An apparatus comprising: a retaining device for retaining planar items including mail and/or documents, in which mail can be located and from which mail can be collected; a control means; a sensor means for indicating to the control means information indicative of mail and/or documents having been placed in the retaining device and/or removed from the retaining device, wherein the control means is arranged to cause, in response thereto, at least one action to be performed.

The invention provides a closures (106) for a compartment (100) having one or more walls (112, 114, 116, 118) and an opening (110) defined by at least one of the walls (112, 114, 116, 118). The closure (106) is associated with at least one fastener located inside the compartment (100). The fastener can hold the closure (106) in a first position (eg. closed) relative to the opening (110). The fastener is adapted to cause the closure (106) to assume a second position (eg. open) relative to the opening (110) upon receipt of a suitable signal. The closure (106) has at least one indicium (108) visible from outside the compartment (110). The indicium (108) is adapted to provide a visual indication of a status of the closure (106) or the compartment (110), such as closure open, closure closed, compartment empty, compartment occupied. Instead of indicium (108) or in addition to it, the closure of the invention can include in the fastener means for communicating to a remote device, a status of the closure or the compartment. The closure and the compartment may form an array with other closures and compartments having similar fasteners. In that event, the fastener in each compartment may be addressable.

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a notification system. In accordance with one aspect, the notification system, includes an energy emitter device configured to emit energy; a sensing device coupled to the energy emitter device, the sensing device configured to receive the energy from the energy emitter device to produce a sensed signal; a detection device coupled to the sensing device, the detection device configured to detect a transition state of the sensed signal and configured to produce a digital message; and a housing configured to receive one or more mail, wherein the housing houses the energy emitter device, the sensing device, and the detection device. In one example, the notification system a keep-alive component configured to transmit a diagnostic query and to receive a return health signal.

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a container notification system. In accordance with one aspect, the container notification system, includes a sensing device to generate a sensed signal; a detection device coupled to the sensing device, the detection device configured to detect a transition state of the sensed signal wherein the transition state is based on receipt of one or more content inputted to a container area; and a keep-alive component configured to transmit a diagnostic query based on a timetable to one or more components of the container notification system and further configured to receive one or more self-initiated health signals from at least one of the one or more components.

A smart office mailbox system includes a box for receiving documents. A touchscreen display is located at a front portion of the box. A slot is located at the front portion of the box for receiving documents. The touchscreen display receives input and opens an access panel covering the slot when documents are to be deposited into the box.

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a container notification system. In accordance with one aspect, the container notification system, includes a sensing device to generate a sensed signal; a detection device coupled to the sensing device, the detection device configured to detect a transition state of the sensed signal wherein the transition state is based on receipt of one or more content inputted to a container area; and a keep-alive component configured to transmit a diagnostic query based on a timetable to one or more components of the container notification system and further configured to receive one or more self-initiated health signals from at least one of the one or more components.

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a notification system. In accordance with one aspect, the notification system, includes a housing configured to receive one or more content, wherein the housing includes a door; a sensing device to produce a sensed signal; a detection device coupled to the sensing device, the detection device configured to detect a transition state of the sensed signal wherein the transition state is based on receipt of the one or more content; and a tampering sensor configured to detect tampering of the housing.