A smart locker system with assistance for a visually impaired user is disclosed. Each locker in the smart locker system includes a beacon that emits a signal either before the locker door is released or at the same time as the locker door is released. The beacon is used by a visually impaired user to locate the specified locker before it opens or at the same time as it opens. The beacon may be a haptic device that causes the specified locker to vibrate, which allows the user to find the locker by feel. The beacon may also be an auditory device that causes the specified locker to emit a sound, which allows the user to find the locker by sound.

Automated food delivery methods and systems using computer-managed delivery to an array of food delivery enclosures and computer-enabled customer access to the food delivered to the enclosures. Customers using the methods and systems may utilize their personal communication device such as a cell phone or tablet to order food and subsequently open an enclosure containing their food order.

A deployment manager for managing a deployment includes storage for storing an asset management request and an asset manager. The asset manager obtains the asset management request for an asset of the deployment; in response to obtaining the asset management request: places the asset into a management mode that enables at least one physical component of the asset to be physically managed; manages the asset based on the asset management request while in the management mode; and places the asset into an active mode that disables the at least one physical component of the asset to be physically managed.

A container for the storage of valuables and a service to retrieve the container is disclosed. The container is designed to contain valuables and important documents, and protect these contents during an emergency evacuation situation. The container is waterproof and can float in water. The container can also be made of a flame-resistant material. The container can emit a homing signal to facilitate the retrieval of the container in the event of an emergency situation. A container retrieval service can initiate a retrieval of the container in response to a determination that a disaster is likely to occur in the region where the container is located.

A locker apparatus, method and computer program are provided. The locker apparatus comprises: a plurality of lockers, wherein each locker is for storing a hand portable electronic device, and wherein each locker comprises a receiver configured to receive signals from a hand portable electronic device and comprises a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking the locker; user input circuitry configured to receive inputs from a user; a transmitter; at least one processor; and memory storing at least one computer program having computer program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause at least the following to be performed: in response to input being received at the user input circuitry identifying a user, identifying a hand portable electronic device for the user; causing the transmitter to a transmit a signal to the hand portable electronic device to cause the hand portable electronic device to output a signal for opening a locker; and if the signal output by the hand portable electronic device is received by one of the receivers, causing the locking mechanism of the locker comprising the receiver that received the signal output by the hand portable electronic device to unlock the locker.

A processing system including at least one processor may obtain information regarding an exchange of an item, the exchange having a sterilization requirement for the exchange, and may identify a network-connected storage locker having at least one sterilization component that is capable of fulfilling the sterilization requirement and that is available for assignment to the exchange. The processing system may then transmit a first notification to the network-connected storage locker of a reservation of the network-connected storage locker for the exchange and transmit to a computing system associated with a source of the item a second notification of the reservation of the network-connected storage locker for the exchange.

A smart license plate vault securely holds small objects, such as a vehicle key, while resembling a license plate mounting platform. The smart license plate vault may be operated by authorized third parties via a keypad located on the smart license plate vault to accept access codes and other information. The smart license plate vault may include a storage compartment with a removable cover for providing access to the storage compartment and an electronic locking mechanism for locking and unlocking the vault, a vault cover plate sensor for detecting when the vault cover plate has been placed into a closed position, a storage compartment sensor for recording information regarding an interior of the storage compartment when the vault cover plate sensor detects that the vault cover plate has been placed into the closed position, and a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the recorded information to a remote location.

Systems and methods relating to a lockbox bank for currency drop-offs are provided. A lockbox bank includes one or more lockboxes, a safe coupled to the one or more lockboxes, and a terminal of a lockbox computing system. Each lockbox includes a receptacle configured to receive a currency drop-off and a locking mechanism. The terminal includes a network interface, a display device, one or more input/output devices, and a processing circuit including a processor and a memory. The memory is structured to store instructions that are executable by the processor and cause the processing circuit to receive a request from the customer to use a lockbox for a currency drop-off, receive access credentials, verify the access credentials, in response to successful verification, grant the customer access to a lockbox, and in response to determining that the drop-off has been completed, move the drop-off from the receptacle to the safe.

A commodity deposit device includes delivery box sets, and a control panel configured to control the plurality of delivery box sets, wherein each of the plurality of delivery box sets includes a plurality of delivery boxes stacked, the control panel includes a controller configured to control opening and closing of the plurality of delivery boxes, and a display configured to output storage status information of the plurality of delivery boxes, and each of the plurality of delivery boxes includes a cabinet with a storeroom defined therein, a door rotatably connected to the cabinet and configured to open and close the storeroom, a commodity information recognizer installed at one side of an inside of the storeroom and configured to recognize an encryption code indicated on a commodity received into the storeroom, and a door lock configured to lock or unlock the door in response to a command transmitted from the controller.

A synchronized delivery system for delivering parcels directly to an alternate delivery location such as a locker bank in lieu of making any delivery attempt at a primary delivery location such as a home or office. The system may deliver parcels directly to the alternate delivery location when a related parcel is currently stored at the alternate delivery location awaiting pickup. A related parcel may include a parcel addressed to the same consignee, to a related consignee (e.g., such as a neighbor, roommate, or spouse), or to another authorized to pick up parcels on behalf of the consignee. When delivering parcels to alternate deliver locations, the system may facilitate a grouping of related parcels in a single locker.