A receptacle for detecting delivery and retrieval events has a door sensor, an item sensor, a scanner, and a control unit for operating the sensors, and transmitting the sensor information for processing and analysis. A system can determine whether an event was a delivery or retrieval event based on sensor information and item tracking information. A system can further include an item configured to interact with a computing device.

An item drop box sensor system for detecting items deposited within a drop box may be configured to detect movement of an item deposit tray and to detect items deposited within the drop box. The drop box sensor system may comprise one or more tray movement sensors for detecting movement of the deposit tray, one or more item detection sensors configured to detect items passing into the drop box via the deposit tray, and an onboard controller for selectively activating the various sensors to conserve power and for transmitting data indicative of the status of the drop box to a central server configured for scheduling item pickups for various geographically spaced drop boxes.

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 locker system for shipment delivery and pick-up comprising: a remote shipping system, a long distance communication network, and a locker bank communicating with the remote shipping system via the long distance communication network and comprising a processor with a digital storage and a series of single shipment compartments equipped with doors electronically controlled by the processor, a drop compartment comprising an aperture for shipment drop-offs and whose access is protected by a rotating locking protection electronically controlled by the processor, and a locking collection door electronically controlled by the processor and protecting access to the drop compartment, the rotating locking protection and locking collection door being in the same vertical plane as the doors of the single shipment compartments.

A parcel delivery system and method are provided. The parcel delivery system includes a parcel receptacle unit with one or more lockers that securely receives parcels from any commercial carrier and provides for users to retrieve their parcel. The parcel delivery system includes a parcel receiving system that receives a parcel identification code from multiple sources such as a confirmation delivery message, direct from user, automatically scanned codes during delivery, or manually entered codes during delivery or provided during review post-delivery. Upon arrival to a designated receiver, the parcel is processed and the parcel receiving system captures images of the parcel and of an identification code. Once the identification code of the parcel is verified, an available locker is selected based on the detected size of the parcel and opened to receive the parcel. A locker access code is generated and sent to a receiver for retrieval of the parcel.

Systems and methods for smooth attended or unattended package delivery and retrieval may be provided through a container locker. Delivery companies and their respective delivery means may interact with the container locker wirelessly, through handheld devices, or through mechanisms provided on the container locker itself. The processes of receiving or pickup of a parcel or other item may be facilitated, regardless the user's presence or absence from the delivery/pickup location. Systems and methods may receive, secure, maintain, and temporarily house delivery or pickup items and concomitantly document, verify, confirm, and communicate data in varied forms to the parties interested or engaged in such deliveries or retrievals through a variety of connected networks, communication means and the use thereof.

A landing pad receives and stores packages delivered from an aerial vehicle and awaiting pickup from an aerial vehicle. The landing pad can be placed outside of a window and can contain a transmitter for sending out an identification signal via radio frequency to aid aerial vehicles in finding the landing pad. The landing pad contains a landing platform with a trapdoor that leads to a storage compartment. The trapdoor can be configured to only open when it receives a signal from an authorized aerial vehicle. The storage compartment can be accessed via a storage compartment door which can contain a locking mechanism. The storage compartment can be climate controlled. The landing pad can also have a transmitter that emits sounds to discourage animals from nesting on or near the landing pad. The landing pad can also include a solar power generator as a source of electrical energy.

Package delivery to homes or after-hours business delivery exposes a package to theft, weather damage, and extreme temperatures. To receive and protect delivered packages, a package receiving station is configured to receive package from delivery vehicles. The station includes walls that extend upward to create an interior space of the station and a roof or other movable portion that is moveable between a first position covering the interior space and a second position allowing access to the interior space. A motor causes movement of the moveable roof or movable portion and an access portal in the wall allows access into the interior space to retrieve the package. A receiver receives a signal from or detects the arrival of the delivery vehicle and generates a control signal. A controller, responsive to the control signal, sends an activation signal to the motor to move the moveable roof or movable portion.

A securable delivery storage container is configured to extend through a wall of a building and includes a frame assembly configured to be inserted into the wall. The frame assembly includes a first open end disposed at an exterior of the building, and an opposite second open end disposed at an interior of the building. A drawer assembly, which defines a storage area configured to receive deliverables, is slidingly coupled to the frame assembly and slidable between (i) a closed position where the drawer assembly is nested within the frame assembly to prevent access to the storage area from the building exterior, and enable access from the building interior and (ii) an open position where the drawer assembly is extended outwardly from the frame assembly to enable access to the storage area from the building exterior.

A system and method for securing delivered packages is provided. One embodiment employs a j-shaped or u-shaped support member secured to a fixed location structure; a basket configured to receive a delivered package; an articulated frame that opens to receive the delivered package into the basket; and that closes to secure the delivered package within the basket; a latch; and a controller system controllably coupled to the latch, wherein the controller system releases the latch in response to an arrival of a package so that the articulated frame is opened to receive the delivered package into the basket, and wherein after the articulated frame is closed with the delivered package residing in the basket, the latch is engaged to lock the closed articulated frame.