Patent ReferencesDelivered article storage control system Optimizing mail processing by matching publisher and printer entities System for distributing subscription and on-demand audio programming Storage device for the delivery and pickup of goods Delivery managing system Locking mechanism for use with one-time access code Unattended item delivery system Unattended package delivery cross-docking apparatus and method Locker type merchandise delivering system Customer specific packaging line Patent #: 6522945 InventorAssigneeApplicationNo. 09810903 filed on 03/16/2001US Classes:209/583, Reading indicia700/215, Having an identification code700/242, Particular supply arrangement (e.g., plural sources or compartments)700/243, Movable (e.g., rotatable)348/150, Point of sale or banking700/213, Article handling709/219, Accessing a remote server340/568.1, Article placement or removal (e.g., anti-theft)705/26, Electronic shopping (e.g., remote ordering)340/10.31, Individual call700/233, Customized dispensed article (e.g., operator design)700/225Having an identification codeExaminersPrimary: Walsh, Donald P.Assistant: Miller, John Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassG06F017/00AbstractA method and system for the efficient bulk package delivery for recipients. Items ordered by different customers from different retailers, suppliers or manufacturers can be organized by common item identifiers and shipped in bulk from retailers or manufacturers, to an origination regional distribution center. The items can be sorted at the origination regional distribution center in bulk based on the location of destination regional distribution centers that can serve destination centralized pickup locations chosen by the customers placing the orders for those items. Ordered items can be sorted by recipient and the destination centralized pickup location specified in the customer's order and packed into recipient-specific packages at the destination regional distribution center. The packages can be transported in bulk to the destination centralized pickup locations where they can be randomly loaded into any available locker bins in an automated system of stationary and moveable, configurable storage locker bins. During loading, an association can be made between an identifier of the locker bin and an identifier of the bulk delivered package for subsequent self service identification and retrieval. An electronic notification of the delivery can be automatically dispatched to the recipient by the automated system of storage locker bins to alert the recipient of the delivery. | |