Abstract: A locking mechanism includes a locking receptacle, a movable member, and a locking member. The locking receptacle has an opening with sloped walls leading into a slot configured to receive a connecting member. The connecting member includes sloped walls that converge along the direction of docking. The movable member is positioned in the locking receptacle and configured to rotate from an unlockable position to a lockable position to secure the connecting member. The locking member is configured to switch between a locked position and an unlocked position, and further configured to secure the movable member while the movable member is in the lockable position and while the locking member is in the locked position.

Abstract: A lock for securing a bicycle to a dock. The lock consumes little power in operation, with transitions between states in which a bicycle is locked to a dock and released from the dock being driven predominately by force applied to the bicycle by a user. Force applied to the bicycle may drive a latch within the lock to move between a latched and unlatched position. A locking member may be driven in one direction by an actuator and retained by an arm that blocks movement of the locking member. The locking member may be driven in the other direction by spring force, when the locking member is released by movement of the arm, which is coupled to the latch and therefore driven by a user applying force to a bicycle. As a result, a small battery may supply power to the actuator and to communication and control circuitry.

Abstract: An object management system and locking mechanism and method, such as may be used in a bicycle rental station. The system comprises a plurality of docking stations and a terminal connected to the docking stations by a network. At least one of the docking stations includes the locking mechanism for locking a connecting member secured to a bicycle or other object. The locking mechanism comprises a locking receptacle configured to receive the connecting member; a movable member positioned in the locking receptacle, the movable member having a lockable position and an unlockable position; and a locking member having a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking member is configured to secure the movable member, the movable member is configured to secure the connecting member, and the locking member is configured to rotate to switch between the locked position and unlocked position.

Abstract: An object management system and locking mechanism and method, such as may be used in a bicycle rental station. The system comprises a plurality of docking stations and a terminal connected to the docking stations by a network. At least one of the docking stations includes the locking mechanism for locking a connecting member secured to a bicycle or other object. The locking mechanism comprises a locking receptacle configured to receive the connecting member; a movable member positioned in the locking receptacle, the movable member having a lockable position and an unlockable position; and a locking member having a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking member is configured to secure the movable member, the movable member is configured to secure the connecting member, and the locking member is configured to rotate to switch between the locked position and unlocked position.

Abstract: A lock for securing a bicycle to a dock. The lock consumes little power in operation, with transitions between states in which a bicycle is locked to a dock and released from the dock being driven predominately by force applied to the bicycle by a user. Force applied to the bicycle may drive a latch within the lock to move between a latched and unlatched position. A locking member may be driven in one direction by an actuator and retained by an arm that blocks movement of the locking member. The locking member may be driven in the other direction by spring force, when the locking member is released by movement of the arm, which is coupled to the latch and therefore driven by a user applying force to a bicycle. As a result, a small battery may supply power to the actuator and to communication and control circuity.

Abstract: An object management system and locking mechanism and method. The system comprises a plurality of docking stations and a terminal connected to the docking stations by a network. At least one of the docking stations includes the locking mechanism for locking a locking member secured to an object. The locking mechanism includes: a locking receptacle configured to receive the locking member, as well as a locking shaft with a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking shaft is configured to secure the locking member when the locking shaft is in the locked position while the locking receptacle is receiving the locking member. The locking shaft rotates to switch between the locked position and the unlocked position. The locking mechanism can provide a secure lock on an object, preventing reversal of the locking mechanism and theft of the object.

Abstract: An object management system and locking mechanism and method, such as may be used in a bicycle rental station. The system comprises a plurality of docking stations and a terminal connected to the docking stations by a network. At least one of the docking stations includes the locking mechanism for locking a connecting member secured to a bicycle or other object. The locking mechanism comprises a locking receptacle configured to receive the connecting member; a movable member positioned in the locking receptacle, the movable member having a lockable position and an unlockable position; and a locking member having a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking member is configured to secure the movable member, the movable member is configured to secure the connecting member, and the locking member is configured to rotate to switch between the locked position and unlocked position.

Abstract: An RFID key dispenser. The tag dispenser has a simple mechanical construction that enables the tag dispenser to be located in unattended locations. The tag dispenser can, even with very simple construction, dispense a large number of tags between being restocked. Simple motions may be used to retrieve an individual tag for programming, move the tag to a programming station, and then route the tag to a dispensing portion of the tag dispenser or to a storage area for defective tags.

Abstract: A bicycle rental system and automated station that may be integrated with an automobile parking payment and management system. Users may pay for parking and/or rent and pickup bicycles at the station. The station has a meter, bicycle docks, and power plant. Transaction formalities for parking payment and rental may be handled at the meter. The bicycle docks each are adapted to secure a bicycle. The power plant uses a solar panel to collect power and stores it in energy storage device. Low-power operation may be achieved by placing some electronics in a low-power mode. Each bicycle dock may have a trigger mechanism that when activated powers on associated electronics. The bicycle docks may be divided among a number of bicycle modules. The bicycle modules provide flexibility and modularity so that the number of bicycle docks at a station may be changed.

Abstract: An object management system and locking mechanism and method. The system comprises a plurality of docking stations and a terminal connected to the docking stations by a network. At least one of the docking stations includes the locking mechanism for locking a locking member secured to an object. The locking mechanism includes: a locking receptacle configured to receive the locking member, as well as a locking shaft with a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking shaft is configured to secure the locking member when the locking shaft is in the locked position while the locking receptacle is receiving the locking member. The locking shaft rotates to switch between the locked position and the unlocked position. The locking mechanism can provide a secure lock on an object, preventing reversal of the locking mechanism and theft of the object.

Abstract: An RFID key dispenser. The tag dispenser has a simple mechanical construction that enables the tag dispenser to be located in unattended locations. The tag dispenser can, even with very simple construction, dispense a large number of tags between being restocked. Simple motions may be used to retrieve an individual tag for programming, move the tag to a programming station, and then route the tag to a dispensing portion of the tag dispenser or to a storage area for defective tags.

Abstract: A bicycle rental system and automated station that may be integrated with an automobile parking payment and management system. Users may pay for parking and/or rent and pickup bicycles at the station. The station has a meter, bicycle docks, and power plant. Transaction formalities for parking payment and rental may be handled at the meter. The bicycle docks each are adapted to secure a bicycle. The power plant uses a solar panel to collect power and stores it in energy storage device. Low-power operation may be achieved by placing some electronics in a low-power mode. Each bicycle dock may have a trigger mechanism that when activated powers on associated electronics. The bicycle docks may be divided among a number of bicycle modules. The bicycle modules provide flexibility and modularity so that the number of bicycle docks at a station may be changed.

Abstract: A bicycle rental system and automated station that may be integrated with an automobile parking payment and management system. Users may pay for parking and/or rent and pickup bicycles at the station. The station has a meter, bicycle docks, and power plant. Transaction formalities for parking payment and rental may be handled at the meter. The bicycle docks each are adapted to secure a bicycle. The power plant uses a solar panel to collect power and stores it in energy storage device. Low-power operation may be achieved by placing some electronics in a low-power mode. Each bicycle dock may have a trigger mechanism that when activated powers on associated electronics. The bicycle docks may be divided among a number of bicycle modules. The bicycle modules provide flexibility and modularity so that the number of bicycle docks at a station may be changed.

Abstract: A method for receiving a parcel to be shipped to a destination via at least one shipment provider. The method comprises receiving from a sender shipping information associated with the shipment of the parcel to be shipped, the shipping information including destination information and payment information. The method further comprises receiving at a drop-off unit the parcel to be shipped from the sender. The method further comprises associating the shipping information received from the sender with the received parcel. The method still further comprises generating at the drop-off unit a signal to be transmitted to the at least one shipment provider, the signal being indicative that at least one parcel has been received at the drop-off unit.

Abstract: A bicycle rental system and automated station that may be integrated with an automobile parking payment and management system. Users may pay for parking and/or rent and pickup bicycles at the station. The station has a meter, bicycle docks, and power plant. Transaction formalities for parking payment and rental may be handled at the meter. The bicycle docks each are adapted to secure a bicycle. The power plant uses a solar panel to collect power and stores it in energy storage device. Low-power operation may be achieved by placing some electronics in a low-power mode. Each bicycle dock may have a trigger mechanism that when activated powers on associated electronics. The bicycle docks may be divided among a number of bicycle modules. The bicycle modules provide flexibility and modularity so that the number of bicycle docks at a station may be changed.