The system and apparatus of the disclosure includes a receptacle, referred to herein as a mailbox, and a camera system for detecting and recording movement in and about the receptacle. Detected movement can include the activities of persons depositing or retrieving items from the mailbox, both authorized and unauthorized. Recorded information can include audio and video, and recorded information can be record in discrete clips or continuous streaming with time/date stamping. The camera system can additionally report activity to a remote device, such as computer, server system or a mobile device, including a cell phone, for review. Reporting can be in real time, or stored in a memory device for later review.

An assembly for accomplishing any of drone takeoff/landing, recharging, or package transfer/delivery. The assembly includes a base supporting at least one extendable member. A receiving platform is secured atop the member and a controller interfaces the assembly with the drone for issuing a set of commands for guiding the drone relative to the platform. The command instructions include at least an instruction to elevate/lower the platform at any point for the exchange or landing. Additional command instructions provide for managing each of pre-exchange, during-exchange or post-exchange interactions. The assembly also provides secure retention and post-exchange access by a recipient in the instance of a drone delivered and securely retained package.

A smart and secure mailbox includes a mailbox and a secured storage. The mailbox and the secured storage are connected through a shared section. The shared section encloses an automated flap. The shared section also integrates a weight sensor. Upon a delivery of a mail, the weight sensor provides an activation signal which triggers the automated flap. The automated flap activates and provides a gap between the mailbox and the secured storage. The delivered mail falls through the gap. Upon a placement of the delivered mail within the secured storage, the automated flap closes which secures the delivered mail within the secured storage.

A parcel delivery system which includes: a processing system including at least one processor and a communications subsystem; an array of parcel boxes, each including: an enclosure having a front opening; a door; an electrically controlled lock mechanism switchable in response to a signal from the processing system; an enclosure occupancy sensor configured to sense whether or not the enclosure contains a parcel; the processing system is configured to: allocate to the parcel one of the boxes determined to be empty based on an output of the occupancy sensor; determine when the parcel has been placed in the allocated box; send to a mobile electronic device of the recipient a notification indicative of the allocated box; and, on receipt of an unlock request received from the mobile electronic device of the recipient, to actuate the lock mechanism to switch from a locked state to an unlocked state.

Systems, devices, and techniques for producing audio for, or adding audio capability to, a collection box for delivery items that includes a user-operated door for putting items into the collection box. The system can include a processing subsystem, an audio transducer, a trigger device that is connected to, or that is part of, the door of the collection device, and a sensor. The sensor detects the trigger device when the trigger device is in close proximity (e.g., in contact), and the sensor is positioned such that it is in close proximity with the trigger device when the door is closed. In response to the trigger device moving out of close proximity, the sensor generates a signal to the processing system. In response, the processing system generates an audio signal that is converted to sound by the audio transducer, which can be heard outside of the collection box.

A method, system and apparatus are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a system for monitoring a mailbox is provided. The system may include a mailbox device including at least one sensor, such as a video camera, for detecting movement, and a mailbox communication interface configured to communicate information including sensor information generated by the at least one sensor. The system may further include a premises device including a premises communication interface configured to receive the sensor information from the mailbox device and processing circuitry configured to determine whether a mailbox event has occurred and trigger at least one alert if a mailbox event occurred. The system may further provide notification of the event to an authorized entity via mobile device, voice assistant, etc. An access control unit may be used to limit access to the mailbox to authorized individuals.

An assembly for accomplishing package transfer to and from a drone. The assembly includes a base supporting at least one extendable member. A package receiving platform is secured atop the member and a control system interfaces the assembly with the drone for issuing a set of command instructions for guiding and positioning the drone relative to the platform and for accomplishing package transfer between the drone and the platform. The command instructions include at least an instruction to elevate the platform at any point prior to package exchange and a subsequent instruction to retract the platform at any point following package exchange. Additional command instructions provide for managing each of pre-exchange and post-exchange of the package, such as for providing secure retention and post-exchange access by the recipient in the instance of a drone delivered and securely retained package.

A residential pneumatic mailbox and mailing system includes a mailbox, a receiving unit, pneumatic tubing, a courier canister, a compressor, and a control unit. The mailbox is positioned along a curbside of a home. The receiving unit is positioned inside the home or on the outside of the home. The pneumatic tubing is connected between the mailbox and the receiving unit. The courier canister is sized to hold mail and is configured for moving back and forth in the pneumatic tubing between the mailbox and the receiving unit. The compressor and control unit are configured to control the movement of the courier canister within the pneumatic tubing back and forth between the mailbox and the receiving unit. Wherein, the residential pneumatic mailbox and mailing system is configured to transport the mail inside of the courier canister from the mailbox to the receiving unit, and vice versa.

Systems are disclosed for producing audio that is audible outside a collection box for delivery items, the collection box including a user-operated door. The system can include a trigger device, a sensor, an audio transducer that generates the produced audio from an audio signal, an audio chip and one or more processors. The sensor can detect the trigger device when the trigger device is in close proximity, and the one or more processors can be operably connected to the sensor and to the audio chip, where the one or more processors signal the audio chip to send the audio signal to the audio transducer. The one or more processors can further receive and record a status signal indicating that the door is in an opened state. Systems can further include an environmental sensor that measures environmental information.

A system of lockers includes at least two groups of lockers, a control unit, a user interface, a communication unit. Each group of lockers has lockers designated for a respective parcel type. The control unit communicates with the lockers and is configured to control an opening of each locker. The user interface is configured to receive from a delivery person input indicative an identification of the delivery person. The communication unit is configured to communicate the input from the user interface to a data center. The data center is configured to store a plurality of identifications of a plurality of delivery persons associated with one or more of the lockers, for comparing the input with the plurality of identifications, and for transmitting to the control unit a command to open one or more of the lockers associated with the identification input by the delivery person.