Abstract
Disclosed herein is an automated system to provide delivery persons a simpler manner of recognizing the exact location of a target destination. Such a system includes the utilization of an illuminating device, whether for direct signal viewing or for projection of an indicating signal, provided on a mailbox or other structure placed roadside near or adjacent to, at least, a home or like edifice. The illuminating device may be solar-powered to provide an efficient manner of providing sufficient electricity to generate the necessary illumination result (or projection thereof). The system thus allows for integration of such an illuminating device within an overall process wherein a delivery person (or even a visitor, for that matter) may utilize a GPS or like app as a guide to the desired location with the illumination thereof upon entry within a certain zone proximate to the target edifice for more reliable delivery results.
Claims
1. A method of providing indication of a specific location in relation to a map routing program for a user thereof, said method comprising the steps of: i) providing an indicator selected from an illuminating/emitting light source and a projecting source placed on a mailbox or edifice associated with a specific address location; ii) correlating said indicator to a wireless communicating system on a smartphone or GPS system, wherein said wireless communicating system wirelessly transfers signals from said smartphone or GPS system during utilization of said map routing program thereon until received by said indicator; and iii) upon receipt of said signals from said smartphone or GPS system, said indicator activates to provide identification of said specific address location thereof.
2. An indicator device comprising an illuminating/emitting light source or a projecting source and including a RFID component for receipt of signals from a smartphone or GPS mapping program and further including an operating switch associated with receipt of signals through said RFID component that activates such an illuminating/emitting light source or projecting source, wherein said indicator device is housed on a mailbox or on an edifice.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a depiction of a mailbox-mounted indicator beacon device as one potential embodiment of the disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a depiction of a “smart” mailbox with all indicator beacon device components integrated therein as another potential embodiment of the disclosure.
[0027] FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 depict different manners of mounting a location beacon device as potential embodiments of the disclosure.
[0028] FIGS. 6 and 7 are depictions of a projector indicator beacon device mounted on a mailbox as another potential embodiment of the disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a potentially preferred embodiment of operation of the system with illuminating device disclosed herein for destination beacon purposes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] The following descriptions and examples are merely representations of potential embodiments of the present disclosure. The scope of such a disclosure and the breadth thereof in terms of claims following below would be well understood by the ordinarily skilled artisan within this area.
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a complete composite 10 of a saddle-shaped device 12 designed to snap/slide/mount/screw on top of a rectangular-dome designed mailbox 14 of any size (Joroleman design). Such a saddle structure 12 may be provided in different sizes to fit various mailbox dimensions, certainly. The saddle 12 thus may be applied/introduced over the top thereof such a mailbox 14 with a connection to a solar-power generator (61 of FIG. 2). The saddle 12, which may be metal, plastic, basically any material that can withstand environmental conditions for long-term usage as well as house or hold the illumination/emitting/projecting components 16 for beacon activation, as well as the electrical components for operation thereof and RFID, etc., components for signal reception safely and reliably (not shown), may be screwed, etc., to the mailbox 14 (such as at the lower sides that generally are supplied with holes for screw fittings. In this manner, with the illuminating/emitting component 16 provided within the saddle structure (in this example with a top extension running parallel to the length of the mailbox itself) with lights (LEDs as an example) provided therein to activate in the manner described above (RFID receiver operates the lights, for instance when a signal is received from a map routing program device). In the exemplified structure, an address 18 automatically lights up in the top extension of the saddle structure 12 when activated. As further described herein, such a presentation for a location beacon provided with a saddle mount of this type, any desired array of lights (for illumination or emission purposes) may be undertaken. Thus, preselected colors, numbers, sports logos, names, messages, and the like, with the potential to adjust/modify such presentations on demand, if desired, is possible, as well. Such a saddle-shaped device 12 may thus be digital in nature and tech-enabled for such displays. The map routing program user (traveler, courier, etc.) may thus rely upon the location beacon in this manner (with numbers/messages/etc.) generated in association with the solar-powered module (or, if desired, or needed, through a dedicated electrical connection or via a remote-control device, as alternatives, particularly if there is a problem or issue with the automated system itself). In this way, then, the map routing program user may enter the target address via the app or GPS system, and, upon arrival at a distance radius of sufficiently close proximity for signal reception by the mailbox mounted device, such a device will display the numbers/message, etc., for identification/clarification of the final destination for the user (courier, traveler, etc.).
[0032] FIG. 2 depicts a “smart” mailbox device 64 with a fully completed kit 50 with all the location beacon components fully integrated therein. A mail box base 60 is provided either within the kit 50 or separately for placement of the mailbox 62 and saddle device 64 thereon. In this manner, the device 64 may be made in several different sizes to fit the standard mailbox 62 dimensions, and extra-large dimensions. Extra-large mailbox dimensions with the sides of the saddle are designed to illuminate numbers, letters, and other multimedia determined by the device user. The top of the saddle is designed to fit across the top of the curvature of the mailbox. The fully completed main array of illuminating/emitting lighted components 66 may be arranged/configured in any manner desired on the mailbox itself, as long as the door thereof remains accessible in utilization by a delivery person, of course. Thus, with such integration of components of this type, as above, any type of location address 68 indication/presentation may be permitted (colors, logos, messages, numbers, or any combination thereof). The same integration with a solar-power module 61 may be undertaken as well as for the saddle-mounted device 64 noted above, as well. Likewise, then, a remote control or dedicated electrical switch may be implemented if needed or desired for such address indication purposes, too. The same signal reception at the integrated mailbox device may thus allow for activation of the illuminating/emitting components upon close proximity arrival of a traveler/courier with a signal transferring system (RFID signal, again, for example, through a Bluetooth chip within the map routing program device/system). Again, as described above within this disclosure (and as it applies overall with each automated system described herein), the map routing program utilized by the user (traveler, courier, etc.) includes the specific signal for correlation to the location beacon device on the mailbox (or mounted on an edifice, of course) that is transferred by the Bluetooth (or like) component of the map routing program until the final signal receiver at the target address location device is reached. The indicator activation thus occurs for identification of the definitive address once the user is in close enough proximity thereto. Digital bill-board technology may further be used to display multimedia displays (i.e. holiday-themed or co-branded sports themed lighting solutions, as non-limiting examples) on the mailbox or edifice, as well.
[0033] FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 depict different mounted devices on a mailbox. FIG. 3 shows a full indicator/notification illuminated device 100 with a top-mounted structure 112 (here a medallion 114 attached to the dome of the mailbox 110) that includes the light illumination/emission components that activate through reception of a signal as discussed and disclosed herein. The mailbox 110 is not covered in this view and thus includes an exterior “flag” 116 for mail delivery notification if needed, as well. FIG. 4 shows a notification/indicator device 150 including hoop structure 158 around the base mailbox pole 152 for such a purpose (with the same activation and illumination/emission capabilities as above). Such a hoop 158 may be snapped around such a pole 152 for attachment thereto with electrical connections as needed (such as to a solar-powered device, as one possible example) with a mailbox 154 and “flag” 156 provided. FIG. 5 shows a third alternative embodiment overall device 200 with a medallion 210 (such as shown in FIG. 3) that is attached to a mailbox pole 202 via a collar structure 208 (as one non-limiting possible embodiment). As above, the medallion 210 includes the necessary illumination/emission components and is connected to electrical leads for such activation and operation potential associated with a mailbox 204 with “flag” component 206. It should be evident that such examples of potentially preferred embodiments are by means the only types of illuminating devices that may be utilized in such a manner and different arrangements and designs may be implemented as long as the overall beacon and/or location assistance and notification system capabilities are met.
[0034] FIGS. 6 and 7 depict an overall mailbox composite 300, 400 including a projector device 306, 406 incorporated into such a disclosed beacon location system that allows for an image 310, 410 to be projected 308, 408 as desired (here, towards the road 312, 412 in front of and below the target mailbox 304, 404). Such a projector 306, 406 may be programmed to provide a message in this manner for facilitating the locating of the residence (in this instance with the mailbox 304, 404) by a visitor, courier, emergency service professional, etc. Such a projector 306, 406 may thus be mounted for image projection purposes underneath the mailbox 304, 404 (pointed downward to the ground/road 312, 412); alternatively, such a projector may be mounted on the mailbox pole 302, 402, on the mailbox 304, 404 top (dome) or other location with possible image generation downward (but possibly on both sides of the target mailbox 304, 404 simultaneously), with a wide projection across the road 312, 412, rather than just downward underneath the mailbox 304, 404 (and thus with a projector 306, 406 having a more panoramic lens for such a wide and deep image), or even to provide a projection backwards towards the actual residence, itself.
[0035] Although these Figures show the utilization of the illumination/emission/projection device from a mailbox, it should be well understood, and is disclosed herein above, that this system may also be utilized through the incorporation/attachment of a device to a building. As noted above, the necessity for delivery persons to locate a specific place for effective and reliable delivery is not limited to homes. Office buildings, warehouses, strip malls (with shops/offices, for example), apartments, even duplexes and multiplexes, for that matter, may be provided with an outward beacon to facilitate location by any such delivery person/courier. Apartment buildings may have deliveries made to main offices, of course, but at times deliveries (food, in particular) may be made to specific apartments within a larger complex. The placement of an illuminating/emitting/projecting beacon may be undertaken on the outside of a specific building to provide a courier with greater reliability for outwardly locating the definitive apartment. The same may be said of offices within office parks, as well as a specific warehouse within a larger warehouse park, and a specific suite within a strip mall (or similar structure). As such, a mounted illuminating/emitting/projecting device may also be provided that activates upon receipt of a signal from a route mapping program courier/delivery person, again, as above, when such a person and her program is close enough for the signal (Bluetooth transfer, for example) to be received by the device (RFID, for instance). Such activation thus allows the device to illuminate (or other operation, of course) at such a point in time to provide an outward location beacon to direct the courier/delivery person (or, of course, visitor) to the correct specific destination. With an apartment building, for instance, the general location may be indicated with the possible extra information provided by the beacon as the courier, etc., nears the building itself (if walking to the actual apartment). Such a building-mounted device may be powered as discussed above with solar, etc., components, or integrated within the electrical system thereof, of course. With a projector or LED illumination/emission device, as alluded to herein (and discussed FIG. 4), messages for the courier, etc., may be provided with specific information more easily read as such a person nears the structure. Such a possible edifice-mounted device thus works in the same basic manner as a device associated with a mailbox. The versatility of the disclosed illuminating/emitting/projecting beacon location device, however, allows for any type of extra notification of any person (visitor, courier, emergency service provider, etc.) the ability to clearly and reliably find the specific target address quickly and reliably, regardless of the actual mounted alternative. Such a projector component may be made of standard materials for such applications and devices, as well.
[0036] FIG. 8 further shows a flowchart of one possible preferred embodiment of the system 600 with illuminating beacon device described and disclosed herein. Such flowchart steps include the following: the delivery driver or traveler selects a destination address 610, the transmitter (a phone or other type of dedicated communication device) retrieves a code assigned to the delivery location (destination) itself 612 and then transmits the code to the illuminating device at the destination 614. When the delivery driver or traveler is then within a certain range of the destination 616 (and thus the illuminating device), the receiver detects the code from the delivery driver or traveler 618 and activates the illumination operation 620 (with a range of possible activities including, without limitation, simple lighting, pulsating, strobing, brightening and dimming in cycles, flashing, patterns in sequence of lighting of LED bulbs, any combination of such activities, and the like). The illuminating device will inactivate 622 (and turn off any lighted components, in other words) within a certain timeframe after activation, upon movement of the delivery driver or traveler from the location, upon disengagement of the communication device from the illuminating device, such as a simple notification switch, voice command, or indication on an app by the customer or person visited, as examples. Additionally, such deactivation of the illuminated device may occur in relation to the overall system indicating any of: delivery of the target package or other parcel or letter (or plural packages, etc.), acceptance of any delivered good(s) or other item by the customer within the system, notification of arrival by the delivery person or traveler within the system in relation to proximity within a set radius of the illuminated device through automatic operation or through active agreement (and action taken) by the customer or traveler's acquaintance within the system.
[0037] Having described the disclosure in detail it is obvious that one skilled in the art will be able to make variations and modifications thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure should be determined only by the claims appended hereto.
