US-12626553-B1 - Systems and methods for provisioning secure receipts in compact environments

US12626553B1US 12626553 B1US12626553 B1US 12626553B1US-12626553-B1

Abstract

A secure delivery system is designed for receiving packages at a premises, featuring a housing that can be mounted on various structures such as a front door, wall, or garage door. The system includes an electronic locking mechanism, a motorized door housing, and a controller that processes authentication data to manage access. It also incorporates a collapsible collection bag and a communication interface for interaction with remote user devices. Additionally, the system can be manually controlled via commands from a remote device and includes a sensor to detect package presence. The housing is adaptable to different structure thicknesses, and the locking mechanism is equipped with a keypad and RFID reader. The system is powered by a rechargeable battery, ensuring continuous operation.

Inventors

Abraham E. Espadas

Assignees

Abraham E. Espadas

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20241031

Claims (20)

1 . A secure delivery system for receiving packages at a premises, comprising: a housing configured to be mounted on a structure and including an exterior mounting flange and an interior mounting flange that are adjustably spaced apart to accommodate structures of different thickness; an electronic locking mechanism disposed within the housing and operable to selectively allow access to the housing; a motorized door housing pivotably mounted to the housing, the motorized door housing including a privacy screen that is releasably secured; a controller configured to: receive authentication data; unlock the electronic locking mechanism when the authentication data is verified; actuate a drive unit to move the motorized exterior door from a closed position to an open position; a collapsible, collection bag located inwardly of the motorized exterior door and arranged to be accessed when the motorized exterior door is opened; detect the presence of a package within the collection bag; responsive to the detection of a delivery, autonomously perform closing the motorized door housing and re-locking the electronic locking mechanism; and a communication interface configured to exchange status information and commands with a remote user device.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the structure includes a front door, a wall, or a garage door.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the motorized door housing comprises a privacy screen that prevents visual access to an interior of a premises.
4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the privacy screen is coupled to a secondary locking mechanism controlled based on authentication data.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the communication interface is configured to receive commands from a remote user device to manually control the motorized door housing.
6 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to detect a presence of a package within a collection bag.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes adjustable flanges to accommodate different thicknesses of a structure.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic locking mechanism includes a keypad and an RFID reader.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible collection bag is removable.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the motorized door housing and the electronic locking mechanism are powered by a rechargeable battery.
11 . A method for securely receiving packages at a premises, comprising: mounting a housing on a structure by adjustably spacing an exterior mounting flange and interior mounting flange of the housing to accommodate structures of different thickness; operating a controller within the housing to receive authentication data and, when the authentication data is verified, unlocking an electronic locking mechanism; actuating, by the controller, a drive unit to pivot a motorized door housing from a closed position to an open position, the motorized door housing including a privacy screen that is releasably secured by a secondary locking mechanism; contemporaneously deploying a collapsible, removable collection bag from a collapsed state to an expanded state inwardly of the motorized door housing as the motorized door housing opens; passively receiving, by the expanded collection, a package deposited through the motorized door housing; detecting, the presence of a package within the collection bag; in response to the detection of a delivery, autonomously perform closing the motorized door housing back to the closed position, re-securing the secondary locking mechanism, re-locking the electronic locking mechanism, and folding the collection bag toward the collapsed state; and communicating, via a communication interface, status information regarding the delivery to a remote user device.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the structure includes a front door, a wall, or a garage door.
13 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising preventing visual access to the interior of the premises by including a privacy screen with the motorized door housing.
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising controlling a secondary locking mechanism coupled to the privacy screen based on the authentication data.
15 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising receiving commands from the remote user device to manually control the motorized door housing via a communication interface.
16 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising detecting the presence of a package within the collection bag using a sensor.
17 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising adjusting flanges of the housing to accommodate different thicknesses of a structure.
18 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising entering a code on a keypad and detecting an authorized RFID tag with an RFID reader as part of an electronic locking mechanism.
19 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the collapsible collection bag is removable.
20 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the motorized door housing and the electronic locking mechanism are powered by a rechargeable battery.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/546,725, filed Oct. 31, 2023, which is incorporated by reference (and/or filed herewith). BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field The present disclosure generally relates to smart home security systems, specifically focusing on secure reception solutions that integrate with existing home infrastructure and provide remote management capabilities. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the rise of e-commerce has significantly increased the volume of package deliveries to residential and commercial properties. This surge in online shopping has led to a growing demand for secure and convenient delivery solutions that can accommodate the busy lifestyles of modern consumers. Traditional delivery methods often require recipients to be present at the time of delivery, which can be inconvenient and impractical for many individuals who are not home during standard delivery hours. Additionally, the prevalence of package theft, commonly referred to as ‘porch piracy,’ has become a major concern for homeowners, prompting the need for innovative solutions that can ensure the safe receipt of packages without compromising security. The challenge lies in developing a system that not only secures packages but also integrates seamlessly with existing home infrastructure. Many homeowners are reluctant to make significant modifications to their properties, such as cutting openings in doors or walls, to accommodate new delivery systems. Therefore, there is a pressing need for a solution that is both easy to install and compatible with a variety of home designs. Furthermore, as smart home technology continues to evolve, there is an opportunity to leverage these advancements to create a more integrated and user-friendly delivery experience. This context sets the stage for innovations that address these challenges by providing secure, convenient, and technologically advanced solutions for package delivery. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with certain aspects, a secure delivery system is provided for receiving packages at a premises. The system comprises a housing configured to be mounted on a structure, an electronic locking mechanism operable to selectively allow access to the housing, a motorized door housing integrated with the housing, a controller configured to receive authentication data and to control the electronic locking mechanism based on the authentication data, a collapsible collection bag within the housing, and a communication interface configured to communicate with a remote user device. In accordance with other aspects, the system is mounted on a structure that includes a front door, a wall, or a garage door, providing flexibility in installation locations. In yet other aspects, the motorized door housing comprises a privacy screen that prevents visual access to the interior of the premises, enhancing security and privacy. In further aspects, the privacy screen is coupled to a secondary locking mechanism controlled based on the authentication data, adding an additional layer of security. In accordance with additional aspects, the communication interface is configured to receive commands from the remote user device to manually control the motorized door housing, allowing for remote operation and control. In other aspects, the system further comprises a sensor configured to detect the presence of a package within the collection bag, providing confirmation of package delivery. In yet other aspects, the housing includes adjustable flanges to accommodate different thicknesses of the structure, ensuring a secure fit regardless of the installation surface. In accordance with further aspects, the electronic locking mechanism includes a keypad and an RFID reader, offering multiple methods of authentication for access control. In other aspects, the collapsible collection bag is removable, allowing for easy retrieval and replacement of the bag. In yet other aspects, the motorized door housing and the electronic locking mechanism are powered by a rechargeable battery, ensuring continued operation even in the event of a power outage. In accordance with certain aspects, a method is provided for securely receiving packages at a premises. The method involves mounting a housing on a structure, receiving authentication data from a delivery agent at a controller, controlling an electronic locking mechanism to selectively allow access to the housing based on the authentication data, receiving a package into a collapsible collection bag within the housing, and communicating with a remote user device to notify a user of the status of package delivery. In accordance with other aspects, the method includes mounting the system on a structure such as a front door, a wall, or a garage door, providing versatility in installation. In yet other aspects, the method includes preventing visual access to the interior o