| 摘要 |
A network of lockerbanks (10) controlled by a remote computer system (40). In one aspect, a network of package reception terminals (50) are located at third party commercial premises (60) close to each of the lockerbanks. A package (2) is identified by the customer ID (43) of the addressee customer (3) and delivered to the commercial premises (60) proximate the customer's preferred lockerbank (10). When the customer ID is input at the package reception terminal (50), the terminal relabels the package with a new package ID (64) in a standard format, or transmits a notification (65') to the remote computer system or lockerbank, whereby the package is recognised and received in a delivery compartment (11) on arrival at the lockerbank. In another aspect, the package (2) may be received with other packages (2) in an overflow compartment (11') and then transferred later to a delivery compartment (11) for collection by the customer (3). In another aspect, deliveries may be authorised and/or allocated to a delivery compartment (11) or an overflow compartment (11') based on the target delivery time of the package (2) and the forecast future occupancy level (80) of the lockerbank (10), wherein the delivery compartments (11) are made available to receive other deliveries until the arrival of each respective package (2). The aforementioned aspects may be combined to facilitate interoperability with third party delivery systems while optimising the average occupancy and availability of the network. |
