Systems and methods for managing information associated with boxes used in the delivery of packages
There is disclosed methods and systems for managing drop boxes. Events reflecting outputs from one or more sensors are detected. Information that is a function of the detected event is forwarded to a drop box management system. This information, along with additional information received by the drop box management system, is utilized to generate instructions including display instructions for each drop box. Displays of drop boxes are then updated based on the instructions.
1. A method for managing information associated with a drop box, comprising:
receiving, at a wireless device associated with a courier, information from the drop box reflecting an event associated with the drop box;
transmitting, by the wireless device, the information to a drop box management system; and
receiving, at the wireless device, a task order generated by the drop box management system, the task order including instructions responsive to the event.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving information reflecting the event associated with the drop box includes:
establishing, by the wireless device, a wireless connection with the drop box, the wireless connection being at least one of a Bluetooth connection or a near field communication connection; and
receiving, at the wireless device, information via the wireless connection.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein receiving information reflecting the event associated with the drop box includes:
receiving information reflecting the event from one or more sensors associated with the drop box.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the event indicates that a quantity of shipping supplies associated with the drop box is less than a threshold; and
the task order includes instructions to restock the shipping supplies.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the event indicates that a power level of a battery associated with the drop box is less than a threshold; and
the task order includes instructions to replace the battery.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving, at the wireless device from the drop box management system, instructions for updating a display associated with the drop box; and
transmitting, by the wireless device, the instructions to the drop box.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the instructions for updating the display associated with the drop box include instructions for updating the display to reflect information associated with another drop box.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the information associated with the other drop box includes at least one of a pickup time associated with the another drop box, a detected event reflected in an output from one or more sensors associated with the another drop box, or a location of the another drop box.
9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the instructions for updating the display associated with the drop box include instructions for updating the display to reflect an updated pickup schedule associated with the drop box.
10. A wireless device for managing information associated with a drop box, the wireless device comprising:
a memory device that stores information associating the wireless device with a courier and a set of instructions; and
at least one processor that executes the set of instructions to perform a method, including:
receiving, from the drop box, information reflecting an event associated with the drop box;
transmitting the information to a drop box management system; and
receiving a task order generated by the drop box management system, the task order including instructions responsive to the event.
11. The wireless device of claim 10 , wherein receiving information reflecting the event associated with the drop box includes:
establishing a wireless connection with the drop box, the wireless connection being at least one of a Bluetooth connection or a near field communication connection; and
receiving information via the wireless connection.
12. The wireless device of claim 11 , wherein receiving information reflecting the event associated with the drop box includes:
receiving information reflecting the event from one or more sensors associated with the drop box.
13. The wireless device of claim 10 , wherein:
the event indicates that a quantity of shipping supplies associated with the drop box is less than a threshold; and
the task order includes instructions to restock the shipping supplies.
14. The wireless device of claim 10 , wherein:
the event indicates that a power level of a battery associated with the drop box is less than a threshold; and
the task order includes instructions to replace the battery.
15. The wireless device of claim 10 , wherein the method further includes:
receiving, from the drop box management system, instructions for updating a display associated with the drop box; and
transmitting the instructions to the drop box.
16. The wireless device of claim 15 , wherein the instructions for updating the display associated with the drop box include instructions for updating the display to reflect information associated with another drop box.
17. The wireless device of claim 16 , wherein the information associated with the other drop box includes at least one of a pickup time associated with the another drop box, a detected event reflected in an output from one or more sensors associated with the another drop box, or a location of the another drop box.
18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations including:
receiving, at a wireless device associated with a courier, information from the drop box reflecting an event associated with the drop box;
transmitting, by the wireless device, the information to a drop box management system; and
receiving, at the wireless device, a task order generated by the drop box management system, the task order including instructions responsive to the event.