An assembly for accomplishing package transfer to and from a drone. The assembly includes a base supporting at least one extendable member. A package receiving platform is secured atop the member and a control system interfaces the assembly with the drone for issuing a set of command instructions for guiding and positioning the drone relative to the platform and for accomplishing package transfer between the drone and the platform. The command instructions include at least an instruction to elevate the platform at any point prior to package exchange and a subsequent instruction to retract the platform at any point following package exchange. Additional command instructions provide for managing each of pre-exchange and post-exchange of the package, such as for providing secure retention and post-exchange access by the recipient in the instance of a drone delivered and securely retained package.

A secure delivery system according to various aspects of the present technology comprises a transport box having a storage space, an environmental control unit, and a plurality of electrical contacts. The transport box fits within an interior space of a delivery box having a GPS receiver that provides a geographic delivery location of the delivery box. The delivery box comprises a plurality of corresponding electrical contacts configured to be coupled to the electrical contacts of the transport box to provide power to the transport box. The delivery box may further comprise an electronic lock that is responsive to a delivery box controller circuit configured to operate the electronic lock.

A landing station guidance-and-security system can include an environmental cover and/or a guide-and-security bar. In some embodiments, the landing station guidance-and-security system is integrated into a parcel-receiving device. In some embodiments, the landing station guidance-and-security system is configured to attach to a parcel-receiving device. In some embodiments, the guide-and-security bar includes a precision rod. In some embodiments, a drone landing station includes: a magnetic centering mechanism configured to center a drone and/or a package; sliding dovetail doors; a plow bar; at least one roll-up door; a first storage locker; a second storage locker; and/or a solid rear door configured to block access to the second storage locker from the first storage locker when the first storage locker is being accessed by a user.

Implementations of drone landing pad systems may include a body having a landing pad receptacle and a package receptacle coupled to the landing pad receptacle, an extension mechanism coupled within the landing pad receptacle, and a landing pad coupled to the extension mechanism and configured to couple within the landing pad receptacle. The extension mechanism may be configured to lift the landing pad to an elevated position to receive a package from a drone. The landing pad may be configured to tilt to transfer the package into the package receptacle.

Systems and methods for use in the secure recovery of drone delivered packages can include a housing, at least one electromechanically operated door securing access to the housing, and a retractable platform that can electromechanically extend from inside the housing to an area outside the housing when the at least one electromechanically operated door is opened. The retractable platform can serve as a landing pad for a delivery drone and/or as a base onto which a package can be received from a delivery drone. The retractable platform can electromechanically move back into the housing and the door can close after receiving the package. Communications components, alarms, and cameras can also be associated with the housing to facilitate its operation for package recovery and security.

A delivery locker management system includes a delivery locker station including multiple delivery lockers having two or more different sizes, and a server that communicates with the delivery locker station. The server obtains information on a size of a parcel to be deposited. The server extracts delivery lockers having sizes suitable for the parcel from available delivery lockers among the multiple delivery lockers. The server allocates one of the extracted delivery lockers to the parcel. The server notifies a depositor of the parcel of information identifying the delivery locker allocated to the parcel.

A parcel receiving system for receiving a package preferably delivered by a drone to an automated parcel box positioned adjacent an opening in the building. It has an extendable platform adapted to extend out of opening 8 and receive package. A controller communicates with an external device to receive an unlocking code from the delivery company. When a drone carrying the package gets close to the target location, it sends a code to the controller. If the codes match, it extends a platform to receive the package, retracts the platform moving package into a secure holding area, until a user provide the proper authentication to open the secure holding area to take the package. Holding area may be cooled or heated as required to properly hold the package. Parcel receiving system may also communicate with a smartphone to indicate that a package was been received, or provide pictures/video of the package.

A method of operating an apparatus for receiving one or more mail items is described. The method includes activating the communication between a user interface device and a remote device; generating, by an electronic control unit, at least one random alphanumeric code; sending, via a network interface device, the random alphanumeric code to the remote device; sending, by the remote device and via the network interface device, an unlock signal based on the random alphanumeric code to the electronic control unit. An unlock signal is processed by the electronic control unit to unlock the movable closure element and allow one or more mail items to be introduced in or withdrawn from the internal cavity.

A device may include a body comprising a plurality of parcel insertion slots. A device may include a device board for controlling operations of the device, the device board comprising a controller comprising: at least one processor, at least one memory operably coupled to the at least one processor, a low-power wide-area module configured for communication with a server over a first communication link, and a low-power personal-area module configured for communication with a second automated parcel machine (APM) module over a second communication link.

A landing station can include a package manipulation system, an anchoring system, a climate control system, and/or a convertible storage locker. In some embodiments, a temperature control carrier is used with the landing station. In some embodiments, the package manipulation system includes at least one manipulation rail, at least one finger and/or a set of projections configured to raise and lower from said landing surface. In some embodiments, the landing station includes an elevator. In some embodiments, the landing station includes a lifting ring. In some embodiments, the landing station includes an air curtain blower.