US6404337B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for providing access to an unattended storage
Assignee: Brivo Systems LLC
•
Filing: 2000-10-30
•
Granted: 2002-06-11
•
Expires: 2020-10-30
Abstract
Abstract In one embodiment of the present invention, a system for access to an unattended storage device is described. The system includes a first transmitter for placing an order for an item with a merchant; a second transmitter for transmitting a request for a pick-up of the item; a tracking information generator for generating tracking information in response to a request for a pick-up of the item; a transceiver for receiving and transmitting the tracking information; a memory for storing the tracking information; a third transmitter for transmitting the tracking information to a storage device a comparator for comparing the tracking information transmitted to the storage device to the tracking information stored in the memory; and a digital signature generator for creating a digital signature. In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of providing remote access to a storage device is described. The method includes the steps of transmitting tracking information to a storage device; and gaining access to an interior of the storage device if the tracking information transmitted to the storage device matches tracking information stored in a memory.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen Van Till
- 👤 Stephen Ezell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:40
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/06; A; A47; A47G; A47G29/00; A47G29/14; A47G29/141; G06Q10/08; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/085; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/40; G06Q20/401; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/20; G07C9/27; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/10; G07F17/12; G07F17/13; A47G2029/145; A47G2029/146
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 86
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for delivery to an unattended storage device and receiving a digital signature comprising: receiving tracking information, wherein said tracking information comprises delivery information for an item; obtaining a digital signature, wherein the digital signature is created by processing the tracking information; and transmitting the digital signature to a third party.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for delivery to an unattended storage device and receiving a digital signature comprising: receiving tracking information, wherein said tracking information comprises delivery information for an item; obtaining a digital signature, wherein the digital signature is created by processing the tracking information; and transmitting the digital signature to a third party.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of processing the tracking information further comprises the step of processing the tracking information by a hash function.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the tracking information is processed by a storage device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the tracking information is processed by a third party.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of obtaining the digital signature further comprises the step of processing the tracking information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of processing the tracking information comprises: generating a message including the tracking information and a timestamp.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of transmitting the digital signature includes transmitting the digital signature indirectly to the third party via the logistics company.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
49 words
A method for registering a digital signature comprising: registering a customer with a certificate authority, wherein said certificate of authority stores customer information and verifies the accuracy of said digital signature; creating a private key; creating a public key; and granting a logistics company access to the public key.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
49 words
A method for registering a digital signature comprising: registering a customer with a certificate authority, wherein said certificate of authority stores customer information and verifies the accuracy of said digital signature; creating a private key; creating a public key; and granting a logistics company access to the public key.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 8 , further comprising: registering the customer with a central operations center prior to the registering of the customer with the certificate authority.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the certificate authority stores customer information.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the customer is registered with the certificate authority by a third party.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the central operations center is the certificate authority.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 8 , where the step of creating a private key further comprises the step of passing the private key to a storage device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8 , where the step of creating a private key further comprises the step of retaining the private key.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
54 words
A method for delivery to unattended storage device and receiving a digital signature comprising: receiving an order from a customer; requesting pick-up of the item from a logistics company; and receiving a digital signature, wherein the digital signature is created by processing tracking information, wherein said tracking information comprises delivery information for said item.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
54 words
A method for delivery to unattended storage device and receiving a digital signature comprising: receiving an order from a customer; requesting pick-up of the item from a logistics company; and receiving a digital signature, wherein the digital signature is created by processing tracking information, wherein said tracking information comprises delivery information for said item.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of processing the tracking information further comprises the step of processing the tracking information by a hash function.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 15 , further comprising: transmitting the tracking information to a storage device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the step of transmitting the tracking information to the storage device further comprises the step of transmitting the tracking information to the storage device indirectly via a third party.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the tracking information is processed by a storage device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the tracking information is processed by a third party.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of receiving the digital signature further comprises the step of processing the tracking information.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of processing the tracking information comprises: generating a message including the tracking information and a timestamp.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for delivery to unattended storage device and receiving a digital signature comprising: receiving a request for a pick-up of an item; transmitting tracking information to a storage device, wherein said tracking information comprises delivery information for said item; and receiving a digital signature, wherein the digital signature is created by processing tracking information.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for delivery to unattended storage device and receiving a digital signature comprising: receiving a request for a pick-up of an item; transmitting tracking information to a storage device, wherein said tracking information comprises delivery information for said item; and receiving a digital signature, wherein the digital signature is created by processing tracking information.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the step of transmitting the tracking information to the storage device further comprises the step of transmitting the tracking information to the storage device indirectly via a third party.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the step of processing the tracking information further comprises the step of processing the tracking information by a hash function.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the tracking information is processed by a storage device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the tracking information is processed by a third party.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the step of receiving the digital signature further comprises the step of processing the tracking information.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the step of processing the tracking information comprises: generating a message including the tracking information and a timestamp.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of providing remote access to an unattended storage device comprising: transmitting tracking information to a storage device, wherein said tracking information comprises pick-up information for said item or delivery information for said item; and gaining access to an interior of the storage device if the tracking information transmitted to the storage device matches tracking information stored in a memory.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of providing remote access to an unattended storage device comprising: transmitting tracking information to a storage device, wherein said tracking information comprises pick-up information for said item or delivery information for said item; and gaining access to an interior of the storage device if the tracking information transmitted to the storage device matches tracking information stored in a memory.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 30 , wherein the step of transmitting the tracking information to the storage device further comprises transmitting the tracking information indirectly to the storage device via a third party.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 30 , further comprising: determining whether the tracking information transmitted matches the tracking information stored in the memory.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein the storage device determines whether the tracking information transmitted matches the tracking information stored in the memory.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein a central operations center determines whether the tracking information transmitted matches the tracking information stored in the memory.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 30 , further comprising: transmitting a digital signature in response to a match to at least one recipient selected from the group consisting of a merchant, a logistics company, and a central operations center.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein the digital signature is transmitted once an access door of the storage device has been closed.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 30 , further comprising: providing at least one notification to at least one recipient selected from the group consisting of a merchant, a logistics company, a central operations center and a merchant.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 30 , wherein the step of transmitting tracking information to the storage device further comprises transmitting tracking information from a handheld device to the storage device.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 38 , wherein the tracking information is transmitted by IR signal.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 38 , wherein the tracking information is transmitted by RF signal.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 38 , wherein the tracking. information is wirelessly transmitted.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 30 , wherein the step of transmitting the tracking information to the storage device further comprises transmitting the tracking information indirectly to the storage device via a third party.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for providing remote access to an unattened storage device for the pick-up of an item comprising: receiving a request for the pick-up of an item; generating tracking information for the item, wherein said tracking information comprises pick-up information for said item; transmitting the tracking information to a memory; transmitting the tracking information to the storage device; and gaining access to an interior of the storage device if the tracking information transmitted to the storage device matches the tracking information stored in the memory.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for providing remote access to an unattened storage device for the pick-up of an item comprising: receiving a request for the pick-up of an item; generating tracking information for the item, wherein said tracking information comprises pick-up information for said item; transmitting the tracking information to a memory; transmitting the tracking information to the storage device; and gaining access to an interior of the storage device if the tracking information transmitted to the storage device matches the tracking information stored in the memory.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 43 , further comprising: determining if the tracking information transmitted matches the tracking information stored in the memory of the storage device.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 43 , wherein the storage device determines whether the tracking information transmitted matches the tracking information stored in the memory.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 43 , wherein a central operations center determines whether the tracking information transmitted matches the tracking information stored in the memory.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 43 , wherein the step of transmitting the tracking information to the memory further comprises transmitting the tracking information indirectly to the memory via a third party.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 43 , wherein the step of transmitting tracking information to the storage device further comprises transmitting tracking information from a handheld device to the storage device.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 48 , wherein the tracking information is transmitted by IR signal.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 48 , wherein the tracking information is transmitted by RF signal.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 48 , wherein the tracking information is wirelessly transmitted.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 43 , wherein the step of transmitting the tracking information to the storage device further comprises transmitting the tracking information indirectly to the storage device via a third party.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
130 words
A system for providing access to an unattended storage device comprising: a first transmitter for placing an order for an item with a merchant; a second transmitter for transmitting a request for a pick-up of the item; a tracking information generator for generating tracking information in response to a request for a pick-up of the item, wherein said tracking information comprises pick-up information for said item or delivery information for said item; a transceiver for receiving and transmitting the tracking information; a memory for storing the tracking information; a third transmitter for transmitting the tracking information to a storage device a comparator for comparing the tracking information transmitted to the storage device to the tracking information stored in the memory; and a digital signature generator for creating a digital signature.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
130 words
A system for providing access to an unattended storage device comprising: a first transmitter for placing an order for an item with a merchant; a second transmitter for transmitting a request for a pick-up of the item; a tracking information generator for generating tracking information in response to a request for a pick-up of the item, wherein said tracking information comprises pick-up information for said item or delivery information for said item; a transceiver for receiving and transmitting the tracking information; a memory for storing the tracking information; a third transmitter for transmitting the tracking information to a storage device a comparator for comparing the tracking information transmitted to the storage device to the tracking information stored in the memory; and a digital signature generator for creating a digital signature.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 53 , wherein the first transmitter is a computer system.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 53 , wherein the first transmitter is a portable handheld device.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 53 , wherein the first transmitter is a connected to the Internet.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 53 , wherein the first transmitter is a connected to a private data network.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 53 , wherein the first transmitter transmits the order by IR signal.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 53 , wherein the first transmitter transmits the order by RF signal.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 53 , wherein the first transmitter wirelessly transmits the order.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 53 , wherein the second transmitter is adapted for use by a merchant.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 53 , wherein the second transmitter is a computer system.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 53 , wherein the generator is adapted for use by a logistics company.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 53 , wherein the generator is a computer system.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 53 , wherein the transceiver is adapted for use by at least one user selected from the group consisting of a merchant, a logistics company, and a central operations center.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 65 , wherein the transceiver is further adapted for transmitting the tracking information to the memory.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 53 , wherein the transceiver is computer system.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 53 , wherein the memory is that of the storage device.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 53 , wherein the third transmitter is adapted for use by a logistic company representative.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 53 , wherein the third transmitter is a handheld device.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 53 , wherein the-third transmitter is a tracking number.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 53 , wherein the comparator is the storage device.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 53 , further comprising an opening mechanism for opening the storage device in response to a match between the tracking information transmitted to the storage device and the tracking information stored in the memory.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 53 , further comprising a digital signature generator for creating a digital signature.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 74 , wherein the digital signature is created by a hash function.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 74 , wherein the digital signature generator is at least one selected from the group consisting of: the storage device and a central operations center.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 74 , wherein the digital signature is downloaded to the storage device by a central operations center.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 74 , further comprising a fourth transmitter for transmitting the digital signature to at least one recipient selected from the group consisting of a merchant, a logistics company, and a central operations center.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 74 , further comprising a fifth transmitter for transmitting a notification to at least one recipient selected from the group consisting of a merchant, a logistics company, a central operations center, and a customer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-06-10 | 2005-12-10 | 2006-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-10 | 2009-12-10 | 2010-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-10 | 2013-12-10 | 2014-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |