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.

A retractable arm device, system, and method with a locking mechanism for preventing items placed in a device or receptacle from getting stuck, damaged, or torn. The retractable arm includes an inner tube, a pawl, and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube. The inner tube slides within the outer tube and the pawl preventing the retractable arm from moving into an extended position under particular conditions. The retractable arm may be placed in a receptacle for items to prevent the door from being reopened before the door is fully closed.

A retractable arm device, system, and method with a locking mechanism for preventing items placed in a device or receptacle from getting stuck, damaged, or torn. The retractable arm includes an inner tube, a pawl, and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube. The inner tube slides within the outer tube and the pawl preventing the retractable arm from moving into an extended position under particular conditions. The retractable arm may be placed in a receptacle for items to prevent the door from being reopened before the door is fully closed.

The present invention relates to a smart mailbox and a system for remotely monitoring and controlling the smart mailbox. The mailbox features a microprocessor to receive instructions from the remote electronic device, and transmits information using a wireless communication channel established by a wireless transceiver to the remote electronic device. The remote electronic device is connected to the mailbox and accesses the mailbox through an installed software application. The mailbox has a door for opening and closing the mailbox, a servo motor connected to a pair of springs to control movement of the mailbox door, a high resolution camera to capture video of inside and around the mailbox, a mail sensor to detect the presence of a parcel in the mailbox and a solar panel configured to provide electrical power to the components of the mailbox.

The present invention relates to an illuminated mailbox device primarily comprised of a mailbox, at least one solar panel, at least one address plate, at least one LED light, at least one motion sensor and at least one light sensor. The at least one solar panel provides power to the LED light, which may be located on the interior surface to illuminate the interior surface and the exterior of the device to illuminate the address plate which displays the address of the house at which the device is being used. The LED light is further activated by the motion sensor that is preferably activated when the front wall is in motion and/or when the light sensor that is activated by a lack of light during dawn, dusk or night.

A security container configured to be releasably secured to a structure wherein the security container is movable between a stored position and a deployed position. In the deployed position the security container is operable to receive packages or similar objects. The security container includes a rear wall, a front wall, a bottom panel and sidewalls that are movably coupled in order to provide transition between the stored position and the deployed position. A top panel member is further provided to provide covering of the opening of the security container 100 in its deployed position. A communications module is further includes having elements such a motion sensor, a camera and a microphone wherein the communications module provides remote operation of the security container 100. An alarm module and weight sensors are further included and the security container 100 can be secured to the structure utilizing alternate embodiments of the securing member.

A lockout device for an opening of a collection box, such as a postal collection box. The lockout device can include a cover sized to block the opening to prevent access to the contents of the collection box through the opening. In one example, the cover can be assembled over the opening and a locking pin can be inserted through apertures in the lateral sides of the opening walls and lateral sides of the cover. The locking pin can be lock in place using a lock and lock guard. In another example, the cover includes an internal extension assembly with clamping mechanisms that can engage with the lateral sides of the opening.

Millions of packages get shipped and stolen from home door steps, mail often get placed in wrong mailboxes and sometimes the mailman or package carrier needs to speak to someone at or from the residence, Video Smart Package Pillar” was created with all of these issues of the world in mind, combining the idea of a Pillar, compartmentalized, with two compartments—a mail compartment and package compartment and a one to two doors in rear to obtain packages that have been delivered. While leaving an original mail pull down opening for the mail being delivered.

A delivery system S performs authenticating process of authenticating at least any one of an UGV 1 and an article delivered by the UGV 1 in a case where the UGV 1 arrives at a delivery destination, and performs opening/closing control of a first carry-in port from which the article is carried in at the delivery destination on the basis of the authentication result of the UGV 1 or the article delivered by the UGV 1.

A mail recovery device for insertion into a mailbox, the device structured to adjust to the internal dimensions of the mailbox. A base member of the device rests on top of mailbox bottom surface, a pair of side members are disposed along the side surfaces of the mailbox, and a rear member is disposed along the rear surface of the mailbox. The side members include a plurality of side portions coupled together by a plurality of fold lines, while the rear member includes a plurality of rear portions coupled together by a plurality of fold lines. The fold lines are structured to provide the device with dimensional flexibility so that the size of the mail recovery device may be adjusted to the mailbox internal dimensions.