A system for the safe coupling of a re-usable bag to a banknote handling and storing machine includes a bag container, having a rigid upper port and a flexible bag permanently fixed to the rigid port, a lid, designed to be inserted onto the rigid port for closing the bag container when the filling operations are terminated, and a bag-holding frame. The bag-holding frame is suitable for being stably fixed to a safe structure of the machine for supporting and hooking the bag container when placed inside the machine to be filled with the banknotes. The system is provided with first coupling and hooking electro-mechanical components between the bag container and the bag-holding frame and with second coupling and hooking electro-mechanical components between the lid and the bag container. The first and second coupling and hooking electro-mechanical components are interconnected with a control unit to enable the respective functions.

A retractable arm device, system, and method with a locking mechanism for preventing items placed in a device or receptacle from getting stuck, damaged, or torn. The retractable arm includes an inner tube, a pawl, and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube. The inner tube slides within the outer tube and the pawl preventing the retractable arm from moving into an extended position under particular conditions. The retractable arm may be placed in a receptacle for items to prevent the door from being reopened before the door is fully closed.

A self-locking parcel delivery apparatus and method includes a tamper-resistant compartment beneath a lid of a porch bench seat and insulated for protecting delivered parcels. The apparatus includes a lid that is held open magnetically until proactively released to close and lock (such as by a delivery person) or by a remote user via a primary software application running on a mobile communications device. The apparatus may be operated in conjunction or cooperation with a supplemental software application associated with a video motion detection system so that a remote user can authenticate a supposed delivery person and then, using another software app, activate a remote delivery container to be made ready to receive a delivered parcel.

A sheet storage apparatus (for example, banknote handling machine includes: a holding unit (for example, each holding member) configured to hold a storage bag in a state where an opening portion of a banknote storage bag is opened or in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag is sealed; a regulation unit configured to selectively regulate access to the banknote storage bag held by the holding unit; and a control unit configured to control the regulation unit so as to allow access to the banknote storage bag held by the holding unit in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag is opened when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

A self-locking parcel delivery apparatus and method includes a tamper-resistant compartment beneath a bench seat and insulated for protecting delivered parcels. The apparatus includes a lid that is held open magnetically until proactively released to close and locked by a remote user via a software application running on a mobile communications device. The apparatus may be operated in conjunction or cooperation with a software application associated with a video motion detection system so that a remote user can authenticate a supposed delivery person and then, using another software app, activate a remote delivery container to be made ready to receive a delivered parcel.

A depository operates to accept and make available deposit items to authorized users responsive at least in part to data read from data bearing records. The depository (10) includes a body (12) that bounds and interior area (14). The depository includes a door (18) that is controlled by a lock (24) so that only authorized users can access the interior area. The depository includes at least one input device (20) operative to receive data usable to identify users authorized to access the depository. At least one reading device (26) is operative to read indicia included on depository items so that depository items placed in or removed from the interior area can be tracked. The depository is in operative connection with a network (50) that enables the transport and tracking of deposit items.

A containment unit that facilitates delivery of parcels using drones is provided. An example containment unit comprises an inner housing unit and an outer housing unit. The inner housing unit includes a first and second sidewall that are connected by an end piece and have a bottom opening in between. The inner housing unit is movable from a retracted position over a floor of the containment unit to an extended position, where a portion of the opening is extended beyond the floor. A parcel may be inserted into a volume of space within the inner housing unit from below through the opening and pulled into the containment unit by the end piece when the inner housing unit is retracted. The containment unit can be used as part of a drone delivery system that can also include an elevated delivery platform, a computer application, or any combination of these aspects.

An elevated delivery platform having a delivery surface that can be placed at a location off the ground to better facilitate delivery of parcels by unmanned aerial vehicles, such as delivery drones, is provided. By placing the elevated delivery platform in an area above the ground, such as atop a home or a pole, a drone is more capable of making deliveries because it avoids obstacles nearer to the ground that typically make drone delivery challenging. The elevated delivery platform raises and lowers parcels to a position where they can easily be retrieved. Some systems also provide a deployable cover to protect parcels from adverse weather conditions while awaiting pickup or following delivery. The elevated delivery platform can be used as part of a drone delivery system that can also include a containment unit, a computer application, or any combination of these aspects.

A self-locking parcel delivery apparatus and method includes a tamper-resistant compartment beneath a bench seat and insulated for protecting delivered parcels. The apparatus includes a lid that is held open magnetically until proactively released to close and locked by a remote user via a software application running on a mobile communications device. The apparatus may be operated in conjunction or cooperation with a software application associated with a video motion detection system so that a remote user can authenticate a supposed delivery person and then, using another software app, activate a remote delivery container to be made ready to receive a delivered parcel.

A retractable arm device, system, and method with a locking mechanism for preventing items placed in a device or receptacle from getting stuck, damaged, or torn. The retractable arm includes an inner tube, a pawl, and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube. The inner tube slides within the outer tube and the pawl preventing the retractable arm from moving into an extended position under particular conditions. The retractable arm may be placed in a receptacle for items to prevent the door from being reopened before the door is fully closed.