US5481464A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for collecting and shipping items
Assignee: U-SHIP USA Inc
•
Filing: 1994-02-18
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Granted: 1996-01-02
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Expires: 2014-02-18
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an integrated, automated, unattended unit for collecting and securely holding items for collection and shipment by commercial delivery services, the unit including a scale for weighing the item to be shipped, a computer for inputting information relating to the destination to which the item is to be shipped and for analyzing the inputted information including calculating the fee for shipment of the item, a card reader for receiving bank credit card information and for communicating and assessing the shipment fee to the account of the person, and secured storage, the computer being adapted for communicating the shipment fee by telephone lines.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary W. Ramsden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:15
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/002; G01G19/005; G01G19/40; G01G19/413; G01G19/414; G01G19/4144; G01G19/4148; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00185; G07B17/00193; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/0014; G07F17/10; G07F17/12; G07F17/13; G07F17/26; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00467; G07B17/00016; G07B17/00024; G07B2017/0004; G07B2017/00225; G07B2017/00233; G07B2017/00266; G07B2017/00274; G07B17/00362; G07B2017/0037; G07B17/00661; G07B2017/00685; G07B2017/00701
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A system for accepting and storing items for subsequent pickup by a commercial carrier, comprising: an outer housing; means for weighing an item which a customer may intend to ship; means for inputting information relating to the destination of the item from customer; control means for calculating a shipment fee for the item, said control means being in communication with said weighing means and said information inputting means; means in communication with said control means, for accepting identification information relating to eventual payment from the customer, said communication means comprising means for receiving and reading a credit card, means for communicating the charges information to a central location for billing the charges to said customer; a storage area defined by said outer housing; and secure deposit means for permitting a customer to securely deposit the item into the storage area, said secure deposit means including a first zone which serves as a holding space when said item is first placed in the storage area and a secure zone into which the item is moved for secure storage.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
177 words
A system for accepting and storing items for subsequent pickup by a commercial carrier, comprising: an outer housing; means for weighing an item which a customer may intend to ship; means for inputting information relating to the destination of the item from customer; control means for calculating a shipment fee for the item, said control means being in communication with said weighing means and said information inputting means; means in communication with said control means, for accepting identification information relating to eventual payment from the customer, said communication means comprising means for receiving and reading a credit card, means for communicating the charges information to a central location for billing the charges to said customer; a storage area defined by said outer housing; and secure deposit means for permitting a customer to securely deposit the item into the storage area, said secure deposit means including a first zone which serves as a holding space when said item is first placed in the storage area and a secure zone into which the item is moved for secure storage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said system includes means for supplying voice instructions for operation of said system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said means for communicating comprise a card reader supported in said outer housing and a telephone line connected to said card reader at one end and a credit card service center at the other end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said means for communication further includes a telephone receiver whereby the customer may orally communicate with a service center.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said outer housing includes means for measuring the item size and inputting such size into said control means for use in calculating the shipping charge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said outer housing comprises an enviromentally controlled outer housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
146 words
An integrated, automated, unattended unit for collecting and securely holding items for collection and shipment by commercial delivery services: said automated unit comprising, means for weighing the item to be shipped; means for inputting information relating to the destination to which the item is to be shipped; control means for analyzing the inputted information and calculating the fee for shipment of the item; said control means further including means for receiving credit card information and means for communicating and assessing the shipment fee to the account of the person owning the credit card, said means for communicating the shipment fee being by telephone lines; means for securely storing said item until the item is collected by said commercial delivery service; means for storing the inputted information once said item is disposed in said secured storage means, said information storage means including means for displaying a manifest.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
146 words
An integrated, automated, unattended unit for collecting and securely holding items for collection and shipment by commercial delivery services: said automated unit comprising, means for weighing the item to be shipped; means for inputting information relating to the destination to which the item is to be shipped; control means for analyzing the inputted information and calculating the fee for shipment of the item; said control means further including means for receiving credit card information and means for communicating and assessing the shipment fee to the account of the person owning the credit card, said means for communicating the shipment fee being by telephone lines; means for securely storing said item until the item is collected by said commercial delivery service; means for storing the inputted information once said item is disposed in said secured storage means, said information storage means including means for displaying a manifest.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 7 including means for printing a hard copy of said manifest.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 7 wherein said means for storing said information further includes means for communicating said information to a remote location staffed by a human operator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 9 wherein said unit includes a pivotable door that serves as a slide when said door is opened, said slide serving to transport the item to a storage area for secure storage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 10 wherein said door serves to secure said storage area when said door is opened.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 7 wherein said means for receiving said credit card information comprises a magnetic card reader.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 12 wherein said unit includes a ramp, said ramp serving to transport the item from a first zone which serves as a holding space when said item is first placed in the storage area to a zone into which the item is moved for secure storage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 13 wherein said ramp serves to secure said second zone.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 12 wherein said card reader is adapted to read credit cards issued by any of a plurality of credit card companies and wherein said fee communicating means is adapted to communicate selectively with the credit card company issuing the card being used in the transaction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 15 wherein said fee communicating means includes means for validating said credit card prior to issuing the shipping label.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 16 wherein said validating means includes means for determining the type of card and the expiration date of the card.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 17 wherein said validating means further includes means for determining whether the card is listed as a bad card.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
139 words
An integrated, automated, unattended unit for collecting and securely holding items for collection and shipment by commercial delivery services: said automated unit comprising, means for weighing the item to be shipped; means for inputting information relating to the destination to which the item is to be shipped; control means for analyzing the inputted information and calculating the fee for shipment of the item; said control means further including means for communicating and assessing the shipment fee to the account of the person, said means for communicating the shipment fee being by telephone lines; means for securely storing said item until the item is collected by said commercial delivery service; means for storing the inputted information once said item is disposed in said secured storage means, said information storage means including means for transmitting a manifest to a remote location.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
139 words
An integrated, automated, unattended unit for collecting and securely holding items for collection and shipment by commercial delivery services: said automated unit comprising, means for weighing the item to be shipped; means for inputting information relating to the destination to which the item is to be shipped; control means for analyzing the inputted information and calculating the fee for shipment of the item; said control means further including means for communicating and assessing the shipment fee to the account of the person, said means for communicating the shipment fee being by telephone lines; means for securely storing said item until the item is collected by said commercial delivery service; means for storing the inputted information once said item is disposed in said secured storage means, said information storage means including means for transmitting a manifest to a remote location.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 19 wherein said fee communicating means includes means for validating said account prior to issuing the shipping label.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 19 including means for printing a hard copy of said account charge for said person.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
164 words
A system for accepting and storing items for subsequent pickup by a commercial carrier, comprising: means for weighing an item which a customer may intend to ship, said weighing means being supported by said outer housing; means for inputting information relating to the destination of the item from customer; control means for calculating a shipment fee for the item, said control means being in communication with said weighing means and said information inputting means; means in communication with said control means, for accepting identification information relating to eventual payment from the customer; a storage area; and secure deposit means for permitting a customer to securely deposit the item into the storage area, said secure deposit means including a first zone which serves as a holding space when said item is first placed in the storage area and a secure zone into which the item is moved for secure storage, and ramp means for moving said item from said holding space to said secure zone.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
164 words
A system for accepting and storing items for subsequent pickup by a commercial carrier, comprising: means for weighing an item which a customer may intend to ship, said weighing means being supported by said outer housing; means for inputting information relating to the destination of the item from customer; control means for calculating a shipment fee for the item, said control means being in communication with said weighing means and said information inputting means; means in communication with said control means, for accepting identification information relating to eventual payment from the customer; a storage area; and secure deposit means for permitting a customer to securely deposit the item into the storage area, said secure deposit means including a first zone which serves as a holding space when said item is first placed in the storage area and a secure zone into which the item is moved for secure storage, and ramp means for moving said item from said holding space to said secure zone.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 22 wherein said means for weighing comprises a portion of said conveyor means.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
175 words
A system for accepting and storing items for subsequent pickup by a commercial carrier, comprising: means for weighing an item which a customer may intend to ship; means for inputting information relating to the destination of the item from customer; control means for calculating a shipment fee for the item, said control means being in communication with said weighing means and said information inputting means; means in communication with said control means, for accepting identification information relating to eventual payment from the customer, said communication means comprising means for communicating the charges information to a central location for billing the charges to said customer; a storage area; and secure deposit means for permitting a customer to securely deposit the item into the storage area, said secure deposit means including a first zone which serves as a holding space when said item is first placed in the storage area and a secure zone into which the item is moved for secure storage and means for conveying said item from said holding space to said storage area.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
175 words
A system for accepting and storing items for subsequent pickup by a commercial carrier, comprising: means for weighing an item which a customer may intend to ship; means for inputting information relating to the destination of the item from customer; control means for calculating a shipment fee for the item, said control means being in communication with said weighing means and said information inputting means; means in communication with said control means, for accepting identification information relating to eventual payment from the customer, said communication means comprising means for communicating the charges information to a central location for billing the charges to said customer; a storage area; and secure deposit means for permitting a customer to securely deposit the item into the storage area, said secure deposit means including a first zone which serves as a holding space when said item is first placed in the storage area and a secure zone into which the item is moved for secure storage and means for conveying said item from said holding space to said storage area.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
169 words
A system for accepting and storing items for subsequent pickup by a commercial carrier, comprising: means for weighing an item which a customer may intend to ship, said weighing means being supported by said system; means for inputting information relating to the destination of the item from customer; control means for calculating a shipment fee for the item, said control means being in communication with said weighing means and said information inputting means; means in communication with said control means, for accepting identification information relating to eventual payment from the customer, said communication means comprising means for communicating the charges information to a central location for billing the charges to said customer; a storage area; and secure deposit means for permitting a customer to securely deposit the item into the storage area, said secure deposit means including a first zone which serves as a holding space when said item is first placed in the storage area and a secure zone into which the item is moved for secure storage.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
169 words
A system for accepting and storing items for subsequent pickup by a commercial carrier, comprising: means for weighing an item which a customer may intend to ship, said weighing means being supported by said system; means for inputting information relating to the destination of the item from customer; control means for calculating a shipment fee for the item, said control means being in communication with said weighing means and said information inputting means; means in communication with said control means, for accepting identification information relating to eventual payment from the customer, said communication means comprising means for communicating the charges information to a central location for billing the charges to said customer; a storage area; and secure deposit means for permitting a customer to securely deposit the item into the storage area, said secure deposit means including a first zone which serves as a holding space when said item is first placed in the storage area and a secure zone into which the item is moved for secure storage.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 25 wherein said means for communicating comprise a card reader and a telephone line connected to said card reader at one end and a credit card service center at the other end.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 25 wherein said means for communication further includes a telephone receiver whereby the customer may orally communicate with a service center.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
141 words
An integrated, automated, unattended unit for collecting and securely holding items for collection and shipment by commercial delivery services: said automated unit comprising, means for weighing the item to be shipped; means for inputting information relating to the destination to which the item is to be shipped; control means for analyzing the inputted information and calculating the fee for shipment of the item; said control means further including means for communicating and assessing the shipment fee to the account of the person, said means assessing comprising means for printing a hard copy of said account charge for said person; means for securely storing said item until the item is collected by said commercial delivery service; means for storing the inputted information once said item is disposed in said secured storage means, said information storage means including means for displaying a manifest.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
141 words
An integrated, automated, unattended unit for collecting and securely holding items for collection and shipment by commercial delivery services: said automated unit comprising, means for weighing the item to be shipped; means for inputting information relating to the destination to which the item is to be shipped; control means for analyzing the inputted information and calculating the fee for shipment of the item; said control means further including means for communicating and assessing the shipment fee to the account of the person, said means assessing comprising means for printing a hard copy of said account charge for said person; means for securely storing said item until the item is collected by said commercial delivery service; means for storing the inputted information once said item is disposed in said secured storage means, said information storage means including means for displaying a manifest.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 28 wherein said fee communicating means includes means for validating said account prior to issuing the shipping label.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 28 including means for communicating said account charge to a remote location.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
191 words
An integrated, automated, unattended unit for collecting and securely holding items for collection and shipment by commercial delivery services: said automated unit comprising, means for weighing the item to be shipped; means for inputting information relating to the destination to which the item is to be shipped; control means for analyzing the inputted information and calculating the fee for shipment of the item; said control means further including means for receiving credit card information and means for communicating and assessing the shipment fee to the account of the person owning the credit card; means for securely storing said item until the item is collected by said commercial delivery service, said means for securely storing including a pivotable door that serves as a slide when said door is opened, said slide serving to transport the item to a storage area for secure storage, said door serving to secure said storage area when said door is opened, said means for securely storing further including a baffle cooperating with said opened pivotable door to secure said storage area; means for storing the inputted information once said item is disposed in said secured storage means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
191 words
An integrated, automated, unattended unit for collecting and securely holding items for collection and shipment by commercial delivery services: said automated unit comprising, means for weighing the item to be shipped; means for inputting information relating to the destination to which the item is to be shipped; control means for analyzing the inputted information and calculating the fee for shipment of the item; said control means further including means for receiving credit card information and means for communicating and assessing the shipment fee to the account of the person owning the credit card; means for securely storing said item until the item is collected by said commercial delivery service, said means for securely storing including a pivotable door that serves as a slide when said door is opened, said slide serving to transport the item to a storage area for secure storage, said door serving to secure said storage area when said door is opened, said means for securely storing further including a baffle cooperating with said opened pivotable door to secure said storage area; means for storing the inputted information once said item is disposed in said secured storage means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 31 wherein said weighing means comprises a portion of said pivotable door.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
33 words
The integrated, automated, unattended unit of claim 31 wherein said unit includes means for measuring the item size and inputting such size into said control means for use in calculating the shipping charge.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
138 words
An integrated, automated, unattended unit for collecting and securely holding items for collection and shipment by commercial delivery services: said automated unit comprising, means for inputting information relating to the destination to which the item is to be shipped; control means for analyzing the inputted information and calculating the fee for shipment of the item; said control means further including means for communicating and assessing the shipment fee to the account of the person, said means for communicating the shipment fee being by telephone lines; means for securely storing said item until the item is collected by said commercial delivery service; means for storing the inputted information once said item is disposed in said secured storage means, said information storage means including means for transmitting information that may be used to prepare a manifest to a remote location.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
138 words
An integrated, automated, unattended unit for collecting and securely holding items for collection and shipment by commercial delivery services: said automated unit comprising, means for inputting information relating to the destination to which the item is to be shipped; control means for analyzing the inputted information and calculating the fee for shipment of the item; said control means further including means for communicating and assessing the shipment fee to the account of the person, said means for communicating the shipment fee being by telephone lines; means for securely storing said item until the item is collected by said commercial delivery service; means for storing the inputted information once said item is disposed in said secured storage means, said information storage means including means for transmitting information that may be used to prepare a manifest to a remote location.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-01-01 | 1999-07-03 | 2000-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-01 | 2003-07-03 | 2004-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-01 | 2007-07-03 | 2008-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |