Present embodiments relate to a revolving mailbox cluster and central package delivery system. More specifically, without limitation, present embodiments relate to a revolving mailbox cluster that includes: substantially circular layers stacked vertically, where a second layer sits atop a first layer, and wherein each substantially circular layers includes: vertically opposed bottom top plates, divider plates perpendicular to the bottom and top plates, and a center ring, where the bottom and top plates, dividers, and center ring define individual mailbox units, each of which has an opening disposed opposite the center ring; a first motor for moving the substantially circular layers vertically; and a second motor for rotating the substantially circular layers.

An intelligent item receptacle, system, and method for providing supplemental media content in response to depositing an item having media indicia disposed thereon. An intelligent item receptacle includes an item receptacle securely enclosing an interior volume, an item sensor configured to detect an inserted item, a camera within the interior volume configured to capture an image of the item, and an output configured to play audio or visual content to bystanders outside the item receptacle. Processing circuitry within the item receptacle analyzes the image to determine if the media indicia are present on the item and, if present, causes the output to play the audio or visual content associated with the media indicia.

A portable post office contained within an intermodal container is disclosed. Such a structure may include a rack movably secured to a track mounted in the ceiling of said container via a trolley. The rack may be configured to hold a plurality of post office boxes, each box having a lockable door facing the center aisle of the container, and an open end facing the rear of the rack. The rack may be positioned against an interior side wall of the container and secured in place via a locking mechanism to prevent access to the open ends of the post office boxes. An individual may release the locking mechanism and move the rack into the center aisle along the track to access the open ends of the post office boxes. The rack member may then be moved back along the track and re-secured against the side wall.

A receiving and pick-up arrangement for postal items with a foldable housing. When the arrangement is not in use, the housing can be folded up to save space. For this purpose, the side walls are foldable, so that the side walls are arranged or stowed between the top wall and the bottom wall in the folded up state. In the folded up state, the arrangement does not have a receiving chamber for receiving postal items. In operation, the housing is unfolded. In the unfolded state of the housing, the postal item can be placed into the receiving chamber then formed between the side walls via the first opening or the second opening and removed again at a later stage. Also, a method for receiving and a method for picking up a postal item with such an arrangement.

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.

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.

An intelligent item receptacle, system, and method for providing supplemental media content in response to depositing an item having media indicia disposed thereon. An intelligent item receptacle includes an item receptacle securely enclosing an interior volume, an item sensor configured to detect an inserted item, a camera within the interior volume configured to capture an image of the item, and an output configured to play audio or visual content to bystanders outside the item receptacle. Processing circuitry within the item receptacle analyzes the image to determine if the media indicia are present on the item and, if present, causes the output to play the audio or visual content associated with the media indicia.

A smart postal mailbox device is disclosed that incorporates a camera and an imaging processing capability. When the device is in place inside a postal mailbox and is activated by a content element being placed in, or removed from, the mailbox, the camera obtains an image of the interior of the mailbox, which it then analyzes by first using pre-processing to correct for geometric distortion. The image is then decomposed using vision related algorithms into a discreet information dataset. This discrete data set is compared to previous data sets using a neural decision tree. If appropriate, the device transmits a message informing a remote user of the current state of the mailbox.

A delivery system includes a storage box, receiver terminals, a deliverer terminal, and a server. The deliverer terminal transmits, to the server, identification information of the storage box storing a delivery item and identification information of a destination receiver of the delivery item. The server transmits delivery information to the receiver terminal of the destination receiver based on the identification information of the destination receiver of the delivery item. The receiver terminal of the destination receiver transmits, to the server, information of an alternate receiver set based on relevant information about a person in the same building as the destination receiver. The server transmits, to the receiver terminal of the alternate receiver, the identification information of the storage box and unlocking key information for unlocking the storage box, based on the information of the alternate receiver transmitted from the receiver terminal of the destination receiver.