System and Method for Managing the Delivery of Goods

Abstract

A system and method for managing the delivery of goods ordered by a customer from a provider thereof to at least one Smart Locked Storage Container (SLSC), each SLSC associated with the customer utilizing:a customer server for ordering and managing the goods to be delivered to the at least one SLSC;a delivery server for managing deliveries of the goods to the at least one SLSC by a delivery agent;a smart communicator for enabling communications between the provider of goods, the delivery server, a signaler and / or the customer server;a controller for controlling the communications;a signaler communicatively connected to the SLSC for transmitting a signal to the SLSC allowing access thereinto by the delivery agent, the customer, and / or an agent of the customer, andat least one of:a system comprising at least one server processor enabled to conduct a transaction between the server and customer for the purchase, order, and / or delivery of goods to the SLSC as part of an automated mobile transaction performed with a mobile device,the delivery agent is an unmanned delivery aircraft,at least one security camera associated with at least one SLSC,a delivery associated system which provides the deliveree with discounts, incentives, rewards and other advantages based on the loyalties of the deliveree,a robotic positioner of the goods with a driverless delivery vehicle agent,the at least one SLSC is a plurality of interlocking smart storage appliances, ora system comprising an element for preparing invitations to bid for the delivery of goods to the SLSC; distributing, receiving, and evaluating the bids from a pool of delivery agents in an auction; and selecting a delivery agent.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 15 / 626,896, filed Jun. 9, 2017; Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 15 / 677,680, filed Aug. 15, 2017; Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 62 / 383,409, filed Sep. 3, 2016; Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 15 / 690,413, Aug. 30, 2017; Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 15 / 584,053, filed May 5, 2017; Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 15 / 695,284, filed Sep. 5, 2017; Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 15 / 626,506, filed Jun. 19, 2017; and Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 15 / 887,389, filed Feb. 15, 2018 the entire contents and disclosures of each of which, both express and implied, are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Home delivery of ordered / purchased goods comprises a multi-hundred billion dollar market.[0003]The home food delivery market alone is estimated to be over $200...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, theft is common.

Existing Band-Aid type solutions to the theft problem have turned out to be easily side-stepped by determined thieves.

Recent “solutions”, such as, installing smart lock+ camera combinations accomplish secure delivery of the ordered / purchased goods only by allowing entry into the interior of the building to which delivery is being made, have very low customer acceptance as being too invasive.

On-demand delivery systems requiring tight time windows for delivery only when the delivery site is occupied have proven to be logistically difficult and expensive.

Delivery solutions which are exclusive and brand-specific do not reflect customer buying habits and result in bad customer experiences.

Present day “Lockers” still require the consumer to travel to a pick-up location, thereby defeating the purpose of the proposed of perishable goods without the considerable expense of packing materials and the concomitant waste.

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