IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,547,981
Granted Patent B2
US 12,547,981 · App. 18/587,277 · Granted Feb 10, 2026

Access authentication and/or item process management using identification codes

Inventors: James Andrew Janis (Pittsburgh, PA); David Dwane Conklin (Washington, PA); Robert Alan Young (Palm Beach Gardens, FL)
Assignee: The Laundry Chute LLC
G06Q10/087G06K7/10861H04L63/083H04W4/80H04W12/062
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,547,981
App. No.
18/587,277
Filed
Feb 26, 2024
Granted
Feb 10, 2026
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2876
USPC
235/375
Abstract

Methods and systems using unique item identifiers and a wireless device to (a) authenticate authorization to take possession of an item and (b) specifying and/or tracking service processing of the item.

Claims (35)

1 . A method for preparing a lockbox for a customer user comprising:

triggering, by a service provider server, preparation of an item for the customer user based on receiving a customer order;

sending, by the service provider server, authentication information to the customer user, the authentication information related to at least one of either the customer user or to the item associated with the lockbox, or both, wherein the authentication information is communicated to a device associated with the customer user;

receiving, by the service provider server, input information from the customer user, the input information corresponding to the authentication information;

verifying that the input information matches the authentication information; and

upon verifying that the input information matches the authentication, unlocking the lockbox.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the input information is received from a device corresponding to the customer user via near field communication.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the input information is received from a device corresponding to the customer user via Bluetooth.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the input information is a unique device identifier (UDID) corresponding to a device of the customer user.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the input information is received via biometrics provided by the customer user.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating the authentication information, the authentication information comprising a passcode that can be used to unlock the lockbox.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving an indication the item has been retrieved from the lockbox.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving an indication the lockbox is available for another customer user.

9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving special processing instructions from the customer user before the item is prepared.

10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising communicating a location of the lockbox to the customer user.

11 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising initiating automated tracking of the item.

12 . One or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed, perform a method of preparing a lockbox for a customer user comprising:

sending, by a service provider, authentication information to the customer user, the authentication information related to at least one of either the customer user or to an item associated with the lockbox, or both, wherein the authentication information is communicated to a device associated with the customer user;

receiving, by the service provider server, input information from the customer user, the input information corresponding to the authentication information;

verifying that the input information matches the authentication information; and

upon verifying that the input information matches the authentication, unlocking the lockbox.

13 . The media of claim 12 , further comprising receiving an indication the item has been retrieved from the lockbox.

14 . The media of claim 12 , further comprising receiving an indication the lockbox is available for another customer user.

15 . The media of claim 12 , further comprising communicating a location of the lockbox to the customer user.

16 . The media of claim 12 , further comprising initiating automated tracking of the item.

17 . A system for preparing a lockbox for a customer user, the system comprising:

the lockbox; and

a service provider server configured to wirelessly communicate with the lockbox, wherein the service provider server is configured to:

send authentication information to the customer user, the authentication information related to at least one of either the customer user or to an item associated with the lockbox, or both, wherein the authentication information is communicated to a device associated with the customer user;

receive input information from the customer user, the input information corresponding to the authentication information;

verify that the input information matches the authentication information; and

upon verifying that the input information matches the authentication, unlock the lockbox.

18 . The system of claim 17 , further comprising receiving an indication the item has been retrieved from the lockbox and is available for another customer user.

19 . The system of claim 17 , further comprising communicating a location of the lockbox to the customer user.

20 . The system of claim 17 , further comprising initiating automated tracking of the item.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 15, 2026
From: CSC SERVICEWORKS, INC.
To: HAPPILY, INC
Reel/Frame 073489/0391 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 14, 2026
From: THE LAUNDRY CHUTE, LLC
To: CSC SERVICEWORKS, INC.
Reel/Frame 073470/0289 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 5, 2024
From: JANIS, JAMES ANDREW; CONKLIN, DAVID DWANE; YOUNG, ROBERT ALAN
To: THE LAUNDRY CHUTE LLC
Reel/Frame 066655/0312 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 15933188 · Mar 22, 2018
Continuation 15447238 · Mar 2, 2017
Continuation In Part 14597813 · Jan 15, 2015
Provisional Application 61928666 · Jan 17, 2014
Related Publication 20240193545A1 · Jun 13, 2024
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