Package receiving locker
Package-receiving-lockers (PRLs) may have a collapsible-locker portion and door-attachment-structure. PRLs may exist in a substantially collapsed configuration for storing the given PRL or for otherwise minimizing a footprint of the given PRL; and these PRLs may exist in a substantially deployed (expanded) configuration for acting as a secure object storage location. Regardless of configuration (deployed or collapsed), PRLs may be removably attached to side-hinged-doors with the door-attachment-structure, in such a way so as not to impair operation of the given door. The PRLs may have various electronics for facilitating access (e.g., locking and unlocking the collapsible-locker), delivery confirmation, and mitigating theft. These electronics, along with specialized software, may allow an intended recipient (e.g., a buyer), a shipper/delivery person (or shipping/deliver robot), and/or a seller/vendor to access the PRL in a controlled and documented manner. At least some of these electronics may be in wireless communications with other electronic devices.
1. A package-receiving-locker for temporary storage of an object, wherein the package-receiving-locker is attachable to a side-hinged-door; wherein the package-receiving-locker comprises:
a collapsible-container that exists in two operational configurations, a substantially collapsed configuration and a substantially expanded configuration, respectively, wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least one wall that is rigid and at least one locking-means; wherein the collapsible-container further comprises at least one lid that is hingedly attached to the at least one wall; wherein when the collapsible-container is in the substantially collapsed configuration, the at least one lid is lockable, by use of the at least one locking-means, to prevent unintended deployment of the collapsible-container into the substantially expanded configuration; and
a door-attachment-structure; wherein at least a portion of the door-attachment-structure is attached to the at least one wall of the collapsible-container; and other different portions of the door-attachment-structure are attached to the side-hinged-door;
wherein when the collapsible-container is in the substantially expanded configuration the collapsible-container has a main interior volume that is substantially void space for the temporary storage of the object.
2. The package-receiving-locker of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible-container has only a single main opening for accessing the main interior volume of the collapsible-container, wherein the object enters and leaves the collapsible-container via the single main opening.
3. The package-receiving-locker of claim 2 , wherein access to the single main opening is controlled by the at least one lid, wherein the at least one lid exists in two operational configurations, a closed configuration and a substantially open configuration, respectively; wherein when the at least one lid is in the closed configuration, the at least one lid is lockable, by use of the at least one locking-means, to prevent unintended access to the single main opening.
4. The package-receiving-locker of claim 1 , wherein when the collapsible-container is in the substantially collapsed configuration or when the collapsible-container is in the substantially expanded configuration, the at least one lid is openable.
5. The package-receiving-locker of claim 1 , wherein when the package-receiving-locker is removably attached to the side-hinged-door and wherein when the side-hinged-door is open or closed, the at least one lid is openable.
6. The package-receiving-locker of claim 1 , wherein the attachment between the side-hinged-door and the other different portions of the door-attachment-structure are removable attachment.
7. The package-receiving-locker of claim 1 , wherein the attachment between the at least the portion of the door-attachment-structure and the at least one wall of the collapsible-container is removable attachment.
8. The package-receiving-locker of claim 1 , wherein when the collapsible-container is attached to the side-hinged-door via the door-attachment-structure, no walls of the collapsible-container, including the at least one wall, physically touch the side-hinged-door; wherein the walls of the collapsible-container substantially enclose and bound the main interior volume.
9. The package-receiving-locker of claim 1 , wherein when the collapsible-container is attached to the side-hinged-door via the door-attachment-structure, the attachment is fixed and asymmetrically positioned, such that the collapsible-container is closer to a hinge-side of the side-hinged-door and farther away from an opposing non-hinged-side of the side-hinged-door; wherein the side-hinged-door remains fully openable.
10. The package-receiving-locker of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least two cameras, an exterior camera and an interior camera, respectively; wherein an opening to the exterior camera is located on an exterior surface of the collapsible-container; wherein the exterior camera is positioned and oriented to monitor a predetermined zone that is external of the collapsible-container; wherein an opening to the interior camera is located on an interior surface of the collapsible-container that at least partially bounds the main interior volume when the collapsible-container is in the substantially expanded configuration; and wherein the interior camera is positioned and oriented to monitor the main interior volume of the collapsible-container.
11. The package-receiving-locker of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible-container is removably separable from the side-hinged-door such that when the collapsible-container is not attached to the side-hinged-door and the collapsible-container is in the substantially collapsed configuration, the collapsible-container is removably storable behind the side-hinged-door or behind another side-hinged-door.
12. A package-receiving-locker for temporary storage of an object, wherein the package-receiving-locker is attachable to a side-hinged-door; wherein the package-receiving-locker comprises:
a collapsible-container that exists in two operational configurations, a substantially collapsed configuration and a substantially expanded configuration, respectively, wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least one wall that is rigid; wherein the at least one wall comprises: at least one rear-wall, at least one front-wall, at least two opposing side-walls, at least one floor, and at least one lid; wherein the at least one rear-wall, the at least one front-wall, the at least two opposing side-walls, the at least one floor, and the at least one lid all together substantially bound and enclose a main interior volume of the collapsible-container; wherein the at least one rear-wall is hingedly attached to: the at least one lid, the at least two opposing-side-walls, and the at the least one floor; wherein the at least one front-wall is hingedly attached to the at least two opposing-side-walls; and
a door-attachment-structure; wherein at least a portion of the door-attachment-structure is attached to the at least one wall of the collapsible-container; and other different portions of the door-attachment-structure are attached to the side-hinged-door;
wherein when the collapsible-container is in the substantially expanded configuration, the main interior volume is substantially void space for the temporary storage of the object.
13. The package-receiving-locker of claim 12 , wherein the collapsible-container has only a single main opening for accessing the main interior volume of the collapsible-container, wherein the object enters and leaves the collapsible-container via the single main opening.
14. The package-receiving-locker of claim 13 , wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least one locking-means, wherein access to the single main opening is controlled by the at least one lid; wherein the at least one lid exists in two operational configurations, a closed configuration and a substantially open configuration, respectively; wherein when the at least one lid is in the closed configuration, the at least one lid is lockable, by use of the at least one locking-means, to prevent unintended access to the single main opening.
15. The package-receiving-locker of claim 12 , wherein when the collapsible-container is in the substantially collapsed configuration or when the collapsible-container is in the substantially expanded configuration, the at least one lid is openable.
16. The package-receiving-locker of claim 12 , wherein when the package-receiving-locker is removably attached to the side-hinged-door and wherein when the side-hinged-door is open or closed, the at least one lid is openable.
17. The package-receiving-locker of claim 12 , wherein the attachment between the side-hinged-door and the other different portions of the door-attachment-structure are removable attachment.
18. The package-receiving-locker of claim 12 , wherein the attachment between the at least the portion of the door-attachment-structure and the at least one wall of the collapsible-container is removable attachment.
19. The package-receiving-locker of claim 12 , wherein when the collapsible-container is attached to the side-hinged-door via the door-attachment-structure, no walls of the collapsible-container, including the at least one wall, physically touch the side-hinged-door; wherein the walls of the collapsible-container substantially enclose and bound the main interior volume.
20. The package-receiving-locker of claim 12 , wherein when the collapsible-container is attached to the side-hinged-door via the door-attachment-structure, the attachment is fixed and asymmetrically positioned, such that the collapsible-container is closer to a hinge-side of the side-hinged-door and farther away from an opposing non-hinged-side of the side-hinged-door; wherein the side-hinged-door remains fully openable.
21. The package-receiving-locker of claim 12 , wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least two cameras, an exterior camera and an interior camera, respectively; wherein an opening to the exterior camera is located on an exterior surface of the collapsible-container; wherein the exterior camera is positioned and oriented to monitor a predetermined zone that is external of the collapsible-container; wherein an opening to the interior camera is located on an interior surface of the collapsible-container that at least partially bounds the main interior volume when the collapsible-container is in the substantially expanded configuration; and wherein the interior camera is positioned and oriented to monitor the main interior volume of the collapsible-container.
22. The package-receiving-locker of claim 12 , wherein the collapsible-container is removably separable from the side-hinged-door such that when the collapsible-container is not attached to the side-hinged-door and the collapsible-container is in the substantially collapsed configuration, the collapsible-container is removably storable behind the side-hinged-door or behind another side-hinged-door.
23. A package-receiving-locker for temporary storage of an object, wherein the package-receiving-locker is attachable to a side-hinged-door; wherein the package-receiving-locker comprises:
a collapsible-container that exists in two operational configurations, a substantially collapsed configuration and a substantially expanded configuration, respectively, wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least one wall that is rigid; and
a door-attachment-structure; wherein at least a portion of the door-attachment-structure is attached to the at least one wall of the collapsible-container; and other different portions of the door-attachment-structure are attached to the side-hinged-door; wherein the other different portions of the door-attachment-structure comprises at least two opposing panels that extend beyond opposing sides of the collapsible-container, wherein the at least two opposing panels are configured for engaging opposing sides, by width, of the side-hinged door;
wherein when the collapsible-container is in the substantially expanded configuration the collapsible-container has a main interior volume that is substantially void space for the temporary storage of the object.
24. The package-receiving-locker of claim 23 , wherein the collapsible-container has only a single main opening for accessing the main interior volume of the collapsible-container, wherein the object enters and leaves the collapsible-container via the single main opening.
25. The package-receiving-locker of claim 24 , wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least one lid and at least one locking-means; wherein access to the single main opening is controlled by the at least one lid; wherein the at least one lid is hingedly attached to the at least one wall; wherein the at least one lid exists in two operational configurations, a closed configuration and a substantially open configuration, respectively; wherein when the at least one lid is in the closed configuration, the at least one lid is lockable, by use of the at least one locking-means, to prevent unintended access to the single main opening.
26. The package-receiving-locker of claim 23 , wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least one lid that is hingedly attached to the at least one wall; wherein when the collapsible-container is in the substantially collapsed configuration or when the collapsible-container is in the substantially expanded configuration, the at least one lid is openable.
27. The package-receiving-locker of claim 23 , wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least one lid that is hingedly attached to the at least one wall; wherein when the package-receiving-locker is removably attached to the side-hinged-door and wherein when the side-hinged-door is open or closed, the at least one lid is openable.
28. The package-receiving-locker of claim 23 , wherein the attachment between the side-hinged-door and the other different portions of the door-attachment-structure are removable attachment.
29. The package-receiving-locker of claim 23 , wherein the attachment between the at least the portion of the door-attachment-structure and the at least one wall of the collapsible-container is removable attachment.
30. The package-receiving-locker of claim 23 , when the collapsible-container is attached to the side-hinged-door via the door-attachment-structure, no walls of the collapsible-container, including the at least one wall, physically touch the side-hinged-door; wherein the walls of the collapsible-container substantially enclose and bound the main interior volume.
31. The package-receiving-locker of claim 23 , wherein when the collapsible-container is attached to the side-hinged-door via the door-attachment-structure, the attachment is fixed and asymmetrically positioned, such that the collapsible-container is closer to a hinge-side of the side-hinged-door and farther away from an opposing non-hinged-side of the side-hinged-door; wherein the side-hinged-door remains fully openable.
32. The package-receiving-locker of claim 23 , wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least two cameras, an exterior camera and an interior camera, respectively; wherein an opening to the exterior camera is located on an exterior surface of the collapsible-container; wherein the exterior camera is positioned and oriented to monitor a predetermined zone that is external of the collapsible-container; wherein an opening to the interior camera is located on an interior surface of the collapsible-container that at least partially bounds the main interior volume when the collapsible-container is in the substantially expanded configuration; and wherein the interior camera is positioned and oriented to monitor the main interior volume of the collapsible-container.
33. The package-receiving-locker of claim 23 , wherein the collapsible-container is removably separable from the side-hinged-door such that collapsible-container is not attached to the side-hinged-door; wherein when the when the collapsible-container is in the substantially collapsed configuration, the collapsible-container is removably storable behind the side-hinged-door or behind another side-hinged-door.
34. A package-receiving-locker for temporary storage of an object, wherein the package-receiving-locker is attachable to a side-hinged-door; wherein the package-receiving-locker comprises:
a collapsible-container that exists in two operational configurations, a substantially collapsed configuration and a substantially expanded configuration, respectively, wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least one wall that is rigid; and
a door-attachment-structure; wherein at least a portion of the door-attachment-structure is attached to the at least one wall of the collapsible-container; and other different portions of the door-attachment-structure are attached to the side-hinged-door; wherein the door-attachment-structure is slidingly adjustable such that an overall length of the door-attachment-structure is variable within a predetermined range, wherein the door-attachment-structure is configured for attachment to different side-hinged-doors of fixed and predetermined widths;
wherein when the collapsible-container is in the substantially expanded configuration the collapsible-container has a main interior volume that is substantially void space for the temporary storage of the object.
35. The package-receiving-locker of claim 34 , wherein the collapsible-container has only a single main opening for accessing the main interior volume of the collapsible-container, wherein the object enters and leaves the collapsible-container via the single main opening.
36. The package-receiving-locker of claim 35 , wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least one lid and at least one locking-means; wherein access to the single main opening is controlled by the at least one lid; wherein the at least one lid is hingedly attached to the at least one wall; wherein the at least one lid exists in two operational configurations, a closed configuration and a substantially open configuration, respectively; wherein when the at least one lid is in the closed configuration, the at least one lid is lockable, by use of the at least one locking-means, to prevent unintended access to the single main opening.
37. The package-receiving-locker of claim 34 , wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least one lid that is hingedly attached to the at least one wall; wherein when the collapsible-container is in the substantially collapsed configuration or when the collapsible-container is in the substantially expanded configuration, the at least one lid is openable.
38. The package-receiving-locker of claim 34 , wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least one lid that is hingedly attached to the at least one wall; wherein when the package-receiving-locker is removably attached to the side-hinged-door and wherein when the side-hinged-door is open or closed, the at least one lid is openable.
39. The package-receiving-locker of claim 34 , wherein the attachment between the side-hinged-door and the other different portions of the door-attachment-structure are removable attachment.
40. The package-receiving-locker of claim 34 , wherein the attachment between the at least the portion of the door-attachment-structure and the at least one wall of the collapsible-container is removable attachment.
41. The package-receiving-locker of claim 34 , wherein when the collapsible-container is attached to the side-hinged-door via the door-attachment-structure, no walls of the collapsible-container, including the at least one wall, physically touch the side-hinged-door; wherein the walls of the collapsible-container substantially enclose and bound the main interior volume.
42. The package-receiving-locker of claim 34 , wherein when the collapsible-container is attached to the side-hinged-door via the door-attachment-structure, the attachment is fixed and asymmetrically positioned, such that the collapsible-container is closer to a hinge-side of the side-hinged-door and farther away from an opposing non-hinged-side of the side-hinged-door; wherein the side-hinged-door remains fully openable.
43. The package-receiving-locker of claim 34 , wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least two cameras, an exterior camera and an interior camera, respectively; wherein an opening to the exterior camera is located on an exterior surface of the collapsible-container; wherein the exterior camera is positioned and oriented to monitor a predetermined zone that is external of the collapsible-container; wherein an opening to the interior camera is located on an interior surface of the collapsible-container that at least partially bounds the main interior volume when the collapsible-container is in the substantially expanded configuration; and wherein the interior camera is positioned and oriented to monitor the main interior volume of the collapsible-container.
44. The package-receiving-locker of claim 34 , wherein the collapsible-container is removably separable from the side-hinged-door such that when the collapsible-container is not attached to the side-hinged-door and the collapsible-container is in the substantially collapsed configuration, the collapsible-container is removably storable behind the side-hinged-door or behind another side-hinged-door.
45. A package-receiving-locker for temporary storage of an object, wherein the package-receiving-locker is attachable to a side-hinged-door; wherein the package-receiving-locker comprises:
a collapsible-container that exists in two operational configurations, a substantially collapsed configuration and a substantially expanded configuration, respectively, wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least one wall that is rigid; and
a door-attachment-structure; wherein at least a portion of the door-attachment-structure is attached to the at least one wall of the collapsible-container; and other different portions of the door-attachment-structure are attached to the side-hinged-door; wherein the door-attachment-structure engages both opposing sides of the side-hinged-door, with respect to a width of the side-hinged-door; and wherein the door-attachment-structure also engages a bottom of the side-hinged-door;
wherein when the collapsible-container is in the substantially expanded configuration the collapsible-container has a main interior volume that is substantially void space for the temporary storage of the object.
46. The package-receiving-locker of claim 45 , wherein the collapsible-container has only a single main opening for accessing the main interior volume of the collapsible-container, wherein the object enters and leaves the collapsible-container via the single main opening.
47. The package-receiving-locker of claim 46 , wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least one lid and at least one locking-means; wherein access to the single main opening is controlled by the at least one lid; wherein the at least one lid is hingedly attached to the at least one wall; wherein the at least one lid exists in two operational configurations, a closed configuration and a substantially open configuration, respectively; wherein when the at least one lid is in the closed configuration, the at least one lid is lockable, by use of the at least one locking-means, to prevent unintended access to the single main opening.
48. The package-receiving-locker of claim 45 , wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least one lid that is hingedly attached to the at least one wall; wherein when the collapsible-container is in the substantially collapsed configuration or when the collapsible-container is in the substantially expanded configuration, the at least one lid is openable.
49. The package-receiving-locker of claim 45 , wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least one lid that is hingedly attached to the at least one wall; wherein when the package-receiving-locker is removably attached to the side-hinged-door and wherein when the side-hinged-door is open or closed, the at least one lid is openable.
50. The package-receiving-locker of claim 45 , wherein the attachment between the side-hinged-door and the other different portions of the door-attachment-structure are removable attachment.
51. The package-receiving-locker of claim 45 , wherein the attachment between the at least the portion of the door-attachment-structure and the at least one wall of the collapsible-container is removable attachment.
52. The package-receiving-locker of claim 45 , wherein when the collapsible-container is attached to the side-hinged-door via the door-attachment-structure, no walls of the collapsible-container, including the at least one wall, physically touch the side-hinged-door; wherein the walls of the collapsible-container substantially enclose and bound the main interior volume.
53. The package-receiving-locker of claim 45 , wherein when the collapsible-container is attached to the side-hinged-door via the door-attachment-structure, the attachment is fixed and asymmetrically positioned, such that the collapsible-container is closer to a hinge-side of the side-hinged-door and farther away from an opposing non-hinged-side of the side-hinged-door; wherein the side-hinged-door remains fully openable.
54. The package-receiving-locker of claim 45 , wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least two cameras, an exterior camera and an interior camera, respectively; wherein an opening to the exterior camera is located on an exterior surface of the collapsible-container; wherein the exterior camera is positioned and oriented to monitor a predetermined zone that is external of the collapsible-container; wherein an opening to the interior camera is located on an interior surface of the collapsible-container that at least partially bounds the main interior volume when the collapsible-container is in the substantially expanded configuration; and wherein the interior camera is positioned and oriented to monitor the main interior volume of the collapsible-container.
55. The package-receiving-locker of claim 45 , wherein the collapsible-container is removably separable from the side-hinged-door such that when the collapsible-container is not attached to the side-hinged-door and the collapsible-container is in the substantially collapsed configuration, the collapsible-container is removably storable behind the side-hinged-door or behind another side-hinged-door.
56. A package-receiving-locker for temporary storage of an object, wherein the package-receiving-locker is attachable to a side-hinged-door; wherein the package-receiving-locker comprises:
a collapsible-container that exists in two operational configurations, a substantially collapsed configuration and a substantially expanded configuration, respectively, wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least one wall that is rigid; and
a door-attachment-structure; wherein at least a portion of the door-attachment-structure is attached to the at least one wall of the collapsible-container; and other different portions of the door-attachment-structure are attached to the side-hinged-door; wherein the door-attachment-structure comprises a central-rail and two opposing end-brackets; wherein the two opposing end-brackets are located at opposing ends of the central-rail; wherein the at least the portion of the door-attachment-structure that is attached to the at least one wall is located on the central-rail; and wherein the other different portions of the door-attachment-structure that is attached to the side-hinged-door are located on the two opposing end-brackets;
wherein when the collapsible-container is in the substantially expanded configuration the collapsible-container has a main interior volume that is substantially void space for the temporary storage of the object.
57. The package-receiving-locker of claim 56 , wherein the collapsible-container has only a single main opening for accessing the main interior volume of the collapsible-container, wherein the object enters and leaves the collapsible-container via the single main opening.
58. The package-receiving-locker of claim 57 , wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least one lid and at least one locking-means; wherein access to the single main opening is controlled by the at least one lid; wherein the at least one lid is hingedly attached to the at least one wall; wherein the at least one lid exists in two operational configurations, a closed configuration and a substantially open configuration, respectively; wherein when the at least one lid is in the closed configuration, the at least one lid is lockable, by use of the at least one locking-means, to prevent unintended access to the single main opening.
59. The package-receiving-locker of claim 56 , wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least one lid that is hingedly attached to the at least one wall; wherein when the collapsible-container is in the substantially collapsed configuration or when the collapsible-container is in the substantially expanded configuration, the at least one lid is openable.
60. The package-receiving-locker of claim 56 , wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least one lid that is hingedly attached to the at least one wall; wherein when the package-receiving-locker is removably attached to the side-hinged-door and wherein when the side-hinged-door is open or closed, the at least one lid is openable.
61. The package-receiving-locker of claim 56 , wherein the attachment between the side-hinged-door and the other different portions of the door-attachment-structure are removable attachment.
62. The package-receiving-locker of claim 56 , wherein the attachment between the at least the portion of the door-attachment-structure and the at least one wall of the collapsible-container is removable attachment.
63. The package-receiving-locker of claim 56 , wherein when the collapsible-container is attached to the side-hinged-door via the door-attachment-structure, no walls of the collapsible-container, including the at least one wall, physically touch the side-hinged-door; wherein the walls of the collapsible-container substantially enclose and bound the main interior volume.
64. The package-receiving-locker of claim 56 , wherein when the collapsible-container is attached to the side-hinged-door via the door-attachment-structure, the attachment is fixed and asymmetrically positioned, such that the collapsible-container is closer to a hinge-side of the side-hinged-door and farther away from an opposing non-hinged-side of the side-hinged-door; wherein the side-hinged-door remains fully openable.
65. The package-receiving-locker of claim 56 , wherein the two opposing end-brackets are configured to engage and squeeze opposing sides of the side-hinged-door.
66. The package-receiving-locker of claim 56 , wherein the two opposing end-brackets and the central-rail are rigid.
67. The package-receiving-locker of claim 56 , wherein the collapsible-container comprises at least two cameras, an exterior camera and an interior camera, respectively; wherein an opening to the exterior camera is located on an exterior surface of the collapsible-container; wherein the exterior camera is positioned and oriented to monitor a predetermined zone that is external of the collapsible-container; wherein an opening to the interior camera is located on an interior surface of the collapsible-container that at least partially bounds the main interior volume when the collapsible-container is in the substantially expanded configuration; and wherein the interior camera is positioned and oriented to monitor the main interior volume of the collapsible-container.
68. The package-receiving-locker of claim 56 , wherein the collapsible-container is removably separable from the side-hinged-door such that when the collapsible-container is not attached to the side-hinged-door and the collapsible-container is in the substantially collapsed configuration the collapsible-container is removably storable behind the side-hinged-door or behind another side-hinged-door.