A mail delivery assistance system comprises a letterbox for receiving mail consignments that has an opening and an electronic locking mechanism, a data processing device that comprises a database having an address file in which a respective addressee is associated with a building address, and a reader for capturing mail consignment data of a mail consignment. The reader, during operation, is communicatively connected to the data processing device in order to send the mail consignment data to the data processing device. The data processing device checks whether the mail consignment data match an addressee in the address file, and, if this is the case, generates a control signal for the locking mechanism in order to open the opening and to allow delivery of the mail consignment.

A mailbox system includes a remote computing device and a mailbox. The remote computing device is configured to communicate with a user device and to receive and review user authorization information and transmit an authorization message indicating successful authorization. The mailbox has a mail piece receiving mechanism, a mailbox identifier, a label printer, a locking mechanism, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to communicate with a user device having received an authorization message, to control the label printer to print a mailing label corresponding to services selected by a user via the user device, to control the locking mechanism in response to communications from the user device to allow the user to place a mail piece in the mail piece receiving mechanism and to lock the mail piece receiving mechanism after the mail piece is placed therein, and to communicate with the remote computing device.

A mailbox system includes a remote computing device and a mailbox. The remote computing device is configured to communicate with a user device and to receive and review user authorization information and transmit an authorization message indicating successful authorization. The mailbox has a mail piece receiving mechanism, a mailbox identifier, a label printer, a locking mechanism, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to communicate with a user device having received an authorization message, to control the label printer to print a mailing label corresponding to services selected by a user via the user device, to control the locking mechanism in response to communications from the user device to allow the user to place a mail piece in the mail piece receiving mechanism and to lock the mail piece receiving mechanism after the mail piece is placed therein, and to communicate with the remote computing device.

A system for securely controlling deposition and retrieval of shipments (40), including a managing distribution centre, at least one electronic locker unit connected to the managing distribution centre through a communication network, and having several lockable compartments (28i) of different sizes, wherein said at least one electronic locker unit comprises a weighing shipment module (50) located inside each compartment (28i) and made up of an arrangement of several thin flexible force sensors, linked together to circuit board, located under upper bearing plate and attached to bottom of the compartment within respective active measuring areas.

A mailbox system includes a remote computing device and a mailbox. The remote computing device is configured to communicate with a user device and to receive and review user authorization information and transmit an authorization message indicating successful authorization. The mailbox has a mail piece receiving mechanism, a mailbox identifier, a label printer, a locking mechanism, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to communicate with a user device having received an authorization message, to control the label printer to print a mailing label corresponding to services selected by a user via the user device, to control the locking mechanism in response to communications from the user device to allow the user to place a mail piece in the mail piece receiving mechanism and to lock the mail piece receiving mechanism after the mail piece is placed therein, and to communicate with the remote computing device.

A package shipping processing system is provided including a kiosk housing, a computer terminal with a video display, an input device such as a touch screen and/or keyboard, a data processor, and network data communications module. The package shipping processing system further includes a scale with a platform on which objects for shipment are placed and weighed, and an imaging device in communication with the computer terminal to transmit captured image data of objects for shipment. The data processor stores a fragility index which lists objects and different insulations which correspond to the listed objects. In use, shippers input the identification of an object to be shipped into the input device, and place the object on the scale for weight and dimensional determinations. The data processor analyzes the object's weight, fragility and dimensions to select a package and insulation for shipment.

A hybrid system for securely controlling deposition and retrieval of shipments, including a managing distribution centre, at least one electronic locker unit connected to the managing distribution centre through a communication network, and having a control desk and several lockable compartments of different sizes, wherein the electronic locker unit comprises a shape measurement module located inside each compartment for acquiring the shipment content's shape.

A mail delivery assistance system comprises a letterbox for receiving mail consignments that has an opening and an electronic locking mechanism, a data processing device that comprises a database having an address file in which a respective addressee is associated with a building address, and a reader for capturing mail consignment data of a mail consignment. The reader, during operation, is communicatively connected to the data processing device in order to send the mail consignment data to the data processing device. The data processing device checks whether the mail consignment data match an addressee in the address file, and, if this is the case, generates a control signal for the locking mechanism in order to open the opening and to allow delivery of the mail consignment.

A package shipping processing system is provided including a kiosk housing, a computer terminal with a video display, an input device such as a touch screen and/or keyboard, a data processor, and network data communications module. The package shipping processing system further includes a scale with a platform on which objects for shipment are placed and weighed, and an imaging device in communication with the computer terminal to transmit captured image data of objects for shipment. The data processor stores a fragility index which lists objects and different insulations which correspond to the listed objects. In use, shippers input the identification of an object to be shipped into the input device, and place the object on the scale for weight and dimensional determinations. The data processor analyzes the object's weight, fragility and dimensions to select a package and insulation for shipment.

Systems and methods for an intelligent collection box are provided. Implementations of the intelligent collection box include a processor, a computer-readable data storage system storing program instructions, a weighing scale, a display, a speaker, a microphone, a network interface, and a power generator. The program instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the intelligent collection box to perform operations including identifying keywords spoken by the user. The operations also include authenticating the user using the keywords. The operations also include determining a request for delivery of an item based on the keywords. The operations also include responding to the request for delivery. The operations also include determining a weight of the item. The operations also include determining delivery options for the item using the weight and using delivery information. The operations also include determining that the item has been received by the collection box.