| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 705339000 | Central recipient pick-up | 27 |
| 20110320377 | AUTONOMOUS COMMUNICATION IN SHIPPING - The invention provides a system and method for the autonomous wireless communication between a service provider device and a customer device. The customer device may notify the service provider device whether the customer has work to be performed by the service provider. The service provider device may provide information to the customer about work to be performed by the service provider. In one embodiment, a shipping service is notified autonomously about items that a customer has for pick up and shipment. The shipping service is also capable of wirelessly transferring information to a customer device about items to be delivered to that customer. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20120130916 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHIPPING AND DELIVERING PARCELS TO A VIRTUAL ADDRESS - A computer-based system and method for shipping and delivering a parcel, including reserving a terminal for a parcel; placing the parcel in the terminal, the parcel having a virtual delivery address of a recipient; picking up the parcel by a carrier; converting, through a central computer system, the virtual address into a postal address; delivering the parcel to a destination terminal drop-box corresponding to the postal address; notifying the recipient of the delivery of the parcel; and unlocking the drop-box only upon verifying the recipient's identity. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20130262336 | PRE-ORDER DELIVERY OF ITEMS TO A PICKUP LOCATION - A pickup location that includes a control station and one or more storage compartment modules provides the ability for items to be ordered and delivered for pickup by a user without having to pack those items in a shipping package prior to shipping from a materials handling facility. Delivering items for pickup by a user without having to package the items prior to shipping, may provide a better experience for the customer, reduce waste in packaging material and a lower cost of delivering the ordered items to the customer. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20140019377 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF TARGETED INTERACTIONS FOR INTEGRATED RETAIL APPLICATIONS - Example gesture based cross-channel commerce retail systems and methods are provided. Some of the example systems and methods permit a consumer to complete a Store Pick Up order, i.e., an order placed by the consumer via computer, mobile device, telephone, fax, mail-order, etc., by gesturing with a mobile device near a digital kiosk and optical sensor at a store pick up location. The mobile device and/or the digital kiosk may display media content to the consumer while the consumer completes the Store Pick Up order. In another example system, a digital kiosk is located in a public area such as an airport, shopping mall, train station, or stadium. The digital kiosk displays media content to the consumer, and the consumer may transfer to a mobile device such media by gesturing with the mobile device near the digital kiosk. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140052661 | CUSTOMER CENTRIC PICKUP LOCATIONS - A temporary pickup location that is located within a delivery area during a predefined timeframe provides an opportunity to customers to retrieve orders for items at a time and location that is convenient for them. In addition, the customers can pay for the items at retrieval (COD) and avoid the bulk and waste of shipping packages. In some implementations, temporary pickup locations are made available by planning to position a delivery agent and transportation unit at a predefined location during a predefined timeframe during which customers can plan to retrieve ordered items. | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140114875 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR THE SECURE SALE OF TANGIBLE GOODS - These inventions relate generally to methods and systems for consummating asynchronous transactions between users. An “asynchronous transaction” is a transaction that involves an exchange of goods which does not require the seller, on the one hand, and the purchaser or renter, on the other hand, to schedule a time to meet to physically transfer the item to be delivered. The disclosed systems include an automated storage device in communication with a central server, the automated storage device comprising a plurality of locked storage compartments. A seller may deposit an item in a locked storage compartment for a purchaser or renter to pick up at a later time. The disclosure also includes methods to authenticate the seller and the purchaser or renter prior to granting access to the locked storage compartment, as well as methods to resolve disputes that may arise between the seller and the purchaser or renter. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140258168 | Automated Pickup & Delivery System - A pickup and delivery system is disclosed wherein packages for service are deposited in drop box. The entity depositing the package receives electronic notification of receipt of the package and the service provider is electronically notified of the package deposit. The service provider is provided with a code to unlock the drop containing the items to be serviced. After the items have be serviced, they are placed in lockboxes and an unlock code is generated for each lockbox. The unlock code is electronically transmitted to the entity requesting service and the processed items are removed from the lockbox in connection with entry of the unlock code information. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140279664 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF DELIVERING PARCELS USING ATTENDED DELIVERY/PICKUP LOCATIONS - Systems and methods for facilitating delivery of parcels to, from, and between attended delivery/pickup locations. In various embodiments, the attended delivery/pickup locations may be associated with brick-and-mortar retail locations and used to facilitate inventory transfer between locations, shipment of goods purchased at the brick-and-mortar-retail locations to other attended delivery/pickup locations or other locations, and to receive delivery of parcels sent from any suitable location. In some embodiments, the attended delivery/pickup locations are configured to receive shipments of items ordered from online retail websites. In other embodiments, the attended delivery/pickups locations are associated with shopping centers and configured to facilitate shipment of items purchased at the associated shopping centers. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140279665 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MANAGING THE CAPACITY OF ATTENDED DELIVERY/PICKUP LOCATIONS - A computer system for routing parcels to attended delivery/pickup locations (e.g., other than an individual's home and/or office) based on estimating the attended delivery/pickup location's capacity is disclosed. The computer system receives capacity information associated with the attended delivery/pickup location and characteristics of one or more parcels an individual wishes to be delivered to the attended deliver location. The system, based at least in part on the received information, determines whether the attended delivery/pickup location will have the capacity to store the one or more parcels associated with the individual. The system then routes the one or more parcels either to the attended delivery/pickup location (if there is capacity) or to an alternative delivery/pickup location (if there is not capacity). | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140279666 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MANAGING ITEM PICKUP AT ATTENDED DELIVERY/PICKUP LOCATIONS - Systems and methods for facilitating pick up of items delivered to attended delivery/pickup locations. In various embodiments, the system is configured for confirming an identity of a person attempting to pick up a parcel from an attended delivery/pickup location before releasing the parcel to the person. The system may confirm the identity by receiving identifying information, by confirming a geographic location of a person attempting to retrieve the parcel, etc. In some embodiments, the system may be configure to enable parcel recipients to provide other persons the authorization to retrieve parcels and may be further configured to confirm this authorization before releasing parcels to a person other than the intended parcel recipient. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140279667 | GROUP DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND RELATED METHODS - Various embodiments of a system for creating delivery groups are disclosed. In various embodiments, the system is configured to collect purchase history data about users and determine if they have common characteristics. For example, the system may be configured to determine if two users live in the same neighborhood, have similar purchasing habits, etc. According to a particular embodiment, the system suggests to users with common characteristics to form delivery groups for package aggregation (e.g., to aggregate deliveries to a single location at the same time). The system may offer an incentive to the users to form the delivery group, such as a discount, incentive points, etc. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140330740 | SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING AND REDISTRIBUTING SURPLUS ITEMS - A system for distributing surplus items includes the following modules. A central control module distributes the items donated by a donor(s) to a recipient(s) based on a recipient's qualification and an availability of the items. A donor registration module registers the donor. A donor surplus items module registers the availability, characteristics of the items, and a pick-up location on a predetermined time period. A recipient registration module registers the recipient when qualified and parameters associated with the recipient. A donor match module matches the donor with the recipient and selects the items based on the parameters, and generates an approval code and a pick-up location for each item. A search result module notifies the recipient of the items, the pick-up location, and a time limit for responding to the notification and picking up the items, and sends the approval code to the recipient upon a timely positive response. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20140379607 | DELIVERY MANAGEMENT APPARATUS AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A delivery management apparatus includes a delivery information reception unit that receives from a sender information about a shipping deposit location relating to a delivery item, and receives from a recipient information about a receipt location relating to the delivery item; a delivery person determination unit that communicates at least the information about the shipping deposit location and the information about the receipt location to users in order to recruit a user desiring to perform delivery, and determines a delivery person from applicant users; and a delivery procedure communication unit that at least communicates to the delivery person information used for pickup of the delivery item from the shipping deposit location or from a relay storage location and information used for storage in the relay storage location or in the receipt location, and communicates to the recipient information used for pickup of the delivery item from the receipt location. | 12-25-2014 |
| 20150106291 | Systems and Methods for Conveying a Parcel to a Consignee, For Example, After an Unsuccessful Delivery Attempt - A system for redirecting a parcel from a primary delivery location (e.g., a residential address) to a locker bank is configured to redirect the parcel following an unsuccessful delivery attempt at the primary delivery location. In some embodiments, the system is configured to determine a suitable locker bank to which to redirect the parcel based on preferences received from a carrier (e.g., common carrier), shipper of the parcel, or consignee of the parcel. In various embodiments, following the unsuccessful delivery attempt, the system is configured to receive a request to deliver the parcel to the locker bank, provide access to one or more lockers at the locker bank for placement of the parcel, receive confirmation that the parcel has been placed in a particular locker at the locker bank, and associate the parcel with the particular locker. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150106292 | Systems and Methods for Facilitating Delivery of a Parcel to a Suitably Sized Locker - A system, according to various embodiments, is adapted for identifying a suitable locker for a particular parcel based, at least in part on the size of the parcel. In particular embodiments, the system is optimized for identifying the smallest available locker that would accommodate the parcel, and facilitating delivery of the parcel to that locker. The size of the parcel may be obtained, for example, from a carrier, a shipper, a consignee, or a third party (such as a customs agent). | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150106293 | Systems and Methods for Establishing an Account of a User at a Locker Bank - A system, according to various embodiments, is adapted for facilitating the creation of a consignee account with a carrier at a locker bank. In particular embodiments, the system is adapted to use the locker bank to facilitate delivery of a parcel to an unregistered consignee at a locker bank and, during the course of the delivery transaction, facilitate the creation of an account for the previously unregistered consignee at the locker bank. This may allow the consignee to receive future notifications regarding other parcels that the carrier may deliver to the consignee. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150106294 | Systems and Methods for Confirming an Identity of an Individual, For Example, at a Locker Bank - Systems, according to various embodiments, are adapted to use any of a variety of different techniques to identify an individual. In particular embodiments, the system is adapted to, at least partially in response to confirming the identity of a consignee of a parcel, provide the consignee with access to a parcel stored within a secured locker. In particular embodiments, the system may use the current or past location of the consignee, or information from one or more objects physically associated with the consignee (e.g., a portable computing device or an electronic or paper info notice) to verify the consignee's identity. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150106295 | Systems and Methods for Confirming an Identity of an Individual, For Example, at a Locker Bank - Systems, according to various embodiments, are adapted to use any of a variety of different techniques to identify an individual. In particular embodiments, the system is adapted to, at least partially in response to confirming the identity of a consignee of a parcel, provide the consignee with access to a parcel stored within a secured locker. In particular embodiments, the system may use the current or past location of the consignee, or information from one or more objects physically associated with the consignee (e.g., a portable computing device or an electronic or paper info notice) to verify the consignee's identity. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150106296 | Systems and Methods for Conveying a Parcel to a Consignee, For Example, After an Unsuccessful Delivery Attempt - A system for redirecting a parcel from a primary delivery location (e.g., a residential address) to a locker bank is configured to redirect the parcel following an unsuccessful delivery attempt at the primary delivery location. In some embodiments, the system is configured to determine a suitable locker bank to which to redirect the parcel based on preferences received from a carrier (e.g., common carrier), shipper of the parcel, or consignee of the parcel. In various embodiments, following the unsuccessful delivery attempt, the system is configured to receive a request to deliver the parcel to the locker bank, provide access to one or more lockers at the locker bank for placement of the parcel, receive confirmation that the parcel has been placed in a particular locker at the locker bank, and associate the parcel with the particular locker. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150112887 | LOCKER DROP OFF - A system and method for dropping off an item at a locker are described. A locker is identified based on a size of an item and a geographic location of a seller of the item listed in an online marketplace. A lock code and an unlock code for the locker are generated. The locker is locked closed in response to receiving the lock code at the locker and is opened in response to receiving the unlock code at the locker. The lock code is communicated along with a location of the locker to the seller of the item. | 04-23-2015 |
| 20150120601 | ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED PARCEL DELIVERY SYSTEM - A parcel delivery system includes a parcel locker system for receiving and storing parcels; a portable electronic device used by a person who delivers parcels to the parcel locker; a portable electronic device operated by an intended recipient of a parcel; and encoded tags to be affixed to parcels to be delivered to the parcel locker system. The parcel locker system may comprise a number of individual parcel lockers and a control device for controlling access to the lockers. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150120602 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBJECT DELIVERY AND PICKUP - A system and method for delivery of one or more objects is provided. The system and method includes the steps of determining if the object can be delivered to a first location; and in the event that the object cannot be delivered to the first location, a unique identifier is generated. The unique identifier is associated with the object and a reservation request is initiated to deliver the object to a second location. Determination of the second location is based on one or more parameters and notification of successful reservation request and second location is provided. A modular storage system having an actuator is also provided. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150120603 | Devices, Systems, and Methods for Streamlining Mail Delivery - The present disclosure relates generally to devices, systems, and methods for streamlining mail delivery. A recipient identifier corresponding to a physical mail item addressed to an intended recipient is received can be received. A storage location for the physical mail item may be determined. Prior to determining the storage location for the physical mail item, the storage location may be currently associated with the intended recipient. After determining the storage location, the storage location may be associated with the intended recipient. An electronic notification can be sent to the intended recipient. The electronic notification may comprise a storage location identifier. The storage location identifier may be usable to identify the storage location of the physical mail item. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150302351 | Package Drop-Off and Pick-Up System - An automated storage and retrieval system for customers and vendors/service providers to pick up and drop off packages such as parcels, dry-cleaning/laundry, and the like. The present invention may provide a convenient point for users to pick up or drop off items. In varying embodiments, the system may be particularly useful in multi-unit residential buildings, retail stores and other store-fronts, as stand-alone kiosks in popular locations such as department stores, train stations, malls, street corners, and the like. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150356502 | ORDER FULFILLMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS WITH CUSTOMER LOCATION TRACKING - Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed that provide a pickup process for items purchased from a store. In some embodiments, a mobile computing device of a customer may determine whether the mobile computing device and therefore the customer are in a pickup zone for a store. In response to determining that the mobile computing device is in the pickup zone, the mobile computing device may notify the customer and request whether the customer wishes to initiate pickup of purchased items from the store. The mobile computing device may notify a merchandise pickup system of the customer's desire to pickup the purchased items. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150379464 | Automated Collection Points and Method of Operation - A customer may collect a package from an automated collection point (ACP) operated by an entity having a central computer system, even when there is no functional communications link between the ACP and the central computer system. A first collection code is generated at the central computer system by means of an algorithm based on a data item particular to the package, such as a package identification code (package ID). The first collection code is sent to the customer who inputs it at the ACP, where it is validated independently using a corresponding algorithm based on a corresponding data item which is independently available to the ACP, preferably the same package ID which is carried by the package and scanned when the package is delivered. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160098678 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPLEMENTING ELECTRONIC STORAGE AREAS - In an embodiment, articles such as items are left in storage areas in a storage bank by delivery service. A delivery service selects the intended recipient from a list of intended recipients. If the intended recipient is not found on the list, information about the intended recipient (e.g. a photo of the mailing label or other information) is entered into the system, and a message having the information is left in a house account. In response, a message is received having additional information about the intended recipient, which is used to contact the intended recipient and request the intended recipient to pick up the item. | 04-07-2016 |
