Claims
- 1. A method comprising:receiving at a server and via the Intemet a request for an access code for a locking mechanism; and issuing from the server a one-time use access code for the locking mechanism, wherein the one-time use access code is issued from a list of currently available access codes for the locking mechanism.
- 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the one-time use access code is issued in response to a request received from a merchant or delivery service.
- 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising updating the list of available access codes in response to an indication that a code has been issued or used.
- 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising updating the list of available access codes in response to an indication that a code has expired.
- 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the list of currently available access codes is a subset of access codes for the locking mechanism.
- 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the access codes for the locking mechanism are generated using a cryptographically strong random number generator.
- 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the one-time use access code expires after a predetermined time period if not earlier used to access the locking mechanism.
- 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising opening the locking mechanism using the one-time access code.
- 9. A computer-based service configured to dispense one-time use access codes for remotely located locking devices in response to requests therefor wherein transaction fees are assessed for each access code dispensed.
- 10. The service of claim 9 wherein the access codes are dispensed from a server accessible through at least one of the Internet, a wireless network or the public switched telephone network.
- 11. The service of claim 9 wherein each access code so dispensed expires upon the earlier occurrence of (i) its use to access an associated one of the storage devices, or (ii) a predetermined time period.
- 12. A locking mechanism, comprising:an actuator configured to unlock in response to entry of an authorized access code; and an access code entry unit configured to accept a one-time use access code issued by a remote server, wherein the one-time use access code comprises a package tracking number.
- 13. The locking mechanism of claim 12 wherein the one-time use access code comprises a number generated by a cryptographically strong random number generator.
- 14. The locking mechanism of claim 12 wherein the one-time use access code is transmitted to the locking mechanism from the server.
- 15. The locking mechanism of claim 12 wherein the one-time use access code is stored in a memory associated with the locking mechanism.
- 16. The locking mechanism of claim 12 further comprising an interface unit configured to communicate with the server.
- 17. The locking mechanism of claim 16 wherein the interface unit is configured to communicate with the server through a second interface unit.
- 18. The locking mechanism of claim 12 wherein the actuator includes a microcontroller coupled to receive inputs from the access code entry unit.
- 19. A method, comprising:receiving, via the Internet at a computer-based unit, a code to be used as an access code for a locking device; and transmitting the access code to the locking device.
- 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the transmitting is done via the Internet.
- 21. The method of claim 19 wherein the code comprises a package tracking number.
- 22. The method of claim 19 wherein the code is provided by a delivery service or merchant.
- 23. The method of claim 19 wherein the code is provided by an owner of the locking device.
- 24. The method of claim 19 wherein the access code expires after it is used.
- 25. A method, comprising:receiving at a computer-based unit a request for an access code for a locking mechanism; and issuing from the computer-based unit, and according to a list of currently available access codes for the locking mechanism that is a subset of access codes for the locking mechanism, a one-time use access code for the locking mechanism, wherein the access codes for the locking mechanism are generated using a cryptographically strong random number generator.
- 26. The method of claim 25 wherein the one-time use access code is issued in response to a request received from a merchant or delivery service.
- 27. The method of claim 25 further comprising updating the list of available access codes in response to an indication that a code has been issued or used.
- 28. The method of claim 25 further comprising updating the list of available access codes in response to an indication that a code has expired.
- 29. The method of claim 25 wherein the one-time use access code expires after a predetermined time period if not earlier used to access the locking mechanism.
- 30. The method of claim 25 further comprising opening the locking mechanism using the one-time access code.
- 31. A method, comprising:receiving at a computer-based unit, a code to be used as an access code for a locking device; and transmitting the access code to the locking device, wherein the access code comprises a package tracking number.
- 32. The method of claim 31 wherein the transmitting is done via the Internet.
- 33. The method of claim 31 wherein the code is provided by a delivery service or merchant.
- 34. The method of claim 31 wherein the code is provided by an owner of the locking device.
- 35. The method of claim 31 wherein the access code expires after it is used.
- 36. A locking mechanism, comprising:an actuator configured to unlock in response to entry of an authorized access code; and an access code entry unit configured to accept a one-time use access-code issued by a remote server, wherein the one-time use access code comprises a number generated by a cryptographically strong random number generator.
- 37. The locking mechanism of claim 36 wherein the one-time use access code is transmitted to the locking mechanism from the server.
- 38. The locking mechanism of claim 36 wherein the one-time use access code is stored in a memory associated with the locking mechanism.
- 39. The locking mechanism of claim 36 further comprising an interface unit configured to communicate with the server.
- 40. The locking mechanism of claim 36 wherein the interface unit is configured to communicate with the server through a second interface unit.
- 41. The locking mechanism of claim 36 wherein actuator includes a microcontroller coupled to receive inputs from the access code entry unit.
RELATED APPLICATION
This application is related to and hereby claims the priority benefit of a Provisional Application entitled “A System for Secure Unattended Delivery and Pickup of Goods”, application Ser. No. 60/154,294, filed Sep. 16, 1999, by the present inventors.
US Referenced Citations (5)
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60/154294 |
Sep 1999 |
US |