A method having the steps of obtaining temporal information communicated to a first device; carrying out one or more of the following tests: a test to determine whether the first device is in a state following an initial operation, a battery replacement or other power outage, or a reset, a test to determine whether a deviation between temporal information of the clock and the communicated temporal information is less than or equal to a threshold which is specified, and a test to determine whether the communicated temporal information has the same date as the temporal information of the clock; and synchronizing the clock using the communicated temporal information if all of one or more defined conditions are satisfied, wherein one of the one or more conditions requires that at least one of the one or more tests carried out has a positive result.

In one embodiment, a controller determines a particular compartment of a smart postal box in which a package is to be delivered. The controller associates the particular compartment with an authorized entity. The controller provides the authorized entity access to the particular compartment by aligning rolling doors of the smart postal box with the particular compartment.

A system for delivering an article from a first location to a second location with a robot having a closeable transport container for housing the article during transport. A closeable recipient container is provided at the second location for receiving the article. At least one computer configured to navigate the robot over an outdoor transportation network between locations is provided. The robot has a robot article transport mechanism controlled by the at least one computer for removing the article from the transport container and the recipient container has a recipient article transport mechanism for moving the article inside the recipient container.

The secure package delivery receptacle with bar code is a container. The secure package delivery receptacle with bar code comprises a receiving box and a control circuit. The control circuit is contained in the receiving box. The receiving box is a hollow structure. The receiving box is configured for use with one or more packages. The receiving box securely receives and stores the one or more packages. The control circuit controls access into the hollow interior of the receiving box. The control circuit scans a bar code found on the one or more packages. The control circuit confirms that the scanned bar code is expected with an appropriate authority. Once the expected receipt is confirmed, the control circuit allows access into the receiving box for the delivery of one or more packages.

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.

Disclosed herein is a drone docking station for deposit of items/goods delivered by a drone to a secured receptacle. Items can be delivered to a receptacle at a curb, mailbox, post, porch, mobile units, and window for a multi-parcel receptacle with a set of drawers with hot and cold sections in the station that has a specific residential/commercial address with various optional features. Features include communication systems between the station and drone; security; hot and cold temperature control and preservation of the goods before and after delivery; battery charging and exchange station; a collector to identify explosive materials, anthrax, etc.; ultraviolet system to eradicate disease, virus and harmful materials; an ozone applicator to eradicate disease, virus and harmful materials; weather monitoring; tag and track of vehicles and packages; facial recognition camera and software for pets and humans; and local two-way speakers; LED lights that strobe flash, and a flood light.

A secure delivery system according to various aspects of the present technology comprises a transport box having a storage space, an environmental control unit, a plurality of electrical contacts, and a deployable receiving tray responsive to automated delivery systems. 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 server obtains a message that an authorization for requesting an action via a first apparatus is allocated, wherein the action can be caused by a separate control unit. The server compiles information that identifies the action and that allows the first apparatus to check the authorization. The compiled information is transmitted to a second apparatus. The first apparatus can obtain a message from the second apparatus, which is used to request the causing of the action. The first apparatus checks the authorization for the request on the basis of the obtained message and whether the action is an action that is to be caused by the first apparatus or by the control unit. If it is established that authorization exists and that the action is to be caused by the control unit, then the first apparatus transmits a request to the control unit to cause the action.

A parcel depository is provided with a housing having an access point for receipt of a parcel and a secure space from which a delivered parcel can only be subsequently removed from by an authorized person, such as an owner of the depository. The depository has a device, such as a camera, to identify or to take an image of a courier delivering the parcel, to take an image of the parcel when the parcel is in the secure space, and to associate the images of the parcel with the courier identity, or the image of the courier. The depository may be part of a larger parcel delivery system and provide a courier and or owner of the depository, with proof of delivery.

A method of allowing access to a receptacle for securing a package includes: sensing an opening and closing of the lid; activating, in response to determining the lid is sufficiently closed, the lock mechanism to transition from the unlocked state to the locked state; scanning an email message in a user's email account to identify a reference or tracking number of a second package; parsing the email message to obtain a delivery code; receiving entry of the delivery code; activating the lock mechanism based on entry of the delivery code to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state; sensing a second opening and closing of the lid; activating the lock mechanism to transition from the unlocked state to the locked state; receiving information corresponding to entry of an access code; activating the lock mechanism to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state.