A manned service point for distribution of a plurality of parcels with limited private information sharing

Abstract

A manned service point (1) for distribution of a plurality of parcels (90) with limited private information sharing, wherein the manned service point (1) comprises - a storage room (10) for storing a plurality of parcels (90), - a shop instruction unit (20) including a display for displaying instructions to personnel about collection of a parcel (91); and - a service point controller (30) comprising - a computer readable storage (32) for storing thereon specific parcel IDs (92) of each of the plurality of parcels (90); - a service point communication unit (34) for wired or wireless communication with the shop instruction unit (20), and third-party smart devices (80); and - a service point processor (36) configured upon an encrypted collection request (60) from a third-party smart device (80) to cause the service point controller (30) to send a delivery instruction (62) to the shop instruction unit (20) about handing over a parcel (91) with a specific parcel ID (92), wherein the delivery instruction (62) includes a public handshake code (64) sent to the shop instruction unit (20) and optionally to the third-party smart device (80).

Description

[0001]Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a manned service point for distribution of a plurality of parcels with limited private information sharing. Background of the Invention There is an ever-increasing focus on privacy as more and more information is digital- ized. This focus is further increased by national or regional regulations such as the Gen- eral Data Protection Regulation in the European Union. This need for increased privacy also affects other services which are not necessarily part of any national or regional regulations. The service may be delivery of parcels. In gen- eral, the delivery of parcels can be performed in three different ways: i. The parcel may be delivered directly to a specific address; or ii. the parcel is delivered to a parcel locker from where the parcel can be col- lected using an app or a display on the parcel locker; or iii. by collecting the parcel at a manned service point. It may in some cases be necessary to provide a signature in the event of delivery to a specific address. The case, where the parcel is delivered to a parcel locker is by far the most private of the three as there is no need for providing a signature or a name. The handling is per- formed silently between the receiver of a parcel and the parcel locker via the app or parcel locker. In this case, the carrier may not even know or be able to find the address of the receiver. At the manned service point, there will often be a need for showing ID such as passport or driver’s license, and the name of the receiver is said out loud and a signature must be provided in many instances. Thus, there is several instances of private information being shared publicly and it would be strongly preferred if the delivery of a parcel can be performed without any need for a signature. Thus, there is a need for a manned service point for distribution of a plurality of parcels with limited private information sharing. Object of the Invention It is an object to provide a manned service point for distribution of a plurality of parcels with limited private information sharing and a method for distribution of a parcel with limited private information sharing. It is further an object to enable that this distribution of the plurality of parcels can be performed without communication with a central server during the actual delivery of a parcel to a receiver. Description of the Invention An object of the invention is achieved by a manned service point for distribution of a plurality of parcels with limited private information sharing. The manned service point comprises - a storage room for storing a plurality of parcels, - a shop instruction unit including a display for displaying instructions to per- sonnel about collection of a parcel; - a service point controller comprising - a computer readable storage for storing thereon specific parcel IDs of each of the plurality of parcels and a service point encryption key; - a service point communication unit for wired or wireless communi- cation with the shop instruction unit and third-party smart devices; and - a service point processor configured upon an encrypted collection request being complementary to the service point encryption key from a third-party smart device to cause the service point controller to send a delivery instruction to the shop instruction unit about handing over a parcel with a specific parcel ID, wherein the delivery instruction includes a public handshake code sent to the shop in- struction unit and optionally to the third-party smart device. Thereby, a manned service point is provided where the encrypted collection request is sent to the service point controller which then informs the personnel of the manned service point through the shop instruction unit to collect the parcel with a specific parcel ID. The encrypted collection request between the service point controller and the third-party smart device functions as a hidden handshake code. If the encrypted collection request is non-complementary to the service point encryption key, then the service point pro- cessor will not cause any action and no collection request will be sent to shop instruction unit. The service point encryption key is never broadcast or communicated wired or wirelessly, however, a distribution server does know the service point encryption key of each service point. Thus, the distribution server will be able to forward the encrypted collection request to any third-party smart device and the receiving third-party smart device will be able to cause the service point processor to send a delivery instruction to the shop instruction unit about handing over a parcel with a specific parcel ID. Thus, the encrypted communication between the third-party smart device and the ser- vice point controller is equivalent to providing personal ID or signing with a personal signature. Thus, personnel will be informed through the shop instruction unit to collect the parcel with the specific parcel ID from the storage room. The public handshake code is used to find the correct receiver of the parcels at or near the manned service point. The re- ceiver can provide the public handshake code or show the public handshake code to the personnel, which can check with the public handshake code displayed on the shop in- struction unit. Thereby, the receiver is not required to provide any private information. The public handshake code may be the parcel ID or part of the parcel ID such as the last four digits since the parcel ID is not private information. The public handshake code may be a series of letters and / or numbers and / or symbols and / or geometric figures. The public handshake code may be a QR code and the shop instruction unit may include a scanner for recognising the QR code. However, this will in general be slower as it requires scanning, and it requires additional equipment. The wording public handshake code does not mean that the public handshake code is publicly available instead it means that the no harm would be done if anyone from the public see the public handshake code as this public handshake code has no private in- formation. The public handshake code may be the name of the receiver. However, it is preferred that the public handshake code is void of any personal information, but presently almost all parcels are provided with a receiver name and / or personal address of the receiver. Thus, presently there will be no or limited harm in mentioning a receiver’s name. The shop instruction unit may be a computer with a display, a laptop, a tablet and / or smart device such as a smart phone. The shop instruction unit may be several different units. The service point communication unit may communicate with the shop instruction unit and the third-party smart devices using Wi-fi, Bluetooth and / or Ethernet. The list is not exhaustive as any suitable electronic wired or wireless communication method can be used. The service point controller may send the public handshake code to the third-party smart device. However, this is not necessary if the parcel ID or part of the parcel ID is the public handshake code. However, if the public handshake code is a series of letters and / or numbers and / or symbols and / or geometric figures generated by the service point controller, then the public handshake code is sent to the third-party smart device. In an aspect, the public handshake code may be chosen by a user of the third-party smart device and the public handshake code is sent to the service point controller together with the collection request. Thereby, the user of the third-party smart device may choose the letters, symbols, num- bers and / or geometric figures. The user may also choose colour, sizes and positions of the letters, symbols, numbers and / or geometric figures. Thus, the user may display a personal yet anonymous public handshake code. The personnel would be able to quickly recognise and match the public handshake code as displayed on the service point con- troller and thus, the handing over of the parcel will be quick, especially compared to solutions requiring either ID and / or a signature. In an aspect, the service point processor may generate the public handshake code upon receiving the collection request. The service point controller will, thereafter, perform a step of sending the public handshake code to both the third-party device and the shop instruction unit. In an aspect, the public handshake code may include one or more letters, symbols, num- bers, geometric figures or a combination. Humans are quick to recognise patterns such as a series of letters, symbols, numbers or geometric figures. Thus, the personnel at the manned service point will be able to quickly identify the user of the third-party device, which has sent the collection request. The public handshake code may include one or more letters. The public handshake code may include one or more symbols. The public handshake code may include one or more numbers. The public handshake code may include one or more geometric figures. In an aspect, the public handshake code may be sent from the third-party smart device to the service point controller via wired communication or wireless communication such as Bluetooth or NFC. In most situations, the communication will be wireless commu- nication via Bluetooth or NFC, however other communication methods or protocols are possible. In an aspect, the manned service point may be part of a food store or part of a conven- ience store or part of a retail store. The described manned service point enables the personnel of the food store or the convenience store or the retail store to deliver parcels quickly and reliably with minimal interaction and minimised personal information shar- ing. In an aspect, the manned service point may comprise at least one smart device holder comprising a bed, which bed is shaped complementary to third-party smart devices for placement of third-party smart devices, the at least one smart device holder comprises a holder communication unit for communication with service point controller and the holder communication unit including an NFC communication unit for communicating with third-party smart devices, which NFC communication unit being positioned at the bed. This will enable a user to place the third-party smart devices on one of the smart device holders and the encrypted collection request and the public handshake code is then com- municated via the NFC communication unit. In cases where the service point has several smart device holders, then the smart device holders may be numbered A, B, C… or 1, 2, 3… and so on. In this case, the public handshake code may be simply the number of the smart device holder. In an aspect, the distribution of parcels may be performed without communication with an external server. A manned service point must be in communication with an external server in the form of a distribution server keeping track of parcels in the entire distribu- tion network, otherwise, it will not be possible to keep track of whether a parcel has been delivered. However, it is not a must that the manned service point is in contact with an external server when a parcel is delivered at the manned service point. The information that a parcel with a specific parcel ID has been collected by a receiver can be sent to the ex- ternal server at a later time. This makes the manned service point more robust as it may function at times with no connection to the external server. This may happen if a wired internet connection is lost or if the internet in the area of the manned service point is simply just unstable. An object of the invention is achieved by a method for distribution of a parcel with limited private information sharing at a manned service point, wherein the method com- prises steps of - sending from a third-party smart device an encrypted collection request including a specific parcel ID of a parcel to be collected; - receiving at a service point controller, the encrypted collection request from the third- party smart device, - sending a delivery instruction from the service point controller to a shop instruction unit about handing over the parcel with the specific parcel ID, wherein the delivery instruction is displayed on the shop instruction unit, which includes a public handshake code sent to the shop instruction unit and optionally, to the third-party smart device, - collecting the parcel with the specific parcel ID; and - delivering the parcel with the specific parcel ID to a person having a third-party smart device displaying a matching public handshake code as displayed in the shop instruction unit. Thereby, the parcel with the specific parcel ID is delivered to a person having a third- party smart device displaying a matching public handshake code, which person is deemed to be the receiver and the parcel is, therefore, delivered to the said person. In an aspect, the manned service point may be according to anyone of the described embodiments in the present application. In an aspect, the public handshake code may be selected by a user of the third-party smart device prior to a step of sending an encrypted collection request to the service point controller, wherein the encrypted collection request includes the user-selected public handshake code. Thereby, the user of the third-party smart device may choose the letters, symbols, num- bers and / or geometric figures. The user may also choose colour, sizes and positions of the letters, symbols, numbers and / or geometric figures. Thus, the user may display a personal yet anonymous public handshake code. The personnel would be able to quickly recognise the public handshake code and thus, the handing over of the parcel will be quick especially compared to solutions requiring either ID and / or a signature. In an aspect, the service point processor may generate the public handshake code upon receiving the collection request, and wherein the service point controller performs a step of sending the public handshake code to the third-party smart device. In an aspect, the public handshake code may include one or more letters, symbols, num- bers or geometric figures or a combination. The human is quick to recognise patterns such as a series of letters, symbols, numbers or geometric figures. Thus, the personnel at the manned service point would be able to quickly identify the user of the third-party device, which has sent the collection request. An object of the invention is achieved by a computer program product comprising in- structions to cause the manned service point according to any one of the claims 1-8 to execute the steps of the method for distribution of a parcel with limited private infor- mation sharing at a manned service point, as described earlier. An object of the invention is achieved by a computer-readable medium having stored thereon the computer program. Description of the Drawing Embodiments of the invention will be described in the figures, whereon: Fig.1 illustrates a manned service point wherein a person sends an encrypted collec- tion request via a third party smart device; Fig.2 illustrates the manned service point wherein the public handshake code is dis- played on both a smart device and on a shop instruction unit; and Fig.3 illustrates a method for distribution of a parcel with limited private information sharing at a manned service point. Detailed Description of the Invention Fig.1 illustrates a manned service point 1 wherein a person sends an encrypted col- lection request 60 via a third-party smart device 80. The manned service point 1 comprises a storage room 10 for storing a plurality of par- cels 90. The storage room 10 is shown below a dashed line to illustrate that the position of the storage room 10 is not important to the invention. In the figure, the plurality of parcels 90 are placed in a shelf with numbered positions “1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 2-1… i-j” such that personnel 72 can find a parcel 91 with specific parcel ID 92 fast and efficiently. In some embodiments, the plurality of parcels 90 in the storage room 10 is not placed in order and the personnel 72 is just informed about the specific parcel ID 92 and the personnel 72 must then search for the correct parcel 91. The manned service point 1 comprises a shop instruction unit 20 including a display for displaying instructions to personnel 72 about collection of a parcel 91. The display is, in this case, a computer, however, it could be a laptop, a tablet and / or a smart device such as a smart phone. The manned service point 1 further comprises a service point controller 30. The service point controller 30 can be placed anywhere as long as third-party devices 80 can be connected to the service point controller 30 via wireless or wired communication. Thus, the service point controller 30 is just represented by a box. The service point controller 30 comprises - a computer readable storage 32 for storing thereon specific parcel ID 92 of each of the plurality of parcels 90 and optionally, a precise position in the shelf in the storage room 10; - a service point communication unit 34 for wired or wireless communication, the shop instruction unit 20 and third-party smart devices 80; and - a service point processor 36 configured upon an encrypted collection request 60 from a third-party smart device 80 to cause the service point controller 30 to send a delivery instruction 62 to the shop instruction unit 20 about handing over a par- cel 91 with a specific parcel ID 92. Here, a person who is denoted the receiver 70 sends via the smart device 80 an encrypted collection request 60. The encrypted collection request 60 will include the specific par- cel ID 92. In this embodiment, the service point controller 30 has stored on the computer readable storage 32 information about the parcel 91 with the specific parcel ID 92. The service point controller 30 sends the delivery instruction 62 to the shop instruction unit 20 such that the personnel 72 can collect the parcel 91 with the specific parcel ID 92. In this embodiment, the delivery instruction 62 includes shelf position of the parcel 91. The public handshaking is disclosed in figure 2. Fig.2 illustrates the manned service point 1, wherein the public handshake code 64 is displayed on both a smart device 80 and on a shop instruction unit 20. The manned service point 1 may be identical or similar to the manned service point 1 shown in figure 1. Parts A), B) and C) show different versions of a possible public handshake code 64. There is no private information in the public handshake code 64 and thus, it will cause no harm if seen by any other person. Furthermore, the public handshake code 64 is only relevant in the last part of the delivery, where the personnel 72 must identify the correct person / receiver 70 of the parcel 91 with the specific parcel ID 92. In part A), the public handshake code 64 is geometric figures and / or symbols. In part B), the public handshake code 64 is letters. In part C), the public handshake code 64 is numbers. The public handshake code 64 may be a combination between A) and / or, B) and / or C). Fig.3 illustrates a method 100 for distribution of a parcel 91 with limited private infor- mation sharing at a manned service point 1. A method 100 for distribution of a parcel 91 with limited private information sharing at a manned service point 1 comprises steps of - sending 120 from a third-party smart device 80, an encrypted collection re- quest 60 including a specific parcel ID 92 of a parcel 91 to be collected; - receiving 110, at a service point controller 30, an encrypted collection request 60 from the third-party smart device 80, - sending 120, a delivery instruction 62 from the service point controller 30 to a shop instruction unit 20 about handing over the parcel 91 with the specific parcel ID 92, wherein the delivery instruction 62 is displayed on the shop instruction unit 20, wherein the delivery instruction 62 includes a public hand- shake code 64 sent to the shop instruction unit 20 and optionally, to the third- party smart device 80, - collecting 130, the parcel 91 with the specific parcel ID 92; and - delivering 140, the parcel 91 with the specific parcel ID 92 to a person having a third-party smart device 80 displaying a matching public handshake code 64 as displayed in the shop instruction unit 20.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A manned service point (1) for distribution of a plurality of parcels (90) with limited private information sharing, wherein the manned service point (1) comprises - a storage room (10) for storing a plurality of parcels (90), - a shop instruction unit (20) including a display for displaying instructions to personnel about collection of a parcel (91); and - a service point controller (30) comprising - a computer readable storage (32) for storing thereon specific parcel IDs (92) of each of the plurality of parcels (90) and a service point encryption key; - a service point communication unit (34) for wired or wireless com- munication with the shop instruction unit (20), and third-party smart devices (80); and - a service point processor (36) configured upon an encrypted collec- tion request (60) being complementary to the service point encryption key from a third-party smart device (80) to cause the service point controller (30) to send a delivery instruction (62) to the shop instruc- tion unit (20) about handing over a parcel (91) with a specific parcel ID (92), wherein the delivery instruction (62) includes a public handshake code (64) sent to the shop instruction unit (20) and optionally, to the third-party smart device (80).

2. A manned service point (1) according to claim 1, wherein the public handshake code (64) is chosen by a user of the third-party smart device (80) and the public handshake code (64) is sent to the service point controller (30) together with the encrypted collec- tion request (60).

3. A manned service point (1) according to claim 1, wherein the service point processor (36) generates the public handshake code (64) upon receiving the encrypted collection request (60).

4. A manned service point (1) according to claims 1 or 2 or 3, wherein the public hand- shake code (64) includes one or more letters, symbols, numbers geometric figures or a combination.

5. A manned service point (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 4, wherein the public handshake code (64) is sent from the third-party smart device (80) to the service point controller (30) via wired communication or wireless communication such as Bluetooth or NFC.

6. A manned service point (1) according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the manned service point (1) is a part of a food store or part of a convenience store or part of a retail store.

7. A manned service point (1) according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the manned service point (1) comprises at least one smart device holder comprising a bed, which bed is shaped complementary to third-party smart devices (80) for placement of third- party smart devices (80), the at least one smart device holder comprises a holder com- munication unit for communication with service point controller (30) and the holder communication unit including an NFC communication unit for communicating with third-party smart devices (80), which NFC communication unit being positioned at the bed.

8. A manned service point (1) according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the distribu- tion of parcels is performed without communication with an external server.

9. A method (100) for distribution of a parcel (91) with limited private information sharing at a manned service point (1), wherein the method (100) comprises steps of - sending (120) from a third-party smart device (80) an encrypted collection request (60) including a specific parcel ID (92) of a parcel (91) to be collected; - receiving (110) at a service point controller (30) the encrypted collection request (60) from the third-party smart device (80), wherein the following steps are performed when the encrypted collection request (60) is complementary to a service point encryption key stored on a computer readable storage (32) of the service point controller (30);- sending (120) a delivery instruction (62) from the service point controller (30) to a shop instruction unit (20) about handing over the parcel (91) with the specific parcel ID (92), wherein the delivery instruction (62) is displayed on the shop instruction unit (20), wherein the delivery instruction (62) includes a public handshake code (64) sent to the shop instruction unit (20) and optionally to the third-party smart device (80), - collecting (130) the parcel (91) with the specific parcel ID (92); and - delivering (140) the parcel (91) with the specific parcel ID (92) to a person having a third-party smart device (80) displaying a matching public handshake code (64) as dis- played in the shop instruction unit (20).

10. A method (100) according to claim 9, wherein the manned service point (1) is ac- cording to anyone of claims 1-8.

11. A method (100) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the public handshake code (64) is selected by a user of the third-party smart device (80) prior to a step of sending (120) an encrypted collection request (60) to the service point controller (30), wherein the encrypted collection request (60) includes the user-selected public handshake code (64).

12. A method (100) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the service point processor (36) generates the public handshake code (64) upon receiving the encrypted collection re- quest (60), and wherein the service point controller (30) performs a step of sending (120) the public handshake code (64) to the third-party smart device (80).

13. A method (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the public hand- shake code (64) includes one or more letters, symbols, numbers and / or geometric fig- ures.

14. A computer program product comprising instructions to cause the manned service point (1) according to anyone of claims 1-8 to execute the steps of the method (100) according to anyone of claims 9-13.

15. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon the computer program accord- ing to claim 14.

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