Package receptacle having a locking mechanism

Abstract

A package receptacle includes a storage box including a moveable platform configured to move within an inner compartment of the storage box. A door includes a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is releasable by a signal to open the door. An antenna is in communication with the storage box. The antenna is configured to deliver the signal to the locking mechanism of the door. The moveable platform is configured to move from an upper portion of the inner compartment of the storage box toward a lower portion of the inner compartment of the storage box.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A package receptacle, comprising:
 a storage box including a moveable platform configured to move within an inner compartment of the storage box; and   at least one stabilizing bar secured to the storage box and moveably coupled to the moveable platform,   wherein the moveable platform is configured to move from an upper portion of the inner compartment of the storage box toward a lower portion of the inner compartment of the storage box when the package is positioned on the moveable platform.   
     
     
         17 . The package receptacle of  claim 16 , further comprising a locking mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . The package receptacle of  claim 17 , wherein the locking mechanism is releasable by a wireless signal to open the storage box. 
     
     
         19 . The package receptacle of  claim 18 , further comprising an antenna configured to receive the wireless signal, and wherein the antenna is a cellular network antenna configured to receive a cellular network signal to open the storage box, a Bluetooth® antenna configured to receive a Bluetooth signal to open the storage box, or a WiFi® antenna configured to receive a WiFi® signal to open the storage box. 
     
     
         20 . The package receptacle of  claim 16 , wherein a camera is positioned on the storage box, and wherein the camera is positioned to capture an image of the inner compartment of the storage box. 
     
     
         21 . The package receptacle of  claim 16 , further comprising a battery configured to power the package receptacle,
 wherein the battery is rechargeable,   wherein a solar panel is configured to charge the battery, and   wherein the solar panel is positioned on the storage box.   
     
     
         22 . The package receptacle of  claim 16 , further comprising an outer shell surrounding the storage box, wherein an insulating layer is positioned between the outer shell and the storage box. 
     
     
         23 . The package receptacle of  claim 16 , further comprising a sensor configured to detect a position of an object in the storage box with respect to an uppermost level of the storage box. 
     
     
         24 . The storage box of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one of a heater, or a refrigerator configured to regulate a temperature of the storage box. 
     
     
         25 . The storage box of  claim 16 , further comprising a landing platform configured to support an unmanned aerial vehicle. 
     
     
         26 . A computer-implemented method for receiving a package in a receptacle, the method comprising:
 receiving a signal configured to open the receptacle;   opening the receptacle based on the signal;   receiving a package on a moveable platform of a storage box of the receptacle, the platform configured to move within an inner compartment of the storage box; and   moving the moveable platform from an upper portion of the inner compartment of the storage box toward a lower portion of the inner compartment of the storage box when the package is positioned on the moveable platform, wherein the moveable platform is moveably coupled to a plurality of stabilizing bars secured to the storage box.   
     
     
         27 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 26 , wherein the opening the receptacle in performed by a wireless signal, and
 wherein the method further comprises providing an indication of an authorized user by the wireless signal.   
     
     
         28 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 receiving a signal from a camera configured to capture an image of the inner compartment of the storage box;   capturing the image of the inner compartment; and   transmitting the captured image to a device.   
     
     
         29 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 detecting, by a sensor, a position of an object in the storage box with respect to an uppermost level of the storage box.   
     
     
         30 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 powering the receptacle by a battery; and   charging the battery by a solar panel positioned on a door of the receptacle.   
     
     
         31 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 26 , further comprising regulating a temperature of the storage box by at least one of a heater or a refrigerator. 
     
     
         32 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 26 , further comprising supporting an unmanned aerial vehicle on a landing platform of the receptacle.