A computer-implemented method (100) for predicting compartment availability of a parcel locker at a time of a carrier delivery, the method (100) comprises steps of - obtaining (200) compartment occupation status of the parcel locker (10); - predicting (300) the compartment availability (80) of the parcel locker (10) at the time of carrier delivery by processing the compartment occupation statuses by a trained data driven model (M1), wherein the compartment statuses are fed as a digital input to the trained data driven model (M1) and where the trained data driven model (M1) provides a predicted compartment availability (80) at an estimated time of carrier delivery; - transmitting (400) the predicted compartment availability (80) to a distribution server (90).
G06Q 10/02 - Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
G06Q 10/04 - Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem"
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distributionInventory or stock management
A parcel locker for distribution of packages, wherein the parcel locker comprises - a plurality of compartments including gates with lock units for controlling access to the respective compartments; - a parcel locker controller configured for controlling the power to lock units as a function of received instructions received by a user of the parcel locker; wherein one or more of the lock units comprises - a latch unit comprising a deadbolt for engaging a latch striker and lock rod, wherein the latch unit comprises following states; o a locked state, wherein the deadbolt is prevented from rotating by the lock rod; and o an open state, wherein the deadbolt is rotatable and capable of receiving a latch striker; - a driving unit comprising a motor displacing a linkage beam interconnected to the lock rod, wherein displacing of the lock rod causes the latch unit to change state from the locked state to the open state, wherein the driving unit comprises the following states o a stand-by activatable state, wherein the motor is activatable by the parcel locker controller; o a displacement state, wherein the motor displaces the linkage beam and thereby displaces the lock rod, thereby changing the state of the latch unit to an open state; o a stand-by non-activatable state, wherein the motor is not activable by the parcel locker controller; wherein the receiving of a latch striker at the deadbolt causes the latch unit to change state from the open state to the locked state and the state of the driving unit changes from the stand-by non- activatable state to the stand-by activatable state.
E05B 47/06 - Controlling mechanically-operated bolts by electromagnetically-operated detents
E05B 65/02 - Locks for special use for thin, hollow, or thin-metal wings
E05C 3/24 - Fastening devices with bolts moving pivotally or rotatively with latching action with operating handle or equivalent member moving otherwise than rigidly with the latch the bolt being spring-controlled in the form of a bifurcated member
3.
A SERVICE POINT FOR DISTRIBUTION OF A PLURALITY OF PARCELS AND A METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A PARCEL DISTRIBUTION AT THE SERVICE POINT
A service point for distribution of a plurality of parcels is provided, wherein the service point includes a parcel shop being a manned service point for manually handing over parcels, the parcel shop including a storage room for storing the plurality of parcels, and a shop instruction unit including a display for displaying instructions; a parcel locker positioned inside the parcel shop or positioned in a near vicinity of the parcel shop, the parcel locker including a plurality of compartments for storing parcels and the plurality of compartments including a compartment door provided with a lock; and a locker communication unit, a service point controller including a computer readable storage for storing thereon a parcel ID of each of the plurality of parcels and for storing a service point parcel distribution including a parcel position of each of the plurality of parcels within the service point; a service point communication unit for wired or wireless communication with the shop instruction unit, the locker communication unit, third-party devices and optionally, a distribution server; and a service point processor configured to send instructions to the shop instruction unit about refilling the parcel locker as a function of the service point parcel distribution.
A computer-implemented method for analyzing street images or satellite images of locations intended to be used for placement of one or more parcel lockers is provided, the method including steps of i) obtaining a number of street images or a number of satellite images of a number of locations, ii) determining a placement rating for parcel placement at the locations by processing each of the number of street images or each of the number of satellite images by a first trained data driven model, where the number of street images or the number of satellite images are fed as a digital input to the first trained data driven model and where the first trained data driven model provides a placement rating of the locations as a first digital output for further evaluation.
A METHOD FOR REGISTRATION OF PARCELS RECEIVED AT A MANNED SERVICE POINT FROM ANY COURIER SERVICE THEREBY ENABLING PARCEL COLLECTION VIA A RECIPIENT DEVICE
A method for registration of parcels received at a manned service point from any courier service thereby enabling parcel collection via a recipient device, the method comprising steps of - receiving at the manned service point a parcel from a courier service; - obtaining parcel data of the parcel using a service point device; - providing a storage ID of a storage area section and storing said parcel at said storage area section; - transmitting the parcel data and storage ID to a service point server; - receiving, at the service point device, transfer instructions to transfer the parcel with the parcel data to a recipient, - obtaining the storage ID of the parcel from the service point server; - transferring the parcel to the recipient; and wherein the transfer instructions are sent to the service point device from a device of the recipient and wherein a proximity to the service point is a necessary condition for transmitting the transfer instruction.
A method (100) comprising steps of - receiving (400), at a parcel locker (10), an identifier linking a personal token to one or more compartments of the parcel locker (10) transmitted to the parcel locker (10) by a backend system, - receiving (400), at a parcel locker (10), via near field communication the personal token (90) stored on a personal Tag (20) for access to the one or more compartments (12), - granting (500) access to the one or more compartments (12) as a function of the personal token (90) and the identifier ().
A reusable electronic tag for attachment to units in circulation in a parcel delivery system is provided, the reusable electronic tag includes—a control unit powered by a battery, the control unit comprising a storage module including a package ID, a low-energy communication module, such as Bluetooth low energy or ZigBee, for receiving an activation signal, a beacon module including a light beacon and/or a speaker beacon, wherein the beacon module is activated as a function of received instruction at the low-energy communication module causing the light beacon to emit light and/or the speaker beacon to generate sound.
H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
8.
METHOD FOR ALLOCATING PARCELS AND A SYSTEM THEREFOR
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and systems for parcel allocation. In one example embodiment, a system is disclosed including a server, one or more service points and a user application. In another example embodiment, a method for allocating parcels is disclosed including acts of communicating data to and from the server and the service point, comprising electronic tokens. In various embodiments, the communicated data to or from the service point and/or the server is received by and/or transmitted from a user application and the use of a mobile smart device.
G07C 9/00 - Individual registration on entry or exit
H04W 12/069 - Authentication using certificates or pre-shared keys
9.
A PARCEL LOCKER COMPRISING AN AUTONOMOUS SECOND UNIT INCLUDING A NEAR-FIELD COMMUNICATION UNIT, AND A METHOD FOR SERVER-SIDE PAIRING OF A PARCEL LOCKER AND AN AUTONOMOUS SECOND UNIT, AND A METHOD FOR OPENING A COMPARTMENT DOOR OF A COMPARTMENT USING A NEAR-FIELD COMMUNICATION UNIT
An autonomous second unit (200) comprising - a near-field communication unit (210) for receiving a user code and/or electronic token; - a second energy storage (220) for powering the second unit (200); - a second communication unit (240) including a short-range second communication unit (242) for communicating with a parcel locker (110); - a second controller (230) comprising at least one second processor and at least one second memory including program code, wherein the memory and the program code is configured to cause the processor to either match a received user code with one or more electronic tokens stored on the second memory, and cause the short-range second communication unit (242) to send the linked one or more electronic tokens to a short-range parcel communication unit (132) of a parcel locker as a function of a positive match; or forward an electronic token received by a recipient via the near-field communication unit (210) to a short-range parcel communication unit (132) of a parcel locker.
G07C 9/00 - Individual registration on entry or exit
A47G 29/14 - Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milkSimilar receptacles for large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distributionInventory or stock management
G07F 17/12 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
10.
AUTOMATED PARCEL SYSTEM FOR STORAGE OF PARCELS AND RELEASING PARCELS TO A RECIPIENT
An automated parcel system (10) for storage of parcels and releasing parcels to a recipient, the automated parcel system (10) comprising - a package storage unit (20) comprising - a plurality of first parcel attachment means (22) arranged in a pattern, the plurality of first parcel attachment means (22) being attached to one or more surfaces; - at least one package (50) releasably attached to at least one of the plurality of first parcel attachment means (22), the at least one package (50) comprises - a package gate (52) enabling access to an internal space (54) of the package (50); - a second parcel attachment means (56) complimentary to the first parcel attachment means (22), wherein the second parcel attachment means (56) being releasable attached to the first parcel attachment means (22); - a package energy storage (58) configured for powering the package (50); - a package communication unit (60) adapted for communication with external devices; - a package controller (62) comprising a processor (64), a computer-readable memory (66) having stored thereon a computer program causing the processor (64) to release the second parcel attachment means (56) from the first parcel attachment means (22) as a function of received instruction from the external devices through the package communication unit (60).
G07F 17/12 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
A47G 29/14 - Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milkSimilar receptacles for large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles
A PACKAGE FOR USE DURING ITEM PICKING AND FOR USE IN A PARCEL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, A PACKAGING SYSTEM FOR PACKAGING ITEMS STORED IN A WAREHOUSE AND METHODS THEREFORE
A package (10) for use during item picking and for use in a parcel distribution system, the package (10) comprising - a base (20), an opposite lid (30) and one or more walls (40) extending between the base (20) and the lid (30) defining an internal space (12), wherein the lid (30) comprising a cover (32) for enabling access to the internal space (12), the cover (32) being closable by one or more reversible fasteners (50); and - a tag pocket (14) for storing a tag (16); and wherein the cover (32) comprises an inner facing side (34) facing the internal space (12), when in a closed state (200), the inner facing side (34) comprising a unique visual identifier (36) readable by a visual system and/or the internal space (12) comprising a unique visual identifier (36) readable by a visual system; and wherein the package (10) has - the closed state (200), where the cover (32) is closed by the one or more fasteners (50) and the internal space (12) is inaccessible, and the unique visual identifier (36) is not visible; and - an identification state (100), where the internal space (12) is accessible, and the cover (32) is flipped, such that the unique visual identifier (36) is visible.
A reusable package (10) for use in a parcel distribution system, the package (10) comprising - a base (20) and an opposite lid (30) defining an internal space (12), wherein the package (10) comprises a closable opening (32) for enabling access to the internal space (12), the closeable opening (32) being closable along a strip (50) by a reversible slide fastener (52) or hook and loop tape (58); - a first mating unit (14) positioned on the package (10); - a flap (60) extending from the package (10), wherein the flap (10) and the first mating unit (14) are positioned on opposite sides of the strip (50), the flap (60) including a second mating unit (62) complementary to the first mating unit (14); - an electronic seal (70) including a sensor (72) configured for detecting whether the mating units (14,62) are coupled and/or uncoupled; - a smart tag (80) connected to the sensor (72), the smart tag (80) comprising a local power storage (81), a communication module (82), a processor (84) and a computer-readable medium (86) having stored thereon a computer program causing the processor (84) to determine a change of state as a function of data from the sensor between - a broken seal state (100), wherein the mating units (14,62) are uncoupled; and - a connected seal state (200) wherein the mating units (14,62) are coupled, wherein the computer program further causes the processor to store state history on the com- puter-readable medium (86).
B65D 6/18 - Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal, plastics, wood or substitutes therefor collapsible with hinged components
A PARCEL LOCKER COMPRISING AN AUTONOMOUS PIN PAD UNIT, AND A METHOD FOR SERVER-SIDE PAIRING OF A PARCEL LOCKER AND AN AUTONOMOUS PIN PAD UNIT, AND A METHOD FOR OPENING A COMPARTMENT DOOR OF A COMPARTMENT USING A PIN PAD
An autonomous pin pad unit (200) comprising - a pin pad (210) for receiving a user pin code; - a pin pad energy storage (220) for powering the pin pad unit (200); - a pin pad communication unit (240) including a short-range pin pad communication unit (242) for communicating with the parcel locker (110), and a long-range pin pad communication unit (244) for communicating with a dis- tribution server (300); - a pin pad controller (230) comprising at least one pin pad processor and at least one pin pad memory including program code, one or more pin codes and one or more electronic tokens linked to the one or more pin codes, wherein the memory and the program code is configured to cause the proces- sor to match a received user pin code with the one or more pin codes and cause the short-range pin pad communication unit (242) to send the linked electronic token to the short-range parcel communication unit (132) as a function of a positive match.
A47G 29/14 - Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milkSimilar receptacles for large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles
G07F 17/12 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
G07F 7/10 - Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card together with a coded signal
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distributionInventory or stock management
H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
14.
A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GRANTING ACCESS TO A PARCEL LOCKER USING A SMART TAG CONNECTED TO A PARCEL
A method (100) comprising steps of - receiving (400), at a parcel locker (10), a request token (90) from a smart tag (20) connected to a parcel (70) for access to a compartment (12) of the parcel locker (10), the request token (90) comprising an identifier of the compartment (12) transmitted to the smart tag (20) by a backend system (30) via a third-party device (80), wherein the compartment (12) has been determined by the backend system (30) from a plurality of compartments (12) of the parcel locker (10); - granting (500) access to the compartment (12) as a function of the request token (90).
An illumination unit (40) configured to be installed on a parcel locker (10), wherein the illumination unit (40) comprising - means for attachment to a parcel locker (10); - a light emitter (42) for emitting light; - an illumination short-range communication unit (46) comprising a second antenna (48) for short-range communication with a third-party device (90), - an illumination controller (50) comprising at least one processor and at least one memory that includes program code, wherein the memory and the program code is configured to cause the processor to turn on the light emitter (42) or increase illumination output of the light emitter (42) as a function of instructions received directly from a third-party device (90).
G07F 17/12 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
H05B 47/19 - Controlling the light source by remote control via wireless transmission
16.
A SERVICE POINT FOR DISTRIBUTION OF A PLURALITY OF PARCELS AND A METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A PARCEL DISTRIBUTION AT THE SERVICE POINT
A service point (10) for distribution of a plurality of parcels, wherein the service point (10) comprises - a parcel shop (20) being a manned service point for manually handing over parcels, the parcel shop (20) comprises - a storage room (22) for storing the plurality of parcels, and - a shop instruction unit (24) including a display for displaying instructions; - a parcel locker (30) positioned inside the parcel shop (20) or positioned in a near vicinity of the parcel shop (20), the parcel locker (30) comprising - a plurality of compartments (32) for storing parcels and the plurality of compartments (32) comprise a compartment door (34) provided with a lock; and - a locker communication unit (38), -a service point controller (50) comprising - a computer readable storage (52) for storing thereon a parcel ID of each of the plurality of parcels and for storing a service point parcel distribution including a parcel position of each of the plurality of parcels within the service point (10); - a service point communication unit (54) for wired or wireless communication with the shop instruction unit (24), the locker communication unit (38), third-party devices (80) and optionally, a distribution server (90); and - a service point processor (56) configured to send instructions to the shop instruction unit (24) about refilling the parcel locker (30) as a function of the service point parcel distribution.
A manned service point (1) for distribution of a plurality of parcels (90) with limited private information sharing, wherein the manned service point (1) comprises - a storage room (10) for storing a plurality of parcels (90), - a shop instruction unit (20) including a display for displaying instructions to personnel about collection of a parcel (91); and - a service point controller (30) comprising - a computer readable storage (32) for storing thereon specific parcel IDs (92) of each of the plurality of parcels (90); - a service point communication unit (34) for wired or wireless communication with the shop instruction unit (20), and third-party smart devices (80); and - a service point processor (36) configured upon an encrypted collection request (60) from a third-party smart device (80) to cause the service point controller (30) to send a delivery instruction (62) to the shop instruction unit (20) about handing over a parcel (91) with a specific parcel ID (92), wherein the delivery instruction (62) includes a public handshake code (64) sent to the shop instruction unit (20) and optionally to the third-party smart device (80).
A computer-implemented method (100) for analysing street images (10) or satellite im- ages (20) of locations intended to be used for placement of one or more parcel lockers (90), the method (100) comprising steps of i) obtaining a number of street images (10) or a number of satellite images (20) of a number of locations, ii) determining a placement rating for parcel placement at the locations by processing each of the number of street images (10) or each of the number of satellite images (20) by a first trained data driven model (M1), where the number of street images (10) or the number of satellite images (20) are fed as a digital input to the first trained data driven model (M1) and where the first trained data driven model (M1) provides a placement rating (30) of the locations as a first digital output for further evaluation.
A method (100) for recycling at least a part of a reusable package (10), where the reusable package (10) is circulating repeatedly in a parcel system (1) according to anyone of the previous claims, the method (100) comprises steps of - updating (200) the delivery address on the reusable electronic tag (40) and the server (60) to be the recycling shop address (72); - receiving (300) the reusable package (10) with the reusable electronic tag (40) at the recycling shop (70); - separating (400) at least the item compartment (20) from the lid (30), and optionally separating (400) the lid (30) and reusable electronic tag (40); - recycling (500) the item compartment (20); and - remolding (600) a new item compartment (20) using at least part of the item compartment (20).
A47G 29/14 - Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milkSimilar receptacles for large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles
20.
A REUSABLE ELECTRONIC TAG, AND A METHOD FOR A MORE EFFICIENT MANUAL TRANSFER OF A UNIT WITH A REUSABLE ELECTRONIC TAG
A reusable electronic tag (10) for attachment to units in circulation in a parcel delivery system, the reusable electronic tag (10) comprises - a control unit (20) powered by a battery, the control unit (20) comprising - a storage module (24) comprising a package ID, - a low-energy communication module (26), such as Bluetooth low energy (BLE) or ZigBee, for receiving an activation signal, - a beacon module (28) comprising a light beacon (30) and/or a speaker beacon (32), wherein the beacon module (28) is activated as a function of received instruction at the low-energy communication module (26) causing the light beacon (30) to emit light and/or the speaker beacon (32) to generate sound.
A47G 29/14 - Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milkSimilar receptacles for large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles
21.
METHOD OF REUSING A REUSABLE TRANSPORT PACKAGING AND A SERVICE POINT AND SYSTEM THEREFOR
The method uses a status server in communication with a parcel allocation system. The parcel allocation system has one or more service points. At the service points (20) a reusable transport packaging (600) is provided and is reused by changing its content and the status server (730) is updated with a status (620) associated with the transport packaging ID (602), which status (620) is a function of a system event (54) performed in the parcel allocation system (400). The packaging (600) can be left at the service point (20). The service point (20) has storage means (201) for a packaging (602) and communication means (202) for receiving and transmitting data of system events (54). The system (700) has a status server (730) and packaging (600) for holding a piece (40). The system can receive (124) dataset (59) of a system event (54) from a parcel allocation system (400) and transmit (122) a status (620) of the packaging (600) to a parcel allocation system (400). The packaging (600) has a transport packaging ID (602) associated with a status (620) of the packaging (600), which status is dependent on the received dataset (59) of the system event (54) from the parcel allocation system (400). The parcel allocation system is a system wherein electronic tokens are transmitted between the server and a service point. The parcel allocation system (400) has one or more service points (20) and an external server (30).
The present invention relates to a method and a system for allocation of parcels. The system comprises a server, one or more service points and a user application. The method for allocating parcels comprises acts of communicating data to and from the server and the sendee point, comprising electronic tokens. A method and a system wherein the communicated data to or from the service point and/or the server is received by and/or transmitted from a user application and the use of a mobile smart device hereto.
G07C 9/00 - Individual registration on entry or exit
H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
patents
