SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTELLIGENT AND SECURE STORAGE UNIT

1 . An intelligent and secure storage unit that receives and stores packages from couriers and facilitates the return of packages to the couriers, the intelligent and secure storage unit operating in a product delivery network and comprising:

a plurality of storage compartments;

an environmental control apparatus that is configured to individually control environmental conditions in each of the plurality of storage compartments;

a transceiver that communicates with an unmanned autonomous vehicle that is to deliver a package to or pick up the package from the intelligent and secure storage unit;

one or more position determination sensors, the one or more position determination sensors configured to obtain location information concerning an unmanned autonomous vehicle;

a control circuit coupled to the transceiver, the one or more position determination sensors, and the environmental control apparatus;

wherein the control circuit determines a current position of the unmanned autonomous vehicle using the sensed location information;

wherein the unmanned autonomous vehicle is self-guiding when disposed at locations beyond a predetermined distance from the intelligent and secure storage unit;

wherein the control circuit provides controlled guidance for the unmanned autonomous vehicle at locations within the predetermined distance using communications transmitted from the transceiver, the controlled guidance utilizing the current position of the unmanned autonomous vehicle;

wherein the control circuit assigns individual compartments according to an identity of the courier using the compartment, and whether the compartment will receive a package from a courier or return a package to the courier;

wherein when the unmanned autonomous vehicle deposits a package, the control circuit obtains environmental information concerning environmental conditions required by the package, and adjusts the environmental control apparatus of the selected compartment to provide the environmental conditions required by the package.

2 . The intelligent and secure storage unit of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit authenticates the identity of an unmanned autonomous vehicle, and grants permission for the unmanned autonomous vehicle to access the intelligent and secure storage unit.

3 . The intelligent and secure storage unit of claim 2 , wherein the unmanned autonomous vehicle is an aerial drone or a ground vehicle.

4 . The intelligent and secure storage unit of claim 1 , further comprising a scanner that scans packages for the environmental information, and wherein the control circuit is configured to analyze the scanned environmental information to determine the environmental conditions required by the package.

5 . The intelligent and secure storage unit of claim 1 , further comprising a user interface that is configured to receive authentication information from a human requesting that the human be allowed to access the intelligent and secure storage unit.

6 . The intelligent and secure storage unit of claim 1 , wherein the intelligent and secure storage unit communicates with devices inside a residence via the transceiver.

7 . The intelligent and secure storage unit of claim 1 , wherein the intelligent and secure storage unit communicates with the couriers via the transceiver.

8 . The intelligent and secure storage unit of claim 1 , wherein the intelligent and secure storage unit communicates with smart devices via the transceiver.

9 . The intelligent and secure storage unit of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit tracks packages received at and removed from the intelligent and secure storage unit.

10 . A method of receiving and storing packages from couriers and facilitating the return of packages to the couriers, the method comprising:

individually controlling environmental conditions in each of a plurality of storage compartments in an intelligent and secure storage unit;

determining the location of an unmanned autonomous vehicle using sensors at the storage unit;

communicating with an unmanned autonomous vehicle, and directing and navigating the unmanned autonomous vehicle to and from the intelligent and secure storage unit according to the determined location and when the unmanned autonomous vehicle is within a predetermined distance of the unit;

assigning individual compartments according to an identity of the courier, and whether the compartment will receive a package from a courier or return a package to the courier;

wherein when the unmanned autonomous vehicle deposits a package, obtaining environmental information concerning environmental conditions required by the package, and adjusting the environmental control apparatus of the selected compartment to provide the environmental conditions required by the package.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the directing and navigating comprises: authenticating the identity of the unmanned autonomous vehicle, and granting permission for the unmanned autonomous vehicle to access the intelligent and secure storage unit.

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein obtaining environmental information comprises scanning the package for the environmental information, and analyzing the scanned environmental information to determine the environmental conditions required by the package.

13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the unmanned autonomous vehicle is an aerial drone or a ground vehicle.

14 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising receiving authentication information at a user interface from a human requesting that the human be allowed to access the intelligent and secure storage unit.

15 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising communicating with devices inside a residence.

16 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising communicating with the couriers.

17 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising communicating with smart devices.

18 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising tracking packages received at and removed from the intelligent and secure storage unit.