Patent Application
20190239673
The invention generally relates to lockable boxes for receiving packages. More specifically, the invention relates to a lockable box with features that allow a homeowner to control access to the lockable box.
Home shopping has grown in recent years with the advent of online retail and even online grocery services. With a few selections, a homeowner can receive a package to his or her home. However, one shortcoming with home shopping is the physical delivery of a package to the homeowner's home when the homeowner is not physically present. Some delivery services will hold a package at a distribution center, and the homeowner is required to travel to the distribution center to pick up the package. This defeats a major benefit of home shopping, which is to have a package delivered to a homeowner's home. Some delivery services have installed neighborhood drop boxes so a homeowner does not have to travel to a distribution center. However, a homeowner still has to travel to the neighborhood drop box, which again, defeats a major benefit of home delivery.
In other instances, delivery services will leave packages at the homeowner's home when the homeowner is not physically present at the home. For example, delivery services will leave a package on the homeowner's front porch. However, this method of delivering a package is extremely unsecure, and in fact, packages left on homeowner's porches are often stolen by “porch pirates.” Again, having a package stolen defeats the benefit of home delivery.
To help remedy the issues with delivering a package to a homeowner's home when the homeowner is not physically present, some homeowners have installed stand-alone lock boxes on their porches or other areas to receive a package. However, this also has inherent problems that inhibit the delivery of a package to a homeowner's home. For example, the homeowner must coordinate a locking system with the delivery service for the stand-alone lock box. This can include providing a physical key to a delivery service or even a key code. Loss of the physical key or dissemination of the key code can render the stand-alone lock box inoperative. In addition, stand-alone lock boxes can be difficult to integrate into an existing home structure, or the lock boxes may take up valuable space on the porch or other area of a home. Therefore, there is an unmet need for a lockable box with aspects and features that improve the physical delivery of a package to a homeowner's home.
It is thus an aspect of embodiments of the invention to provide a lockable box to securely receive a package at a homeowner's home. The lockable box, in some embodiments, can have physical features that allow the lockable box to be more readily added to an existing home or integrated into a new home and address at least some of the problems with existing boxes. In addition or in the alternative, the lockable box, in some embodiments, can have a locking device or locking system that is controlled by a homeowner. For instance, a homeowner may control the locking device from a remote mobile device through a network such as the interne to provide a key code to third parties, e.g., delivery services.
It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a lockable box that can readily integrate into an existing home. For example, the lockable box may be integrated into a door system such that a homeowner needs to buy and install only a new door to incorporate the present invention. The lockable box extends through the width of the door to provide a volume to receive packages. In addition, the lockable box is offset from the outer perimeter of the door by a predetermined distance. This predetermined distance allows the door to function normally while providing the lockable box the necessary volume to receive packages.
It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a lockable box that can readily integrate into a new home. The lockable box, in some embodiments, can be built into a frame wall between one or more studs in the call. As a result, the lockable box can have an outer door and an inner door such that a homeowner can control access to the outer door and then receive packages through the inner door.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a lockable box that has an administration system that allows a homeowner to control access to the lockable box. In various embodiments, the lockable box has a locking system that is in electronic communication with a remote computer network, e.g., the Internet. This electronic communication can be wired or wireless, according to protocols known in the art such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The homeowner can control the locking system using a second electronic device (desktop computer, mobile device, etc.) that is in electronic communication with the remote computer network. Using the second electronic device, the homeowner can set a password for the locking system and provide the password to a third party such as a delivery service.
A particular embodiment of the present invention is a lockable box for selective use for authorized users at a residence, comprising a body defining an interior volume; an outer door positioned on an exterior of a residence, the outer door configured to move between an open state and a closed state; an outer locking system configured to set the outer door in a locked state and an unlocked state; an inner door positioned on an interior of the residence, the inner door configured to move between an open state and a closed state; and an inner locking system configured to set the inner door in a locked state and an unlocked state.
Yet another particular embodiment of the present invention is a lockable box system for a door at a home residence, comprising a door body having a substantially rectangular shape with a length, a height, and a width; a lockable box integrated into the door body, the lockable box having a length and a height that is smaller than the length and the height of the door body, and the lockable box having a width that is larger than the width of the door body, the lockable box further having: a delivery door configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position; and a locking system configured to set the delivery door in a locked state and an unlocked state.
A further particular embodiment of the present invention is a system for administering access to a lockable box used in conjunction with a home delivery service at a residence, comprising a lockable box having a body with an interior volume and having one of a lid and a door that encloses the interior volume; a locking device of the lockable box that is configured to set the one of the lid and the door in a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein the locking device sets the one of the lid and the door from the locked state to an unlocked state in response to a unique input to the locking device; a transceiver of the lockable box in operable communication with the locking device; and an electronic device, wherein the transceiver is in operable communication with the electronic device via a network of computers, wherein the electronic device is configured to set the unique input of the locking device.
In some embodiments, the electronic device is a mobile device having a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium configured to provide a graphical user interface that allows a user to set the unique input of the locking device. In various embodiments, the network of computers is the Internet.
One particular embodiment is a lockable box system for a door at a home residence, comprising a door that is rotatable between a closed position and an open position, the door having a substantially rectangular shape with a height, a width, and a depth; a lockable box integrated into the door, wherein the lockable box has a height that is less than the height of the door, and the lockable box has a width that is less than the width of the door, the lockable box further having a delivery door positioned on an exterior surface of the lockable box, the delivery door is rotatable between a closed position and an open position; and a locking system that selectively locks the delivery door in the closed position and selectively unlocks the delivery door to allow the delivery door to rotate to the open position.
In some embodiments, the lockable box has a depth that is larger than the depth of the door. In various embodiments, the door defines an opening path as the door rotates between the closed position and the open position, and the depth of the lockable box is positioned within the opening path. In some embodiments, a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge, and a right edge of the lockable box are offset by a predetermined distance from a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge, and a right edge of the door, respectively.
In various embodiments, the door has a locking system that is separate from the locking system of the lockable box, wherein the locking system of the door selectively locks the door in the closed position and selectively unlocks the door to allow the delivery door to rotate to the open position. In some embodiments, the locking system of the lockable box is a keypad that selectively unlocks the delivery door upon receiving a first key combination, and the locking system of the door is a keypad that selectively unlocks the door upon receiving a second key combination, wherein the first key combination is distinct from the second key combination. In various embodiments, the locking system of the lockable box is a keypad that selectively unlocks the delivery door upon receiving a key combination, wherein the keypad is an alphanumeric keypad.
In some embodiments, the locking system of the lockable box selectively unlocks the delivery door upon receiving an authorization signal from a network of computers. In various embodiments, the locking system comprises a router that receives the authorization signal from the network of computers, and wherein the network of computers is the Internet. In some embodiments, the lockable box defines a volume, wherein a receiving door is positioned on an interior surface of the lockable box, and the receiving door provides access to the volume.
Another particular embodiment is a lockable box for selective use for authorized users at a residence, comprising an outer door positioned on an exterior of a residence, the outer door is movable between a closed position and an open position; an inner door positioned on an interior of the residence, the inner door is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the outer door and the inner door define a receiving volume; and a locking system that selectively locks the outer door in the closed position and selectively unlocks the outer door to allow the outer door to move to the open position, wherein the locking system has a keypad that selectively unlocks the outer door upon receiving a key combination.
In some embodiments, the locking system has a router receives an authorization input from a network of computers, and wherein the locking system selectively unlocks the outer door upon receiving the authorization input. In various embodiments, the locking system has a router receives a second key combination from a network of computers, and wherein the locking system replaces the key combination with the second key combination upon receiving the second key combination. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a second locking system that selectively locks the inner door in the closed position and selectively unlocks the inner door to allow the inner door to move to the open position. In various embodiments, the exterior and the interior of the residence are an exterior and an interior, respectively, of a door of the residence.
Yet another particular embodiment is a system for administering access to a lockable box used in conjunction with a home delivery service at a residence, comprising a lockable box having a body with an interior volume and having one of a lid and a door that encloses the interior volume; a locking device of the lockable box that sets one of the lid and the door in a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein the locking device sets one of the lid and the door from the locked state to the unlocked state in response to a unique input to the locking device; a transceiver of the lockable box in operable communication with the locking device; and an electronic device, wherein the transceiver is in operable communication with the electronic device via a network of computers, wherein the electronic device sets the unique input of the locking device.
In some embodiments, the electronic device is a mobile device having a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium provides a graphical user interface that allows a user to set the unique input of the locking device. In various embodiments, the network of computers is the Internet. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a second door that rotates between a closed position and an open position, wherein the second door provides access to the lockable box. In various embodiments, the locking device is an alphanumeric keypad, and the unique input is a key combination.
These and other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure of the invention(s) contained herein. The above-described embodiments, objectives, and configurations are neither complete nor exhaustive. The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the invention. Moreover, references made herein to “the invention” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the invention and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. The invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and Detailed Description and no limitation as to the scope of the invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention. Additional aspects of the invention will become more readily apparent from the Detailed Description particularly when taken together with the drawings.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosures.
To assist in the understanding of the embodiments of the invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein:
It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and various dimensions may be altered. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.
The invention has significant benefits across a broad spectrum of endeavors. It is the Applicant's intent that this specification and the claims appended hereto be accorded a breadth in keeping with the scope and spirit of the invention being disclosed despite what might appear to be limiting language imposed by the requirements of referring to the specific examples disclosed. To acquaint persons skilled in the pertinent arts most closely related to the invention, a preferred embodiment that illustrates the best mode now contemplated for putting the invention into practice is described herein by, and with reference to, the annexed drawings that form a part of the specification. The exemplary embodiment is described in detail without attempting to describe all of the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied. As such, the embodiments described herein are illustrative, and as will become apparent to those skilled in the arts, may be modified in numerous ways within the scope and spirit of the invention.
Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims. To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning.
Various embodiments of the invention are described herein and as depicted in the drawings. It is expressly understood that although the figures depict lockable boxes, doors, and locking systems, the invention is not limited to these embodiments.
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The segregated compartments allow for different environments within each compartment. A first compartment may be insulated to maintain the temperature of cold groceries, and then the remaining groceries can be placed in the second compartment. The first compartment may be configured, for example, to receive dry ice and/or a cooling loop to maintain a temperature that is less than the temperature of the ambient environment.
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Further still, the electronic device 26 may have a graphical user interface that the homeowner can interact with to send and receive signals with the network 24 and control the lockable box 2. Thus, the electronic device 26 may have a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that is configured to provide a graphic user interface on a display unit of the electronic device 26 and to provide the various functions and operations described herein.
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Next, regardless of how the key codes are initially established, the homeowner can set parameters for each key code or group of key codes 28, 30. Parameters can include whether the key code is perishable, and if so, how long the key code is usable. For example, the homeowner can set the key code as perishable and the key code would expire at a predetermine point in time or after a predetermined period of time. Further still, the key code could expire after a number of uses, e.g., one, two three, etc. In addition, the homeowner can set is a time window for the key code to work on the locking device where the time window has a predetermined start (e.g., a start time or number of uses) and a predetermined expiration (e.g., a stop time or number of uses). This can be useful if the homeowner needs to disseminate a key code for ad hoc access to the lockable box 2. As a result, even if a delivery service intentionally or unintentionally disseminated the key code, the key code would be useless after the key code has “perished.”
The parameters can further include who has access to these key codes. In one example the homeowner establishes a single key code for the locking device of the lockable box, then disseminates the key code as the homeowner sees fit, and the homeowner can manually rotate the key code as needed. Further, the lockable box 2 can have further features such as a barcode scanner, wherein the homeowner can set a key code as a bar code that a delivery service or third party can scan and then access the lockable box. In addition, the homeowner can establish a second group 30 of key codes that have different parameters. It will be appreciated that while two groups 28, 30 are described, the homeowner can set any number of groups and combinations of parameters. These various features and parameters address the problem of dissemination of key codes that cause the compromise of a lockable box.
The parameters associated with key codes and groups of key codes can have other applications in addition to access to the lockable box. In a licensing scheme, a third party or delivery service can lease a lockable box to a homeowner like a cable box is licensed to a homeowner. The homeowner can be billed by, for example, the number of times the delivery service accesses the lockable box, a flat periodic rate, or even by the number of packages or items scanned into the lockable box using the barcode scanner. The barcode scanner can also ensure a complete delivery of the package or packages and then prompt the electronic device with an indication of a complete delivery.
The invention has significant benefits across a broad spectrum of endeavors. It is the Applicant's intent that this specification and the claims appended hereto be accorded a breadth in keeping with the scope and spirit of the invention being disclosed despite what might appear to be limiting language imposed by the requirements of referring to the specific examples disclosed.
The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or”, as used herein, are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B, and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, dimensions, conditions, and so forth used in the specification, drawings, and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.”
The term “a” or “an” entity, as used herein, refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein.
The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” and variations thereof, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Accordingly, the terms “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof can be used interchangeably herein.
It shall be understood that the term “means” as used herein shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means” shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials, or acts, and the equivalents thereof, shall include all those described in the summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves.
The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for illustration and description purposes. However, the description is not intended to limit the invention to only the forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the invention.
Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings and skill and knowledge of the relevant art are within the scope of the invention. The embodiments described herein above are further intended to explain best modes of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such a manner, or include other embodiments with various modifications as required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/626,439 filed Feb. 5, 2018, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62626439 | Feb 2018 | US |
