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 drop box comprising:
a display;
a memory device that stores a set of instructions; and
at least one processor that executes the set of instructions to perform a method, including:
transmitting to a wireless device associated with a courier, information from the drop box reflecting an event associated with the drop box;
receiving from the wireless device instructions responsive to the event; and
dynamically updating the display based on the instructions received from the wireless device.
2. The drop box of claim 1 , further including at least one sensor configured to detect the event.
3. The drop box of claim 2 , further including:
a power source;
a bin configured to receive one or more packages; and
a courier door associated with the bin.
4. The drop box of claim 3 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect a status of at least one of the bin, the power source, or the courier door.
5. The drop box of claim 4 , wherein the at least one sensor may be configured to detect whether the bin is full or empty.
6. The drop box of claim 4 , wherein the at least one sensor may be configured to detect whether the courier door is open.
7. The drop box of claim 1 , wherein the event is associated with at least one of a quantity of shipping supplies associated with the drop box, or a power level of a battery associated with the drop box.
8. The drop box of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are generated by a drop box management system associated with the wireless device.
9. A method for managing information associated with a drop box, comprising:
detecting an event associated with the drop box;
transmitting to a wireless device associated with a courier, information from the drop box reflecting the event;
receiving from the wireless device instructions responsive to the event; and
dynamically updating a display associated with the drop box based on the instructions received from the wireless device.
10. The method of claim 9 , further including:
transmitting, by the wireless device, the information to a drop box management system; and
receiving, at the wireless device, the instructions responsive to the event from the drop box management system.
11. The method of claim 10 , further including:
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.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein detecting the event includes receiving information reflecting the event from at least one sensor associated with the drop box.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the instructions include instructions for updating the display to reflect information associated with another drop box.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the information associated with the other drop box includes at least one of a pickup time associated with the other drop box, a detected event associated with the other drop box, or a location of the other drop box.
15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the instructions include instructions for updating the display to reflect an updated pickup schedule associated with the drop box.
16. The method of claim 9 , wherein the instructions include instructions for displaying marketing information on the display.
17. The method of claim 9 , wherein the instructions include instructions for displaying a forecasted time for replenishing supplies in the drop box.
18. The method of claim 9 , wherein the instructions include a task order generated by the drop box management system.
19. The method of claim 18 , 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.
20. The method of claim 18 , 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.