A locking and unlocking control system includes: a first information acquisition part configured to acquire presence information as to whether a parcel associated with a first user is present in a predetermined region defined in a vehicle or a facility, the predetermined region having a door configured to be locked and unlocked through a locking and unlocking process performed by a locking and unlocking control device; and a locking and unlocking control part configured to execute a predetermined process so as not to permit unlocking of the door by a second user when the locking and unlocking control part determines based on the presence information that the parcel is present in the predetermined region and when the door is locked.

A temperature controlled storage apparatus includes a plurality of lockable storage spaces. Each of the plurality of lockable storage spaces includes one or more compartments. The temperature of each of the one or more compartments is independently controllable to provide any one of a chilled temperature or a frozen temperature. Access to the storage space is remotely programmable.

A system and computer-implemented method includes the operation of detecting, by a payment-on-delivery device, a carrier mobile computing device of a package carrier. The payment-on-delivery device establishes a communications link with the carrier mobile computing device. The payment-on-delivery device receives a carrier mobile device identifier from the carrier mobile computing device. In addition, the payment-on-delivery device presents an access code to the package carrier for actuating the electronic lock to unlock an access point to a delivery location. The payment-on-delivery device then obtains a location of the carrier mobile computing device from a location service associated with the carrier mobile computing device using the carrier mobile device identifier. Furthermore, the payment-on-delivery device transmits a lock command to the electronic lock for actuating the electronic lock to lock the access point based on the location of the carrier mobile computing device.

Systems, devices and methods for storage, delivery, receipt, and/or other handling of an item in an electronically controllable storage receptacle are disclosed. The disclosure provides features for keyless access to the storage receptacle by use of user access information, such as a PIN or bar code. Further, features are disclosed for receiving and/or transmitting data related to the recipient and the item to facilitate the various handling actions of the item.

The disclosure relates to a method comprising outputting access authorization information, which is a necessary condition for access to a compartment of a compartment system. The specific compartment is known, and the access authorization information is generated at least using information identifying the compartment, such that the compartment is determinable by the compartment system using the access authorization information. The compartment system may be stateless with respect to the determination of the compartment using the access authorization information. The access authorization information and the compartment system may be configured in a way such that the compartment system does not need to receive any further information in order to perform a check to determine whether access to the compartment can be granted on the basis of the access authorization information and/or the compartment system only obtains information from that device from which the compartment system obtains the access authorization information.

Computerized apparatus and methods useful for causing provision of location-based services to users via a user portable wireless computerized device or other device. In one embodiment, the user device establishes a secure communication session with a network server (e.g., proxy process for a service coordinator or provider) to provide user-specific location-based services such as a time-limited rental of a tangible object or space. In one variant, dynamic generation of a response to the user included providing image data relating to provision of the user-specific location-based service, the image data enabling the user to authenticate at least one aspect of the provision of the user-specific location-based service by the third party service provider.

Examples provide a heated portal frame associated with an order dispensation portal for dispensing a set of items to a user. The heated portal frame includes a metallic framework forming a horizontal surface defining at least one tote access portal. Each tote access portal defined by the metallic framework is associated with a recessed tote compartment configured to support at least one tote storing a set of item beneath the metallic framework. The heated portal frame includes a set of resistance heating elements associated with at least a portion of the portal frame. The resistance heating element(s) warm the frame to increase a temperature of an exterior surface of the portal frame in contact with ambient exterior air. The heating element(s) can be located beneath the frame or embedded within the frame to prevent condensation forming on the portal frame.

An electronic commerce system comprising an electronic commerce platform for looking at items and preparing an order from a computer connected to the server of the platform via a computer network. At least one piece of equipment for providing an order comprising at least one area equipped with a counter that is controlled by the local computer and means for conversing with a code reader. The area comprises a plurality of mobile compartments configured to be related by said counter allowing the items to be removed and/or put into said compartment. Means for allowing the registration of a code corresponding to the compartment containing the items of an order, the secure transmission of said code is the form of an electronic identification and means to present said code to activate the movement of the compartment under consideration opposite the counter and opening of said counter to remove items corresponding to the order.

A control method of controlling, using a distributed ledger, locking or unlocking of one or more storage units, in each of which an item is storable, includes: operating a first smart contract and one or more second smart contracts by a code, stored in the distributed ledger, being executed by a computer, the first smart contract managing the one or more second smart contracts that are in one-to-one correspondence with the one or more storage units; controlling, by each of the one or more second smart contracts, locking or unlocking of a corresponding one of the one or more storage units, the controlling being performed under the management by the first smart contract; and controlling, by the first smart contract, whether to place each of the one or more second smart contracts under the management.

Computerized apparatus and methods useful for authentication and/or handling and tracking of users and objects such as e.g., items being shipped or baggage associated with a user during travel. In one embodiment, a computerized apparatus located at a departure location (e.g., a kiosk) includes digital imaging and scanning apparatus to enable biometric user authentication, imaging of chattel associated with the user, as well as networked access to a computerized travel reservation system, so as to enable authentication of the user (and/or the item being shipped) as well as other aspects of the shipment transaction. The kiosk may further enable computerized control and operation of an item shipment receptable so as to allow or deny access based on the authentication processing.