Automated Tracking-Number Based Administration of Access Codes
A method for more efficiently delivering goods to recipients is disclosed herein. Such a method includes obtaining a unique identifier (e.g., tracking number, order number, product number, etc.), wherein the unique identifier is associated with an order of goods intended for delivery to a recipient. The method further includes obtaining an access code for association with the unique identifier. The access code enables a delivery agent to gain access to an enclosure of the recipient for deposit of the goods therein. In certain embodiments, the access code is a temporary access code that expires once the delivery is fulfilled or the enclosure is accessed, thereby reducing the chance of unauthorized access to the enclosure. The method may also enable parameters (e.g., restrictions, constraints, conditions, etc.) with regard to use of the access code to be established. A corresponding system is also disclosed.
1 . A method for more efficiently delivering goods to recipients, the method comprising:
obtaining a unique identifier, the unique identifier associated with an order of goods intended for delivery to a recipient; and
obtaining an access code for association with the unique identifier, the access code enabling a delivery agent to gain access to an enclosure of the recipient for deposit of the goods therein.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the access code is a temporary access code.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the access code is usable only within a specified access window.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the access code expires upon being used to access the enclosure.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein obtaining the access code comprises requesting the access code from a server.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the server is a third-party server.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the unique identifier is one of a tracking number, an order number, and a product identifier.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the unique identifier is one of generated by a retailer of the goods and a shipper of the goods.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the access code is derived from the unique identifier.
10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising programming an access mechanism of the enclosure with the access code.
11 . A system for more efficiently delivering goods to recipients, the system comprising:
at least one processor;
at least one memory device coupled to the at least one processor and storing computer-usable program code for execution on the at least one processor, the computer-usable program code comprising:
computer-usable program code to obtain a unique identifier, the unique identifier associated with an order of goods intended for delivery to a recipient; and
computer-usable program code to obtain an access code for association with the unique identifier, the access code enabling a delivery agent to gain access to an enclosure of the recipient for deposit of the goods therein.
12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the access code is a temporary access code.
13 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the access code is usable only within a specified access window.
14 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the access code expires upon being used to access the enclosure.
15 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising computer-usable program code to request the access code from a server.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the server is a third-party server.
17 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the unique identifier is one of a tracking number, an order number, and a product identifier.
18 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the unique identifier is one of generated by a retailer of the goods and a shipper of the goods.
19 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising computer-usable program code to derive the access code from the unique identifier.
20 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising computer-usable program code to program an access mechanism of the enclosure with the access code.