A fleet for delivering packages comprising a first number of containers, each container comprising at least one compartment for receiving packages at a main distribution center. The container comprises a first attachment member on an outer surface and a second attachment member on an outer surface. The fleet comprises a second number of long-range transports, each long-range transport is configured to carry multiple containers from the main distribution center to an intermediate distribution center, each long-range transport comprising multiple first attachment receivers, whereby the multiple containers are attached to the long-range transports during transport from the main distribution center to the intermediate distribution center. The fleet comprises a third number of short-range tractors, each short-range tractor is configured to carry at least one container from the intermediate distribution center to delivery destinations for the packages in the container, each tractor comprising at least one second attachment receiver, whereby the at least one container is attached to the short-range tractor during transport from the intermediate distribution center to the delivery destinations and back to the intermediate distribution center. The third number is at least twice as large as the second number and wherein the first number is at least twice as large as the third number.

A system for delivering packages comprising a plurality of containers, each container having a plurality of package storage compartments and each compartment comprising an individually controlled access door on an external wall of the container. One or more packages are placed in at least some of the plurality of modules at a distribution center wherein the container is configured to be transported between the distribution center and a pickup location. Upon arrival at the pickup location, the container is parked and wherein recipients of the packages in the compartments of the container are notified of the arrival of the packages at the pickup location. Each recipient is provided access to the compartment containing the package intended for that recipient.

A system for delivering packages from a warehouse to end destinations, the system comprising a fleet of self-propelled long-range transports and a fleet of containers, each configured to be loaded at the warehouse with packages destined for end destinations. Each long-range transport is configured to be loaded with at least four of the loaded containers and transport the at least four of the loaded containers from the warehouse to one or more intermediate destinations. Upon arrival of one of the loaded long-range transports at one of the one or more intermediate destinations, at least one of the loaded containers is separated from the loaded long-range transport, whereupon the separated container delivers packages to end destinations proximate to the one of the one or more intermediate destinations. After delivery of at least some of the packages loaded thereon at the warehouse, the container is once again loaded on the long-range transport and returned to the warehouse to be loaded with more packages.

A multi-use package receptacle for deliveries to and pickups from a home or business, the receptacle comprising a first compartment for receiving a package delivered from a delivery service and a second compartment for receiving an item to be picked up by a pickup service. An access control unit configured to lock and unlock the first and second compartments, wherein the access control unit grants access to both the first and second compartments to a user associated with the home or business, and the access control unit grants access to the first compartment to a verified delivery service and grants access to the second compartment to a verified pickup service.

A confidential information provision device includes: an information acquisition unit configured to acquire a confidential level of information that is to be printed on a recording medium; and a provision unit configured to provide confidential information to the recording medium in accordance with the confidential level, the confidential information provided to the recording medium being constituted of a material that is detectable in a non-contact manner.

Disclosed are apparatuses and methodologies for achieving current inventory data management with an electronic access control system. An access control system provides access control data while a sealed enclosure incorporates an RFID reading system for determining the identity of respective tagged contents therein. Particularly in conjunction with the storage of controlled substances, such as some drugs utilized on an EMS vehicle, a tamper evident RFID tag is fully or partially destroyed or damaged, or otherwise impacted or affected so as to generate a changed ID, whenever the contained medicinal dosage is acquired for administration. Specific container/cap combinations accommodate various drug dosages, and are combinable with tamper evident RFID tags. Usage of tagged drugs may be tracked by reading narcotics box contents before and after a work shift. Intra-shift access and usage reports at each point of consumption maintains a complete record of custody of control.

A system and method for verifying a patient's immunity to a predetermined pathogen are provided. The contemplated system relies on at least one of patient-specific and exposure data, which could include immunization or vaccination data, to assess the patient's immunity to a predetermined pathogen. If immunity is verified, the patient is selectively issued a digital certificate real-time and/or on-demand used to allow access to a building, gain authorization to conduct predetermined activities, work, travel freely, etc. The immunity certificate may be renewed or revoked if predetermined events occur, such as a rise in body temperature over a predetermined level.

A knock detection device includes a proximity sensor, at least one sound sensor, and a signal processing unit. The proximity sensor and the sound sensor are respectively electrically connected to the signal processing unit. The signal processing unit receives and/or processes the signal of the sound sensor according to the signal of the proximity sensor. A household appliance includes the knock detection device. The knock detection device is disposed inside the household appliance on the back side of a panel provided for knocking by a user.

A system and method for providing access to a vehicle is provided. The system includes a plurality of capacitive sensors circumferentially spaced from one another in a circular arrangement defining a plurality of sensor nodes for receiving a touch input from a user in the form of a touch or a swipe. A controller unit is coupled to the plurality of capacitive sensors and a power source and is in communication with a plurality of vehicle systems and a latch mechanism. The controller unit detects a plurality of changes in capacitance of the plurality of capacitive sensors due to the touch input and determines whether the plurality of changes in capacitance matches a gesture sequence within a predetermined amount of time. The controller unit controls the latch mechanism in response to the communication with vehicle systems and changes in capacitance matching the gesture sequence within the predetermined amount of time.

An access apparatus (ZV) for a vehicle (FZ) has a vehicle-side position-determining device (PBE) for determining the position (POS1, POS2, POS3) of a mobile identification signal generator (IDG) with respect to the vehicle. In addition, said access apparatus (ZV) has a vehicle-side control device (STE) for emitting location-determining signals (LS1) to the mobile identification signal generator (IDG) for determining the position thereof. In this context, the vehicle-side control device (STE) is configured to control the frequency of the emission of the location-determining signals as a function of the position of the mobile identification signal generator with respect to the vehicle. In this way, the power consumption both in the vehicle and in the identification signal generator can be reduced on the basis of the location-dependent adaptation of the emission of the interrogation signals, without adversely affecting reliable operation of the access apparatus.