Smart Mailbox

Abstract

The present invention relates to a smart mailbox and a system for remotely monitoring and controlling the smart mailbox. The mailbox features a microprocessor to receive instructions from the remote electronic device, and transmits information using a wireless communication channel established by a wireless transceiver to the remote electronic device. The remote electronic device is connected to the mailbox and accesses the mailbox through an installed software application. The mailbox has a door for opening and closing the mailbox, a servo motor connected to a pair of springs to control movement of the mailbox door, a high resolution camera to capture video of inside and around the mailbox, a mail sensor to detect the presence of a parcel in the mailbox and a solar panel configured to provide electrical power to the components of the mailbox.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A delivery receptacle comprising:
 a receptacle having an interior space, a surface and a door, wherein the interior space is sized and configured to receive at least one of a mail, a package and a parcel and further wherein the door is repositionable between an open position and a closed position;   a solar panel provided on the surface of the receptacle, wherein the solar panel is in electrical communication with a battery;   a camera for recording an image and a video; and   a sensor for detecting the at least one of the mail, the package or the parcel within the interior space.   
     
     
         2 . The delivery receptacle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the solar panel is provided on at least one of a side portion and a top portion of the surface of the receptacle. 
     
     
         3 . The delivery receptacle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a second sensor is provided for detecting a temperature of the interior space. 
     
     
         4 . The delivery receptacle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is in communication with a smart device. 
     
     
         5 . The delivery receptacle as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a wireless transmitter. 
     
     
         6 . The delivery receptacle as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the wireless transmitter provides an information to a smart device. 
     
     
         7 . The delivery receptacle as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the information includes at least one of an access code and an authorized user information. 
     
     
         8 . The delivery receptacle as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the information provides instructions on whether to open or close the door on the receptacle. 
     
     
         9 . The delivery receptacle as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the door can be positioned in an intermediate condition. 
     
     
         10 . The delivery receptacle as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the information includes a delivery information. 
     
     
         11 . A smart mailbox comprising:
 a housing having a door, an interior cavity and an exterior surface, where the door is moveable between at least an open position and a closed position;   a camera for capturing at least one of a video and an image relating to the interior cavity and an external environment;   a transmitter for transmitting a set of information from the housing to a connected device;   a solar panel provided on a portion of the exterior surface; and   a data storage device connected to the transmitter for providing an access information to the connected device.   
     
     
         12 . The smart mailbox as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the connected device is one of a smartphone, a tablet or a computer. 
     
     
         13 . The smart mailbox as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the data storage device is one of a database or a cloud storage. 
     
     
         14 . The smart mailbox as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the door can be opened to an intermediate position. 
     
     
         15 . The smart mailbox as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the set of information relates to a content of the smart mailbox and is provided in real time. 
     
     
         16 . The smart mailbox as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the connected device comprises a downloaded software application. 
     
     
         17 . A method of using a delivery receptacle, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing the delivery receptacle having an interior cavity, an exterior surface and a door;   installing the delivery receptacle;   downloading a companion software on a smart device;   creating a profile for the delivery receptacle;   configuring an access code for the delivery receptacle;   controlling access to the delivery receptacle; and   accessing the delivery receptacle to retrieve contents from the interior cavity.   
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 17  further comprising a step of capturing one of a video or an image of the interior cavity of the delivery receptacle after the step of controlling. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the step of capturing further comprises a step of providing timestamps on the captured video or image. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the step of capturing further comprises a step of providing an alarm.