Setup of a communication link to a user apparatus via an access control apparatus

1. A method, performed by an access control apparatus, the method comprising:

obtaining a request to set up a communication link, wherein the request contains authorization information, wherein the authorization information is at least in part encrypted;

checking the authorization of the request to set up a communication link at least in part on the basis of the authorization information, wherein checking the authorization of the request comprises:

decrypting the encrypted authorization information; and

comparing the decrypted authorization information with unencrypted information, wherein the unencrypted information is likewise contained in the authorization information, derived from contained information and/or stored in the access control apparatus;

causing setup of and/or setting up a communication link to a first user apparatus only if the result of the checking is that the request to set up a communication link is authorized; and

wherein the request is obtained at the access control apparatus from a second user apparatus and/or from a user of the second user apparatus, and wherein the communication link is set up between the first user apparatus and the second user apparatus.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the request contains one or more pieces of checking information, particularly a digital signature, and wherein checking the authorization of the request comprises a check on the checking information.

3. The method according to claim 1 , the method further comprising:

holding one or more pieces of contact information, wherein the contact information comprises details for contacting the first user apparatus.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the second user apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a portable electronic device, a portable electronic device of a delivery agent, a hand-held scanner, a mobile communication device, and combinations thereof.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the communication link comprises a local connection between the access control apparatus and the second user apparatus.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the communication link comprises a connection via a transregional communication network between the first user apparatus and the second user apparatus.

7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein causing setup of the communication link to the first user apparatus comprises the following:

communicating to the first user apparatus a request to set up a communication link to the second user apparatus.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the communication link comprises a connection via a transregional communication network between the access control apparatus and the first user apparatus.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the access control apparatus:

is fitted at a fixed location and/or

controls access to a receiving unit for receiving a shipment and/or

is fitted in or to a parcel box and/or

is part of a locking system of a parcel box and/or

is fitted in or to a parcel butler and/or

is part of a locking system of a parcel butler and/or

is part of a receiving unit for receiving a shipment.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first user apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a portable electronic device, a portable electronic device of a shipment recipient, a hand-held scanner, a mobile communication device, and combinations thereof.

11. An access control apparatus, comprising:

at least one memory having program instructions for carrying out a method and at least one processor designed to execute the program instructions from the at least one memory, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a request to set up a communication link, wherein the request contains authorization information, wherein the authorization information is at least in part encrypted;

checking the authorization of the request to set up a communication link at least in part on the basis of the authorization information, wherein checking the authorization of the request comprises:

decrypting the encrypted authorization information; and

comparing the decrypted authorization information with unencrypted information, wherein the unencrypted information is likewise contained in the authorization information, derived from contained information and/or stored in the access control apparatus;

causing setup of and/or setting up a communication link to a first user apparatus only if the result of the checking is that the request to set up a communication link is authorized; and

wherein the request is obtained at the access control apparatus from a second user apparatus and/or from a user of the second user apparatus, and wherein the communication link is set up between the first user apparatus and the second user apparatus.

12. The access control apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the means comprise at least one memory having program instructions of a non-transitory, machine-readable medium and at least one processor designed to execute program instructions from the at least one memory.

13. A non-transitory, machine-readable medium, comprising program instructions that are designed, when executed by at least one processor, to cause an apparatus to perform the steps of:

obtaining a request to set up a communication link, wherein the request contains authorization information, wherein the authorization information is at least in part encrypted;

checking the authorization of the request to set up a communication link at least in part on the basis of the authorization information, wherein checking the authorization of the request comprises:

decrypting the encrypted authorization information; and

comparing the decrypted authorization information with unencrypted information, wherein the unencrypted information is likewise contained in the authorization information, derived from contained information and/or stored in the access control apparatus;

causing setup of and/or setting up a communication link to a first user apparatus only if the result of the checking is that the request to set up a communication link is authorized; and

wherein the request is obtained at an access control apparatus from a second user apparatus and/or from a user of the second user apparatus, and wherein the communication link is set up between the first user apparatus and the second user apparatus.

14. A method, performed by a server, the method comprising:

obtaining a request to compile and/or generate authorization information that authorizes setup of a communication link via an access control apparatus;

compiling and/or generating the authorization information at least partially based on the obtained request, wherein the authorization information allows the access control apparatus to check the authorization to set up the communication link, and wherein the authorization information is based at least in part on the obtained request; and

causing communication of and/or communicating the authorization information to a second user apparatus in order to authorize the second user apparatus to request setup of a communication link via the access control apparatus.

15. A server, comprising:

means configured to perform the method according to claim 14 or comprising respective means for performing the steps of the method according to claim 14 .

16. A server according to claim 15 , wherein the means comprise at least one memory having program instructions of a non-transitory, machine-readable medium and at least one processor designed to execute program instructions from the at least one memory.

17. A non-transitory, machine-readable medium, comprising program instructions that are designed, when executed by at least one processor, to cause a server to perform the method according to claim 14 .

18. A system, comprising:

an access control apparatus according to claim 11 ; and

a server, comprising means configured to perform a method or comprising respective means for performing the steps of a method, the method including the steps of:

obtaining a request to compile and/or generate authorization information that authorizes setup of a communication link via an access control apparatus;

compiling and/or generating the authorization information, wherein the authorization information allows the access control apparatus to check the authorization to set up the communication link, and wherein the authorization information is based at least in part on the obtained request; and

causing communication of and/or communicating the authorization information to a second user apparatus in order to authorize the second user apparatus to request setup of a communication link via the access control apparatus.