Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided. In one embodiment, a connection between an electronic door hanger and a customer computing entity can be established at a customer's location. With a connection established, information about an attempted (e.g., successful/unsuccessful) pick-up or delivery can be automatically provided to the customer computing entity.

Abstract: A gaming table (1;20) for roulette and similar games has a wheel (2) and a betting area (3) delineated on the table-top (9) with a rectangular hollow shoulder (8) upstanding along a longitudinal side wall (4) of the table (1;20). The inner wall of the shoulder (8) has a slot-opening (12) that is closed by a top-hinged flap (13) that opens inwardly against a spring action under pressure of chips (C) drawn onto the flap (13) across the table-top (9) from the betting area (3). Chips (C) admitted through the opening (12) fall onto a moving belt (15) of a conveyor system (16) leading to a chipping machine (18) under the table (1) for collection and sorting. In a modification, the chips (C) fall down onto the belt (15) via an inwardly inclined chute (22) under the table (20).

Abstract: A secure delivered mail repository comprises a durable cuboid box having an automatically locking and unlocking door capable of being irremovably secured to a surface, emergency illumination and an anti-theft concrete and cable tether. The repository has a digital panel capable of user interface in electrical communication with a power source, a plurality of digital cameras and a plurality of speakers. The repository may be monitored from a user's internet enabled electronic device which is configured to operate in conjunction with a home security system of a user while the illumination means is configured to visually alert a first responder to an adjacent emergency. The repository facilitates the safe and secure delivery of a package mailed to the user by enabling a delivery service to deposit a package within the repository and secure the same therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lockable security receptacle for the safe temporary storage of delivered articles to a home or office. The receptacle comprises of a bag having single opening through which the articles can be placed, a lock to secure the articles within the bag, means to securely but removably attach the bag to the inside of the home or office door and a cable connecting the bag to the attachment means. The bag can comprise a water-resistant, ballistic grade fabric of interwoven conductive fibers for protection and security of the delivered article, and can be made with one or more alarms that are triggered if the bag is cut, if the bag is pulled or if the attachment means is pulled.

Abstract: A cam lock for cabinets, drawers, drug cabinets, credenzas, sliding doors, lockers, mail boxes and other door type applications is compact in size, fits an existing cam lock opening and provides electronic access via a keypad or other electronic access. In a particular embodiment the lock is long, narrow and low in profile so as to fit on the margin of a steel or wood file cabinet, compatible with the cam lock opening already provided. The lock can be on a secure delivery box of each of a series of customers, in a system for secure delivery and pickup of the goods as ordered by the customers.

Abstract: A lockable container (1) for receiving items includes elements for generating a random code when the container is locked, elements for transferring the code to a person locking the container, and a memory for storing the code. The container further includes elements (2) for unlocking the container to a first stage, in which the contents of the container can be viewed by a user but not removed from the container, and elements for transferring the code to the user when the container is unlocked at the first stage. The container can then be unlocked to a second stage (3), in which the user can remove the contents of the container and the code is removed from the memory.

Abstract: A securable storage container comprising: a hollow housing having a front wall, a back wall, side walls, a top and a bottom for defining a first compartment and a second compartment; a first door rotatably connected to the housing and providing access to the first compartment, the first door being reversibly movable between an open position and a closed position; a second door rotatably connected to the housing and providing access to the second compartment, the second door being lockable to the housing; two opposing trap doors, each trap door being rotatably coupled to one of the side walls of the housing for dividing the first compartment from the second compartment; and a deployment means for moving the trap doors between a closed position in which the first compartment is separated from the second compartment and an open position in which the first compartment is in communication with the second compartment; wherein opening the first door forces the deployment means to move the trap doors to the closed po

Abstract: A high security mail box which comprises an elongated housing having a front wall, a rear opening and a chamber therein to receive and store incoming mail items. A facility in the elongated housing, is for depositing the incoming mail items within the chamber by a mail person. An access door is hinged to the rear opening of the elongated housing, wherein the access door will move between an open position and a closed position. A mechanism operatively associated with the access door, is for locking the access door in the closed position. An authorized person can disengage the locking mechanism to move the access door from the closed position to the open position, so that the authorized person can remove the incoming mail items from the chamber of the elongated housing.

Abstract: A mailbox operated signal device has a motion detector that is attached to the inside of a conventional mailbox and activates a light and a speaker to alert residents that the mail has been delivered to their mailbox. A wireless transmitter is electrically connected to the motion detector. The wireless transmitter is capable of transmitting a motion detected signal. A wireless receiver is capable of receiving the transmitted motion detected signal. A light is electrically connected to the wireless receiver. The light is for indicating when the motion detected signal is received by the wireless receiver.

Abstract: A package storage and delivery system includes electronically controlled lockers disposed at or near customer locations. Each locker is unlocked by a courier, preferably by means of a short-range transceiver or transmitter carried on the courier's person. The customer can unlock the locker and receive the delivered package. Cryptographically signed communications are employed along with nonvolatile usage logs to minimize the risk of loss of a package or fraud by courier or customer. The lockers may be stackable, permitting a delivery courier to add lockers in the event a customer receives too many deliveries to fit into a single locker. Each box has, of course, a physical location, and has associated with it an address code indicative of the physical location, for example by means of a human-readable or compressed representation of the precise latitude and longitude. A package delivered to such a box preferably bears the address code.

Abstract: A storage device (10, 100) configured to be mounted to or near a house or other building for storing delivered goods. The storage device is shiftable between an expanded position wherein the device occupies a relatively large amount of space when in use and a collapsed position wherein the storage device occupies a relatively small amount of space when not in use.

Abstract: A postal delivery apparatus and method for delivering and removing parcels to residential and commercial customer is provided. The postal delivery apparatus preferably has a base including a bottom, a plurality of outer walls connected to and extending upwardly from the bottom, a substantially hollow portion positioned within inner confines of the outer walls so as to define an inner cavity, and an open upper end positioned for providing access to the inner cavity. At least one of the plurality of outer walls preferably includes a wall opening formed therein for inserting letter-type parcels through the wall opening into the inner cavity of the base. The wall opening preferably is sized and positioned for inhibiting access by a user to letter-type parcels positioned in the inner cavity.

Abstract: A household consumable item automatic replenishment system automatically maintains a desired inventory of household consumable items. The household consumable item automatic replenishment system has a refrigerator compartment having an indoor access and an outdoor access and an unrefrigerated compartment having an indoor access and an outdoor access. An automatic inventory system has a plurality of sensors configured to provide information representative of an inventory of the refrigerated compartment and the unrefrigerated compartment. An inventory processor is coupled to the sensors to process the information representative of the inventory of the refrigerated compartment and the unrefrigerated compartment, so as to make a list of items which are to be replenished. An automatic ordering system comprises a telecommunications device coupled to cooperate with the inventory processor to communicate at least a portion of the list to at least one vendor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving packages in absentia using a receptacle which is temporarily attached to the door of an apartment or house. A second embodiment uses a bracket for securing a sack or chain to a door, which in combination with a lock can be used to receive packages. Both the receptacle and the bracket can only be removed from the door when it is first unlocked and opened. A combination lock permits the mail carrier to open and deposit packages in the receptacle or attach them to the bracket. The combination is provided to the mail carrier on the address label of the package, and is provided to the sender of the package by telephone or written correspondence. A sack or chain can also be used with the receptacle to receive packages which are larger than the receptacle. The method provides equal access to both U.S. mail carriers and private carriers.

Abstract: A locking mailbox (5) for receiving mail and other deliveries, to include newspapers and magazines, in a weather and theft resistant enclosure having a generally upright housing (7), a bottom compartment (8), and a separate top compartment (9), defined within the housing. An elongated mail slot (26) is closed on the bottom compartment by an elongated flap (28) through which mail and deliveries are passed into the bottom compartment. Bottom compartment (8) has a generally rectangular side opening (32) defined therein, opening (32) having a pair of parallel and spaced part recessed side edges (33) and a recessed top edge (34) for receiving lockable door (36) flush on the housing, the door being movable from an open position into a closed position locked on housing (7) for enclosing bottom compartment (8). Top compartment (9) is formed as an elongated tubular body above the bottom compartment and is completely separate from bottom compartment (8).

Abstract: A top opening locking mailbox (5) for receiving mail and other deliveries, to include newspapers and magazines, in a weather and theft resistant housing (7) having a top panel (22) pivotally supported on the top of housing (7), the top panel being movable from an open to a closed position. Top panel (22) is locked onto the housing by a locking mechanism (26) in a closed position on top of housing (7), forming a first enclosed compartment (9) for the receipt of mail and other deliveries. A second and external compartment (10) is mounted on the exterior of housing (7), second compartment (10) holding mail for pickup. Top panel (22) extends beyond front panel (14) of housing (7), forming a protective lip (56) for sheltering mail slot (34) defined in the front panel. Mail slot (34) extends the width of front panel (14) and is enclosed by a flap (36) which is pivotally supported on the inside of the housing within first compartment (9). Top panel (22) is sealed on the top horizontal edges of housing (7).

Abstract: A mail box according to the teachings of the present invention is shown as including a rectangular box with a receiver's door side-hinged and locked by a combination lock, to and within the frame of a bottom-hinged delivery door. The bottom-hinged delivery door is locked at the top and side and opened only by a delivery person with a special release tool which is thrust into a side chamber of the unit and forces a latch gate sideways which draws a latch from the side of the door and simultaneously transmits the force of the entrance, through tangential movement of a release rod, to an L-shaped connector to a release cable which extends through rollers to the top latch of the delivery door. Spring action automatically closes both latches. Supplemental brace hinges are included to enable the delivery door to be held ridgidly horizontal when open.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use as an in-line fluid flow monitor through filter media of a variety typically employed in households upstream of a kitchen faucet. The apparatus includes a housing with an input port leading to a housing cap within which a turbine chamber retains a rotating turbine. The rotating turbine is coupled to a reduction gear train positioned with a gear housing, in turn, retained within the body of the housing in a reduction gear chamber. Fluid communication is provided from the turbine chamber to the gear reduction chamber. The gear reduction chamber ends in an eccentric output which drives the pawl of a pawl and ratchet assembly forming part of a rotatable valve. This rotatable valve rotates in increments as a camming stem affixed thereto moves along a camming surface until encountering a slot component.