System and Methods for Transportation and Delivery Using Bar Codes

Abstract

A method of obtaining a package is described. A user is electronically notified that a package has arrived at a predetermined location. The user then prints a paper receipt including a two-dimensional bar code encoding the user's previously provided biometric information. At the predetermined location, the user scans the two-dimensional bar code, which is decoded to obtain the previously provided biometric information. The user also conveys current biometric information. If the user's current biometric information is equivalent to the user's current biometric information, a retrieval devices provides the package to the user.

1 - 23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . A method of establishing a service for package delivery, comprising: a user providing to a service provider select biometric information, select contact information, and select financial information in a secure fashion; ensuring that the select financial information and the select biometric information are stored in a secure manner apart from the select contact information; and encoding the select biometric information so as to be capable of being printed in a two-dimensional bar code.  
   
   
       25 . The method as in  claim 24 , further comprising: the user ordering a package from a package provider and directing the provider to send the package to the service provider; the package provider contacting the service provider to obtain the user's select contact information; the service provider notifying the user electronically that the package has arrived at a predetermined location.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the step of the user ordering a package is accomplished via the Internet.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the select biometric information include data related to the user's facial features.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the select biometric information include data related to the user's voiceprint.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the select biometric information include data related to the user's fingerprint.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the select biometric information include data related to the user's signature.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the select biometric information include data related to the user's handprint.  
   
   
       32 - 41 . (canceled)  
   
   
       42 . A two-dimensional bar code, comprising: 
 a multi-dimensional preamble;    a multi-dimensional postamble; and    a data area located between the multi-dimensional preamble and the multi-dimensional postamble, wherein: 
 the data area includes occupied zones, each occupied zone including information corresponding to a portion of a set of biometric information, and  
 the data area includes unoccupied zones, each unoccupied zone lacking information corresponding to a portion of the set of biometric information.  
   
   
   
       43 . The two-dimensional bar code of  claim 42 , wherein the multi-dimensional preamble includes a plurality of rows.  
   
   
       44 . The two-dimensional bar code of  claim 42 , wherein the multi-dimensional postamble includes a plurality of rows.  
   
   
       45 . The two-dimensional bar code of  claim 42 , wherein the multi-dimensional preamble and the multi-dimensional postamble flank either side of the data area along a longitudinal direction.  
   
   
       46 . The two-dimensional bar code of  claim 42 , the data area is divided into a plurality of rows.  
   
   
       47 . The two-dimensional bar code of  claim 46 , wherein a number of the plurality of rows provides sufficient resolution for a signature.  
   
   
       48 . The two-dimensional bar code of  claim 47 , wherein the number is twenty-five.  
   
   
       49 . The two-dimensional bar code of  claim 46 , wherein the plurality of rows tiered in a transverse direction.  
   
   
       50 . The two-dimensional bar code of  claim 46 , wherein each row that includes encoded data further includes synchronizing data.  
   
   
       51 . The two-dimensional bar code of  claim 50 , wherein the synchronizing data includes start/stop data.  
   
   
       52 . A system for establishing a service for package delivery, comprising: means for ensuring that select financial information and select biometric information are stored in a secure manner apart from select contact information, the select biometric information, the select contact information, and the select financial information being provided by a user; and means for encoding the select biometric information so as to be capable of being printed in a two-dimensional bar code.  
   
   
       53 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein the select biometric information include data related to the user's facial features.  
   
   
       54 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein the select biometric information include data related to the user's voiceprint.  
   
   
       55 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein the select biometric information include data related to the user's fingerprint.  
   
   
       56 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein the select biometric information include data related to the user's signature.  
   
   
       57 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein the select biometric information include data related to the user's handprint.