Self-service parcel terminal with optimized shelving arrangement

{
  "publication_number": "US11341346B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Self-service parcel terminal with optimized shelving arrangement",
  "abstract": "This disclosure includes a parcel terminal that may include a shelving unit comprising a plurality of shelves that are separated by respective predetermined distances along a dimension of the unit. In an embodiment, the plurality of shelves may be evenly spaced. The parcel terminal may further include a receptacle for receiving a parcel from a user, a loader configured to transfer the parcel from the receptacle to a shelf on the shelving unit, and an electronic controller in electronic communication with the loader. The electronic controller may be configured to determine a number of open shelves required to accommodate the parcel based on a size of the parcel and on the respective predetermined distances, to select a set of shelves having at least the required number of open shelves, and to initiate a movement of the loader so as to place the parcel within the selected set of shelves.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A computer implemented method for receiving orders from an automated parcel terminal, wherein the automated parcel terminal comprises a rotating base configured to rotate a vertical boom coupled to the rotating base, a loader configured to move vertically along the vertical boom, and a shelving unit arranged circularly around the vertical boom, the method comprising: a) receiving, at a computing device of the automated parcel terminal, from a user a user identification code for one of more orders to be retrieved from the automated parcel terminal; b) authenticating, using the computing device of the automated parcel terminal the user identification code; c) communicating, using the computing device of the automated parcel terminal, with a server to identify information of the one or more orders associated with the user identification code; d) receiving, at the computing device of the automated parcel terminal, from the server the information; e) displaying, at a user interface of the automated parcel terminal, the information; f) receiving, at the computing device of the automated parcel terminal, the one or more orders to be retrieved based on a selection by the user at the user interface; g) identifying, using the computing device of the automated parcel terminal, respective locations of the one or more selected orders within the shelving unit in the automated parcel terminal; h) transmitting, using the computing device of the automated parcel terminal, instructions to initiate rotation of the vertical boom and vertical movement of the loader to retrieve a first order of the one or more selected orders; i) controlling, using the computing device of the automated parcel terminal, the loader to dispose the first order at a console; j) controlling, using the computing device of the automated parcel terminal, a door of the console to open the door for the user to retrieve the first order; k) controlling, using the computing device of the automated parcel terminal, the door of the console to close the door; l) in case more than one order was selected by the user in step f), repeating the steps g) and k) until the last of the selected orders is disposed.",
    "2. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the user identification code is generated with a smart device or a web application.",
    "3. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the user is a courier retrieving orders to be further delivered.",
    "4. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the user is a person who originally made the orders.",
    "5. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the user identification code is a QR-code, a bar code, or a combination of numbers and letters.",
    "6. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the user identification code is scanned at the automated parcel terminal.",
    "7. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising, upon an order being stored in the automated parcel terminal, communicating, using the computing device of the automated parcel terminal, with the server; and sending, using the server, the user identification code to the user to retrieve the one or more orders from the automated parcel terminal.",
    "8. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the method is touch-free.",
    "9. A computer implemented method to deliver orders via an automated parcel terminal, wherein the automated parcel terminal comprises a rotating base configured to rotate a vertical boom coupled to the rotating base, a loader configured to move vertically along the vertical boom, and a shelving unit arranged circularly around the vertical boom, the method comprising: a) creating, using a user device, a user identification code, wherein the user identification code is attached onto an order; b) scanning, at a user interface of the automated parcel terminal, the user identification code; c) transmitting, using a computing device of the automated parcel terminal, instructions to initiate rotation of the vertical boom and vertical movement of the loader to store the order on a suitable shelf in the shelving unit; d) recording, at the computing device of the automated parcel terminal, the location of the order within the shelving unit of the automated parcel terminal; e) communicating, using the computing device of the automated parcel terminal, with the server; f) sending, using the server, the user identification code to a receiving person; g) receiving, at the computing device of the automated parcel terminal, from the receiving person the user identification code; h) authenticating, using the computing device of the automated parcel terminal, the user identification code; i) communicating, using the computing device of the automated parcel terminal, with the server to identify information of one or more orders associated with the user identification code; j) receiving, at the computing device of the automated parcel terminal, from the service the information; k) displaying, at the user interface of the automated parcel terminal, the information; l) receiving, at the computing device of the automated parcel terminal, the one or more orders to be retrieved based on a selection by the receiving person at the user interface; m) identifying, using the computing device of the automated parcel terminal, respective locations of the one or more selected orders within the shelving unit in the automated parcel terminal; n) transmitting, using the computing device of the automated parcel terminal, instructions to initiate rotation of the vertical boom and vertical movement of the loader to retrieve a first order of the one or more selected orders; o) controlling, using the computing device of the automated parcel terminal, the loader to dispose the first order at a console; p) controlling, using the computing device of the automated parcel terminal, a door of the console to open the door for the receiving person to retrieve the first order; q) controlling, using the computing device of the automated parcel terminal, the door of the console to close the door; r) in case more than one order was selected by the receiving person in step l), repeating the steps m) to q) until the last of the selected orders is disposed.",
    "10. The computer implemented method of claim 9, wherein the user identification code is generated with a smart device or a web application.",
    "11. The computer implemented method of claim 9, wherein a sender is a courier loading orders for one or more persons to receive the orders.",
    "12. The computer implemented method of claim 9, wherein the receiving person is a courier delivering the orders further to one or more persons.",
    "13. The computer implemented method of claim 9, wherein the user identification code is a QR-code, a bar code, or combination of numbers and letters.",
    "14. The computer implemented method of claim 9, wherein the method is touch-free."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present disclosure relates to the field self-service parcel delivery, including self-service parcel terminals and methods of controlling and using such self-service parcel terminals.\n\nSeveral different automated devices and terminals for postal objects are known. Parcel terminals with separate lockers or shelf-drawers for each parcel are widely known. Such parcel terminals take up much space, are inefficient for use as the capacity of the parcel terminal remains unused, and upon sending or receiving several parcels it is time-consuming to load and deliver parcels.\n\nEuropean patent EP1358117B1 describes a tower-like stationary parcel terminal where shelves with drawers for storing parcel containers have been placed around a transportation mechanism fastened on a circular base. The drawback of such a solution is its ineffective usage of space, as the drawers of specific fixed sizes leave some of the space on the shelf unused while storing goods on the shelves.\n\nA parcel terminal may include a shelving unit comprising a plurality of shelves that are separated by respective predetermined distances along a dimension of the unit. In an embodiment, the plurality of shelves may be evenly spaced. The parcel terminal may further include a receptacle for receiving a parcel from a user, a loader configured to transfer the parcel from the receptacle to a shelf on the shelving unit, and an electronic controller in electronic communication with the loader.",
  "cpc": [
    "G06K 7/1417",
    "G07F 11/10",
    "G07F 11/165",
    "G07F 11/42",
    "G07F 17/0014",
    "G07F 17/10"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G06K 7/14",
    "G07F 11/10",
    "G07F 11/16",
    "G07F 11/42",
    "G07F 17/00",
    "G07F 17/10"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Cleveron AS"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Remi LÕSSOV",
    "Lauri HIRVESAAR",
    "Mikk Noorkõiv",
    "Mart ROHT"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2020-08-27",
  "publication_date": "2022-05-24",
  "grant_date": "2022-05-24",
  "priority_date": "2015-09-12",
  "application_number": "US-202017004579-A",
  "family_id": "81657626",
  "cited_by_count": 2,
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}