Secure home interactive packaging system (s.h.i.p.s.)

Abstract

A package receptacle system includes a receptacle having an interior storage compartment sized to receive a package. The receptacle includes a lower floor, sidewalls extending upward from the lower floor, and an upper ceiling covering an opening defined by upper ends of the sidewalls. A digital locking mechanism is attached to an outer surface of the receptacle that is configured to provide keyless access to the interior storage compartment and to move a lock between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position includes the door in a closed position, and the unlocked position includes the door capable of being opened and closed. The digital locking mechanism is configured to move the lock between the locked position and the unlocked position responsive to one or more wireless inputs received from an electronic device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A package receptacle system comprising:
 a receptacle having an interior storage compartment sized to receive a package, the receptacle comprising a lower floor adapted for supporting a package placed in the interior storage compartment, and sidewalls extending upward from the lower floor and an upper ceiling covering an opening defined by upper ends of the sidewalls;   an access to the interior storage compartment and a door pivotally attached to the receptacle for closing the access when in a closed position; and   a digital locking mechanism attached to an outer surface of the receptacle, the digital locking mechanism operable configured to:   provide keyless access to the interior storage compartment; and   move a lock between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position comprises the door in a closed position, and the unlocked position comprises the door capable of being opened and closed,   wherein the digital locking mechanism is configured to move the lock between the locked position and the unlocked position responsive to one or more wireless inputs received from an electronic device.   
     
     
         2 . The package receptacle system of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is mounted in a recess formed on a sidewall of a building. 
     
     
         3 . The package receptacle system of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is mounted in a recess formed on a sidewall of a garage attached to a building. 
     
     
         4 . The package receptacle system of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is mounted in a recess formed on a front door of a building. 
     
     
         5 . The package receptacle system of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is mounted on a flat horizontal surface located outside of a building. 
     
     
         6 . The package receptacle system of  claim 5 , wherein the receptacle is positioned in front of the building. 
     
     
         7 . The package receptacle system of  claim 5 , wherein the receptacle is positioned between two adjacent buildings. 
     
     
         8 . The package receptacle system of  claim 5 , wherein the receptacle is secured to the flat horizontal surface with a locking bolt system comprising anti-theft locking bolts, the anti-theft locking bolts requiring a predetermined unique tool for unlocking the anti-theft locking bolts. 
     
     
         9 . The package receptacle system of  claim 1 , further comprising a slot configured for dropping an envelope through the slot into the interior storage compartment. 
     
     
         10 . The package receptacle system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the digital locking mechanism is configured to manipulate the lock to the unlocked position on wirelessly receiving a first authentication code; and   wherein the digital locking mechanism is configured to manipulate the lock to the locked position on wirelessly receiving a second authentication code.   
     
     
         11 . The package receptacle system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the digital locking mechanism is configured to manipulate the lock to the unlocked position when a key is inserted into a key hole present on receptacle and turned; and   wherein the digital locking mechanism is configured to manipulate the lock to the locked position when the key is inserted into the key hole present on receptacle and turned.   
     
     
         12 . The package receptacle system of  claim 1 , wherein the digital locking mechanism is operable via one of a: USB port, a touch screen, a dial pad, a Wi-Fi connection, an Ethernet connection, a Bluetooth connection, a cellphone network tower connection and a satellite connection. 
     
     
         13 . The package receptacle system of  claim 1 , wherein the digital locking mechanism is capable of communicating with any device connected to the internet. 
     
     
         14 . The package receptacle system of  claim 1 , wherein the digital access mechanism is configured to electronically communicate updates to a package service provider associated with a package delivery or a package pick-up. 
     
     
         15 . The package receptacle system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more of: an audible alarm, a visual alarm, a back-up battery power source, an A/C power socket, an inlet for internet connectivity, a light source, a temperature sensor, a motion detector, a still camera, and a motion camera. 
     
     
         16 . The package receptacle system of  claim 1 , wherein the interior storage compartment is accessible from an exterior of a building and from an interior of the building. 
     
     
         17 . The package receptacle system of  claim 1 , further comprising a camera surveillance system configured to communicate with a building security system, the camera surveillance system further configured to log and record each access, and each access attempt, to the interior storage compartment. 
     
     
         18 . The package receptacle system of  claim 1 , further comprising a side access to the interior storage compartment defined by an opening in a sidewall of the receptacle, and a side door pivotally attached to the receptacle for closing the side access when in a closed position. 
     
     
         19 . The package receptacle system of  claim 1 , further comprising motion-initiated illumination of one or more of: a keypad of the digital locking mechanism and an area contiguous to the receptacle. 
     
     
         20 . The package receptacle system of  claim 1 , wherein the digital access mechanism is configured to electronically communicate one or more of: a loss of A/C power supply and a low back-up battery power. 
     
     
         21 . A method of package storage and retrieval, the method comprising:
 receiving wirelessly, by a digital locking mechanism of a receptacle, an authentication code from an electronic device operated by a user attempting to gain access to an interior storage compartment of the receptacle,   wherein the receptacle further comprises a lower floor adapted for supporting a package placed in the interior storage compartment, sidewalls extending upward from the lower floor, an upper ceiling covering an opening defined by upper ends of the sidewalls, an access to the interior storage compartment, a door pivotally attached to the receptacle for closing the access when in a closed position, wherein the digital locking mechanism is attached to an outer surface of the receptacle, wherein the digital locking mechanism configured to provide keyless access to the interior storage compartment;   verifying, by the digital locking mechanism, of the authentication code as an authorized authentication code; and   manipulating of a lock, by the digital locking mechanism, to move the lock from a locked position to an unlocked position to render the door capable of being opened and closed.   
     
     
         22 . A method of securing a package, the method comprising:
 wirelessly communicating an authentication code to a digital locking mechanism attached to a sidewall of a receptacle to move a lock from a locked position to an unlocked position, wherein the receptacle comprises an interior storage compartment sized to receive a package, an access to the interior storage compartment, a door pivotally attached to the receptacle for closing the access when in a closed position, and the digital locking mechanism configured to move the lock between the locked position and the unlocked position, wherein the locked position comprises the door in a closed position, and the unlocked position comprises the door capable of being opened and closed;   opening the door and placing a package within the interior storage compartment of the receptacle and closing the door; and   moving, by the digital locking mechanism, of the lock from the unlocked position to the locked position to secure the placed package.