A system and method for determining the addition or removal of an object from a receptacle is provided. An ultrasound sensor may emit one or more bursts of ultrasonic energy and detect the amplitude of the echoes from each respective burst over time. A microcontroller may determine a decay rate of each respective burst from the amplitudes of the respective echoes. The decay rates are compared for changes within the receptacle caused by reflection, transmission, absorption, and diffusion of the ultrasound waves. If the difference between the second and first decay rates is larger than a predetermined amount, the addition of an object is determined.

A mailbox comprises an outer shell and an inner shell mounted within a hollow interior of the outer shell, the inner shell defining a hollow interior for receiving mail contents and further defining one or more voids with the outer shell. A door is mounted of a movement to selectively open or close one end of the outer and inner shells. A camera is concealed in one void adjacent the front end, the camera being configured to capture an image in front of the mailbox when the door is moved to at least partially expose the hollow interior for receiving mail contents. A transmitter and a receiver are mounted adjacent the front end to generate an output signal when the mail contents break the light beam therebetween. A flag rotates on the outer shell and actuates a switch to annunciate a presence of the mail contents within the mailbox.

An enhanced node-based connected logistics receptacle system includes a storage receptacle, a bridge node, and wireless accessory sensor node with at least one sensor monitoring for a change in state of the storage receptacle. The system's wireless accessory sensor node detects the storage receptacle's state change based upon sensor data, records timestamped information reflecting the detected change, and broadcasts a signal with a flag set indicating there is event information available for upload. The system's bridge node is operative to detect the flag set, retrieve the event information available for upload from the wireless accessory sensor node, and transmit a message related to the retrieved event information to a backend server to cause the backend server to initiate the dispatched logistics operation related to the storage receptacle.

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a mail notification system. In accordance with one aspect, a mail 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.

Among other things, there is disclosed a system for notifying a user of mailbox activity. A transmitter module and a receiver module are linked together so that when the transmitter module senses the opening of the mailbox, a signal is transmitted to the receiver module. A portion of the receiver module changes color and a sound is emitted to indicate mailbox activity. The receiver module is connected via the internet to a cloud server, which is connected to a user's smart device, so that a notification of mailbox activity is sent to the smart device.

A secure delivered mail repository comprises a durable cuboid box having an automatically locking and unlocking door capable of being irremovably secured to a surface, emergency illumination and an anti-theft concrete and cable tether. The repository has a digital panel capable of user interface in electrical communication with a power source, a plurality of digital cameras and a plurality of speakers. The repository may be monitored from a user's internet enabled electronic device which is configured to operate in conjunction with a home security system of a user while the illumination means is configured to visually alert a first responder to an adjacent emergency. The repository facilitates the safe and secure delivery of a package mailed to the user by enabling a delivery service to deposit a package within the repository and secure the same therein.

A system for the delivery and secure receipt of packages from unmanned vehicles to improve security and protection of the packages upon delivery. A UAV receptacle provides a water-protected interior to protect a package. The UAV receptacle includes a door in one side that allows a reception tray to extend out and back in, and which locks to protect the package so received. The UAV receptacle detects a drone in proximity. Upon confirming that delivery is for the UAV receptacle, the reception tray extends to a reception position. A sensor detects the package on the reception tray upon delivery from the drone. The reception tray is of a mesh material to reduce water retention. The UAV receptacle retracts the reception tray and closes a door to seal the package within the UAV receptacle. The UAV receptacle may notify user devices that the package has been received.

Among other things, there is disclosed a system for notifying a user of mailbox activity. A transmitter module and a receiver module are linked together so that when the transmitter module senses the opening of the mailbox, a signal is transmitted to the receiver module. A portion of the receiver module changes color and a sound is emitted to indicate mailbox activity. The receiver module is connected via the internet to a cloud server, which is connected to a user's smart device, so that a notification of mailbox activity is sent to the smart device.

A mailbox management system includes a server, a client-mailbox store, a mailbox management application installed on a mobile device of a client-mailbox store operator, and a mobile application installed on a mobile device of a mailbox user. The client-mailbox store includes a physical mailbox assigned to the mailbox user, and the server is connected to the mailbox management application, the mobile application, and a third party virtual mailbox provider. The mailbox management application is configured to receive label information of a mail, and the server is configured to receive the label information from the mobile application and send it to the mobile application of the recipient mailbox user. The mobile application is further configured to present an open and scan action option, a forward action option, a shred action option, and a trash action option to the mailbox user concerning the mail.

The present invention teaches a residential curbside mailbox with enhanced box handling capability, openable by barcode scanning, and with interchangeable bonnets. A body which is generally column shaped has front and rear doors which open at the top and hinge near the bottom and which have interleaved fingers or members extending from the bottom ends into the interior space of the mailbox. A box tray sits on the interleaved fingers. When either door is opened the fingers of that door lift the box tray upward and out of the box on that side. Thus a delivery person may access a box without leaving a delivery vehicle, while the homeowner may do the same without leaving the safety of the yard. In addition, an elastic cord and carefully slanted slots on side panels of the front door allow easy retention of a box even further up the front door.