A method for granting access to one or more compartments using a personal e-card token stored on a mobile device with a personal digital wallet

Abstract

A method (100) comprising steps of - receiving (400), at a parcel locker (10), an identifier (80) linking a personal e- card token (90) to one or more compartments of the parcel locker (10) transmitted to the parcel locker (10) by a backend system (30), - receiving (400), at a parcel locker (10), via near field communication the personal e-card token (90) stored on a mobile device with a personal digital wallet (20) for access to the one or more compartments (12), - granting (500) access to the one or more compartments (12) as a function of the personal e-card token (90) and the identifier (80).

Description

[0001] A method for granting access to one or more compartments using a personal e-card token stored on a mobile device with a personal digital wallet

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to methods for granting access to one or more compartments using a personal e-card token stored on a mobile device with a personal digital wallet.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] Today, the parcel lockers are mainly operated using pin pads or touch screens or apps on mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets or smart watches. Some people do not want to use apps, and some people with disabilities cannot use the touch screens or pin pads.

[0006] Other people just want the convenience of operating a parcel locker quickly without the need for manual inputs.

[0007] This problem is present for on-grid parcel lockers and off-grid parcel lockers, such as autonomous parcel lockers which are battery powered and only communicates with a backend system via third-party devices. The autonomous parcel lockers may use piggybacking as described in WO2019161872.

[0008] Hence, there is a need for one solution allowing fast transfer of instructions without the use of apps or other manual inputs thereby allowing a larger number of people with disabilities to use parcel lockers. People with disabilities, such as blindness, use their mobile device in a completely different way than a person with no disabilities would do. If only looking at the features, it is a completely different mobile device, and navigating the device is also completely different and time consuming. When people without a disability want to navigate to an app on a mobile device it may be as easy as swiping to the next page on the mobile device. But a person with an eye disability will have to listen to the text to speech and navigate the mobile device slower than a person without any disabilities, using an e-card that will be in an e-card holder on the person’s mobile device. The wallet app may already be on the person’s mobile device. The wallet app comprises at least one e-card.

[0009] Moreover, in a world with many apps that gives more unnecessary steps and taps. By doing a one-time download of an e-card to the phone’s respected e-wallet, it opens the possibility to access different carriers to the same parcel locker network. Since the e-card is tied to the parcel locker network the e-card can function with all couriers that are delivering parcels to said parcel locker network. Furthermore, it can open the possibility for courier companies to offer their own version of the e-card token to all the service points and parcel lockers the courier offers their delivery service to.

[0010] Object of the Invention

[0011] One objective of the present disclosure is to achieve a method for granting access to a parcel locker without the need for pressing buttons or pressing on a display of the parcel locker or navigating in one or more carrier apps stored on a mobile device. Thereby easing use of parcel lockers in general, but the improvement is even greater for visually impaired people.

[0012] Description of the Invention

[0013] An objective of the invention is achieved by a method comprising steps of

[0014] - receiving, at a parcel locker, an identifier linking a personal e-card token to one or more compartments of the parcel locker transmitted to the parcel locker by a backend system,

[0015] - receiving, at a parcel locker, via near field communication the personal e-card token stored on a mobile device with a personal digital wallet for access to the one or more compartments, and

[0016] - granting access to the one or more compartments as a function of the personal e-card token and the identifier.

[0017] This method of claim 1 describes the steps performed by the parcel locker until the step of granting access. The method of claim 2 describes the steps performed by the backend system such that access to a compartment of the parcel locker can be granted. The method of claim 3 describes the steps performed by a mobile device with a personal digital wallet such that access to a compartment of the parcel locker can be granted. The parcel locker, the backend system and the mobile device can belong to one, two or three different legal entities.

[0018] The identifier can be received by the parcel locker via a third-party device using piggybacking or via a wired connection to the internet or via GSM or LTE or NB-loT or any other communication protocol. The identifier enables that the parcel locker can link the personal e-card token stored on a mobile device with a personal digital wallet to one or more compartments, thereby the correct compartments will open. Many mobile devices have a generic personal digital wallet and thereby this method enablesthe use of the personal digital wallet which reduces app complexity as any person will use the personal digital wallet and thus a visually impaired person will not need to learn a new layout or method of using a new app.

[0019] The owner of the e-card (i.e. person with the mobile device having stored thereon the personal e-card token) can then collect one or more parcels from the one or more compartments and / or place one or more parcels to the one or more compartments.

[0020] The step of granting access will typically be performed by unlocking a hatch of a compartment.

[0021] The communication is preferably encrypted to prevent misuse of the personal e-card token.

[0022] The e-card is stored on a mobile device. The mobile device may comprise a display that may be an LCD, LED, and optionally touch sensitive. The mobile device may have a form of input mechanic such as physical buttons, touch screen, voice command or gestures. The mobile device may comprise a housing to protect the inner parts of the mobile device. The housing may be formed of steel, aluminium or glass. The mobile device may comprise at least one processor, at least one memory (RAM, storage), one or more sensors (e.g., gyroscope, accelerometer or GPS). The mobile device may comprise both long range wireless communication and short range wireless communication such as cellular 3g, 4g, 5g, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee and / or NFC. The mobile device may also comprise a battery. The battery may have power optimization techniques, charging methods (e.g., wireless charging), and energy efficiency. The mobile device having a pre-installed app, ecosystem and interface. The mobile device may have an accessibility option built into the ecosystem and interface such accessibility option may be designed for use by visually impaired people.

[0023] The mobile device is required to have a set of features. These features are; a processor and / or CPU to perform computational tasks, memory; RAM for temporary data storage and ROM or flash memory for permanent storage, power source; a battery or other energy source to power the device (preferably a battery) and hardware and / or software for wireless communication, such as cellular transceivers, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC.An objective of the invention is achieved by a method comprising steps of

[0024] - receiving, at a backend system, a request to access one or more compartments of a parcel locker using a personal e-card token stored on a mobile device with a personal digital wallet,

[0025] - determining, at a backend system, the one or more compartments from a plurality of compartments of the parcel locker;

[0026] - transmitting an identifier from the backend system to the parcel locker, which identifier links the personal e-card token to one or more compartments of the parcel locker.

[0027] The owner of the personal e-card token stored on the mobile device will, when ordering a parcel, request to be able to use the personal e-card token for the pick-up or when ordering delivery of a parcel request to be able to use the personal e-card token for the drop-off. The backend system has information related to the personal e-card token, which enables the backend system to determine the one or more compartments and to transmit the identifier linking the personal e-card token to one or more compartments.

[0028] The information may be data on the personal e-card token and a personal identifier of the owner which can be a telephone number, e-mail address or Visa Card or other means of identification.

[0029] An objective of the invention is achieved by a method comprising steps of

[0030] - transmitting a personal e-card token from a mobile device with a personal digital wallet to a parcel locker, wherein the personal e-card token is linked to one or more compartments of the parcel locker by an identifier transmitted to the parcel locker by a backend system, wherein the personal e-card token and the identifier cause the parcel locker to perform a step of granting access to the one or more compartments. Thereby, almost any person will be able to open one or more compartments by simply placing their mobile device with their e-card token at a e-card reader of the parcel locker, which can be performed quickly and without providing an input. The e-card reader may be an NFC communication unit.

[0031] In an aspect, the step of transmitting an identifier from the backend system to the parcel locker may be performed via a third-party device. Alternatively, or in addition the step of receiving, at a parcel locker, an identifier may be performed via a third-party device. Thereby, off-grid parcel lockers which are not in direct contact with thebackend system can still perform the method as long as the off-grid parcel lockers have a e-card reader.

[0032] The third-party device may be a courier device transferring the identifier during delivery of parcels. The courier device may comprise a processor, an NFC tag, at least one display. The courier device may comprise a barcode reader for scanning parcels before delivery and collection.

[0033] The third-party device may be a technician device transferring the identifier during service or installations of parcel lockers. The third-party device comprises a processor, an NFC tag, and at least one display. The third-party device may comprise a barcode reader for scanning parcels before delivery and collection.

[0034] The third-party device may be a user device transferring the identifier during pick-up or drop-off of a parcel to the parcel locker using piggybacking technology.

[0035] In an aspect, the step of transmitting an identifier from the backend system to the parcel locker, is performed by a courier device, when delivering or collecting one or more parcels from the parcel locker.

[0036] The communication (transmitting and receiving) between the parcel locker and the backend system can be via third-party devices i.e. indirect communication or via NB-loT or GSM or LTE i.e. direct communication.

[0037] However, the communication (transmitting and receiving) between the mobile device with the personal digital wallet and the e-card reader is preferable direct without any devices in between.

[0038] In an aspect, the method may perform further steps of

[0039] - transmitting a challenge from the mobile device to the parcel locker;

[0040] - receiving, at the mobile device, a challenge response from the parcel locker, wherein the mobile device only performs the step of transmitting the personal e-card token to the parcel locker upon receiving the correct challenge response. Thereby, a man-in-the-middle attack is prevented or at least the risk of such an attack is lowered significantly.A Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack is a form of cyberattack where an attacker secretly intercepts and potentially alters the communication between two parties who believe they are directly communicating with each other. The attacker can either listen to or modify the exchanged data without the participants realizing it.

[0041] Digital wallets and e-cards generally use strong encryption (like SSL / TLS) to secure communications between the device and the payment terminal or servers. This makes it difficult for attackers to intercept and read the data.

[0042] Wallet e-cards often use tokenization, where the actual card number isn't transmitted during a transaction. Instead, a unique token is generated for each transaction. Even if an attacker intercepts the token, it can’t be reused or linked back to your actual card details.

[0043] Each transaction made using a wallet e-card typically requires some form of dynamic authentication, such as Face ID, fingerprint, or a passcode. This makes it harder for attackers to hijack the transaction without also having access to the device.

[0044] Since wallet e-cards don’t reveal the actual card number or sensitive details during a transaction, even if a MitM attacker captures some data, it’s often not enough to perform fraudulent transactions.

[0045] In an aspect, the personal e-card token is used two, three or more times at one, two or more parcel lockers. The owner of the personal e-card token stored on the mobile device can, in principle, use the same mobile device forever, as long as the mobile device is not lost or the access to the mobile device is not lost.

[0046] The mobile device may include an NFC communication unit or Bluetooth communication unit or similar communication unit with a suitable near field communication protocol. The corresponding e-card reader may be NFC reader or a Bluetooth reader or similar reader.

[0047] The mobile device may be a smart phone, such as, but not limited to, a smart phone sold under the brand names Oneplus, iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or Huawei and so on. The mobile device may be a smart watch such as but not limited to an Apple Watch or similar smart watches.An objective of the invention is achieved by a parcel locker comprising compartments, an e-card reader and means to perform the steps of the method according to any of claims 1 to 6.

[0048] An objective of the invention is achieved by a backend system having means to perform the steps of the method according to any of claims 1 to 6.

[0049] An objective of the invention is achieved by a mobile device having stored thereon a personal token and means to perform the steps of the method according to any of claims 1 to 6.

[0050] An objective of the invention is achieved by computer program product comprising instructions to cause the parcel locker of claim 7, or the backend system of claim 8, or the mobile device of claim 9 to execute the steps of the method according to any of claims 1 to 6.

[0051] An objective of the invention is achieved by a computer-readable medium such as a non-transient storage medium having stored thereon the computer program product of claim 10.

[0052] Description of the Drawing

[0053] Various examples are described hereinafter with reference to the figures. The reference numerals refer to the elements throughout. The elements will, thus, not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the examples. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the claimed invention or as a limitation of the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, an illustrated example does not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular example is not necessarily limited to that example and can be practiced in any other examples even if not illustrated, or if not explicitly described.

[0054] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in the figures, whereon:

[0055] Fig. 1 illustrates a parcel locker operationally using an e-card token on a third-party device;

[0056] Fig. 2 illustrates a method for granting access to the one or more compartments; and Fig. 3 illustrates a challenge sent from the e-card to the parcel locker.

[0057]

[0058] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0059] Exemplary examples will now be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this regard, the present examples may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, the examples are merely described below, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects.

[0060] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the terms “comprises" "comprising" "includes" and / or "including" when used in this specification specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0061] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not beinterpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined in the present specification.

[0062] Fig. 1 illustrates a parcel locker 10 operationally using a mobile device 20. The parcel locker 10 has prior to operating the parcel locker 10 received from a backend system 30 an identifier 80 linking a personal e-card token 90 to one or more compartments 12 of the parcel locker 10.

[0063] The transmitting of the identifier 80 can be via GSM, or NB-loT or LTE or other long range communication protocols and / or via a third-party device such as a courier device during delivering or collecting one or more parcels wherein the transmitting may be performed using piggybacking technology. The transmitting of the identifier 80 can be performed via a third-party device such as a recipient device during delivering or collecting one or more parcels wherein the transmitting may be performed using piggybacking technology.

[0064] In the shown embodiment, the person with the mobile device 20 having stored thereon the personal e-card token 90 ensures that a communication device 14 of the parcel locker 10 can receive the personal token either by placing the tag at the communication device 14 or by otherwise activating the mobile device 20 or tag reader 14. A Bluetooth device would not be required to be a few cm from the communication device 14 in order for transfer while an NFC tag 20 would be required to be very close to the tag reader 14. There may be sent a challenge from the mobile device 20 to the parcel locker 10 as described in figure 3.

[0065] The parcel locker 10 will upon receiving the personal identifier 80 grant access to the one or more compartments 12 as a function of the personal token 90 and the identifier 80. In the shown embodiment, the compartment 12 access is granted to the compartment 12 in the top right corner.

[0066] Fig. 2 illustrates a method 100, 200, 300 for granting access to the one or more compartments.

[0067] A parcel locker 10 performs a method 100 comprising steps of

[0068] - receiving 400, at the parcel locker 10, an identifier 80 linking a personal token 90 to one or more compartments of the parcel locker 10 transmitted to the parcel locker 10 by a backend system 30,- receiving 400, at a parcel locker 10, via near field communication the personal e-card token 90 stored on a mobile device 20 for access to the one or more compartments 12,

[0069] - granting 500 access to the one or more compartments 12 as a function of the personal e-card token 90 and the identifier 80.

[0070] A backend system 30 performs a method 200 comprising steps of

[0071] - receiving 400, at the backend system 30, a request to access one or more compartments 12 of a parcel locker using a personal e-card token 90 stored on a mobile device 20,

[0072] - determining 600, at a backend system 30, the one or more compartments 12 from a plurality of compartments of the parcel locker 10;

[0073] - transmitting 700 an identifier from the backend system 30 to the parcel locker 10, which identifier links the personal token 90 to one or more compartments 12 of the parcel locker 10.

[0074] A mobile device 20 performs a method 300 comprising steps of

[0075] - transmitting 700 a personal e-card token 90 from the mobile device 20 to a parcel locker 10, wherein the personal e-card token 90 is linked to one or more compartments of the parcel locker 10 by an identifier 80 transmitted to the parcel locker 10 by a backend system 30, wherein the personal e-card token 90 and the identifier 80 cause the parcel locker 10 to perform a step of granting 500 access to the one or more compartments 12.

[0076] Fig. 3 illustrates a challenge 60 sent from a mobile device 20 to a parcel locker 10. The parcel locker 10 comprises a communication device 14 and one or more not shown compartments 12. An example of compartments 12 is shown in figure 1.

[0077] The mobile device 20 performs a step of transmitting 700 a challenge 60 from the mobile device 20 to the parcel locker 10. The parcel locker 10 performs a step of receiving the challenge 60. The challenge 60 may be encrypted with a key, which the true parcel locker 10 can decrypt and compute the challenge response 62.

[0078] The parcel locker 20 then performs a step of transmitting 700 a challenge response 62 from the parcel locker 10 to the mobile device 20. The mobile device 20 performs a step of receiving 40 the challenge response 62 and only if the received challengeresponse is the correct challenge response, then the mobile device 20 only performs the step of transmitting 700 the personal token 90 to the parcel locker 10 upon receiving the correct challenge response. This is shown in figure 3A.

[0079] Figure 3B shows the same interaction, but where the actual receiver of the challenge 60 is not the true parcel locker 10, i.e. it may be the wrong parcel locker 10 or a man-in-the-middle, then the challenge response will not be the correct challenge response and the tag 20 will forward the personal e-card token 90.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method (100) comprising steps of- receiving (400), at a parcel locker (10), an identifier (80) linking a personal e- card token (90) to one or more compartments of the parcel locker (10) transmitted to the parcel locker (10) by a backend system (30),- receiving (400), at a parcel locker (10), via near field communication the personal e-card token (90) stored on a mobile device with a personal digital wallet (20) for access to the one or more compartments (12), and- granting (500) access to the one or more compartments (12) as a function of the personal e-card token (90) and the identifier (80).

2. A method (200) comprising steps of- receiving (400), at a backend system (30), a request to access one or more compartments (12) of a parcel locker using a personal e-card token (90) stored on a mobile device with a personal digital wallet (20),- determining (600), at a backend system (30), the one or more compartments (12) from a plurality of compartments of the parcel locker (10);- transmitting (700) an identifier from the backend system (30) to the parcel locker (10), which identifier links the personal e-card token (90) to one or more compartments (12) of the parcel locker (10).

3. A method (300) comprising steps of- transmitting (700) a personal e-card token (90) from a mobile device with a personal digital wallet (20) to a parcel locker (10), wherein the personal e-card token (90) is linked to one or more compartments of the parcel locker (10) by an identifier (80) transmitted to the parcel locker (10) by a backend system (30), wherein the personal e-card token (90) and the identifier (80) cause the parcel locker (10) to perform a step of granting (500) access to the one or more compartments (12).

4. A method (100, 200, 300) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the step of transmitting (700) an identifier (80) from the backend system (30) to the parcel locker (10) and / or the step of receiving (400), at a parcel locker (10), an identifier (80) is performed via a third-party device (80).

5. A method (100, 200, 300) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the method (100, 200, 300) performs steps of- transmitting (700) a challenge from the mobile device (20) to the parcel locker (10);- receiving (400), at the mobile device (20), a challenge response from the parcel locker (10), wherein the mobile device (20) only performs the step of transmitting (700) the personal e-card token (90) to the parcel locker (10) upon receiving the correct challenge response.

6. A method (100, 200, 300) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the personal e-card token (90) is used two, three or more times at one, two or more parcel lockers (10)7. A parcel locker (10) comprising compartments (12), a communication device (14) and means to perform the steps of the method according to any of claims 1 to 6.

8. A backend system (30) having means to perform the steps of the method according to any of claims 1 to 6.

9. A mobile device (20) having stored thereon a personal e-card token (90) and means to perform the steps of the method according to any of claims 1 to 6.

10. A computer program product comprising instructions to cause the parcel locker of claim 7, or the backend system (70) of claim 8, or the mobile device (20) of claim 9 to execute the steps of the method according to any of claims 1 to 6.

11. A computer-readable medium such as a non-transient storage medium having stored thereon the computer program product of claim 10.

Images