Connected Logistics Receptacle Apparatus, Systems, and Methods with Enhanced Customer Identification Related to a Delivery Item Being Deposited by a Parcel Customer
A connected logistics receptacle system with enhanced customer identification related to a delivery item being deposited by a parcel customer. The system includes a storage receptacle for receiving the delivery item, a bridge node mounted to the storage receptacle, a communication interface coupled to the bridge node processor, the communication interface being operative to communicate with at least a backend server over a first communication path and a wireless accessory sensor node mounted to the storage receptacle and coupled to a plurality of sensors. Each of the sensors respectively monitors for a change in state of the storage receptacle related to at least one of the monitored storage receptacle components. The bridge node processor is operative to transmit a validation message over the communication interface to the mobile user device associated with the parcel customer and transmit event information to the backend server.
1 . A connected logistics receptacle system with enhanced customer identification related to a delivery item being deposited by a parcel customer, the system comprising:
a storage receptacle for receiving the delivery item, the storage receptacle comprising a plurality of monitored storage receptacle components;
a bridge node mounted to the storage receptacle, the bridge node comprising
a bridge node processor,
a bridge node memory coupled to the bridge node processor, the bridge node memory maintaining monitoring and management code for execution by the bridge node processor,
a communication interface coupled to the bridge node processor, the communication interface being operative to communicate with at least a backend server over a first communication path;
a wireless accessory sensor node mounted to the storage receptacle and coupled to a plurality of sensors, wherein each of the sensors respectively monitors for a change in state of the storage receptacle related to at least one of the monitored storage receptacle components, wherein the wireless accessory sensor node being further operative to detect the change in state of the storage receptacle based upon sensor data generated by the at least one sensor and broadcast an updated advertising signal in response to the detected change in state of the storage receptacle;
wherein the bridge node processor, when executing the monitoring and management code maintained on the bridge node memory, is operative to
detect the updated advertising signal over the communication interface,
detect a wireless communication signal broadcast from a mobile user device associated with the parcel customer,
transmit a validation message over the communication interface to the mobile user device associated with the parcel customer in response to the detected wireless communication signal and the detected updated advertising signal,
receive a validation confirmation message over the communication interface from the mobile user device associated with the parcel customer,
transmit, using the communication interface, event information to the backend server when the validation confirmation message authenticates the parcel customer, the event information including at least information reflecting the detected change in state of the storage receptacle.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the monitored storage receptacle components comprise at least an entrance opening for receiving the delivery item and a temporary storage area for temporarily maintaining the delivery item once the delivery item has been deposited within the storage receptacle through the entrance opening.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the monitored storage receptacle components further comprise a selectively accessible retrieval door providing access to the temporary storage area of the storage receptacle.
4 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the wireless accessory sensor node is operative to detect the change in state of the storage receptacle based upon sensor data generated by a first of the sensors monitoring the entrance opening.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the sensor data generated by the first of the sensors monitoring the entrance opening comprises motion sensor data related to motion of the entrance opening.
6 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the sensor data generated by the first of the sensors monitoring the entrance opening comprises motion sensor data related to motion of an object through the entrance opening.
7 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the wireless accessory sensor node is operative to detect the change in state of the storage receptacle based upon sensor data generated by a second of the sensors monitoring the temporary storage area.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the sensor data generated by the second of the sensors monitoring the temporary storage area comprises at least one from the group consisting of motion sensor data related to motion of an object within the temporary storage area, image sensor data related a change of contents maintained within the temporary storage area, weight sensor data related a change in weight of what is stored within the temporary storage area.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the bridge node processor, when executing the monitoring and management code maintained on the bridge node memory, is operative to detect the wireless communication signal broadcast by being operative to
receive the wireless communication signal broadcast from the mobile user device associated with the parcel customer over the communication interface; and
recognize the mobile user device as an authorized mobile user device based upon authorization data within the wireless communication signal.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the bridge node processor, when executing the monitoring and management code maintained on the bridge node memory, is operative to recognize the mobile user device as the authorized mobile user device by being operative to:
identify the authorization data within the wireless communication signal;
compare the authorization data to information on a plurality of pre-authorized mobile user devices; and
recognize the mobile user device as the authorized mobile user device based upon the results of comparing the authorization data to the information on the pre-authorized mobile user devices.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the validation message requests confirmation that the parcel customer has deposited the delivery item in the storage receptacle.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the validation message requests authentication information from the parcel customer related to the delivery item.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the authentication information comprises shipping information related to the delivery item.
14 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the authentication information identifies the delivery item.
15 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the authentication information identifies the parcel customer.
16 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the validation confirmation message includes authentication information from the parcel customer related to the delivery item.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the authentication information comprises shipping information related to the delivery item.
18 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the authentication information identifies the delivery item.
19 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the authentication information identifies the parcel customer.
20 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the bridge node processor, when executing the monitoring and management code maintained on the bridge node memory, is further operative to update custodial control information maintained within the bridge node memory related to custody of the delivery item when the validation confirmation message authenticates the parcel customer.
21 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the event information transmitted to the backend server further comprising the updated custodial control information related to the delivery item.
22 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the bridge node processor, when executing the monitoring and management code maintained on the bridge node memory, is operative to transmit the event information to the backend server by being operative to transmit, using the communication interface, the event information to the backend server when the validation confirmation message authenticates the parcel customer to cause the backend server to initiate a dispatched logistics operation related to the storage receptacle.
23 . The system of claim 22 , wherein the event information transmitted to the backend server comprising at least timing information related to the detected change in state of the storage receptacle.
24 . The system of claim 23 , wherein the event information transmitted to the backend server further comprising an identification of the delivery item and updated custodial control information related to the delivery item.
25 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the wireless accessory sensor node being further operative to
detect the change in state of the storage receptacle based upon the sensor data generated by the at least one sensor;
record timestamped information reflecting the detected change in state of the storage receptacle; and
broadcast the updated advertising signal having a data available flag set within the updated advertising signal, the data available flag indicating the wireless accessory sensor node has the event information available for upload by the bridge node, the event information including at least the timestamped information reflecting the detected change in state of the storage receptacle.
26 . A connected logistics receptacle system with enhanced customer identification related to a delivery item, the system comprising:
a storage receptacle for receiving the delivery item, the storage receptacle comprising a plurality of monitored storage receptacle components including at least:
an entrance opening for receiving the delivery item,
a temporary storage area for temporarily maintaining the delivery item once the delivery item has been deposited within the storage receptacle through the entrance opening, and
a selectively accessible retrieval door providing access to the temporary storage area of the storage receptacle;
a bridge node mounted to the storage receptacle, the bridge node comprising
a bridge node processor,
a bridge node memory coupled to the bridge node processor, the bridge node memory maintaining monitoring and management code for execution by the bridge node processor,
a communication interface coupled to the bridge node processor, the communication interface being operative to communicate with at least the backend server over a first communication path;
a wireless accessory sensor node coupled to a plurality of sensors, wherein each of the sensors respectively monitors for a change in state of the storage receptacle, wherein the wireless accessory sensor node being further operative to
detect the change in state of the storage receptacle based upon sensor data generated by the at least one sensor,
record timestamped information reflecting the detected change in state of the storage receptacle, and
broadcast an updated advertising signal having a data available flag set within the updated advertising signal, the data available flag indicating the wireless accessory sensor node has event information available for upload by the bridge node, the event information including at least the timestamped information reflecting the detected change in state of the storage receptacle;
wherein the bridge node processor, when executing the monitoring and management code maintained on the bridge node memory, is operative to
detect, using the communication interface, the updated advertising signal having the data available flag set,
detect a wireless communication signal broadcast from a mobile user device associated with the parcel customer after detecting the updated advertising signal,
transmit a validation message over the communication interface to the mobile user device associated with the parcel customer in response to the detected wireless communication signal and the detected updated advertising signal,
receive a validation confirmation message over the communication interface from the mobile user device associated with the parcel customer,
transmit, using the communication interface, the event information to the backend server when the validation confirmation message authenticates the parcel customer.
27 . The system of claim 26 , wherein the bridge node processor, when executing the monitoring and management code maintained on the bridge node memory, is operative to detect the wireless communication signal broadcast by being operative to
receive the wireless communication signal broadcast from the mobile user device associated with the parcel customer over the communication interface; and
recognize the mobile user device as an authorized mobile user device based upon authorization data within the wireless communication signal.
28 . The system of claim 27 , wherein the bridge node processor, when executing the monitoring and management code maintained on the bridge node memory, is operative to recognize the mobile user device as the authorized mobile user device by being operative to:
identify the authorization data within the wireless communication signal;
compare the authorization data to information on a plurality of pre-authorized mobile user devices, the information on the pre-authorized mobile user devices being maintained on the bridge node memory; and
recognize the mobile user device as the authorized mobile user device based upon the results of comparing the authorization data to the information on the pre-authorized mobile user devices.
29 . The system of claim 26 , wherein the validation message requests confirmation that the parcel customer has deposited the delivery item in the storage receptacle.
30 . The system of claim 26 , wherein the validation message requests authentication information from the parcel customer related to the delivery item.
31 . The system of claim 30 , wherein the authentication information comprises shipping information related to the delivery item.
32 . The system of claim 30 , wherein the authentication information identifies the delivery item.
33 . The system of claim 30 , wherein the authentication information identifies the parcel customer.
34 . The system of claim 26 , wherein the validation confirmation message includes authentication information from the parcel customer related to the delivery item.
35 . The system of claim 34 , wherein the authentication information comprises shipping information related to the delivery item.
36 . The system of claim 34 , wherein the authentication information identifies the delivery item.
37 . The system of claim 34 , wherein the authentication information identifies the parcel customer.
38 . The system of claim 26 , wherein the bridge node processor, when executing the monitoring and management code maintained on the bridge node memory, is further operative to update custodial control information maintained within the bridge node memory related to custody of the delivery item when the validation confirmation message authenticates the parcel customer.
39 . The system of claim 38 , wherein the event information transmitted to the backend server further comprising the updated custodial control information related to the delivery item.
40 . The system of claim 26 , wherein the bridge node processor, when executing the monitoring and management code maintained on the bridge node memory, is operative to transmit the event information to the backend server by being operative to transmit, using the communication interface, the event information to the backend server when the validation confirmation message authenticates the parcel customer to cause the backend server to initiate a dispatched logistics operation related to the storage receptacle.
41 . The system of claim 40 , wherein the event information transmitted to the backend server further comprising an identification of the delivery item and updated custodial control information related to the delivery item.
42 . A method for enhanced customer identification related to a delivery item being deposited with a node-based logistics receptacle having a plurality of monitored storage receptacle components, the node-based logistics receptacle further comprising a wireless accessory sensor node disposed on the node-based logistics receptacle and a bridge node disposed on the node-based logistics receptacle operative to communicate with a backend server, wherein the wireless accessory sensor node operatively coupled to a plurality of sensors, the method comprising the steps of:
monitoring, by the wireless accessory sensor node, for a change in state of the storage receptacle using the sensors;
detecting, by the wireless accessory sensor node, the change in state of the storage receptacle based upon sensor data generated by at least one of the sensors;
broadcasting, by the wireless accessory sensor node, an updated advertising signal in response to the detected change in state of the storage receptacle;
detecting, by the bridge node, the updated advertising signal from the wireless accessory sensor node;
detecting, by the bridge node, a wireless communication signal broadcast from a mobile user device associated with the parcel customer;
transmitting, by the bridge node, a validation message to the mobile user device associated with the parcel customer in response to the detected wireless communication signal and the detected updated advertising signal;
receiving, by the bridge node, a validation confirmation message from the mobile user device associated with the parcel customer; and
transmitting, by the bridge node, event information to the backend server when the validation confirmation message authenticates the parcel customer, the event information including at least information reflecting the detected change in state of the storage receptacle.
43 . The method of claim 42 , wherein the step of detecting the change in state of the storage receptacle is based upon sensor data generated by a first of the sensors monitoring the entrance opening.
44 . The method of claim 43 , wherein the sensor data generated by the first of the sensors monitoring the entrance opening comprises motion sensor data related to motion of the entrance opening.
45 . The method of claim 43 , wherein the sensor data generated by the first of the sensors monitoring the entrance opening comprises motion sensor data related to motion of an object through the entrance opening.
46 . The method of claim 42 , wherein the step of detecting the change in state of the storage receptacle is based upon sensor data generated by a second of the sensors monitoring the temporary storage area.
47 . The method of claim 46 , wherein the sensor data generated by the second of the sensors monitoring the temporary storage area comprises at least one from the group consisting of motion sensor data related to motion of an object within the temporary storage area, image sensor data related a change of contents maintained within the temporary storage area, weight sensor data related a change in weight of what is stored within the temporary storage area.
48 . The method of claim 42 , wherein the step of detecting the wireless communication signal broadcast further comprises:
receiving, by the bridge node, the wireless communication signal broadcast from the mobile user device associated with the parcel customer; and
recognizing, by the bridge node, the mobile user device as an authorized mobile user device based upon authorization data within the wireless communication signal.
49 . The method of claim 48 , wherein step of recognizing the mobile user device as the authorized mobile user device further comprises:
identifying, by the bridge node, the authorization data within the wireless communication signal;
comparing, by the bridge node, the authorization data to information on a plurality of pre-authorized mobile user devices; and
recognizing, by the bridge node, the mobile user device as the authorized mobile user device based upon the results of comparing the authorization data to the information on the pre-authorized mobile user devices.
50 . The method of claim 42 , wherein the validation message requests confirmation that the parcel customer has deposited the delivery item in the storage receptacle.
51 . The method of claim 42 , wherein the validation message requests authentication information from the parcel customer related to the delivery item.
52 . The method of claim 51 , wherein the authentication information comprises shipping information related to the delivery item.
53 . The method of claim 51 , wherein the authentication information identifies the delivery item.
54 . The method of claim 51 , wherein the authentication information identifies the parcel customer.
55 . The method of claim 42 , wherein the validation confirmation message includes authentication information from the parcel customer related to the delivery item.
56 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the authentication information comprises shipping information related to the delivery item.
57 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the authentication information identifies the delivery item.
58 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the authentication information identifies the parcel customer.
59 . The method of claim 42 further comprises updating, by the bridge node, custodial control information maintained within the bridge node related to custody of the delivery item when the validation confirmation message authenticates the parcel customer.
60 . The method of claim 59 , wherein the event information transmitted to the backend server further comprising the updated custodial control information related to the delivery item.
61 . The method of claim 42 , wherein the transmitting step further comprises transmitting, by the bridge node, the event information to the backend server when the validation confirmation message authenticates the parcel customer to cause the backend server to initiate a dispatched logistics operation related to the storage receptacle.
62 . The method of claim 61 , wherein the event information transmitted to the backend server comprises at least timing information related to the detected change in state of the storage receptacle.
63 . The method of claim 62 , wherein the event information transmitted to the backend server further comprises an identification of the delivery item and updated custodial control information related to the delivery item.