System and method for securely receiving and storing deliveries

Abstract

Systems and methods for receiving and securely storing a package in a solar powered storage unit until retrieval by an intended recipient. The storage unit opens automatically to receive packages from delivery vehicles and maintains the interior of the storage unit at a desired temperature. The storage unit only allows designated recipients access to the package.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A storage unit, comprising:
 an interior storage space;   an opening in a side that provides access to the interior storage space;   a door that opens and closes the opening;   a heating/cooling mechanism that adjusts a temperature in the interior storage space;   a temperature sensor to monitor the temperature in the interior storage space;   a control unit that receives the temperature in the interior storage space and receives a required temperature of an item in the storage unit and controls the heating/cooling mechanism;   a receiver coupled to the storage unit that receives a code from a delivery vehicle and receives an authentication from an intended recipient; and   a solar panel on an exterior of the storage unit that charges a battery wherein the battery provides power to the door, a temperature controller, and the receiver.   
     
     
         2 . The storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the door is secured by a lock that is responsive to the code. 
     
     
         3 . The storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the door is located on top of the storage unit and the interior storage space is accessible from above. 
     
     
         4 . The storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery vehicle is an unmanned aerial vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature controller is activated in response to delivery of a package and deactivated in response to retrieval of a package. 
     
     
         6 . The storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the code is sent by a mobile device. 
     
     
         7 . The storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the solar panels move in response to an amount of sun exposure. 
     
     
         8 . The storage unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a GPS locator communicatively coupled to the delivery vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . The storage unit if  claim 1 , further comprising a display that displays information about contents within the storage unit and a key pad that receives a code. 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 using solar energy to charge a battery coupled to a storage unit;   activating a heating or refrigerating mechanism inside the storage unit in response to an arrival of a delivery vehicle and adjusting a temperature within the storage unit to a desired temperature;   opening the storage unit when it is within a threshold proximity of the delivery vehicle;   closing the storage unit when a package has been delivered by the delivery vehicle;   obtaining consent from a user to capture biometric data prior to any biometric data being captured; and   verifying the consent of the user opening the storage unit when the user is verified via the biometric data;   deactivating the heating or refrigerating mechanism in response to retrieval of the package.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the storage unit receives a signal indicating a desired temperature. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein obtaining consent comprises registering for a service. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein verifying consent comprises the user entering a personal identification number after registering for a service. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising deleting biometric data when consent is not verified or is revoked. 
     
     
         15 . A system comprising:
 an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that carries a package to a location;   a storage unit at the location that receives the package;   a processor that communicates with the UAV and determines whether the UAV is approaching the storage unit;   a control unit that communicates with the processor and controls a door integrated into the storage unit and controls a temperature in an interior of the storage unit; and   a solar panel located on an exterior of the storage unit coupled to a rechargeable battery that provides power to the control unit.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the storage unit has a cushioning layer that absorbs an impact of the package being deposited in the storage unit. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the processor identifies a recipient and the control unit actuates the door if the recipient is an intended recipient. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the intended recipient is two or more people. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the processor identifies an intended recipient by a code provided by the recipient. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the system uses one or more sensors that capture biometric data to identify whether a recipient is an intended recipient.