U.S. patent application number 09/794410 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-25 for system for delivery and receipt of dispatches especially useful for e-commerce.
Invention is credited to Kinory, Nir, Koster, Yoav.
Application Number | 20010034665 09/794410 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 11073890 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010034665 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kinory, Nir ; et
al. |
October 25, 2001 |
System for delivery and receipt of dispatches especially useful for
e-commerce
Abstract
There is provided a Last Mile delivery system (LAMIS system) for
delivery of parcels to recipients, including a plurality of
Automatic Delivery Machines (ADMs), located in public places and
other places convenient for the recipients. Each ADM has a local
computer and data and comunication network connection, and at least
a set of cells, possibly of adjustable size, for storing parcels,
and a single access mechanism for each such set, adapted to provide
a recipient with access to a parcel stored in a cell while
preventing access to parcels in other cells. The system further
includes computerized control centers using an ADM database with
locations of the ADMs, a LAMIS server computer program for handling
the data associated with the operation of the system, which enables
a multiple choice of an ADM for the delivery or for sending of the
parcel, by using the ADM database. The control center has data and
communication network connecting the LAMIS server with the local
computers of the ADMs. The local computers are adapted to identify
the recipient and to provide access to the parcel in the cell of
the chosen ADM.
Inventors: |
Kinory, Nir; (Even Yehuda,
IL) ; Koster, Yoav; (Haifa, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROWDY AND NEIMARK, P.L.L.C.
624 Ninth Street, N.W.
Washington
DC
20001
US
|
Family ID: |
11073890 |
Appl. No.: |
09/794410 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/26.1 ;
700/231 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/0836 20130101;
G07F 17/13 20200501; G06Q 10/08 20130101; G07F 11/007 20130101;
G06Q 30/0601 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/26 ;
700/231 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60; G06F
017/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 1, 2000 |
IL |
134828 |
Claims
1. A system for delivery of parcels to recipients, each parcel
being associated with shipping information (SI), including: a
plurality of Automatic Delivery Machines (ADM) at least part of
them located in public places and, possibly, other places
convenient for said recipients, each ADM having a local computer
and data network connection, and further having at least one set of
cells for storing parcels and a single access mechanism for said
set of cells, said access mechanism being controlled by said local
computer and being adapted to provide a recipient with access to a
parcel stored in a cell while preventing access to parcels in all
other cells; at least one computerized control center using an ADM
database with locations of at least part of said ADMs, a LAMIS
server computer program for handling data associated with the
operation of said system, enabling a multiple choice of an ADM for
the delivery of said parcel, using said ADM database, and adapted
to receive said SI and to associate it with a cell in said ADM or
in otherwise chosen ADM, and data network connecting said LAMIS
server and the local computers of said ADMs; wherein said local
computer of the ADM is adapted to identify said recipient and to
provide said recipient with access to said parcel from said
cell.
2. The system for delivery according to claim 1, wherein each cell
has its access opening and said access mechanism is a door assembly
comprising a number of movable shutters adapted to form a door
opening of variable size and position in front of a predetermined
cell access opening, thereby providing said recipient with access
to a parcel stored therein.
3. The system for delivery according to claim 1, wherein the size
of at least some of said cells in the ADM may be adjusted, in
particular at the time of parcel delivery to said ADM.
4. The system for delivery according to claim 1, wherein at least
part of said ADMs have at least part of their cells organized in
cassettes adapted to be removed from and replaced in said ADMs.
5. The system for delivery according to claim 1, wherein said
access mechanism is adapted to be actuated at a predetermined cell
to move a parcel from said predetermined cell to an exposed place
accessible for said recipient.
6. The system for delivery according to claim 5, wherein said
access mechanism is chosen from a group of devices using pushing,
pulling, blowing, suction, vibration, adhesion, inclined planes,
springs, etc.
7. The system for delivery according to claim 1, used for delivery
of purchased or ordered items from merchants to recipients and
further comprising a DAS server program connected to said LAMIS
server and providing interface at purchase sites where a purchaser
buys or orders said items from a merchant, said interface offering
a multiple choice of a suitable ADM as a destination for delivery
of said items to said recipient, by accessing said ADM database,
information regarding the chosen ADM constituting a part of said
SI.
8. The system for delivery according to claim 7, wherein at least
one of said purchase sites is an e-site.
9. A system for delivery of purchased or ordered items as parcels
from merchants to recipients, each parcel being associated with
shipping information (SI), including: a plurality of Automatic
Delivery Machines (ADM) located in public places and, possibly,
other convenient for said recipients, each ADM having a local
computer and data network connection; at least one computerized
control center using an ADM database with locations of at least
part of said ADMs, a DAS server computer program offering to said
purchaser a multiple choice of a suitable ADM as a destination for
delivery and/or pick-up of said items by said recipient, by
accessing said ADM database, information regarding the chosen ADM
constituting a part of said SI a LAMIS server computer program for
handling data associated with the operation of said system, and
adapted to receive said SI and to associate it with a cell in the
chosen ADM, and data network connecting the LAMIS server, the DAS
server, and the local computers of said ADMs; wherein said local
computer of the ADM is adapted to identify said recipient and to
provide said recipient with access to said parcel from said
cell.
10. The system for delivery according to claim 9, wherein said DAS
server bas interface to purchasing sites where said purchaser buys
or orders said items, thereby offering the purchaser said
choice.
11. The system for delivery according to claim 10, wherein at least
one of said purchasing sites is an e-site.
12. The system for delivery according to claim 9, used for early
delivery vending of goods [or distributing items] from a merchant
to potential recipients, a batch of said goods having been
delivered to cells of said ADMs without addressing a particular
recipient, wherein said DAS server has interface to e-sites, in
particular to e-sites of said merchant, for purchasers to use said
e-site interface to choose a suitable ADM for pick-up of said goods
[or items] without waiting for delivery.
13. A container comprising at least one set of cells, each cell
having walls and an access opening, and a single door mechanism for
each set, said mechanism comprising a number of movable shutters
adapted to form a door opening of variable size and position in
front of said access openings, thereby providing at a given time
access to at least one predetermined cell of said set, while at the
same time preventing the access to all other cells of said set.
14. A container according to claim 13, wherein said door mechanism
is adapted to provide access to a group of adjacent cells of said
set of cells.
15. A container according to claim 13, wherein the cells of said
set are of different dimensions.
16. A container according to claim 13, wherein at least some of
said set of cells are adapted to change their dimensions.
17. A container according to claim 16, wherein said cells are
adapted to change their dimensions by inserting or removing walls
thereof.
18. A container according to claim 13, wherein said door mechanism
includes at least a pair of said movable shutters adapted to move
independently along a common path.
19. A container according to claim 18, wherein said door mechanism
includes two pairs of shutters movable in close parallel planes, in
non-parallel directions.
20. A container according to claim 13, wherein at least a part of
said shutters are flexible or rollable or foldable shutters.
21. A container according to claim 13, wherein at least one of said
shutters is flexible and is adapted to move along a path
essentially encircling said container.
22. A container according to claim 14, wherein said set of cells
are organized in at least one row of cells having one uniform
dimension across said row, the cell openings of said row facing one
pair of movable shutters.
23. A container according to claim 13, further including a
positioning mechanism adapted to move at least part of said cells
relative to said door mechanism.
24. A container according to claim 23, wherein said set of cells
are organized in at least one carriage, each carriage being adapted
to be positioned by said positioning mechanism, with the cell
openings facing the movable shutters.
25. A container according to claim 13, wherein at least part of
said set of cells are organized in cassettes, adapted to be removed
from and replaced in said container through a door opening provided
by said door mechanism.
26. A container according to claim 13, further having a service
door, wherein at least part of said set of cells are organized in
cassettes, adapted to be removed from and replaced in said
container through said service door.
27. A container according to claim 13, farther equipped with local
control computer and peripheral devices, adapted to identify a
person authorized to access one or more cells of said set of cells,
and to provide said person with access to said one or more
cells.
28. A container according to claim 24, further provided with
communication to a remote control center and adapted to identify
said authorized person and provide said access after data exchange
with said remote control center.
29. Method of early delivery vending of goods from a merchant to
potential purchasers using a system of delivery according to claim
8, wherein said DAS server has interface to e-sites, in particular
to e-sites of said merchant, including the following steps:
disposing a plurality of said ADMs in a plurality of public places;
loading a batch of goods from said merchant in a plurality of ADMs
without addressing them to a particular recipient; offering said
goods at the e-site of said merchant or otherwise and encouraging
said potential purchasers to pick up said goods from the ADMs
without waiting for specific delivery; enabling said potential
purchasers to choose for pick-up a suitable ADM among said
plurality of ADMs having said goods, by using said DAS server
interface at said e-sites; upon a potential purchaser actually
having chosen said suitable ADM and having made a purchase of said
goods, assigning a cell with said goods in said ADM to said
purchaser or to another recipient of his choice and providing said
recipient with an access code by means of said LAMIS server.
30. Method of delivery of parcels to recipients, each parcel being
associated with shipping information (SI), including the following
steps: disposing a plurality of Automatic Delivery Machines (ADM)
in a plurality of public places and, possibly, in other places
convenient for said recipients, each ADM having a local computer
and data network connection, and a plurality of cells for storing
parcels; providing at least one computerized control center using
an ADM database with locations of at least part of said ADMs, a
LAMIS server computer program for handling data associated with the
operation of said system, enabling a multiple choice of an ADM for
the delivery of said parcel, by using said ADM database, and data
network connecting said LAMIS server and the local computers of
said ADMs; inputting, at least indirectly, the SI of said parcel
into said LAMIS server, the latter associating said SI with a cell
in said or otherwise chosen ADM; loading said parcel into said cell
of the chosen ADM; providing said recipient with an access code and
an address for said ADM; wherein said local computer of the ADM is
adapted to identify said recipient by said access code and to
provide said recipient with access to said parcel from said
cell.
31. The method of delivery according to claim 30, wherein said
delivery to at least a part of said plurality of ADMs is managed by
a dealer, said dealer performing the step of said multiple choice
of an ADM by accessing said LAMIS server.
32. The method of delivery according to claim 31, wherein said
dealer is a postal service.
33. The method of delivery according to claim 30, further including
the step of inputting said SI directly to the LAMIS server.
34. The method of delivery according to claim 33, wherein said step
of inputting the shipping information is performed by either a
shipper or a dealer.
35. The method of delivery according to claim 30, further including
the step of inputting said shipping information into said local
computer, which is adapted to transfer it to the LAMIS server.
36. The method of delivery according to claim 35, wherein said step
of inputting said shipping information is performed either by a
loader or by a sender.
37. The method of delivery according to claim 30, wherein said
shipping information includes the location of said chosen ADM.
38. The method of delivery according to claim 37, wherein said
shipping information is generated by a sender, who chooses said
ADM.
39. The method of delivery according to claim 37, wherein said
shipping information is generated by a merchant, with said location
of the ADM being chosen by a purchaser when acquiring goods from
said merchant.
40. The method of delivery according to claim 30, used for return
of purchased or ordered goods to a merchant, wherein said goods is
a parcel, said merchant is a recipient and said SI is attached to
said parcel when originally purchased or ordered.
41. The method of delivery according to claim 30, used for the
replacement of items such as cellular phones, where the shipping
information is stored in the LAMIS server, as provided beforehand
by a replacing company, and said access code is provided to a
consumer by said company.
42. The method of delivery according to claim 30, further including
the step of providing a DAS server program connected to said LAMIS
server, to enable a sender of a parcel to perform said multiple
choice when preparing said SI.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to systems for shipping and delivery
of parcels and like items to and from residential and business
areas, in particular to systems suitable for e-commerce.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Today, delivery of parcels to individual recipients is
performed by state-run Post Office service and by numerous private
courier agencies like DHL, In-Time, Royal Mail, United Parcels
Service, FedEx, etc. Also, large commercial store chains maintain
courier deliveries of their own.
[0003] A typical routine for a sender to send a parcel from
post-office A to a recipient located near post-office B
involves:
[0004] the sender visiting post office A and submitting a parcel
and the recipient's identification data and geographical
address;
[0005] the post office A shipping the parcel and necessary data to
the post office B, usually through 2 or more hubs concentrating the
flow of parcels, and using services of land/sea/air shipping
companies;
[0006] the post office B delivering the parcel to the recipient by
either a post person to the recipient's door, or more often
notifying the recipient by mail or phone, and the recipient
visiting the post office B to pick up the parcel.
[0007] Upon the delivery of the parcel, the post office B checks
the identity of the recipient against the data accompanying the
parcel, and, in some cases, effects a payment from the
recipient.
[0008] A typical routine with a courier agency differs from the
above in that couriers usually visit both the sender, upon his
order, to pick up the parcel, and the recipient, to deliver the
parcel.
[0009] A typical routine with a commodity bought on-line may differ
in that the sender, being also a trade company, may prepare parcels
and recipients' data at its own premises or run a courier service
of its own.
[0010] Notably, the acts of submitting and delivering a parcel in
known delivery systems take place in the working hours of post
offices or courier agencies and are performed by their human
personnel. With the electronic commerce via Internet becoming more
and more popular, the flow of parcels to individual recipients
snowballs, since an ever increasing proportion of purchasing is now
being made online. The flood of parcels challenges the existing
systems of delivery to individual customers, also called Last Mile
systems.
[0011] There are recent attempts to tap the flow of parcels in a
system of delivery which is closer to the consumer and is more
convenient. Thus, zBox company in the USA (http://www.zbox.com)
offers a Last Mile solution in the form of a large mailbox (zBox)
made of durable plastic at the doorstep of the house. The zBox is a
"smart" and secure home delivery box. The zBox is used to receive
packages when shopping online or from catalogs, without attending
or negotiating a meeting with delivery personnel. Also, packages
can be left in the zBox for pick-up when one needs to return or
send an item. The zBox is equipped with a 24-hour touch keypad and
a proprietary access system that generates a new access code for
each package delivery. To access the zBox, a single personal
identification number or PIN has to be remembered.
[0012] A similar system is the Brivo Smart Delivery system in the
USA (http:i/www.brivo.com). It utilizes the Web and wireless
technology to remotely manage shipments. With Brivo, companies,
mobile professionals and consumers can receive packages without
attendance and waiting. Brivo uses steel cubic delivery boxes,
attached to homes, and wired with an Internet connection. The
outside of the Brivo Box has a keypad on which delivery personnel
can enter a code that opens the box. The box can then notify the
owner through voice-mail, email or pager that a package has been
received, and store a record of the delivery. The Brivo Box design
is based on U.S. Pat. No. 5,774,053. This patent discloses also an
embodiment of the invention including a plurality of storage
devices grouped in clusters in a common area of a housing
subdivision or an apartment complex, similar to the way mailboxes
are grouped in some residential areas. The keypad and controller of
each of the communication apparatuses attached to such a cluster
would be configured to allow access to any predetermined storage
device in the cluster and would direct the vendor, homeowner, or
apartment dweller to use whichever storage device is currently
empty. The communication apparatuses would then notify the
homeowner or apartment dweller to which enclosure the delivery was
made.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In the present description and claims, the following terms
will be used:
[0014] Parcel--an item such as a box, letter, packet, envelope,
package, etc., to be delivered from a sender to a recipient.
Parcels may have different sizes and weights.
[0015] ADM (Automatic Delivery Machine)--an apparatus for final
physical delivery of parcels to a recipient and possibly for
receiving items from a sender. At least part of ADMs are intended
to be located in a plurality of public places.
[0016] Public places--places frequently visited by the population
such as shopping malls, parking lots in business districts, exit
areas from office buildings, commercial chains, public transport
stations, gas stations, post offices, university campuses, etc.
[0017] LAMIS system--Last Mile delivery system using a network of
ADMs.
[0018] ADM database--a database with geographical locations of ADMs
and their relation to geographical data such as zip codes, cities,
streets, etc., or to specific recipients.
[0019] LAMIS server--a computer program managing the data related
to the delivery of a parcel within the LAMIS system (uses the ADM
database).
[0020] DAS server (Data Application Server)--a computer program
with an e-site interface offering a purchaser a multiple choice of
suitable ADMs as a destination for delivery of purchased goods
(uses the ADM database).
[0021] LAMIS control center--a computerized control center, running
a LAMIS server program with the ADM database, and having means for
communication with ADMs, and at least some of senders, shippers,
dealers, and merchants.
[0022] E-site--website, e-commerce site, m-commerce site, cataloger
or any other remote site providing a purchaser with an option to
buy goods or order items.
[0023] Customer--a user of an ADM, may be a recipient or a
sender.
[0024] Sender--a person or an entity that sends an item to a
recipient (a sender may be also a merchant).
[0025] Private sender--sender of a parcel through an ADM.
[0026] Recipient--a customer of an ADM to whom a parcel is sent,
e.g. a purchaser, a private person or a business entity, which
picks up a parcel from an ADM.
[0027] Merchant--supplier, provider, e-tailler, e-commerce or
m-commerce portal, manufacturer, cataloger, etc., sending sold
goods or free items to a purchaser.
[0028] Shipper--an entity receiving items from a sender and
delivering them as parcels to an ADM or to a dealer's warehouse. A
postal or courier service may be a shipper.
[0029] Dealer--an entity receiving parcels from shippers and
delivering them to ADMs. One dealer is associated with a cluster of
ADMs. A post office may be a dealer.
[0030] Dealer's Warehouse--a computerized store for receiving and
sorting parcels before delivering them to ADMs.
[0031] Loader--a person employed by a shipper or a dealer to
drop-off parcels to and pick-up them from ADMs.
[0032] Drop-off--loading of a parcel into an ADM either by a sender
or by a loader.
[0033] Pick-up--collection of a parcel from an ADM either by a
recipient or by a loader.
[0034] Purchaser--a person or an entity buying goods or ordering
items to be received via an ADM from a merchant.
[0035] Vending--sale of goods and also distribution of samples,
catalogs and other items from automatic machines.
[0036] Access code (AC)--identity number, credit card number or
password or any other identification tool that enables the
identification of a recipient or a loader and proves his/her
authority to access an ADM.
[0037] Shipping information (SI)--a collection of data related to a
parcel, including a code identifying the parcel, recipient details
such as a communication address, and destination details such as a
geographical address of a recipient or of a receiving ADM, or of a
dealer.
[0038] Loading Message (LM)--a message from an ADM to a LAMIS
control center notifying that a parcel has been loaded in a
specific ADM cell.
[0039] Pick-up Message (PM)--a message from an ADM to a LAMIS
control center notifying that a parcel has been picked up from a
specific ADM cell.
[0040] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a Last Mile delivery system (LAMIS system) for
delivery of parcels to recipients, each parcel being associated
with shipping information, including a plurality of Automatic
Delivery Machines (ADMs), located in public places and other places
convenient for the recipients. Each ADM has a local computer and
data and comunication network connection, and at least a set of
cells, possibly of adjustable size, for storing parcels, and a
single access mechanism for each such set, adapted to provide a
recipient with access to a parcel stored in a cell while preventing
access to parcels in other cells. The system further includes
computerized control centers using an ADM database with locations
of the ADMs, a LAMIS server computer program for handling the data
associated with the operation of the system, which enables a
multiple choice of an ADM for the delivery of the parcel by using
the ADM database, and which is adapted to receive SI and to
associate it with a cell in this or otherwise chosen ADM. The
control center has data and communication network connecting the
LAMIS server with the local computers of the ADMs. The local
computers are adapted to identify the recipient and to provide
access to the parcel in the cell of the chosen ADM.
[0041] The access mechanism of the ADM may comprise a number of
movable shutters forming a door opening before a predetermined
cell. Alternatively, the access mechanism may move a parcel from a
predetermined cell to a place accessible for the recipient.
[0042] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a system for delivery of purchased or ordered
items as parcels from merchants to recipients, each parcel being
associated with SI, the system including: a plurality of ADMs
located in public or other places convenient for the recipients,
each ADM having a local computer and data and communication network
connection; at least one computerized control center using an ADM
database with locations of the ADMs, a DAS server computer program,
having an interface at e-sites or other purchase sites and offering
a purchaser a multiple choice of a suitable ADM as a destination
for delivery and/or pick-up of the items by the recipient, by
accessing the ADM database, the location of the chosen ADM being a
part of the SI, a LAMIS server computer program for handling data
associated with the operation of said system, and adapted to
receive SI and to associate it with a cell in the chosen ADM, and
data and communication network connecting the LAMIS server, the DAS
server, and the local computers of the ADMs. The local computer of
the ADM is adapted to identify the recipient and to provide access
to the parcel loaded in the chosen ADM.
[0043] The above system may be used for early delivery vending of
goods or other items from a merchant to potential recipients,
wherein a batch of goods or items is delivered to cells of ADMs
without addressing a particular recipient. In this case, the
purchasers can use the DAS server interface at the e-site of the
merchant to choose a suitable ADM for pick-up of said goods or
items without having to wait the delivery time.
[0044] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an Automatic Delivery Machine, particularly suitable
for the delivery systems referred to above, which is in the form of
a container comprising at least one set of cells, possibly with
adjustable size, each cell having walls and an access opening, and
a single door mechanism for each set, comprising a number of
movable shutters adapted to form a door opening of variable size
and position in front of the access opening of any cell, thereby
providing at a given time access to a predetermined cell or group
of adjacent cells of the set, while at the same time preventing the
access to all other cells. The movable shutters may be flexible,
rollable, foldable or the like, enabling movement along straight or
curved path. The container may include a positioning mechanism
adapted to move the cells relative to the door mechanism. The cells
may be grouped in cassettes, adapted to be removed from and
replaced in the container, suitable for loading in a warehouse. The
ADM is equipped with a local control computer, peripheral devices
and communication to a LAMIS control center. It is adapted to
identify a person authorized to access one or more cells, and to
provide the access.
[0045] The LAMIS delivery system of the present invention provides
a solution for the operational problem of shipping parcels to and
from residential and business areas in a manner convenient for
consumers. This delivery system allows to lower shipping costs, to
shorten the delivery time of goods especially when purchased
online, and to simplify picking-up the goods. The Automatic
Delivery Machines of the system may be installed at sites inside
and adjacent to residential areas and business districts, or at any
other public places and to be preferably available and accessible
to the public 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The flexibility and
the efficiency of the delivery system is ensured by two novel
mechanisms: the multiple choice of a destination ADM through the
DAS and LAMIS servers, and the adjustable size cells in the
single-door ADMs. The delivery system of the present invention may
provide a comprehensive network of convenient and universally
accessible points for receiving and sending parcels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0046] In order to understand the invention and to see how it may
be carried out in practice, preferred embodiments will now be
described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0047] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the operation of a
LAMIS delivery system in accordance with one aspect of the present
invention;
[0048] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the operation of the
LAMIS delivery system of FIG. 1 as used in postal services, in
accordance with a particular embodiment of the present
invention;
[0049] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the operation of a
LAMIS delivery system used in e-commerce, in accordance with
another aspect of the present invention;
[0050] FIG. 4 is a general perspective view of an ADM, in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 5 is a view of the internal arrangement of the ADM
shown in FIG. 4;
[0052] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a carriage and a cassette of
the ADM shown in FIG. 4;
[0053] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pair of shutters
encircling the ADM shown in FIG. 4;
[0054] FIG. 8 is a schematic plan of carriage movement in the ADM
shown in FIG. 4;
[0055] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a MiniADM in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0056] FIG. 10 is a sectional elevation of a rotary ADM in
accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0057] FIG. 11 is a sectional plan of the rotary ADM shown in FIG.
10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0058] With reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. 1, the
main components of a LAMIS delivery system according to one
embodiment of the present invention are:
[0059] (a) plurality of ADMs 10 (described in detail below), each
ADM having a plurality of cells storage with adjustable size, a
mechanism for providing the customer with access to parcels from
one storage cell at a time, a local computer, customer interface
(peripheral devices) and communication devices; and
[0060] (b) LAMIS control center 12, comprising
[0061] data processing and other resources, an ADM database 14,
[0062] means of communication with ADMs,
[0063] control software LAMIS server 16 for managing the ADM
database and the system operation, enabling a multiple choice of an
ADM as a delivery destination.
[0064] The LAMIS delivery system is adapted to interact with at
least some of senders 18, private senders 20, shippers 22, dealers
23, and with recipients 24 using public data communication channels
such as the Web, cellular phones, pagers, etc. Shippers 22 have
means of transport 26, loaders 28 for loading of parcels into ADMs,
and authorization to access the ADMs. Existing Post offices, for
example, may be senders or shippers and/or dealers using the LAMIS
system.
[0065] For the efficient and convenient functioning of the LAMIS
delivery system according to the present invention, the ADMs should
be deployed so as to ensure that most customers have an ADM in
proximity to their home or place of work or business or on their
way thereto, in public places such as parking lots in business
districts, exit areas from office buildings, commercial chains
(McDonald's, 7-Eleven), shopping malls, public transport stations,
gas stations, post offices, etc.
[0066] The operation of the delivery system of the present
invention is as follows:
[0067] A sender 18 prepares a parcel 30 for sending by attaching to
it shipping information (SI), for example on a bar-code label 32.
The shipping information includes description of the parcel (parcel
identification code), recipient details such a communication
address, and destination details such as a geographical address of
a recipient or of a receiving ADM, or of a dealer. The sender may
be offered to choose an ADM out of a group of suitable ADMs as a
delivery destination (the multiple choice process is described in
detail below). Items of non-rectangular, non-stable shape or of
very small size may be packed in boxes adapted to carry the
label.
[0068] When the shipper 22 receives the parcel and the SI, the
shipper may transmit the SI to the LAMIS control center 12 and, if
necessary, may receive information (ADM.sub.I) about the location
of a suitable ADM 10a and an available cell. If an ADM is not
chosen by the sender, a suitable ADM may be chosen by the shipper
through a multiple-choice selection among a few destination ADMs.
Then the shipper 22 transports the parcel 30, and its loader 28
loads it into an ADM cell. The loader inputs the parcel
identification code in the ADM local computer, e.g. via a bar-code
reader, for recognition of the parcel. If the ADM cannot recognize
the parcel, the loader may create a new record for the parcel in
the system and enter shipping information SI.sub.1 into the local
ADM computer. The loader may adjust the cell of the ADM to the
parcel size. A batch of parcels may be loaded into an ADM in a
cassette carrying the SI in an attached memory module (explained in
detail below).
[0069] The local computer of the ADM 10a informs the LAMIS control
center 12 about the loading and the cell status by sending a
loading message LM. The control center assigns an access code
AC.sub.2 to the cell, for example PIN code number, and sends it to
the ADM. The recipient 24 is notified by a delivery message
containing the at least part of the shipping information SI and the
access code AC.sub.2. The message is preferably sent through the
communication means 34 of the recipient, for example by e-mail,
pager message, phone call, as specified in the communication
address supplied by the sender. In some cases, the notification may
be done by non-electronic means, i.e. by dropping a note in a
mailbox.
[0070] The recipient 24 approaches the ADM at any convenient time
and enters the access code AC.sub.2 through the ADM interface (card
reader, touch screen, keyboard, cellular identification voice
recognition, etc.). Upon successful identification, the ADM
provides access to the parcel from the respective cell and the
recipient picks up the parcel. The local computer of the ADM
informs the LAMIS control center about the pick-up by a pick-up
message PM.
[0071] The LAMIS delivery system also allows a sender 20
(designated as private sender in FIG. 1) to pass a parcel 30 to the
shipper 22 by means of an ADM. In this case, the private sender 20
communicates with the control center 12 of the system, submits
preliminary shipping information SI.sub.p (lacking parcel
identification code) and receives an access code AC.sub.3 and the
location ADM.sub.N of a suitable ADM 10b with a free cell of
suitable size. The sender may be offered a multiple choice of
suitable ADMs both for receipt of the parcel and for a final
destination. The access code is downloaded also to the ADM 10b.
Then the sender approaches the ADM and identifies himself by
entering the access code AC.sub.3. The ADM provides the sender with
access to the free cell and the sender drops off the parcel 30. The
shipping information SI is read by a bar-code reader installed in
the ADM, if prepared earlier by the sender, or may be entered
through the ADM interface. The above process of sending a parcel
may also be performed at the spot by means of the local computer of
the ADM. If the ADM approached by a sender has no suitable cell for
the parcel, the ADM may offer the sender multiple choice of other
receiving ADMs, using the connection to the LAMIS control
center.
[0072] The local computer of the ADM 10b notifies the control
center 12 about the drop-off by a loading message (LM) and also
transmits the shipping information SI. The control center notifies
the shipper 22 (LM, SI), and the latter picks up the parcel by its
loaders 28.
[0073] The same procedure of dropping-off parcels may be used for
returning bought goods. For this purpose the goods, when originally
sold, may bear thereon at least part of the shipping information
SI.
[0074] This procedure is also suitable for the replacement of items
such as cellular phones. In this case the shipping information may
be stored in the LAMIS server as provided beforehand by a replacing
company, and the item user may be provided with access code is by
the replacing company.
[0075] As shown at the right side of FIG. 1, the delivery service
may also be handled by a local dealer 23 receiving parcels from a
shipper 22, having a warehouse and loaders 28, and operating a
cluster of ADMs. In such case, the shipper 22 ships the parcel 30
and submits the SI to the local dealer 23, which communicates with
the LAMIS control center 12 and loads the parcel in an ADM cell as
explained above for the shipper.
[0076] The LAMIS server software is an important element of the
delivery system management and will be described here in more
detail. The tasks of the LAMIS server are:
[0077] to download data regarding shipments and parcels (SI),
consumers, shippers, servicing personnel (i.e. access codes) into
specific ADM;
[0078] to provide multiple choice of a suitable ADM for parcel
delivery or receipt using the ADM database and recipient or sender
details;
[0079] to enable back-office employees or technicians of the
shipper/dealer to remotely acquire data from each ADM;
[0080] to facilitate diagnostics, troubleshooting and repair;
[0081] to enable customer support personnel to assist
customers;
[0082] to ensure interface to other information technology of the
shipper/dealer.
[0083] For example, the LAMIS server is able to give the following
information:
[0084] list of all parcels that currently stay in a given ADM;
[0085] list of all parcels that are currently on their way to a
given ADM;
[0086] monitor all events that occur in an ADM, such as Error,
Warning, Notification, OK;
[0087] handling history of a given event;
[0088] list of ADMs in a geographic area;
[0089] list of loaders authorized to load parcels into a given
ADM;
[0090] list of technicians authorized to work on a given ADM;
[0091] for each shipment retrieve the loader details.
[0092] statistics on timing, i.e. for how long a parcel stays in
the ADM from the time a loader loaded it to the time the recipient
picked it up;
[0093] statistics on how long it takes a given loader to load a
parcel to an ADM;
[0094] history of all shipments that a user have received via the
LAMIS delivery system;
[0095] list of all parcels that have crossed the LAMIS system in a
given time, broken by ADM or by groups of ADMs.
[0096] statistics on how many parcels have passed via the LAMIS
system, broken by shippers or by merchants.
[0097] statistics on the time that it takes between the moment a
sender ordered a shipment and its arrival to the final
destination.
[0098] A very important function of the LAMIS server 16 within the
framework of the LAMIS delivery system is to provide a multiple
choice of suitable ADMs for internal users and for customers using
DAS. For this purpose, the ADM location database 14 is maintained.
It contains geographical locations of ADMs related to the
geographical framework of the area associated with each ADM. The
database establishes connections between regions, countries,
districts, cities, towns, quarters, streets, ranges of street
numbers, zip codes, map coordinates, famous town spots and
buildings, etc. with the location of nearby ADMs. The database may
also establish connection between particular users and their
preferred ADMs. The database may also maintain various criteria of
proximity used to build a prioritized list of ADMs suitable for a
user with given location, means of transport, and preferred time
window. For example, suitable ADMs for a user with a certain
location, walking on foot in the evening may not be the same as
suitable ADMs for a user with the same location but driving a car
in the morning. The LAMIS server is adapted to make a query in the
ADM database based on the above data and criteria, adding other
criteria such as the current or projected status of ADMs, to obtain
a result, and to present it as a ranked list of ADM locations,
thereby offering he user a multiple choice of a preferred ADM among
suitable ADMs.
[0099] According to another embodiment of the present invention
shown schematically in FIG. 2, the LAMIS system of delivery may be
beneficially used in the postal service. A Post office 36 handles a
cluster of ADMs 10 located in a serviced area (a residential
complex, a city quarter, etc.). Some of ADMs may be disposed in the
premises of the Post office but are accessible round the clock. In
this case, the Post office 35 plays the role of the dealer 23 in
FIG. 1 and acts as described above for the dealer 23 and the
shipper 22. However, the LAMIS system presents additional
convenient options to the recipients and the Post office personnel.
As of today, a postman 36 attempts to deliver a parcel 37 to the
home 38 of a recipient 39. Most often, during the working hours,
the recipient is not at home, and the postman leaves a message
inviting the recipient to the Post office, again during the working
hours. With the LAMIS system, the postman may prepare an access
code AC.sub.4 and may book a suitable cell or just choose a
suitable ADM by the multiple-choice mechanism. Having failed to
find the recipient at home, the postman leaves a note 40 in the
home mailbox 41 of the recipient, advising the latter of the access
code AC.sub.4 and the ADM location ADM.sub.I. Then the postman
enters shipping information SI.sub.1 and loads the parcel 37 in the
chosen ADM. The local computer of the ADM sends a loading message
LM to the LAMIS control center 12 and receives the access code
AC.sub.4. If the LAMIS system has data regarding communication
means of the recipient, it may notify the recipient using said
communication means, i.e. by e-mail. Now the recipient 39 may
approach the ADM at any convenient time and pick up the parcel as
described above.
[0100] According to still another aspect of the present invention
shown schematically in FIG. 3, a system for delivery of purchased
goods especially suitable for e-commerce and m-commerce may be
established on the basis of the LAMIS delivery system. In this
case, the LAMIS system interfaces with purchasers 44 and recipients
24 who most often, though not necessarily, are the same person, and
with merchants 46 having e-sites.
[0101] According to this aspect, the e-commerce or m-commerce
delivery system has in addition to the plurality of ADMs 10 and
control centers 12 described above as components (a) and (b), a
component (c) which is a DAS server 48 having interface 50 to
merchants' e-sites, and communication with the LAMIS server 16.
[0102] The DAS server may run in a LAMIS control center 12. It has
a connection to the LAMIS server and is thereby able to make
queries to the ADM database 14 and to relate ADM locations to
geographical data such as zip codes, cities, street addresses,
etc., and to specific recipients. The DAS server helps a purchaser
to choose an ADM as a final destination for a purchased goods by
offering a multiple choice of suitable ADMs, and transfers shipping
information to the LAMIS server. The DAS server may also keep a
database with details of consumers who purchase items at
e-sites.
[0103] The operation of the e-m-commerce delivery system of the
present invention is essentially similar to the LAMIS delivery
system, wherein a merchant 46 appears as a sender. The difference
is in the generation and flow of shipping information (SI), as
shown in FIG. 2. The purchaser 44 buying goods from the merchant 46
meets the DAS server interface 50 and chooses an ADM as recipient
geographical destination ADM.sub.R. The purchaser also supplies a
communication address of the recipient such as e-mail, pager
number, phone number, etc. The DAS Server transmits the data as
preliminary shipping information SI.sub.p to the merchant 46. The
merchant receives other purchase information from its e-site, and
uses both for preparation of SI before passing parcels with
purchased goods to a shipper 22.
[0104] According to still another embodiment of the present
invention, the LAMIS delivery system may be used as an early
delivery vending system especially suitable for selling fashionable
or seasonal goods such as best-selling books, CDs, cassettes, toys,
accessories, or for promotional purposes. According to this
embodiment, a batch of goods from a merchant is loaded in the cells
of an ADM without addressing any particular recipient. Then an
advertisement is made about the new goods in the e-site of the
merchant or otherwise, and the potential customer is encouraged to
book and buy and/or collect the new goods from a near-by ADM
without any delay for delivery. Using the DAS server interface and
the multiple choice mechanism, the customer chooses a suitable ADM
having the advertised goods, and the LAMIS server assigns a cell
with the goods to this particular customer or to a recipient of
customer's choice.
[0105] It is understood that the non-addressed goods may be
advertised and sold, as by a common vending machine, to any
customer approaching the ADM, if the latter is equipped with means
for payment, such as credit card reader and/or interface with
banking systems. After such a purchase, the ADM issues a pick-up
message and the LAMIS server updates its database. It is also
understood that the same procedure may be used for distributing
items among recipients without payment but with some kind of
registration, for example distributing of hired textbooks among
students in a campus, in a school, etc.
[0106] Another aspect of the present invention is the Automated
Delivery Machine (ADM), which is the basic automated unit of the
LAMIS delivery system interfacing with the customer. One embodiment
of the ADM will be described here in more detail with reference to
FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
[0107] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, an ADM 100 is a robust
container, comprising a cabinet 101 with a customer door assembly
102, movable carriages 104 with storage cells 106, service doors
108 and 109, and a positioning mechanism 110. Each ADM has a
computerized control unit 112, a communication unit 114, and
input-output periphery devices including a touch screen 116, a
magnetic card reader 118, a bar-code reader 120, and a printer 122.
ADMs are connected to electric power mains and communication
lines.
[0108] The customer door 102 assembly preferably comprises an upper
shutter 132, a lower shutter 134, and a sliding door 138. The upper
and lower shutters may be flexible, rollable or foldable and may
move along a curved path. The shutters 132 and 134 have
computer-controlled drives allowing them to define an opening 135
at any vertical position and size within the overall dimensions of
the customer door assembly. The sliding door 138 provides for the
adjustable width of the opening which has one of its vertical edges
140 fixed. The positioning mechanism 110 however may change the
horizontal position of the carriage 104 relative to the door
opening. Thus, the cooperative work of the shutters 132 and 134,
the sliding door 138, and the positioning mechanism 110 provides
for an opening matching any predetermined cell 106 or group of
cells in the carriage 104, preventing the access to any other
cell.
[0109] It is understood that the same effect may be achieved using
two horizontally sliding doors instead of one sliding door and the
positioning mechanism moving the carriage relative to the door.
Alternatively, if the positioning mechanism is adapted to adjust
both horizontal and vertical position of a carriage or of a cell,
then two sliding shutters or doors may be sufficient.
[0110] The storage cells 106 are preferably grouped in rows of
fixed height and divided by horizontal shelves 141 and vertical
walls 142 (see also FIG. 6). Both shelves 141 and walls 142 may be
moved and fixed in different positions by fixing elements 144.
[0111] This design of the door assembly and the storage cells
provides for a very flexible and efficient usage of the storage
volume in an ADM. The cells 106 may be not only of different sizes
but their size may be adjustable according to the size of the
parcels. Preferably, available cell dimensions are standardized in
a series of incrementally increasing sizes, both in height and
width, as indicated by the positions of fixing elements 144 in FIG.
5. The adjustment is preferably performed by removing and inserting
vertical walls 142 which may be done in place by the loaders.
[0112] FIG. 6 shows a carriage 104 equipped with cassettes 146
adapted to be loaded/unloaded into the carriage through the service
door 108 or through the customer door assembly 102. The cassette
146 is a box made of metal, plastic or other material divided into
cells 148, 150 of variable but standardized sizes, suitable to
accommodate parcels, one in each cell. The cassette 146 has its
vertical front side open, allowing access to cells. The cassette is
adapted to be inserted in large cells 152 of the carriage 104
dividing them into smaller ones 148, 150, as needed. Cell sizes
within a cassette may be adjusted by replacing the internal walls
142. Cassettes 146 may be the basic shipping units of a highly
effective LAMIS system since they may be filled with parcels or
goods at a dealer's warehouse and then transported to the ADMs by
loaders' delivery vehicles.
[0113] Preferably, each cassette has its own programmable memory
unit 160 (EPROM, Flash or other power-independent type), adapted to
be reprogrammed when inserted in an ADM or at the warehouse,
through connectors 162, 164. The memory unit 160 stores data about
the configuration of the cassette 146 and shipping information of
parcels loaded at the warehouse, dropped-off by a loader or sender,
or picked-up by a loader or recipient.
[0114] FIG. 7 shows an assembly of upper and lower shutters of
flexible type moving along a common path encircling the ADM. The
path is defined by pairs of rails 170, 172, 174 and 176. The upper
shutter 132 runs along front rails 170, ceiling rails 172 and back
rails 174. The lower shutter 134 runs along front rails 170, bottom
rails 176 and back rails 174. The shutters have independent drives
178 and 180 adapted to move and fix the shutters in any position
along the rails, Is defining thereby an opening 140 of any
predetermined vertical dimension and position.
[0115] As it is shown in FIG. 8, the ADM may accommodate a
plurality of carriages 104. The positioning mechanism 110 is
adapted to move the carriages in a cyclic scheme and to align a
selected carriage and/or cell with the fixed edge 140 of the
customer door 102 or with the service door 108.
[0116] The computerized control unit 112 (FIG. 5), is a
programmable computer running specialized ADM software, which is
adapted to perform the following main functions:
[0117] Receiving remote shipping information and access codes from
the LAMIS server 18 through the communication unit 114;
[0118] Reading shipping information and configuration data from
cassette memory unit 160;
[0119] Checking the consistency of remote shipping information v/s
cassette memory information;
[0120] Identification of a customer or loader by means of an access
code entered by the touch screen 116, magnetic card reader 118,
etc.
[0121] Receiving items for sending or return (using the bar-code
reader 120),
[0122] Controlling the positioning mechanism 110 and the customer
door assembly 102;
[0123] Generating and sending reports to LAMIS control center;
[0124] Updating the shipping information in the cassette memory
unit 160 after pick-up or drop-off of an item;
[0125] Displaying instructions and suitable help information for
the customer.
[0126] The computerized control unit may have additional functions
such as printing shipping labels, payment operations, selling
fashionable products, adds, marketing information, communication
with LAMIS control center personnel.
[0127] Communication unit 114 provides for all data exchange and
network functions of the computerized control unit 112 through
phone, cable, optical, wireless or other available channels,
preferably using the internet.
[0128] Input-output periphery such as the touch screen 116, the
magnetic-card reader 118, the bar-code reader 120, the printer 122,
is of common type. The printer 122 may be adapted to print bar-code
labels.
[0129] Another embodiment of an ADM of the present invention is the
MiniADM shown in FIG. 9. The MiniADM 180 is of simplified
structure, without carriages, having a fixed number of cell rows
182 with fixed height. The width of cells in each row may be
adjustable. Each row has its own pair of rollable shutters 184 and
186 providing an opening 188 of variable width along the whole row.
The control and communication devices of the MiniADM are similar to
those in the above-described ADM. The customer interface devices
include a touch screen 116, a magnetic card reader 118, a bar-code
reader 120, and a printer 122.
[0130] A still further embodiment of an ADM of the present
invention, having a rotary structure is disclosed in FIGS. 10 and
11.
[0131] With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the rotary ADM 200
comprises the following main parts: removable barrel cassettes 201
with storage cells 203, 205, 207 of varying size, two adjacent
customer doors 210 and 212 stacked vertically, a pushing device
220, service door 222, positioning mechanism 230, computerized
control unit 112, communication unit 114, input-output periphery
(touch screen 116, magnetic card reader 118, bar-code reader 120,
printer 122).
[0132] Customer doors 210 and 212 are adapted to be opened, by a
drive 232, exactly to the width of the cell opposite the door,
providing access to one cell at a time. If the ADM is loaded with a
double-height cassette, and a double-height cell is addressed, the
upper and lower doors are opened simultaneously to the same width.
The shelf 234 under the upper door 210 is made integral with the
upper edge of the lower door 212.
[0133] Removable barrel cassettes 201 are of rotary form but have
replaceable internal walls and other functional elements similar to
rectangular cassettes 146, FIG. 6.
[0134] The pushing device 220, is positioned in the central well
236 of the cassette stack, opposite the back of the cell 207
aligned with the customer door 210, but can move vertically and
rotate about the axis of the central well by means of
computer-controlled drive 242. The pushing device 220 is equipped
with a pushing lever or telescope 244 adapted to push a parcel 246
out of a cell onto the shelf 234, with customer door open,
facilitating the recipient to collect the parcel.
[0135] The service door 222 gives access to the ADM interior for
loading/unloading cassettes or individual parcels and for
maintenance of ADM systems and devices. It is preferably formed as
a part or the whole front panel.
[0136] The positioning mechanism 230 of the rotary ADM may be
adapted to raise/lower the stack of cassettes, and to rotate the
stack about the central axis so as to align a specific cell in a
cassette with a customer door.
[0137] An ADM may be equipped with a push-down access mechanism. It
may be similar to the pushing device 220 of FIGS. 10 and 11 but
adapted to push a parcel entirely out of the storage cell. With
such design, the access openings of the carriage cells may be
protected by a robust wall, which may be a service door of the ADM.
This wall may prevent the direct access of a customer to a storage
cell and to the parcel therein. In this case, a system of baffles
or chutes, or a transporting mechanism disposed between the
carriage and the wall may ensure the safe movement of a pushed
parcel down to an area accessible for the recipient.
[0138] Although a description of specific embodiments has been
presented, it is understood that various changes could be made
without deviating from the scope of the present invention. For
example, the delivery system of the present invention may use ADMs
of different designs providing adjustable cells and access to one
predetermined parcel among a plurality of parcels. Such ADMs may
have devices using pushing, pulling, blowing, suction, vibration,
adhesion, inclined planes, etc. for moving the parcels to a place
accessible to the recipient. It is further obvious that ADMs of the
system may be used as conventional vending automata, disc or
videocassette distributor, or may be integrated with other useful
devices such as automatic teller machines, ticket selling machine,
etc. It is also understood that in a LAMIS delivery system a number
of parcels addressed to one recipient can be 15 stored in one cell
of the ADM and the LAMIS system control software may be adapted to
handle such consolidation of parcels.
* * * * *
References