Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for facilitating safe deliveries of packages. Accordingly, the apparatus comprises a container comprising an interior space and an opening leading into the interior space. Further, the apparatus comprises a sensor disposed on the container. Further, the sensor generates a first sensor data based on detecting a package identifier associated with a package and a second sensor data based on detecting a user identifier associated with a user. Further, the apparatus comprises a processing device communicatively coupled with the sensor. Further, the processing device analyzes the first sensor data, authenticates the package for disposing of the package in the interior space, generates a first command for allowing the disposing, analyzes the sensor data, authenticates the user, and generates a second command. Further, the apparatus comprises a locking mechanism operationally coupled with the door.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for dynamic allocation and management of semaphores for accessing shared resources. In one implementation, a semaphore manager maintains a data structure of resources having currently active resource requests and a list of each task requesting access and the particular type of access requested. When an access request is received for the first time for a resource, an entry is added to the data structure and access is authorized. Additional requests to access the resource may be received while the resource is allocated. If a new request for read access is received and the resource is currently under read access, access is granted and an entry is added to the data structure. Otherwise, the resource is currently unavailable, and access is either immediately denied or queued for possible future allowance during a specified, predetermined or forever duration.