Invented by Brown; Araine

The way we get our packages is changing fast. Drones and robots are starting to bring things right to our homes. But there’s one big problem: how do these machines safely deliver packages when no one is home? This article will walk you through a new patent application that solves this puzzle, in a way that is smart, safe, and simple. Let’s break it all down, step by step.

Background and Market Context

For a long time, getting a package meant waiting for a person to bring it to your door. Sometimes, you would miss the delivery. Other times, your box might sit outside, easy to steal or get damaged by rain. As online shopping grew, so did these problems.

Now, things are changing. Drones and small ground robots can zip around and bring things right to your home or office. The idea sounds great. No more missed deliveries. No more waiting. But there is a catch. These robots and drones need a safe way to drop off packages when no one is around. They can’t just leave them on the porch, or open your door and walk in.

People want their things to stay safe, dry, and private. Companies want to save money and time by not sending people out for every delivery. Drones and robots can help, but only if there is a way for them to leave packages in a secure spot.

Until now, most homes and buildings were not built for this. Doors and windows are made for people, not robots or drones. Some companies tried using special boxes or lockers, but these are often outside and still not very safe. Others tried having delivery robots call your phone when they arrive, but that still means you need to be home.

So, the market needed something new: a way for drones and robots to deliver packages safely inside your home or business, without anyone being there, and without making things less secure. That’s the big idea behind this patent application. It offers a way to add a “robot-friendly” door or window to any home or building, so that packages can come in safely and securely, all by themselves.

This is not just about convenience. It’s also about cutting costs for delivery companies, reducing traffic and pollution, and making the whole process safer for everyone. As more drones and robots hit the roads and skies, a system like this could become the new normal for how we all get our stuff.

Scientific Rationale and Prior Art

Let’s look at how this new idea fits into what’s already out there. Before this invention, there were a few ways people tried to solve the last step of delivery.

The most basic way was just leaving packages on the porch or in a mailbox. That’s easy, but not very safe. Boxes get stolen or ruined by weather. Some people tried using outdoor lockboxes with codes, but those are still outside and not very smart.

A few smart homes have tried to let delivery people open the front door or garage using a code or a phone app. But this means letting a stranger into your home, even just a little bit. Many people don’t like that, and it does not work well with drones or robots that can’t turn a doorknob.

On the tech side, some companies built boxes with sensors that open when a delivery truck arrives. Others have tried robotic lockers or special chutes that packages can slide down. But these systems are often big, expensive, and hard to fit into most homes or buildings. They usually work with only one kind of delivery robot or drone, not all.

Drones themselves can fly to your house or hover outside your window. But unless someone is there to open the window or door, they can’t get the package inside. Some drones can drop packages on your lawn, but that’s not very safe or private.

What was missing was a simple, secure, and automatic way for any authorized robot or drone to drop a package right into your home, without a person opening the door. It needed to work with windows or doors you already have. It had to keep out rain, wind, animals, and thieves. It also had to be smart enough to only open for the right delivery, and not for strangers or by accident.

This is where the new system comes in. It takes the best ideas from smart locks, delivery lockers, and home automation, and puts them together in a way that is easy to install and use. It uses sensors, motors, and a smart controller to make sure only the right package gets in, at the right time, and then keeps everything locked up tight until you get home.

What’s special here is how it all works together: the sensors know when a drone or robot is nearby, the controller checks if it’s allowed, and the panel opens by itself, just for that delivery. When the package comes in, it closes up again, all without anyone needing to be home or press a button. No other system before has made all these pieces work so smoothly for both homes and businesses.

Invention Description and Key Innovations

Let’s get into how this invention works, and what makes it stand out.

At its heart, the system is a special kind of smart door, window, or drawer that can open and close by itself. It’s made to fit into a spot in your house or building, like a window frame or a door, but it can also be a box you slide into place, like plugging in an air conditioner.

Here’s how it works, in simple steps:

First, the system has a strong housing—think of it as a smart window frame or a box. Inside this housing is a panel that can move: it might swing open like a door, slide like a drawer, or tilt like a window. This panel is controlled by a small motor, called an actuator.

The system is always “watching” for deliveries, using sensors. These sensors can be simple motion sensors, infrared beams, or even cameras. They are set to spot when a drone, robot, or other authorized carrier is nearby. The sensors are smart enough to tell the difference between a real delivery and just a bird flying by.

When the sensor spots a possible delivery, it tells the system’s brain—a small computer controller. This controller checks if the carrier is allowed to deliver a package. The carrier, like a drone, can send a special code, or the system can check with a web server or app to make sure this delivery is expected.

If everything checks out, the controller sends a signal to the motor, and the panel opens. Now, the drone or robot can safely put the package inside the housing. Some versions have a mesh net or special tray to catch the package so it doesn’t fall or get damaged.

Once the package is inside, another sensor checks that it’s really there. Then, after a short time, the controller closes the panel again. The system can send a message to your phone to let you know your package is safe inside.

The smart part is that the system only opens when it’s supposed to. If the wrong code is sent, or if a person tries to trick it, the panel stays shut. You can also control it from your phone or computer, or get updates about deliveries.

There are different ways to install the system. You can build it right into a window or door, or use a plug-and-play version that fits into a standard window opening. There are even drawer versions that slide out to grab a package and then slide back in to keep it safe.

The system is flexible. It works with drones that fly, robots that roll, or even just regular delivery people if needed. It’s made to keep out rain, wind, and unwanted guests. It can run on batteries or solar power, so you don’t need to plug it in.

On the tech side, the system uses easy-to-find parts: stepper motors, simple sensors, a computer chip, and wireless communication. Everything is controlled by software that you can update as new kinds of delivery robots come along. The web server can track lots of devices in different locations, making it easy for companies to manage many delivery points.

The security is strong. Only authorized deliveries can open the panel. The system can check codes, use cameras to check faces or delivery logos, and even double-check with your phone before opening. It can also keep a log of every delivery, so you always know what happened.

This invention stands out because it brings together security, automation, and easy installation. It can work in homes, offices, or even warehouses. It can talk to smart home systems, delivery company networks, and your phone all at once. It’s simple to use but very powerful.

One extra smart feature is that it can support not just packages, but also other things. For example, you could let your pet in and out by putting a special tag on their collar. The system would recognize your pet and open the door just for them, not for other animals. You could also use it for returning packages, or even for letting in friends or service people, all with the right codes.

By making the “last step” of delivery safe, smart, and easy, this system could make drone and robot delivery the new normal. It saves time, cuts costs, and keeps your things safe—even when you’re not home.

Conclusion

The world of package delivery is changing, and this new system is ready to lead the way. By making it safe and simple for drones and robots to drop off packages inside your home or office, it solves many of the problems with today’s deliveries. It keeps your things safe, saves you time, and helps delivery companies work faster and smarter. With its mix of smarts and security, this invention could soon be the heart of every modern home’s delivery system.

Click here https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/ and search 20250331668.