Automated receiving and delivery system and method

Abstract

A system and method uses an appliance for delivery at a home or business when no one is home or without the need to disturb persons at the delivery site. The appliance is a locked storage container connected to remote computers such that access for particular delivery persons or companies is authorized when the owner of the appliance has placed an order. The appliance communicates, such as via the internet, with a remote delivery system computer having a scheduler that schedules deliveries during particular time intervals. Prior to scheduling the delivery, the delivery system computer compares the dimensions of the order with the available space within the appliance of the customer. After a delivery is made, the appliance communicates via the internet that the delivery has been made and the delivery system computer then charges or debits the customer's account for the cost associated with the delivery.

1 - 22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . An appliance for securely receiving deliveries without requiring a person in attendance to accept delivery comprising: 
 a storage container;    a lock controlling access to the storage container; and    a communication link connected to the lock and operable to receive an access signal from a remote location to allow access to the storage container; and wherein the lock is responsive to the communication link receiving the access signal by unlocking upon presentation of an identifier selected from the group consisting of: a physical device granting access, and one or more biometric properties.    
   
   
       24 . A method for delivery of ordered items to a plurality of locked storage containers using a delivery system, the steps includes: 
 ordering a delivery of one or more goods to a customer;    delivering the delivery to within one of the locked storage containers corresponding to the customer; and    automatically sending a DELIVERY MADE signal from the one of the locked storage containers signaling the delivery system of the insertion of the delivery into the one of the locked storage containers.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein, upon the delivery system receiving the DELIVERY MADE signal, the delivery system performs one or more steps selected from the group consisting of: 
 charging an account of the customer for the delivery; and    automatically initiating a communication to the customer.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the delivery system includes a scheduler and further includes the steps of: 
 following the ordering, determining the availability of the one of the locked storage containers to receive the delivery at one or more times by use of the scheduler;    identifying, using the scheduler, a first time interval during which the delivery can be made; and    the delivery system sending to the one of the locked storage containers an access signal allowing a first delivery person who is delivering the delivery to access the one of the locked storage containers only during the first time interval.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26  further including the steps of: 
 following the ordering, determining the size of the delivery using the delivery system; and    checking available room with the one of the locked storage containers by use of the delivery system.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27  further including the step of: 
 upon availability as indicated by the checking step, reserving, by operation of the delivery system, sufficient room within the one of the locked storage containers to receive the delivery.    
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the one of the locked storage containers signals the delivery system of the insertion of the delivery into the one of the locked storage containers based on access by a delivery person.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the one of the locked storage containers signals the delivery system of the insertion of the delivery into the one of the locked storage containers based on access by a delivery person.