WO2003030061A1 - Delivery system and method using electronic tags - Google Patents

Abstract

A delivery system (100) includes a drop box (120) including a first transceiver, and an electronic tag (110) associated with a package (170) and comprising a second transceiver. The first and second transceivers wirelessly communicate with each other in order to access the drop box and insert the package therein.

Description

DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD USING ELECTRONIC TAGS

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U. S. Provisional Application No. 60/288,499

which was filed on May 4, 2001 by John Stevens and Paul Waterhouse and assigned to the present assignee, and which is incorporated herein by reference,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a delivery system and method, and more particularly

to a delivery system and method which uses electronic tags.

Description of the Related Art

Electronic commerce has accelerated the growth of delivery companies. Purchasers can conveniently purchase goods via the Internet and have them delivered directly to their

home or business. However, the home or business owner are not always present to take

possession of the goods ordered. Therefore, delivery companies are seeking innovative

methods of safely leaving the goods at a home or business when an owner is not available to

take the delivery of the goods.

A number of such delivery systems have been devised for unattended delivery of goods using drop boxes, especially residential drop boxes. One conventional system uses a box and lock mechanism with a short-range wireless access card. The card may be

programmed to open only a specific box. The box contains a memory which stores a record

of openings and closings of the box. The delivery driver uses a handheld terminal which is

programmed to open any box to make deliveries. Such a record can be "harvested" by the

delivery driver into the hand held terminal when such a transaction is performed.

However, the handheld terminal required by this conventional system is expensive.

Moreover, the drop-box is only accessible by one delivery company. Therefore, the home

or business owner is required to have a drop box for every delivery company which is not

practical for most consumers.

Other conventional systems utilize an expensive drop box and an expensive network

connection that is either wired or wireless so that it can be actively programmed. However,

these elaborate systems are not affordable to consumers.

Other less expensive conventional systems use a non-programmable keypad on the

box. However, these systems does not provide secure storage of the goods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing and other problems, disadvantages, and drawbacks of the

conventional methods and structures, an object of the present invention is to provide a

delivery system and method using electronic tags which minimizes costs, ensures that the driver can open only the correct box for the -package, and prevents the driver from opening any other box.

In a first aspect of the present invention, a delivery system includes a drop box having a first transceiver, and an electronic tag affixed to a good to be delivered and comprising a second transceiver. The first and second transceivers wirelessly communicate

with each other to allow access to the drop box.

In a second aspect of the present invention, a delivery method is provided using an

electronic tag, which includes inputting data to the electronic tag, and wirelessly

interrogating the drop box using the electronic tag to allow access to said drop box.

The electronic tag may include, for example, a processor, a memory device and a

transceiver. The drop box may include, for example, a processor, a memory device, a

transceiver, and a lock mechanism.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a programmable storage medium is provided tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a

digital processing apparatus to perform the inventive method of delivery using an electronic

tag.

With its unique and unobvious aspects, the present invention provides a delivery system (and method) which minimizes costs, ensures that the driver can only open the

correct box for the package, and prevents the driver from opening any other box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other purposes, aspects and advantages will be better understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a delivery system 100 using an electronic tag 110 and drop box 120 according to the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates, in greater detail, the electronic tag 110 of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 illustrates the electronic tag 1 10 affixed to a package 170 according to the

present invention;

Figure 4 illustrates, in greater detail, the drop box 120 according to the present

invention; and

Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating a delivery method 500 using an electronic tag

according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a delivery system 100 using an

electronic tag 110 and drop box 120 according to the present invention.

As shown in Figure 1 , the inventors have developed a simple, inexpensive delivery system 100 which allows for delivery (e.g., unattended delivery) from many different

delivery companies. The inventive system 100 includes an electronic tag (e.g., electronic

module) 110 and a drop box 120. As discussed in further detail below, the tag 110 may be

affixed to a package 170 and include an activating device (e.g., button) 155 for activating

any one or more of the functions of the tag 110. Further, the drop box 120 may include an

activating device (e.g., button) 475 for activating any one or more of the functions of the activating device 475. In short, the tag 110 may communicate wirelessly with the drop box 120 in order to help facilitate a delivery to the address.

Figure 2 illustrates the electronic tag 110 of Figure 1 in greater detail. As shown in Figure 2, the electronic tag 1 10 may include a processor 125 (e.g., a fixed programmed

multi-bit microprocessor such as a four-bit processor), a memory device 130 (e.g., read only

memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), etc.) and a power source 135 (e.g., a

battery, lithium battery, etc.). As noted above, the tag 110 may also include an activating

device (e.g., button) 155 for activating any one or more of the functions of the electronic tag

1 10.

The tag 1 10 may also include a transceiver 140 (e.g., a transmitter/receiver, custom

two-way communication analog chip, etc.) and an antenna 145 (e.g., two ferrite antennas) to

transmit and receive data over a short range link. The power source 135 (e.g., battery)

preferably has a long service life (e.g., over five years) for performing many (e.g., several thousand) transactions. Further, the electronic tag 1 10 optionally may include a signaling device (e.g., light-emitting device (e.g., one or two light emitting diodes (LEDs)) or an

audible signaling device) 150 that can be optionally used to identify a correct package

when a delivery driver arrives at the drop box 120.

The electronic tag 110 in the inventive system 100 may be similar in form and function to the electronic module described in the in-truck wireless package identification

system as described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/159,479, now PCT

Application No. PCT\US\00\28415, entitled "Improved Package Delivery System",

incorporated herein by reference. In addition, the electronic tag (e.g., electronic module)

110 may also be used at a warehouse-type facility or distribution center to direct a package in an operation such as that described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. -

60/282,150 which was filed on April 9, 2001, and entitled "Warehousing System And Method" and U. S. Provisional Application No. 60/359,350 which was filed on February 26, 2002 and entitled "Hybrid Retail/Warehouse System and Method", now PCT

Application No. PCT/US/02/10927, entitled "Tote-based Warehousing System and

Method", incorporated herein by reference.

The electronic tag 1 10 may be small (e.g., about credit card size), simple,

inexpensive and may be re-used many times. The tag 1 10 may be attached to a good (e.g.,

on a packaging surface) which is to be delivered. For example, the tag 1 10 may be included on a standard transparent shipping label which is commonly affixed to a packaging surface.

Therefore, a delivery driver may view the shipping label, note that the package has an

electronic tag 110 affixed thereto to know that the good is to be delivered to a drop box 120

located at the noted address.

Referring again to the drawings, Figure 3 illustrates how the electronic tag 110

might be attached to a package via a transparent plastic envelope 180 (e.g., such as an

adhesive pouch) typically used for small paper invoices, bills of lading, or the like. The

package may optionally have a conventional street address label as well. The electronic tag

110 can also optionally be placed directly inside the package and recovered by the delivery driver at a later time.

Figure 4 illustrates the drop box 120 of the inventive system 100 in greater detail.

As shown in Figure 4, the drop box 120 may include circuitry and electronics which are

similar to those described above with respect to the electronic tag 110. In other words, the

drop box 120 may include a processor 425 (e.g., a fixed programmed four bit microprocessor), a memory device 430 (e.g., read only memory (ROM), random access

memory (RAM), etc.) and a power source 435 (e.g., a battery such as a lithium battery).

The drop box 120 may also include a transceiver 440 (e.g., a transmitter/receiver, custom two-way communication analog chip, etc.) and an antenna 445 to transmit and

receive data over a communication (e.g., short range) link. As mentioned above, the power

source 435 (e.g., battery) should have a long service life (e.g., over five years) over many

(e.g., several thousand) transactions.

Further, the drop box 120 may also optionally include a signaling device (e.g., light- emitting device, one or two light emitting diodes(LEDs), audible signaling device, etc.) 450

that can be optionally used to identify a correct package when a delivery driver arrives. In

addition, as shown in Figure 4, the antenna 445 in the drop box 120 may include a larger

loop antenna for improved two-way communication.

Specifically, a unique identification (ID) number may be programmed into the drop box 120 and stored in the memory device 430. When a package is to be delivered to a

certain drop box, the ID number for that certain drop box may be programmed into an electronic tag 110 on the package and stored in the memory device 130. Programming the

ID number into the electronic tag 110 may be performed, for example, by using a

programming device to wirelessly transmit the ID number to the electronic tag. When the package arrives at that certain drop box, a "handshake" type protocol may occur in which

the ID numbers stored in the electronic tag 1 10 and drop box 120 may be compared and if

the ID numbers match, the drop box may be automatically opened so that the package may

be inserted therein.

The unique ID number for the drop box may be initially programmed into the drop box by the ^"manufacturer. However, the drop box may be reprogrammed with a new ID

number, for example, by the owner. It should be noted, however, that the drop box 120 may

include a security feature that prevents the ID number of the drop box from being altered without the consent of the owner. This may be accomplished, for example, by requiring

that an old identification number be input to the drop box 120 before another ID number

may be programmed into the drop box 120.

The drop box 120 may further include a lock mechanism 460 for locking the door

(e.g., lid) of the drop-box 120 in order to control access to the inside of the drop-box. For

instance, the lock mechanism 460 may include a low powered motor and a screw that can

move a rod forward to lock the box 120 and rearward to unlock the box 120. Obviously, as

would be known by one of ordinary skill in the art taking the present application as a whole,

other locking mechanisms could be employed.

The drop box 120 may also have a detector (e.g., switch) 470 to detect if the lid of the box 120 is open or closed. Further, when the lid is closed, the processor in the drop box

120 may automatically cause the lock mechanism 460 to lock the box.

In addition, the inventive system 100 may include an access card for the drop box

120. The owner may use the access card to open the drop box 120 in order to remove a

package that has been delivered to the drop box 120.

The access card may include the same circuitry and electronics as described above

with respect to the electronic tag 1 10 (e.g., as shown in Figure 2). In other words, the

access card may include may include a processor (e.g., a fixed programmed multi-bit

microprocessor such as a four-bit processor), a memory device (e.g., read only memory

(ROM), random access memory (RAM), etc.) and a power source (e.g., a battery, lithium battery, etc.). The access card may also include an activating device (e.g., button) for activating any one or more of the functions of the access card.

The access card may also include a transceiver (e.g., a transmitter/receiver, custom two-way communication analog chip, etc.) and an antenna (e.g., two ferrite antennas) to

transmit and receive data over a short range link. The power source (e.g., battery) preferably has a long service life (e.g., over five years) for performing many (e.g., several thousand)

transactions. Further, the access card may optionally include a signaling device (e.g., light-

emitting device (e.g., one or two light emitting diodes (LEDs)) or an audible signaling device).

Similar to the electronic tag 110, the access card may be programmed with an identification number corresponding to the owner's drop box 120. Furthermore, the drop

box 120 and the access card may be programmable so that the owner can selectively change

the identification number which unlocks the drop box 120.

Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating a delivery method 500 according to the present

invention.

As shown in Figure 5, the inventive method 500 includes inputting (510) data (e.g.,

a drop box identification number) to the electronic tag 110, and wirelessly communicating

(520) with the drop box using the electronic tag, in order to open the lid (e.g., door) to the

drop box.

For instance, a specific drop box identification (ID) number may be programmed

into the electronic tag 110 at the delivery company's warehouse. This may be performed,

for example, by wirelessly communicating with the electronic tag 1 10 in order to program

the the ID number in the tag 110. When the delivery driver arrives at the address printed on the package, the driver may push the activating device (e.g., button) 155 on the electronic

tag 110 or alternatively the activating device 475 on the drop box 120. Pushing either of the

activating devices 155, 475 may cause the electronic tag 110 to wirelessly communicate with the drop box 120. For instance, pushing activating device 155 may cause the

electronic tag 110 to interrogate (e.g., transmit the programmed ID number to) the drop box

120 which may then verify that the ID number is correct. Alternatively, pushing activating

device 475 may cause the drop box 120 to interrogate the electronic tag 110 in order to

verify that the electronic tag 110 is programmed with the correct drop box ID number.

For example, the drop box 120 may receive the identification number transmitted

from the electronic tag 1 10 and the drop box determines if the number is correct. If so, the

drop box 120 may cause the lock mechanism to open the lid of the drop box 120. In

addition, the memory device in the electronic tag 1 10 may automatically store data, such as

a time and date when that particular drop box 120 was opened.

The electronic tag 110 may be removed from the package delivered by the driver

and the package placed inside the drop box 120. The drop box 120 may automatically cause the lock mechanism to lock the drop box 120 when the lid is closed. The electronic

tag 1 10 may be retained by the delivery driver, for example, in a receipt bin of the delivery

truck.

The electronic tag 110 may also be interrogated to harvest data such as the package

delivery time, date and location. In addition, the electronic tag 110 may be used to

automatically cause an electronic mail message including such delivery data to be

transmitted, for example, to the sender (and/or the receiver) of the package. The electronic

tag 110 may then be set aside for reuse.

Second Embodiment

In a second embodiment, the electronic tag 110 is placed inside the package at the time of shipping. In this case, the delivery driver may push activating device 475 (e.g., see

Figure 4) located on the drop box 120 which would cause the drop box 120 to wirelessly

communicate with the electronic tag 1 10. For example, the drop box 120 may interrogate the electronic tag 110 in order to verify that the electronic tag 110 is programmed with the

correct drop box ID number.

Specifically, the drop box processor 425 may compare the ID number stored by the

electronic tag 110 with the number stored in the drop box memory to determine if the tag

110 has been programmed with the ID number for that drop box. If the ID numbers match, the drop box 120 may cause the lock mechanism 460 to unlock the lid of the drop box 120.

Then, the delivery driver may place the package in the drop box 120 without removing the

electronic tag 1 10.

In this case, the delivery company may, for example, charge the box owner a

refundable deposit for the electronic tag 110. To receive the deposit, the box owner may use the access card 130 to open the drop box 120, remove the electronic tag 110 from the

package and return it to the drop box 110 so that the delivery company can pick up the

electronic tag 1 10, for example, during a subsequent delivery.

In addition, if the box owner does not want the package, the electronic tag 110 may

be used to return the package. In this case, the box owner would simply open the drop box

using the access card 130, place the electronic tag 110 back in the drop box along with the

package, and request a delivery by the delivery company. The delivery driver would then use a second electronic tag 110 to open the drop box 120 and remove the package to be

returned. Therefore, the electronic tag 110 may act as a return receipt.

Alternatively, the delivery driver may be assigned an access card similar to the access card of the box owner. In this case, the delivery driver may push the button on the

access card to cause the access card to interrogate the drop box 120. The drop-box 120 may

then interrogate the electronic tag 110 contained in the package. When the drop box 120

confirms that the electronic tag 110 in the package is correct, the drop-box 120 causes the

lock mechanism to unlock the lid of the drop box 120 so that driver can place the package

in the drop box 120.

With its unique and novel aspects, the present invention provides a delivery system

(and method) which minimizes costs, ensures that the driver can only open the correct box

for the package, and prevents the driver from opening any other box.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention has been described above, it

should be understood that the embodiments have been provided as examples only. Thus, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification

within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

It is noted that the communication medium used is preferably radio frequency

signals, but one of ordinary skill in the art could easily tailor the invention to use any communication medium such as optical including infrared transmissions, magnetic, sound

waves, etc. so long as the tag and box may be programmable.

Further, it is noted that a programmable storage medium may be provided tangibly

embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing

apparatus to perform the above-mentioned delivery method.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat we claim is:

1. A delivery system, comprising: a drop box comprising a first transceiver; and

an electronic tag associated with a package and comprising a second transceiver,

wherein said first and second transceivers wirelessly communicate with each other

in order to access said drop box and insert said package therein.

2. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said drop box further comprises a

first memory device for storing a first identification number, and wherein said electronic tag

further comprises a second memory device for storing a second identification number.

3. The delivery system according to claim 2, wherein said drop box further comprises a processor for comparing said first identification number and said second identification

number, and wherein said drop box unlocks when said first identification number matches

said second identification number.

4. The delivery system according to claim 1 , wherein said first and second transceivers

each comprise a two-way communication analog chip.

5. The delivery system according to claim 2, wherein said electronic tag further comprises a processor for comparing said first identification number and said second

identification number, and wherein said drop box unlocks when said first identification

number matches said second identification number.

6. The delivery system according to claim 1 , wherein said electronic tag further

comprises an activating device to activating a function of said electronic tag.

7. The delivery system according to claim 6, wherein said activating device is engaged in order to transmit data from said electronic tag to said drop box.

8. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said drop box further comprises

an activating device to activating a function of said drop box.

9. The delivery system according to claim 8, wherein said activating device is engaged

in order to transmit data from said drop box to said electronic tag.

10. The delivery system according to claim 2, wherein said first and second memory

devices store delivery data comprising a delivery date and delivery time.

1 1. The delivery system according to claim 1 , wherein said electronic tag is affixed to an

outside portion of said package.

12. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said electronic tag is contained inside said package.

13. The delivery system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an access card comprising a third memory device and a third transceiver,

wherein said second and third transceivers wirelessly communicate with each other in order to access said drop box and extract said package.

14. An electronic tag associated with a package, comprising:

a processor;

a memory device coupled to said processor for storing delivery information; and

a transceiver for wirelessly communicating data from said memory device to a drop

box in order to access said drop box and insert said package therein.

15. A drop box for a delivery system, comprising: a processor;

a memory device coupled to said processor for storing delivery information;

a transceiver for wirelessly communicating data from said memory device to an

electronic tag in order to access said drop box and insert said package therein,

a lock mechanism operatively coupled to said processor.

16. A delivery method, comprising:

inputting data to a electronic tag associated with a package; and wirelessly communicating said data from said electronic tag to said drop box, in

order to access said drop box.

17. A programmable storage medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable

instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform a delivery method, said

method comprising:

inputting data to a electronic tag associated with a package; and

wirelessly communicating said data from said electronic tag to said drop box, in

order to access said drop box.