable on wheels, for example, as a trolley or cart. The user can transfer heated or cooled / frozen goods from the fixed portion to the mobile portion, for the time of transport to the home.

[0029] In a possible embodiment, the delivery box com prises at least one thermoregulated compartment connected with a thermoregulation device, and said thermoregulation device is connected with said second subsystem, so that when in said at least one thermoregulated compartment said sub system identifies consumer goods to be kept at a predeter mined temperature, said second subsystem activates said thermoregulation device so as to keep said thermoregulated compartment at said predetermined temperature.

[0030] In this way, deliveries can take place at any time, both at night and at times when the user is not present at home, without the risk of deterioration of goods that require refrigeration or maintain a state of freezing.

[0031] In a possible embodiment, the second subsystem comprises a remote portion, configured to be arranged in a region near a gate having an opening device, for example an entrance gate to a house or an opening gate or condominium door, and the recognition module is configured to be elec trically connected to the opening device.

[0032] In particular, the recognition module is config ured to perform a remote recognition function at the time of an opening request from the operator, to perform a scan to recognize goods in a neighborhood of the gate, upon recognition of the code item of at least one of the items on the list of goods to be purchased in the vicinity of the gate, sending an opening command to the gate opening device. [0033] Advantageously, the first subsystem comprises:

- an RFID transceiver placed in a predetermined zone, con figured to scan the zone to identify RFID return signals from respective RFID tags placed in the zone;

- a local control unit configured to communicate with the RFID transceiver, to obtain article codes from the return signals and to store a current list of article codes present in the zone.

[0034] In a possible embodiment, said RFIDs present on said articles can be altered at the moment of the first use of said articles, and said local control unit is configured to delete from said current list of article codes present in the zone those article codes corresponding to the altered RFIDs.

[0035] Advantageously, the RFID tags are selected from passive tags and active tags capable of capturing energy from the surrounding zone, in particular RFID Wiliot® tags or similar, said first and second subsystem being configured to identify by scanning both passive RFID tags and active RFID tags.

[0036] According to another aspect of the invention, a de livery box is provided for a home supply system for consumer goods, said delivery box being configured to be arranged in a peripheral position, external to a house or perimeter with respect to said house; said delivery box including

- a subsystem arranged in said delivery box and configured to identify by RFID scanning tags and the like, active or passive, the presence of goods bearing said tags in said delivery box and to form a list of said goods;

- an opening door designed to open or close said delivery box and to allow the introduction or removal of said goods in or from said delivery box;

- a safe opening device, configured to close or open said opening door;

- a recognition module, configured to authorize said safe opening device of said delivery box when an operator is carrying out said delivery in said delivery box, said recog nition module being configured to receive an opening request from an operator containing an opening code, and to compare it with a pre-authorization message stored in said recog nition module, or optionally stored in a central control unit connected to a user interface device;

- wherein said recognition module is configured to send to said safe opening device of said delivery box an opening signal when said pre-authorization message is stored in said recognition module receives a request of opening that con tains said opening code.

[0037] Advantageously, the delivery box comprises wheels, and in particular is configured as a trolley, so that the user can carry said goods from a peripheral position to the house while keeping them in said trolley, in particular said delivery box has an optionally retractable handle, and a door that can be opened as drawer or as a flap, once the opening device has been safely unlocked.

[0038] Preferably, the safe opening device is an automatic opening and closing mechanism of the door, in particular said recognition module is configured to receive a request for opening and closing the door from the operator or the user and to operate an automatic opening of said safe open ing device automatically or through the central control unit, and said recognition module is configured to automat ically close said safe opening device and send an error signal to said recognition module, or optionally to the central control unit in case of non-closing or unscheduled opening.

[0039] In a possible embodiment, the delivery box further comprises a GPS detector, and wherein said delivery box comprises said recognition module configured to allow the operator to be guided to the delivery box by a GPS position signal provided by said GPS detector, in particular said delivery box comprises an ethernet module for connecting it to cloud services, in particular said delivery box comprises an electrical power supply element in said peripheral po sition.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the delivery box comprises a signaling element, for example with LEDs or a transparent micro-perforated backlit foil, or other visual signal, po sitioned visibly on the outside of said delivery box, and configured to turn on when the operator sends said opening request or an automatic access code, in particular the sig naling element is positioned on the opening door or on the body of the delivery box.

[0041] [0041] In a possible embodiment, the delivery box comprises a transportable portion equipped with wheels and a fixed portion, in particular said fixed portion comprising a thermoregulated compartment, in particular said subsystem is configured to operate a thermoregulation device associ ated with said fixed portion, to cause cooling or heating in the thermoregulated compartment as a function of infor mation associated with said RFID tag.

Brief description of the drawings [0042] The invention will be illustrated below with the de scription of its embodiments, made by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a block diagram with flow indications of a home supply system for consumer goods according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the home supply system for consumer goods according to the in vention, illustrating a possible courier identification module;

- Figure 3 is a block diagram of a possible layout of a delivery box that can be used in the home delivery system of consumer goods according to the invention;

- Figure 4 is a block diagram of a possible other layout of a delivery box that can be used in the home delivery system of consumer goods according to the invention;

- Figure 5 is a block diagram of a peripheral recogni tion module, usable at an external entrance with respect to access to the delivery box.

- Figures 6 to 13 show various embodiments of delivery boxes according to the invention, transportable or with transportable portions thereof.

Description of preferred embodiments

[0043] With reference to the aforementioned figures, a home supply system for consumer goods is configured to allow continuous and uninterrupted tracking of the goods in the passage from the delivery box to the home. This is allowed by scanning, directly from the delivery box, the goods as they are delivered by the respective couriers.

[0044] The consumer goods home delivery system can be con figured to automatically receive goods before stocks run out in the user's home.

[0045] In a possible embodiment, with reference to Figure 1, a home supply system for consumer goods comprises a central control unit 10, a memory module 20 communicating with the central control unit 10 and configured to contain a list 35 of goods 30 to be monitored. The list of goods to be monitored 35 is periodically updated by the user in a way not shown for simplicity, for example by a PC or port able device.

[0046] An article code 31, normally assigned by the man ufacturer, is associated with each of the goods. In many products, the code is associated with an RFID tag 32, nor mally used on goods, for example as an anti-theft device. The RFID tag can be of the passive type, as commonly used, or of the active type, for example of the WILIOT® type or equivalent, which are powered by energy captured from the surrounding environment. In the case of active RFID tag 31, the scan can be performed by signal reading devices, for example Bluetooth®, coming from them. [0047] In a way not shown, as it is can be easily imple mented, the code 31 can be the same that is normally visible in the form of a QR code, for example a bar code, and alongside an alphanumeric code. Alternatively the RFID code 31 can be a different code associated with the QR code / alphanumeric code, detectable by radiofrequency scan or equivalent scan.

[0048] Through the RFID tag 31, the item can be scanned in a domestic zone 40, or a sub-part of the domestic zone, for example a pantry 41, a wardrobe 42 or a refrigerator 42, a bathroom, etc.

[0049] According to the invention, the zone 40 is scanned by a first subsystem 50 arranged in the user's home and configured to identify, by RFID scanning and the like, the presence of goods 30 in the home and to provide a list 55 of goods present in the home. The first subsystem 50 is configured to communicate with the central control unit 10.

[0050] For example, the first subsystem 50 provides at least one or more transceivers 51, configured to scan the zone 40 or its sub-parts and identify RFID return signals 52 from respective RFID tags 32 found in the zone 40 and belonging to respective goods 30. Once the zone has been scanned, a list 55 of goods present in the home in the zone 40 is obtained.

[0051] The home delivery system also comprises a compar ison module 60 configured to compare the list 35 of goods to be monitored with the list 55 of goods present in the home, and to form a list 65 of goods to be purchased.

[0052] In particular, the list of goods to be purchased 65 is determined by goods from the list of goods to be monitored 35 which are present in list 55 of the goods present in the home, i.e. in the zone 40 of the house, in a number lower than a value of predetermined reordering. For example, if the reorder value is 1, the monitored asset will be included in list 65 if that asset is absent. If the reorder value is 2, the monitored asset will be included in list 65 if that asset is absent, in which case two will be included in list 65, or if it is present in only one example, in which case it is only one will be inserted in the list 65. Obviously, the list 65 of goods to be purchased can also contain goods that the user can occasionally order, in a way not shown for simplicity, for example from his own PC or portable device.

[0053] The home delivery system also comprises a purchase module 66, configured to automatically order electroni cally, for example from suppliers available on the elec tronic market, the goods present in the home of the list of goods to be purchased 65. This purchase module 66 is a program that sends a purchase order to a supplier or several suppliers 68, comprising the list 65 of goods to be pur chased. The program can choose specific goods to be pur chased entered by the user in lists predetermined by the user, and search for any offers on the electronic market. If the user preliminarily authorizes, the program can add goods belonging to lists predetermined by the user and which are sold with promotional offers.

[0054] In this case, the user may select preliminarily these suppliers 68, or the suppliers 68 may be indicated by providers who manage the delivery service.

[0055] The home supply system also includes a delivery box 70 arranged in a peripheral position 45 of the home, for example one outside the home or perimeter with respect to the home. If the house is a condominium, the peripheral position 45 where the delivery box 70 is located can be a condominium space. [0056] The home delivery system can also comprise a sec ond subsystem 80 arranged in the delivery box 70 and con figured to identify by RFID scanning and the like the pres ence of goods in the delivery box 70 and to provide a list 85 of delivered goods.

[0057] The second subsystem 80 is configured to communi cate with the central control unit 10. For example, the second subsystem 80 can provide transceivers 81, configured to scan the interior of the delivery box 70 or its sub parts and to identify return RFID signals 82 from respective RFID labels 32 found in the delivery box 70 and belonging to respective purchased goods 30. Once scanned the delivery box 70 the user gets the list 85 of goods present in the home in the delivery box 70.

[0058] The home supply system also comprises an updating module 90 configured to update the list 55 of goods present in the home by adding to it the goods 85 delivered in the delivery box 70.

[0059] In this way, thanks to the second subsystem 80, which monitors the goods present in the delivery box 70, and to the update module 90, the tracking of the goods is continuous and is not interrupted at the time of delivery, and the list of goods present in the home 55 is always updated. This allows the user to always be aware of the goods present in the home 55 and to prevent goods from being ordered that are absent in the zone 40 but present in the delivery box 70.

[0060] In order to allow a safe delivery of the goods by couriers, the delivery box can be equipped with systems for recognizing the goods as the couriers deliver it.

[0061] In particular, as shown in Fig. 2 or in Fig. 4 or Fig. 5, the delivery box 70 can comprise a safe opening device 71 and a recognition module 72, configured to au thorize the safe opening device 71 when an operator 100, for example a courier, is making the delivery in the deliv ery box 70.

[0062] In particular, the recognition module 72 is con figured to receive an opening request 101 from operator 100. For example, the opening request 101 can be a text message, or a telephone call, or an automatic code prepared in the delivery order, sent to the control unit 10. In a possible solution, the control unit 10 can directly command the open ing of the safe opening device 71. In a possible embodiment, an opening request can be presented with a password of temporary duration that the operator 100 has received to gether with the goods to be delivered.

[0063] In particular, the delivery box can comprise an input device 75 for input of a code connected to the safe opening device, and upon acceptance of the delivery the courier receives from the system an opening code of limited duration which the courier can insert into the input device for opening the delivery box. Obviously the input device 75 can be any, for example with keyboard, touch-screen or wire less which appears on the monitor of a portable device of the courier.

[0064] In a possible embodiment, shown in Fig. 2, appli cable for example in combination with Fig. 1, the recogni tion module 72 can be configured to cause transceivers 81 of the subsystem 80 to scan and recognize goods in a sur rounding of the delivery box 70. The transceivers 81 of the subsystem 80 in this case can send the codes of any RFID tags scanned, of goods 30 present in the surroundings, to the central control unit 10.

[0065] Upon recognition of the article code of at least one of the objects 30 of the list of goods to be purchased 65 in the vicinity of the delivery box 70, the control unit 10 can command directly, by sending a command 74, for ex ample with a wired or wireless command, for triggering the opening of the safe opening device 71. Alternatively, the recognition module 72 can be configured to be wired or wireless connected to an opening device 48 of the gate 47 for opening the delivery box, after authorization control unit 10, as shown for example in Fig. 5.

[0066] To avoid a deterioration of the delivered goods, for example goods that must be kept fresh or frozen in the phase between delivery and collection by the user, the de livery box 70 can be equipped with several compartments, at least one of which is of the refrigerated 76 or of the freezer type 77, as schematically shown in Fig. 3, and as detailed further on in Figures 6 to 13. The delivery box 70 can also contain, in a manner not shown, reserved compart ments, which provide a distinct opening system, similar to the safe opening device 71, but which can be opened with separate codes. In this way, in the reserved compartments it is possible to insert goods of high value to which an operator 100 authorized for some compartments but not au thorized for other compartments cannot access.

[0067] The same applies to goods 30 which are to be kept warm, where a compartment 78 may be provided which is kept warm or hot.

[0068] In a possible embodiment described in Fig. 4, the delivery box 70 has at least one thermoregulated compartment 79 connected with a thermoregulation device 88. The latter can be logically connected with the second subsystem 80, associated with the delivery box 70. Thanks to this config uration, when in the at least one thermoregulated compart ment 79 the second subsystem 80 identifies by scanning 81 a good 37 to be kept at a predetermined temperature, it consequently activates the thermoregulation device 88 so as to maintain the thermoregulated compartment 79 at the pre determined temperature. The thermoregulation device 88 can be, for example, a heat pump or a Peltier effect device, or comprise a cooling and a heating circuit to be operated alternatively with respect to each other, or even a connec tion to a remote circuit, -heating / cooling, all not shown for simplicity.

[0069] For example, when recognizing goods 37 to be kept fresh, the second subsystem 80 will operate the thermoreg ulation device 88, to cause a cooling in the thermoregulated compartment 79, while, recognizing goods 37 to be kept warm, the second subsystem 80 will operate the thermoregulation device 88 to supply heating in the thermoregulated compart ment 79. Obviously, in a way not shown, several thermoreg ulated compartments controlled by the second subsystem 80 and by the thermoregulation device 88 can be provided, at respective different temperatures, depending on goods 37 which they are recognized in them. The thermoregulated com partments can also be provided in a part of the delivery box distinct from a non thermoregulated part, for example as described below for some embodiments.

[0070] Thanks to the invention, the automatic safe de livery and the maintenance of the goods has the advantage that deliveries can take place at any time, both during the night and at times when the user is not present at home, without the risk of deterioration of goods that require refrigeration or maintain a state of freezing.

[0071] In a possible embodiment, shown in Fig. 5, for example achievable in combination with Fig. 1, the second subsystem 80 comprises a remote portion 86, configured to be arranged in a region 46, in a perimeter area of the house, for example near a gate 47 having an opening device 48, such as an entrance gate of a house or an opening gate or condominium door, not shown as being similar to the gate of a house. The remote portion 86 may have a transceiver 87.

[0072] In this case, a peripheral recognition module 73 can be provided configured to receive an opening request 101 from the operator 100 of the gate 47. Also in this case the opening request 101 can be an sms, or a phone call, or an automatic delivery code, sent to the control unit 10. Alternatively, a code or password already in the possession of the courier can be provided, as described above.

[0073] In a possible solution, the control unit 10 can directly command the opening of the opening device 48 of the gate 47, through the door opener set in the house. Or, the peripheral recognition module 73 can be configured to be electrically connected by cable or wireless to the open ing device 48 of the gate 47 for opening, after authoriza tion from the control unit 10.

[0074] In a possible embodiment, again shown in Fig. 5, the remote portion 86 can provide a transceiver 87 and the peripheral recognition module 73 can be configured to make the transceiver 87 perform a scan to recognize goods in a neighborhood of the gate 47. In this case, the transceiver 87 can send the codes of any RFID tags scanned near gate 47 to the central control unit 10. Upon recognition of the article code of at least one of the items of the list of goods to be purchased 65 in the in the vicinity of the gate 47, the control unit 10 can control the opening device 48 of the gate 47 directly or by means of the recognition module 73.

[0075] The purchase module can be part of a software APP managed by the user on his own device, not described here in detail as it can be easily implemented by a computer technician when developing the system. The APP, in addition to being configured to allow the user to know the list of goods present in the home and the list of goods, notifies the user of the presence, in the delivery box, of delivered goods, by ticking them from the list of goods to be pur chased.

[0076] The RFID tags present on the articles, in a way not described here but easily implemented, can be voluntar ily altered by the users, for example by tearing or cutting them, at the time of their first use. In this way, the local control unit can delete from the current list of article codes present in the zone those article codes corresponding to the altered RFIDs. The APP can therefore be configured to allow the user to know the list of goods already opened and ticked from the list of goods to be purchased.

[0077] With reference to Figures 6 to 13, some possible embodiments of the delivery box 70 are described.

[0078] In these various possible embodiments, the deliv ery box 70 is equipped with wheels 91 and in particular it is configured as a trolley or cart 90, so that the user can carry the objects from the peripheral position 45 to the home 40 (as shown in Figs. 1,2,5), and vice versa, for example in the case of returns, sending parcels or exchang ing p2p objects.

[0079] In these transportable solutions, the delivery box 70 can have a handle 94, and a door 92 that can be opened as a drawer or as a flap, once the opening device 71 has been safely unlocked. The realization of the handle 94, for example a retractable handle as shown in Figs. 8, 10, 11, can be done in a way known to a person skilled in the art, and therefore not described in greater detail.

[0080] As shown in Figs 6 and 7, similarly to what has already been described in relation to Figs. 1,2,5, to allow for a safe delivery of the goods by couriers, the delivery box 70 may include on-board equipment 95 (shown in the block diagram of Fig. 7), for recognizing the goods 30 when a courier or other operator 100 delivers them, or where pre sent in the delivery box 70. Furthermore, the equipment 95 includes the safe opening device 71 and the recognition module 72, configured to authorize when an operator 100, for example a courier, is making the delivery or collection in the delivery box 70.

[0081] The safe opening device 71 can be an automatic opening and closing mechanism of the door 92, in a way not shown as it can be easily implemented by a person skilled in the art using hardware elements available on the market. While the automatic opening facilitates the action of the operator 100 or the user 110, by bringing the door 92 to an half-open position, the automatic closing increases safety, to avoid that the delivery box 70 remains open. Advanta geously, the safe opening device 71, in case of non-closing or unexpected opening, is configured to send an error signal to the central control unit 10. In particular, the delivery box 70 can be opened only by those who has the code, and any tampering attempts are notified to the user, and pos sibly to the police.

[0082] The equipment 95 may also include a GPS detector not shown, to allow the operator 100 to be guided to the delivery box 70 without setting the address on the satellite navigator. Thanks to the integrated GPS detector, the de livery box 70 can be protected against theft.

[0083] The recognition module 72, configured to receive from the operator an opening request 101, autonomously or through the central control unit 10 (in a similar way to Figs. 1,2,5) can command the opening of the safe opening device 71 directly. The opening request can also be made by the user 110, through, for example, the user's smartphone, or by typing a code on an input device 75, shown only in embodiment of Fig. 2 for simplicity of description.

[0084] The recognition module 72 of the equipment 95 of the delivery box 70 can be configured to scan the trans ceivers 81 of the subsystem 80 to recognize goods 30 inside the delivery box 70 and send them to the central control unit 10. In this way, the user is always aware of what is present in the delivery box 70, both to avoid ordering goods already received, and to proceed with receiving them, for example in the case of food ready to eat.

[0085] The recognition module 72 of the equipment 95 of the delivery box 70 can also be configured to scan the transceivers 81 of the subsystem 80 to recognize goods 30 in a neighborhood of the delivery box 70. The subsystem 80 thus, it can send to the central control unit 10 the codes of any RFID scanned by the transceivers 81, corresponding to the goods 30 present around the delivery box 70, outside it. In this way, upon recognition of the article code of the objects 30 present of the list of goods to be purchased 65 in the vicinity of the delivery box 70, the control unit 10 can command directly, sending a command 74 for the open ing of the safe opening device 71. This option can also be provided as a double check for the opening of the delivery box 70, so that it cannot be opened if an operator is not in possession of ordered goods to be delivered, unless there are no returns or items to be collected in the delivery box 70.

[0086] In a way not shown, the equipment 95 of the de livery box 70 may include an ethernet module to connect it to cloud services, useful for the information to be trans mitted to the user app.

[0087] The delivery box 70, as shown for example in Figs. 8 to 11, if there are several delivery boxes 70 present in the peripheral position 45, the equipment 95 can comprise a signaling element 93, for example with LEDs or a trans parent micro-perforated backlit sheet, or other visual sig nals, which lights up only in the delivery box 70 involved when the operator 100 sends the opening request 101 or an automatic access code. The signaling element 93 can be po sitioned, for example, on the opening door 92, or on the body of the delivery box 70. In this way, the operator 100 when sending the opening request 101 or an automatic access code can distinguish with ease, speed and safety, the de livery box 70 where the delivery must be made, without the possibility of error.

[0088] Similarly, the signaling element 93 can be ar ranged in a wired or wireless manner in proximity to an opening device 48 of the gate 47 of Fig. 5, after authori zation of the control unit 10, for opening and access to the correct gate, when the operator 100 sends the opening request 101 or an automatic access code, to confirm that it is the correct delivery address, in particular in the case of several entrances or gates access.

[0089] Furthermore, both in the case of a single delivery box 70 and in the case of several delivery boxes 70, as for example shown in Fig. 8 to 11, an electrical power supply element 96 can be provided in the peripheral position 45. In this way, it is not necessary to equip the 70 delivery boxes with long-life batteries, which could weigh them down. [0090] In a possible embodiment, shown in Figures 9 and 10, the delivery box 70 is formed by a portion equipped with wheels 90 and a fixed portion 190. In particular, the fixed portion 190 comprises the refrigerated compartment and / or heated, and the movable portion 90 comprises non-refriger- ated or non-heated departments. In this way, the movable portion 90 can be made of light materials and therefore easily transportable on wheels, for example, in a trolley or cart. The user can transfer heated or chilled / frozen goods from the fixed portion 190 to the mobile portion 90, for the time of transport to the home.

[0091] In particular, in the embodiments of Figs. 9-10, the fixed portion 190 can comprise thermoregulated internal compartments similar to the compartments 79 of Figs. 3 and 4, connected to a thermoregulation device 88, not shown again for simplicity. The latter can be logically connected with the second subsystem 80, associated with the delivery box 70.

[0092] Thanks to this configuration, when in the at least one thermoregulated compartment of the fixed portion 190 the second subsystem 80 identifies by scanning 81 a good 30 to be kept at a predetermined temperature, and consequently activates the thermoregulation device not shown at the pre determined temperature. The thermoregulation device can be, for example, a heat pump or a Peltier effect device, or can comprise a cooling and a heating circuit to be operated alternatively with respect to each other, or even a connec tion to a remote heating / cooling circuit, all not shown for simplicity.

[0093] For example, recognizing goods to be kept fresh, the second subsystem 80 will operate the thermoregulation device, to cause a cooling in the thermoregulated compart ment, while, recognizing goods to be kept warm, the second subsystem 80 will operate the thermoregulation device to cause heating in the thermoregulated compartment.

[0094] In a simplified version, the fixed portion 190 is only cooled, for example a refrigerator and freezer com partment, while the movable portion 90 can have an insulated drawer to keep hot foods that are delivered already hot for ready consumption.

[0095] The fact that the movable portion 90 is separated from the fixed portion 190 allows the latter to have a freezer compartment, which requires a compressor. In any case, compartments of any type can be provided in the fixed portion, according to the needs of the user 110. In general, however, both the fixed portion 90 and the movable portion 190 can have compartments for packages, correspondence, as well as compartments reserved for objects at room tempera ture or hot or warm for cold or frozen products.

[0096] The delivery box 70, preferably the movable por tion 90 or trolley 90, or also the fixed portion 190, where provided, can also contain, in a way not shown, reserved compartments, which provide for a distinct opening system, similar to the safe opening device 71, but can be opened with separate codes. In this way, in the reserved compart ments valuable goods can be inserted to which an operator 100 authorized for some compartments, but not authorized for other compartments, cannot access.

[0097] As shown in Figures 11 to 13, a single trolley 90 can be provided, with two or more modules, for example 191 and 192, for example for objects at room temperature or hot or warm and one for cold or frozen products, as well as compartments for parcels, correspondence, reserved compart ments. Depending on the volumes of goods that reach the user, the trolley 90 can be made with the size and number of compartments chosen by the user.

[0098] In particular, in the embodiment of Fig. 11, in the peripheral position 45, a wall power supply element not shown similar to the power supply element 96 of Fig. 8 can be provided.

[0099] Instead, in the embodiment of Figs. 12 and 13, in the peripheral position 45 an electric power supply element 96 can be provided integrated in a fixed position 97 which provides an unlocking element 98 which operates in combi nation with the safe opening device 71, to allow the trolley to be extracted 90. [00100] The foregoing description of embodiments of the invention is able to show the invention from the conceptual point of view so that others, using the known art, will be able to modify and / or adapt these specific embodiments in various applications without further research and without departing from the inventive concept and, therefore, it is understood that such adaptations and modifications will be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiments. The means and materials for carrying out the various functions described may be of various nature without thereby departing from the scope of the invention. It is understood that the expressions or terminology used have a purely descriptive purpose and, therefore, not limitative.

[00101] For example, the invention is applicable instead of a house also to an office or another workplace, where a plurality of consumer goods can run out and can be automat ically ordered and delivered in a delivery box as defined by the invention.

Claims

1. 1A home delivery system for consumer goods comprising:

- a central control unit (10);

- - a memory module (20) communicating with said central control unit (10) and configured to contain a list (35) of goods to be monitored, an article code (31) being associated with each of the goods (30);

- - a first subsystem (50) arranged in the user's home (40) and configured to identify, by RFID scanning and the like, the presence of goods (30) in said home and to provide a list (55) of goods present in the home, said first subsystem (50) being configured to communi cate with said central control unit (10);

- a comparison module (60) configured to compare the list (35) of goods to be monitored with said list (55) of goods present in the home, and to form a list (65) of goods to be purchased when goods of said list (35) of goods to be monitored are present in said house (40) in a number lower than a predetermined value;

- a purchase module (66), configured to automatically order electronically from suppliers available on the electronic market the goods present in the home in said list (65) of goods to be purchased;

- a delivery box (70) arranged in a peripheral position (45), external to the house (40) or a perimeter of said house (40);

- a second subsystem (80) arranged in said delivery box (70) and configured to identify, by RFID scanning, tags and the like (81), the presence of goods (30) in said delivery box (70) and to provide a list (85) of deliv ered goods, said second subsystem (80) being config ured to communicate with said central control unit (10);

- an update module (90) configured to update said list (55) of goods present in the home by adding to it the goods delivered (85) in said delivery box (70).

2. The home supply system, according to claim 1, wherein said delivery box (70) comprises a safe opening device (71) and a recognition module (72), configured to au thorize said safe opening device (71) of said delivery box (70) when an operator (100), for example a courier, is effecting the delivery in said delivery box (70).

3. The home supply system, according to claim 2, wherein said recognition module (72) is configured to receive an opening request (101) from said operator (100), to perform a scan (83) to recognize goods (30) in a neigh borhood of said delivery box (70), to recognize an article code (31) of at least one of said goods of said list (65) of goods to be purchased in the vicinity of said delivery box (70), to send an opening command (74) to said safe opening device (71).

4. The home supply system, according to claim 1, wherein said delivery box (70) has at least one refrigerated compartment (76), in particular or in addition a freezer compartment (77), in particular or in addition a compartment hot or warm (78).

5. The home supply system, according to claim 1, wherein said delivery box (70) has at least one thermoregu- lated compartment (79) connected with a thermoregula tion device (88), logically connected with the second subsystem (80), which is configured to identify by scanning (81) consumer goods (37) to be stored at a predetermined temperature, and consequently to acti vate said thermoregulation device (88) so as to keep the thermoregulated compartment (79) at the predeter mined temperature.

6.The home supply system, according to claim 1, wherein said second subsystem (80) comprises a remote portion (86), configured to be arranged in a region (46) in proximity to a gate (47) having a opening device (48), for example an entrance gate of a house or an opening gate or condominium door, and a peripheral recognition module (73) configured to be electrically connected to said opening device (48), and further configured to perform a remote recognition function at the time of an opening request (101) from said operator (100).

7. The home delivery system, according to claim 6, wherein said peripheral recognition module (73) is configured to perform a scan (89) to recognize goods in a neighborhood of said gate (47), upon recognition of the article code (31) of at least one of said objects (30) of said list (65) of goods to be purchased in the vicinity of said gate (47), sending an opening command (49) to the opening device (48) of said gate.

8. The home supply system, according to claim 1, wherein, the first subsystem (50) comprises:

- - an RFID transceiver (51) arranged in a predetermined room (40) of said house, configured to scan said room (40) to identify RFID return signals from respective RFID tags located in said room (40);

- a local control unit (11) configured to communicate with said RFID transceiver (51), communicate with said central control unit (10) to obtain article codes (31) from said return signals (52) and memorize a current list of article codes (55) present in said zone (40).

9.The home supply system, according to claim 1, wherein said RFID tags are selected from passive tags and active tags capable of capturing energy from the sur rounding zone, in particular Wiliot® RFID tags or sim ilar, said first and second subsystem being configured to identify by scanning both passive RFID tags and active RFID tags.

10 . A delivery box (70) for a home supply system for consumer goods, said delivery box (70) being config ured to be placed in a peripheral position (45), ex ternal to a home (40) or perimeter with respect to said house (40); called delivery box (70) including:

- a subsystem (80) arranged in said delivery box (70) and configured to identify by RFID scanning tags and the like (81), active or passive, the presence of goods (30) carrying said tags in said delivery box (70) and to form a list (85) of said goods (30);

- an opening door (92) adapted to open or close said delivery box (70) and to allow the introduction or withdrawal of said goods (30) in or from said delivery box (70);

- a safe opening device (71), configured to close or open said opening door (92);

- a recognition module (72), configured to authorize (74) said safe opening device (71) of said delivery box (70) when an operator (100) is carrying out the delivery in said delivery box (70), said recognition module (72) being configured to receive from an operator (100) an opening request (101) containing an opening code, and to compare it with a pre-authorization message stored in said recognition module (72), or optionally stored in a central control unit (10) connected to a user interface device (110);

- wherein said recognition module (72) is configured to send to said safe opening device (71) of said delivery box (70) an opening signal (74) when said pre-author ization message stored in said opening request recog nition form (101) contains said opening code.

11. The delivery box (70) according to claim 10, com prising wheels (91), and in particular is configured as a trolley (90), so that the user (110) can bring said goods (10) from a peripheral position (45) to a house (40) keeping them in said trolley (90), in par ticular said delivery box (70) has a optionally re tractable handle (94), and a door (92) that can be opened as a drawer or as a flap, once the safe opening device (71) has been released.

12. The delivery box (70) according to claim 10 or

11, wherein said safe opening device (71) is an auto matic opening and closing mechanism of the door (92), in particular said recognition module (72) is config ured to receive from the operator (100) or the user (110) an opening request (101) and operate the auto matic opening of said safe opening device (71) auton omously or through the central control unit (10), and said recognition module (72) is configured to auto matically close said safe opening device (71) and to send an error signal to said recognition module (72), or optionally to the central control unit (10) in case of non-closing or unexpected opening.

13. The delivery box (70) according to claims 10 to

12, further comprising a GPS detector, and wherein said delivery box (70) has said recognition module (72) configured to allow the operator (100) to be guided to the delivery box (70) by a GPS position signal provided by said GPS detector, in particular said delivery box (70) comprises an ethernet module to connect it to cloud services, in particular said delivery box (70) comprises a power supply element (96) in said peripheral position (45).

14. The delivery box (70) according to claims 10 to 13, comprising a signaling element (93), for example with LED or a transparent backlit micro-perforated sheet, or other visual signaling, positioned in a vis ible way from the outside of said delivery box, and configured to turn on when the operator (100) sends said opening request (101) or an automatic access code, in particular the signaling element (93) is po sitioned on the opening door (92) or on the body of the delivery box (70).

15. The delivery box (70) according to claims 10 to 14, comprising a transportable portion (90) equipped with wheels (91) and a fixed portion (190), in par ticular said fixed portion comprising a thermoregu- lated compartment, in particular said subsystem (80) is configured to operate a thermoregulation device associated with said fixed portion, to cause cooling or heating in the thermoregulated compartment as a function of information associated with said RFID tag.