Secure package delivery
Wireless presence is used as a theft prevention mechanism for packages. When a package is shipped, the package includes a wireless security device. Before the package is delivered to its final destination shipping address, the wireless security device is activated and programmed with a security credential. The security credential, though, is based on information obtained during an initial purchase. The wireless security device may thus only be deactivated by a recipient participating in the initial purchase.
1. A method for preventing a theft of a package, comprising:
receiving, by a processing system including a processor, a tracking number associated with the package;
retrieving by the processing system, a cellular telephone number that is electronically associated with the tracking number;
retrieving, by the processing system, a mobile application identifier that is electronically associated with the tracking number; and
programming, by the processing system, a wireless security device integrated with the package with a wireless activation signal including the cellular telephone number and the mobile application identifier to activate the wireless security device with the cellular telephone number and the mobile application identifier as a mechanism to prevent the theft of the package, wherein the wireless security device provides the cellular telephone number and the mobile application identifier to a local security monitoring system.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising querying, by the processing system, a database to identify the cellular telephone number and the mobile application identifier that are electronically associated with the tracking number.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising storing, by the processing system, an entry in a database that associates the cellular telephone number and the mobile application identifier to the tracking number.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the package is delivered to a destination.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising identifying, by the processing system, a service set identifier that is electronically associated with the tracking number.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising identifying, by the processing system, a service set identifier that is electronically associated with the cellular telephone number and the mobile application identifier.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising conducting, by the processing system, an electronic purchase transaction.
8. An apparatus, comprising:
a processing system including a hardware processor; and
a memory device, the memory device storing code, the code when executed causing the processing system to perform operations, the operations comprising:
receiving a tracking number associated with a package;
identifying a cellular telephone number that is electronically associated with the tracking number;
identifying a mobile application identifier that is electronically associated with the tracking number; and
programming a wireless security device integrated with the package with a wireless activation signal including the cellular telephone number and the mobile application identifier to activate the wireless security device with the cellular telephone number and the mobile application identifier as a mechanism to prevent a theft of the package, wherein the wireless security device provides the cellular telephone number and the mobile application identifier to a local security monitoring system.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise querying a database to identify the cellular telephone number and the mobile application identifier that are electronically associated with the tracking number.
10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise storing an entry in a database that associates the cellular telephone number and the mobile application identifier to the tracking number.
11. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the package is delivered to a destination.
12. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise identifying a service set identifier that is electronically associated with the tracking number.
13. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise identifying a service set identifier that is electronically associated with the cellular telephone number and the mobile application identifier.
14. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise conducting an electronic purchase transaction.
15. A memory device storing instructions that when executed cause a processing system including a hardware processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:
receiving a tracking number associated with a package to be delivered;
identifying a cellular telephone number that is electronically associated with the tracking number;
identifying a mobile application identifier that is electronically associated with the tracking number; and
programming a wireless security device integrated with the package with a wireless activation signal including the cellular telephone number and the mobile application identifier to activate the wireless security device with the cellular telephone number and the mobile application identifier as a mechanism to prevent a theft of the package, wherein the wireless security device provides the cellular telephone number and the mobile application identifier to a local security monitoring system.
16. The memory device of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise querying a database to identify the cellular telephone number and the mobile application identifier that are electronically associated with the tracking number.
17. The memory device of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise storing an entry in a database that associates the cellular telephone number and the mobile application identifier to the tracking number.
18. The memory device of claim 15 , wherein package is delivered to a destination.
19. The memory device of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise identifying a service set identifier that is electronically associated with the tracking number.
20. The memory device of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise identifying a service set identifier that is electronically associated with the cellular telephone number and the mobile application identifier.