US 12,390,038 B2
System and method of providing packing inventory sensing and management of a supply compartment for a storage receptacle
James A. Poss, Jamaica Plain, MA (US); and Jeffrey Satwicz, Waltham, MA (US)
Assigned to Big Belly Solar LLC, Needham, MA (US)
Filed by Big Belly Solar LLC, Needham, MA (US)
Filed on Apr. 1, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/623,270.
Application 18/623,270 is a continuation of application No. 16/834,405, filed on Mar. 30, 2020, granted, now 11,944,218.
Application 16/834,405 is a continuation of application No. 12/908,497, filed on Oct. 20, 2010, granted, now 10,602,867, issued on Mar. 31, 2020.
Application 12/908,497 is a continuation of application No. 11/760,381, filed on Jun. 8, 2007, abandoned.
Application 12/908,497 is a continuation of application No. 11/800,572, filed on May 7, 2007, abandoned.
Application 11/760,381 is a continuation in part of application No. 11/584,822, filed on Oct. 23, 2006, granted, now 7,481,159, issued on Jan. 27, 2009.
Application 11/584,822 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/864,566, filed on Jun. 9, 2004, granted, now 7,124,680, issued on Oct. 24, 2006.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/476,832, filed on Jun. 9, 2003.
Prior Publication US 2024/0245248 A1, Jul. 25, 2024
Int. Cl. A47G 29/22 (2006.01); A47G 29/14 (2006.01); A47G 29/20 (2006.01); A47G 29/30 (2006.01); G08B 13/18 (2006.01); H02J 7/00 (2006.01); H02J 7/35 (2006.01); H02J 9/00 (2006.01)
CPC A47G 29/22 (2013.01) [A47G 29/141 (2013.01); A47G 29/20 (2013.01); A47G 29/30 (2013.01); G08B 13/18 (2013.01); H02J 7/0048 (2020.01); H02J 7/35 (2013.01); H02J 9/002 (2013.01); H02J 9/005 (2013.01); A47G 2029/145 (2013.01); A47G 2029/148 (2013.01); H02J 7/0031 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A storage container comprising:
an enclosure comprising a storage compartment for receiving a plurality of packages from end users, wherein the storage compartment is configured to receive the plurality of packages from the end users via an insertion door but does not enable the end users to retrieve any deposited packages;
at least three sensors configured on the storage container, each respective sensor of the at least three sensors being of a different type than other sensors of the at least three sensors;
a programmable logic controller connected to each respective sensor, wherein the programmable logic controller controls at least one of the at least three sensors based on data received from one or more of the at least three sensors; and
a supply compartment for storing packaging materials and made available to the end users, the supply compartment comprising an access door and an inventory sensor, wherein the inventory sensor is configured to detect a presence of packaging materials contained within the supply compartment, wherein the programmable logic controller is connected to a battery and the inventory sensor, wherein the programmable logic controller is configured to trigger the inventory sensor when an access door sensor detects the access door is in an open position or when an insertion door sensor detects that an insertion door is in an open position.