The present disclosure relates to courier delivery, and, more particularly, to a system and a method for delivering parcel packages from delivery vehicles to customers.
Delivery of packages especially in the “last mile” may be very expensive as it may take up to 40% of the total cost of the package delivery. The “last mile” refers to the part of the journey of the package from the customer's local courier warehouse to the customer's desired delivery location. The majority of the cost is from the driver labor cost and vehicle cost.
With the introduction of driverless delivery vehicles, the driver labor is dramatically reduced due to driver associated cost and walking the packages to the customer. However, with the driverless delivery vehicles, there may be a new problem, as the deliver the package up to the desired location of the customer becomes cumbersome due to absence of the driver who also act as delivery boy as there is no one to walking the package from the driverless delivery vehicle to the customer's desired location.
To obviate such problem, robots or drones may be used to deliver the packages, however, involvement of such robots or drones may make the whole delivery process even more costly and still would be as effective as it may require to be, due to the fact the such robots or drones may face many difficulties in delivering the package, for example, finding the package in the driverless delivery vehicles, finding the address of the customers, safety issue with regard to pouch pirates, cost of the robot and time to implement the program. Robots or drones may be feasible in the distant future but may not be happen for a while.
Further, human couriers and driverless couriers face many problems while making delivery accepts one of the biggest problems for them is entering gated communities, entry limited buildings like high rises buildings. On top of that, the driverless delivery vehicles largest barrier to feasibility of being use as a regular delivery method is getting the mail parcel packages from the back of the driverless delivery vehicle and to delivery of the package to the customers door cost effectitve and secure manner.
Accordingly, there exists a need to overcome shortcomings of the conventional delivery system. For example, there exists a delivery system and method that may not have to face problems while making delivery accepts in gated communities or in entry-limited buildings like high rises buildings. Further, there exists a delivery system and method which may enable the delivery vehicles with or without driver in getting the mail parcel packages from the back of the delivery vehicle and to delivery of the package to the customers door cost effectitve and secure manner.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a system and a method for delivering parcel packages, to include all advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent in the prior art.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a system and a method for delivering parcel packages which may enable delivery of the packages in gated communities or in entry-limited buildings like high rises buildings.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a system and a method for delivering parcel packages which may enable the delivery vehicles with or without driver in getting the mail parcel packages from the back of the delivery vehicle and to delivery of the package to the customers door cost effectitve and secure manner.
In light of the above objects, in one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for delivering parcel packages at doorsteps is described. The system includes a package delivery management unit, a delivery vehicle network, and at least one gig-worker based computer network. The package delivery management unit may be adapted to sort the parcel packages by a corresponding zone based on corresponding route of the parcel packages. The package delivery management unit may define a predetermined meeting junction corresponding to the route of the parcel packages. Further, the delivery vehicle network may include at least one delivery vehicle. The at least one delivery vehicle may be adapted to receive the parcel packages from the corresponding zone based on the corresponding route of the parcel packages to drop the parcel packages at the predetermined meeting junction. The at least one delivery vehicle includes an authentication module. Furthermore, the at least one gig-worker based computer network is communicably coupled to the delivery vehicle network. The at least one gig-worker based computer network includes a plurality of computing devices and a gig-worker based management unit. The plurality of computing devices may be associated with a plurality of parcel package receivers. The plurality of computing devices may be categorized based the types of plurality of parcel package receivers, and wherein each of the plurality of computing devices comprises an identification module or the plurality of parcel package receivers is identifiable by the authentication module. Further, the gig-worker based management unit includes a priority defining and prioritizing module and a communication receiving and sending module. The priority defining and prioritizing module defining a priority list of the plurality of computing devices based on the type of the plurality of parcel package receivers. Further, the communication receiving and sending module is configured to the delivery vehicle network to receive details related to the parcel packages; and also configured to the plurality of computing devices to send the details related to the parcel packages on the plurality of computing devices based on the priority list. The parcel packages are received by a priority parcel package receiver from the plurality of parcel package receivers defined on the priority list at the predetermined meeting junction based on authentication by the authentication module to the identification module or to the plurality of parcel package receivers.
In light of the above objects, in one aspect of the present disclosure a method for delivering parcel packages at doorsteps is disclosed. The method includes: sorting parcel packages by a corresponding zone based on corresponding route of the parcel packages; predefining a predetermined meeting junction corresponding to the route of the parcel packages; receiving, by at least one delivery vehicle of a delivery vehicle network, the parcel packages from the corresponding zone based on the corresponding route of the parcel packages; receiving, by at least one gig-worker based computer network, regarding the details of the parcel packages about the corresponding route of the parcel packages, the at least one gig-worker based computer network having a plurality of computing devices associated with a plurality of parcel package receivers, and a gig-worker based management unit, wherein the gig-worker based management unit comprises a priority defining and prioritizing module, and a communication receiving and sending module; defining a priority list, by the priority defining and prioritizing module; sending, to the plurality of computing devices associated with a plurality of parcel package receivers, the details related to the parcel packages on the plurality of computing devices based on the priority list; authenticating, a priority parcel package receiver from the plurality of parcel package receivers defined on the priority list based on identifying the priority parcel package receiver; receiving the parcel packages, by the authenticated priority parcel package receiver defined on the priority list, from the at least one delivery vehicle at the predetermined meeting junction.
This together with the other aspects of the present disclosure, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present disclosure, is pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forms a part of the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, its operating advantages, and the specified object attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawing.
The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in implementation. The present disclosure provides a system and a method for delivering parcel packages. It should be emphasized, however, that the present disclosure is not limited only to what is disclosed and extends to cover various alternation to valve core assembly. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.
The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.
The terms “having”, “comprising”, “including”, and variations thereof signify the presence of a component.
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The system 1000 and a method 2000 for delivering parcel packages 10 at doorsteps will now be described in conjunction with
The package delivery management unit 100 may be adapted to sort the parcel packages by a corresponding zone based on corresponding route of the parcel packages. The package delivery management unit 100 may define a predetermined meeting junction 20 corresponding to the route of the parcel packages. In one embodiment, the package delivery management unit 100 may be configured in a package delivery warehouse 30. The package delivery warehouse 30 may include a specified zone, whereby the parcel packages are grouped to be delivered based on categorization of the parcel packages by the corresponding zone for the corresponding route.
Further, the driverless delivery vehicle network 200 may include one or more driverless delivery vehicle 202. The driverless delivery vehicle 200 may be adapted to receive the parcel packages 10 from the corresponding zone based on the corresponding route of the parcel packages 10 to enable the drop of the parcel packages 10 at the predetermined meeting junction 20. In one example embodiment, the driverless delivery vehicle 202 may include an authentication module 206.
The at least one gig-worker based computer network 300 may be communicably coupled to the driverless delivery vehicle network 200. The gig-worker based computer network 300 may include a plurality of computing devices 302 and a gig-worker based management unit 304. The plurality of computing devices 302 may be associated with a plurality of parcel package receivers 40. The plurality of computing devices 302 may be categorized based the types of plurality of parcel package receivers 40, which includes buyers, buyer housemates, and one or more gig-workers. Each of the plurality of computing devices 302 comprises an identification module 306. Further, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the gig-worker based computer network 300 may also define the predetermined meeting junction 20 corresponding to the route of the parcel packages alone or in coordination with the package delivery management unit 100. Furthermore, in one another embodiment, an independent junction determining module (not shown in FIGS.) may be incorporated in the system 1000 that may be capable of defining the predetermined meeting junction 20 corresponding to the route of the parcel packages alone or in coordination with the package delivery management unit 100 and the gig-worker based computer network 300.
Further, the gig-worker based management unit 304 may include a priority defining and prioritizing module 308 and a communication receiving and sending module 312. The priority defining and prioritizing module 308 may define a priority list 310 of the plurality of computing devices 302 based on the type of the plurality of parcel package receivers 40. Further, the communication receiving and sending module 312 may be configured to the driverless delivery vehicle network 200 to receive details related to the parcel packages. Furthermore, the communication receiving and sending module 312 may also be configured to the plurality of computing devices 302 to send the details related to the parcel packages 10 on the plurality of computing devices 302 based on the priority list 310.
In one embodiment, the parcel packages may be received by a priority parcel package receiver from the plurality of parcel package receivers 40 defined on the priority list 310 at the predetermined meeting junction 20 based on authentication by the authentication module 206 to the identification module 306 or to the plurality of parcel package receivers 40.
In one example embodiment, the driverless delivery vehicle 202 may include one or more lockers 203 to receive the parcel packages 10. The driverless delivery vehicle 202 may itself be locker-styled driverless delivery vehicle. Each such locker 203 may include the authentication module 206. The authentication module 206 may be including, but not limited to, a bar code scanner or a password security module, a facial or a biometric recognition module. Where the authentication module 206 is the facial or biometric recognition module, the plurality of parcel package receivers 40 is identifiable by the authentication module 206. Further, where the authentication module 206 may be the bar code scanner or the password security module, the parcel package receivers 40 may also be identifiable via the identification module 306 incorporated in each of the plurality of computing devices 302, which in one embodiment may include one of an encrypted barcode or messages/password-based system, or an App-based module comprising the encrypted barcode or the messages/password-based system.
In one example embodiment, the plurality of computing devices 302 may be categorized based the types of plurality of parcel package receivers 40 including buyers, buyer housemates, and one or more gig-workers.
In one embodiment, the priority list 310 may be defined based on one or more factors including proximity of one of the plurality of parcel package receivers 40 from the predetermined meeting junction 20, or buyers of the package, or buyer housemate of the package. Based on the one or more factors, the priority list 310 is created and messages are sent by the communication receiving and sending module 312 on to the plurality of computing devices 302. The computing device of the buyer of the parcel package among the various parcel package receivers 40 may be on the top priority in the priority list 310. Based on that, a first message of the messages by the communication receiving and sending module 312 is sent on to a computing device of the plurality of computing devices 302 corresponding to a parcel package receiver 40 of the plurality of parcel package receivers 40 who is on the top of the priority list 310. Further, based on acceptance or denial by the parcel package receiver 40 who is on the top of the priority list 310, the communication receiving and sending module 312 is adapted to send subsequent messages to subsequent parcel package receivers 40 of the plurality of parcel package receivers 40 based on the receive the priority list 310. For example, the communication receiving and sending module 312 may send the message related to the parcel packages 10 on the computing devices 302 of the buyer. The message may include about delivery date, time and the predetermined meeting junction 20 including a particular place for delivery of the parcel package 10. The buyer may choose to accept the message to pick-up the package herself/himself or he may choose to deny the message. In case of the denial, the communication receiving and sending module 312 may send the message to subsequent parcel package receiver 40 in the priority list 310, and so forth.
In one embodiment, the identification module 306 of the computing device of the plurality of computing devices 302 corresponding to the parcel package receiver 40 of the plurality of parcel package receivers 40 is configured to send a confirmation of delivery of parcel packages to the gig-worker based management unit 304.
In one embodiment, the system 1000 may include a safe box 400 in front of a house or a flat of an apartment, or a safe box 400 in apartment to delivery of the package in the safe box 400. In one embodiment, the safe box 400 may include an accessing module 410 to be accessed by the parcel package receiver 40 to keep the parcel package in the safe box 400.
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In one embodiment, the method further includes categorizing the plurality of computing devices 302 based the types of plurality of parcel package receivers 40 including buyers, buyer housemates, and one or more gig-workers.
In one embodiment, defining the priority list 310 further includes defining the priority list 310 based on one or more factors including proximity of one of the plurality of parcel package receivers 40 from the predetermined meeting junction 20, or buyers of the package, or buyer housemate of the package. Based on the one or more factors, the priority list 310 is created and messages are sent by the communication receiving and sending module 312 on to the plurality of computing devices 302.
In one embodiment, the method further includes sending a first message of the messages, by the communication receiving and sending module 312, on to a computing device of the plurality of computing devices 302 corresponding to a parcel package receiver 40 of the plurality of parcel package receivers 40 who is on the top of the priority list 310, wherein based on acceptance or denial by the parcel package receiver 40 who is on the top of the priority list 310, the communication receiving and sending module 312 is adapted to send subsequent messages to subsequent parcel package receivers 40 of the plurality of parcel package receivers 40 based on the receive the priority list 310.
In one embodiment, the method further includes, sending a confirmation of delivery of parcel packages to the gig-worker based management unit 304, wherein the confirmation of delivery of the parcel packages comprises one of sending a photograph of the delivery of the parcel packages or sending a text message of the delivery of the parcel packages by the plurality of parcel package receivers 40.
In one embodiment, the method further includes delivering of the package in the safe box in front of a house 50 or a flat of an apartment 50, or a safe box 400 in apartment, wherein the safe box 400 comprises an accessing module 410 to be accessed by the parcel package receiver 40.
The term ‘parcel package receivers’ or the term ‘package receivers’ may include customers who orders the package, peers or mate or anybody know to the customers or gig workers and such terms may be alternatively herein to describe various embodiment of the present disclosure.
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After the first delivery is completed the gig walker 40 will go to the second parcel safe. The gig walker now enters in their gig walker pin and customers B valet pin to access the customers B's drop off box of safe box 400. In this case of the customers A and B drop off box pin is more common knowledge to other gig walkers so the safe box pin, so it would act more like the login and the gig walker pin will act more like the password as the gig walker is no out there and he should not be giving away his pin number. The access log will record who entered the drop off box. This feature is to protect the owner of unauthorized access to their but it also protects the gig walker from people stealing his delivered package as they did not use his gig walker pin. So, we know who is opening what box/safe. With the double two part pin the security is a lot higher.
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The two-pin system is a good system of check and balances to reduce theft and increase accountability in the gig walkers. It also decreases the chance of a hacking as the “login and password combinations” are always changing and there is also a log of who accessed the locker truck unit and drop off boxes.
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The present disclosure is advantageous in providing a system and a method for delivering parcel packages which may enable delivery of the packages in gated communities or in entry-limited buildings like high rises buildings. The present disclosure is advantageous in providing a system and a method for delivering parcel packages which may enable the delivery vehicles with or without driver in getting the mail parcel packages from the back of the delivery vehicle and to delivery of the package to the customers door cost effectitve and secure manner. The Gig Walker coordinating network system combined with the driverless vehicle technology will allow the courier to require almost no delivery labor with no expensive robots or drones after the driverless vehicle leaves warehouse. The courier companies that have this technology advantage will have a huge business method advantage over their competitors. The courier will also make their operation good a lot smoother and more predictable. This is significantly more of an advantage the driverless technology on its own. The gig Walker method and system with driverless technology will transform the courier business as they can use driverless vehicle with almost no limit while their competitors are dramatically limited to how they can use the driverless vehicles.
The present disclosure is advantageous from the perspective of the Gig walker in providing such gigs like stay-at-home parents, retirees, students, limited mobility person to make a little extra money without any tools like a car or specialized skill. Just a little walking and delivering a package to a neighbor. Potential gig walkers would apply to enter the program via a application form, references and a possible back ground check maybe required. The gig walker would be contract workers. The once contracted, the gig walker can put restrictions on packages like no heavy packages, no oversize package sizes as it may be unsafe for some to carry the package. The gig walker will be assigned a map location in the gig network and any gig inside that area the gig walker would be able to accept the gig or not. When a gig in the area is available, the gig network will select a number of gig walker to apply for the gig. The network will send the selected group a text about the location and time of the gig, and the walkers can accept or deny the gig. Of the accepted walkers, the gig network will assign one gig worker as the primary and one as the secondary backup. A text will be sent from the gig network to the primary and backup that they are selected and the text will also indicate the meeting location. A reminder text will be sent to the primary and backup of the 5 minutes before meeting up about the time and location to meeting and delivery address. Once the 5-minute warning has been received the gig walker has enough time to walk to the meeting point to retrieve the package to make a delivery. Once the parcel is dropped off the gig walker will take a photo and upload the photo into the system to confirm delivery.
The present disclosure is advantageous from the perspective of the customer in providing the customer who ordered a product online but cannot or does not want to wait at home to receive the package. The customer can place their order and sign up for the gig walker. The customer will receive a text asking if they will be home on the delivery date and available to receive the package and the customers responds with a yes or no (a no reply is a no) If the answer is a no, the gig network will contact any preselected gig walker and any gig walkers in the customers area about the gig. The contacted gig walkers can deny or accept the gig. Later on, a gig walker and a backup will be selected to complete the task. Preselected gig walkers will have priority. The customers can also install a package safe and so when the package is delivered it can be secured. The customer can now order online and expect that package to be at their home secure every time. This will eliminate stolen packages, second and third delivery attempts and picking up parcels at the couriers pick up points. The customer can do this for a small fee which most people are will to pay to save time and hassle. The courier can also pay a small fee also as this will also make their operation good a lot smoother and more predictable.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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3076807 | Mar 2020 | CA | national |