A package deposit enclosure designed for public use is powered by an efficient storage battery and photovoltaic cell array. These unique features allow the package deposit enclosure to be placed in locations where no power is available, but where there is frequent human traffic. Sensing and wireless data communication features allow the unit to be emptied less often than typical package delivery enclosures. Wireless communication also allows users' access to real-time information. On board power enables other functions, such as lighting and audio, to enhance device functionality.

The present invention teaches a residential curbside mailbox with enhanced box handling capability, openable by barcode scanning, and with interchangeable bonnets. A body which is generally column shaped has front and rear doors which open at the top and hinge near the bottom and which have interleaved fingers or members extending from the bottom ends into the interior space of the mailbox. A box tray sits on the interleaved fingers. When either door is opened the fingers of that door lift the box tray upward and out of the box on that side. Thus a delivery person may access a box without leaving a delivery vehicle, while the homeowner may do the same without leaving the safety of the yard. In addition, an elastic cord and carefully slanted slots on side panels of the front door allow easy retention of a box even further up the front door.

Disclosed herein are a storage unit (250) and a secure delivery system (200) that uses such a storage unit. The storage unit (250) includes a plurality of compartments (254, 256) including at least one refrigerated compartment (256), wherein each refrigerated compartment (256) is associated with a thermostat and a cooling device. The storage unit (250) also includes a corresponding plurality of scales (258, 260), each compartment being associated with a scale, a communications module (262) for coupling to a communications network (205), at least one lid (820) for accessing the compartments (254, 256), and a lock adapted to secure each lid (820) in a closed position. The storage unit (250) further includes a control panel (810) for controlling the lock, wherein the control panel (810) has a user interface for receiving input from a user, and a power source for supplying power to the cooling device and the control panel. The control panel (810) is adapted to release the lock upon validating the received input against a code received by the communications module (262).

Methods, systems, and apparatus for an automated mailbox system. The automated mailbox system includes a personal device configured to manage a robot. The robot includes a base that forms a foundation for the robot and is coupled to a post. The robot includes a mailbox having a door. The mailbox is configured to receive documents when in the open position. The robot includes a transportation component that moves the robot in multiple directions among multiple locations. The transportation component is configured to move the robot in a first direction to a first location.

An item drop box sensor system for detecting items deposited within a drop box may be configured to detect movement of an item deposit tray and to detect items deposited within the drop box. The drop box sensor system may comprise one or more tray movement sensors for detecting movement of the deposit tray, one or more item detection sensors configured to detect items passing into the drop box via the deposit tray, and an onboard controller for selectively activating the various sensors to conserve power and for transmitting data indicative of the status of the drop box to a central server configured for scheduling item pickups for various geographically spaced drop boxes.

Provided are a system and method for a secure lock box with near proximity awareness. The system includes a lock box housing defining at least one enclosable space for the receipt of a package, the lock box housing having a sealable aperture for accessing the enclosable space and an electronic lock structured and arranged to seal the aperture and enclose the space. The lock box housing further encloses a processor, a near proximity device structured and arranged to actively detect a Package Attribute from a package proximate to the lock box housing, a network component coupled to the processor, and non-volatile memory coupled to the processor having executable instructions to direct the operations of the near proximity device and the electronic lock. The system also includes a a scheduler structured and arranged to establish a schedule of delivery within the non-volatile memory including at least one Defined Characteristic for the operation of the electronic lock in response to the near proximity device detecting from a proximate package a Package Attribute corresponding to the Defined Characteristic. An associated method of use is also provided.

A secure box for receiving packages is described. The secure box includes a rectangular container with a top, a bottom, a front, a left, a right, and a back. A front door forms part of the front when in a closed position, the front door having at least one hinge allowing it to move to an open position by swinging outward at a top end. A top cap with one or more photovoltaic panels formed therein, the top cap adapted to securely fasten onto the top. A package sensor senses a package placed in the rectangular container to initiate a decontamination process. A controller is electrically coupled to one or more photovoltaic panels, and the controller is communicatively coupled to the package sensor to control a decontamination system for decontaminating the package which has been sensed. The decontamination system includes at least one of ultraviolet light source, a chemical spray, or both.

A parcel storage box for storing one or more parcels, the box including a housing having a base, one or more sides and a top, at least some of which are connected together by snap-fit connections, and including a parcel storage chamber, a parcel entrance in the housing for allowing a parcel having dimensions of at least 8 cm8 cm8 cm to be introduced into the parcel storage chamber, and a lockable parcel exit in the housing. The box can include one or more barrier members connected to the housing to form a barrier across at least part of the parcel entrance to obstruct parcel removal through the parcel entrance. The barrier members can be moveable or deformable into the parcel storage chamber for admitting a parcel into the parcel storage chamber and configured to substantially re-form the barrier across the parcel entrance after admitting a parcel.

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 package deposit enclosure designed for public use is powered by an efficient storage battery and photovoltaic cell array. These unique features allow the package deposit enclosure to be placed in locations where no power is available, but where there is frequent human traffic. Sensing and wireless data communication features allow the unit to be emptied less often than typical package delivery enclosures. Wireless communication also allows users' access to real-time information. On board power enables other functions, such as lighting and audio, to enhance device functionality.