TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a depository apparatus and system that operates to control and record the receipt and removal of deposit items in response to data bearing records. Exemplary arrangements relate to systems that facilitate the pickup and delivery of items.

BACKGROUND

Depositories that operate to accept deposit items from users have been implemented in a number of different business environments. Commonly depositories are implemented for receiving items that are to be provided to an owner of the depository. For example, depositories have been implemented to receive financial deposits, utility bill payments or other items of value which are to be provided only to the bank, utility company or other entity that operates the depository. Generally the depositories are implemented so that once an item has been deposited therein by the user, only an authorized representative of the depository operator is enabled to access the deposited items and remove them from the depository for further processing.

Various endeavors have been made to improve depositories and the processes associated with the receipt and removal of deposit items. However, depositories and depository systems may benefit from improvements.

SUMMARY

The exemplary arrangements described herein relate to depositories (which are alternatively referred to herein as repositories) and associated systems that operate to accept and make available deposit items such as parcels to authorized users responsive at least in part to data read from data bearing records. Each exemplary depository includes a body that bounds an interior area which is configured to hold deposit items. The exemplary interior area includes one or more compartments each of which is accessible through a respective opening. Access through the opening to each compartment interior area is controlled by a respective door that is mounted in connection with the body and is movable between open and closed positions. An electronic lock is associated with each door. The lock is selectively changeable between locked and unlocked conditions. In the locked condition the lock is operative to hold the door in the closed position preventing access to the compartment.

The exemplary depository is in operative connection with at least one sensor comprising a reading device. The reading device is configured to read indicia on items such as parcels that are positionable within the interior area. The exemplary embodiment further includes at least one input device. The at least one input device is usable to input data which enables authorized users to access the interior area of the depository.

In the exemplary arrangement the depository includes control circuitry. The control circuitry is in operative connection with the at least one reading device, the at least one input device, each of the locks and at least one wireless communication device. Responsive to the receipt of user identifying information from data bearing records through the at least one input device, the control circuitry is operative to cause an access determination to be made that the received user identifying information corresponds to stored data associated with an authorized user that is authorized to access the interior area of the depository. Responsive at least in part to the determination that the data bearing record data corresponds to an authorized user, a lock associated with at least one compartment is changed from the locked condition to the unlocked condition such that the authorized user can open the door and access the compartment interior area.

The exemplary control circuitry is further operative to receive from the at least one reading device item indicia from a deposit item that is either being placed in or removed from the interior area. The exemplary control circuitry is further operative responsive to the at least one reading device to determine an action status indicative of whether the deposit item is removed from or placed into the interior area. An item determination is made through operation of the control circuitry concerning whether the item indicia that is read from the deposit item corresponds to stored data associated with a deposit item to be placed into or removed from the interior area of the depository by the authorized user.

Once the deposit item has been placed in or removed from the interior area of the depository, the door is closed and the control circuitry is operative to return the lock to the locked condition. A system in operative connection with the exemplary control circuitry is operative to track the status of the deposit item. This may include for example, tracking transport of the deposit item to another depository into which the item can be deposited by the authorized user who removed it from the first depository, so that the item may then undergo further processing activity. Alternatively, the system may enable a further authorized user to access and remove a deposit item that had been previously placed in the depository, and track the receipt of the deposit item by an authorized user that is the authorized recipient of the item. Depositories may include one or a plurality of interior areas the access to each of which is selectively controlled by a respective door and a respective lock.

Exemplary embodiments of the control circuitry associated with the depository enable determining the available space in the interior area. This enables evaluating whether the depository or a compartment therein has space available to accept a further deposit item prior to a user who is seeking to deposit an item being directed to the depository. Other exemplary arrangements include one or more indicators which operate responsive to the control circuitry and the at least one reading device, to provide indications to users that they have placed or removed proper deposit items from the interior area. Other exemplary arrangements include the ability for the depository to provide audit information that includes identifying indicia associated with deposit items currently positioned in the interior area, as well as data regarding items previously placed in or removed from the depository. Exemplary arrangements may also capture and store images of users and deposit items to further provide records of activities conducted at the depository. Further exemplary arrangements provide information to item carriers that transport items between depositories and that pickup and deliver deposit items at customer locations

Numerous other features and arrangements may be used in exemplary systems to provide reliable, cost-effective deposit and item tracking capabilities.

