WO2013169114A1

WO2013169114A1 - Mail delivery system and method for the delivery of mail items to such a mail delivery system

Info

Publication number: WO2013169114A1
Application number: PCT/NO2012/050081
Authority: WO
Inventors: Styrk Opheim
Original assignee: Postlogi
Priority date: 2012-05-07
Filing date: 2012-05-07
Publication date: 2013-11-14

Abstract

Mail delivery system including a modular mailbox assembly (11) with one or more mailboxes (12, 13) arranged to be publicly available, which mailbox (12, 13) being provided with a door (15) and possibly a slot (15), said door (14) being provided with an electronic lock (26) to be operated by wireless communication means. The modular mailbox assembly (11) includes at least one personal mailbox (12) of regular size arranged for receiving regular mail, such as letters and other small mail items, and at least one larger common mailbox (13) arranged for receiving larger mail items which are too larger for the personal mailbox (12), which mailboxes (12, 13) are provided with a permanent geotag for localizing each mailbox (12, 13) in an area with GPS-equipment, where the electronic lock (26) of the personal mailbox (12) is arranged to be affiliated with a permanent release code for enabling the operation of the lock (26) by means of a short range communication device (20) provided with the affiliated permanent release code, and the electronic lock (26) of the larger common mailbox (26) is arranged to be affiliated with a temporary release code for enabling the operation of the electronic lock (26) by means of a short range communication device (20) provided with the temporary release code. The invention also relates to a method for safe delivery of mail items by use if the mailbox assembly.

Description

MAIL DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE DELIVERY OF MAIL ITEMS TO SUCH A MAIL DELIVERY SYSTEM

The invention relates to a mail delivery system according to the preamble of claim 1. Especially the invention relates to a mail delivery system including a modular mailbox assembly including at least one personal mailbox and at least one common mailbox.

The invention also relates to a method for the delivery of mail items to such a mail delivery system according to the preamble of claim 18. Background

Mailboxes are used for delivery of mail in different environments and for different users.

Clusters of mailboxes may be arranged in suburban areas and in residential housings, as well as in post offices and on other places with post boxes for rent. Traditionally each subscriber has an individual key and the personnel delivering the mail have a key for serving several boxes when delivering.

The volume of letters and subscription matters, like magazines, has been reduced, while the volume of packets has increased, partly due to the growth of Internet based shopping. Delivering packets is posing a problem during the day time, when the recipients are working and nobody is available for receiving packets which are too large to be placed in an original mailbox.

Theft from mailboxes is a growing problem in several countries. Bank cards, ID-carrying mail, personal information, and small packets are sought by criminals.

Current available mailboxes do not provide the desirable security against such abuse.

A further weakness of prior art mailboxes and mail delivery systems is the lack of

communication on the presence of mail or packets in the mailbox. In Norwegian patent specification 309073 is an inconvenient system for signaling the presence of a mail item in a mailbox described.

There is also no satisfactory arrangement for communicating desires regarding advertising items. Some receivers are strictly against receiving such items, other allow all or a part of such material.

In US patent 7,123,147 a mailbox with an electronic programmed access door is described. This system will not allow any communication from or to the mail delivering party.

US Pat. 6,300,873 (Kucharczyk) describes a locking mechanism wherein a request for an access code for a locking mechanism is received. A one-time use access code for the locking mechanism is subsequently issued. Such a code may be issued by a server, which server is further responsible for updating the list of available access codes. This system may be suitable for infrequent use, for instance for the delivery of packets. But it is not suitable for the regular, daily delivery of mail.

US Pat. 6,756,879 (Shuster) is describing another system delivering a one-time access code for a security box. This system will not be suitable for regular mail delivery, allowing the receiver convenient daily access to a mailbox or another security box served on a regular base.

US 20030052778 Al (Wong) is describing a system to update delivery and inventory status for an aggregate of remote mailboxes. The system is based on sensors in the mailboxes with report to a computer system. The computer in turn dispatches reports and information to various owners and vendors via a remote network operation center accessed through a dedicated line, a wireless service or an Internet Service Provider.

US Pat. 6,275,154 (Bennett et al) is describing a mail alerting system which is not changing the security of the mail delivery.

From WO 01/80695 it is known a locking mechanism for use with one-time access code. As an example the locking mechanism is used in secure storage devices for the delivery and pickup of goods that require security. This solution is however not arranged for the reception of regular mail, like letters and similar.

WO 2008/145824 describes a mail delivery system, especially a mail delivery system concerning mail slots arranged in doors, with special attention to the security of the mail slot in the door against burglary and vandalism.

WO 02/31778 describes a wireless locking system which includes the use of electronic keys.

None of the mentioned systems are suitable for the delivery of both regular mail and lager mail items, like packets, and which in addition is increasing the security in the delivery of both the regular mail items and of the more infrequent packets not fitting into a regular sized mailbox. Object

The main object of the invention is to provide a method and a system for delivery of mail items and packets, which will increase safety of the delivered mail items.

It is further an object of the invention to provide a method and system which is flexible for expansion to deliver non-regular, large sized items, such as packets, in addition to the regular mail items.

Another object is to provide a method and a system resulting in more convenient delivery of regular mail items together with the delivery of larger mail items, such as packets, compared to prior art. It is further an object of the invention to provide a method and a system which makes it possible to deliver packets at local mailbox clusters or corresponding mail outlets without assistance of post or delivery personnel.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a system and a method which increases the safety of the novel system against abuse due to unauthorized penetration into the communication and locking system.

The invention

A system according to the invention is described in claim 1. Preferable features of the system are described in claims 2-17.

A method according to the invention is described in claim 18. Preferable features of the method are described in claims 19-28.

The novel mail delivery system includes a modular mailbox assembly including at least one personal mailbox of regular size and at least one larger common mailbox arranged to be publicly available, which mailboxes are being provided with a door provided with an electronic lock for remote operation. The personal mailbox is preferably further provided with a slot in the door, which personal mailboxes are intended for regular mail, such as letters and other small mail items. The larger common mailbox has a larger size than the personal mailbox and is accommodated for the receiving larger mail items, such as packets. The latter common mailbox is a shared mailbox, while the former is the mail receiver's personal mailbox. The latter mailbox is preferably without a slot in the door. The mailboxes of the modular mailbox assembly are, as mentioned, provided with an electronic lock for the opening and locking of the door, which lock is provided with short range wireless communication means so that the electronic lock may be operated by a short range wireless communication device. The short range wireless communication means may also be arranged external of the electronic lock and connected to the electronic lock with suitable means. The personal mailboxes are preferably affiliated with a permanent release code while the common larger mailboxes are preferably affiliated with a temporary release code for operating the electronic lock.

All mailboxes are preferably designated a unique geotag, which geotag may be included in a GPS-map for localizing each mailbox unit in an area with GPS-equipment.

The short range wireless communication device is preferably also provided with communication means for enabling it to be programmed from a PC or a mobile phone. It can also be arranged for Bluetooth communication and similar wireless communication. The mail delivery system further includes a centrally located mail delivery communication unit, normally arranged at one or more central locations for mail delivery, such as a sorting central for mail, and operated by staff of a delivering company or mail system. The mail delivery

communication unit is provided with communication means for communication via a

communication network with a handheld communication unit to be used by mail delivering personnel. The handheld communication unit is preferably provided with short range

communication means for communicating with the communication means of the mailbox and communication means for communicating with the mail delivery communication unit.

The electronic lock is a lock especially designed for mailboxes. The electronic lock is preferably a two point lock for enhanced security. The electronic lock is preferably powered by a battery where locking elements are operated by an electrical motor. The electronic lock is further preferably provided with springs to make the electronic lock a snap lock and for biased returning of the locking elements to locked position after the opening signal is ended. The electronic lock is provided with a PCB and communication means for short range wireless communication adapted for communicating with the short range communication device for receiving a release code and the handheld communication unit of the delivery personnel. In this way the lock can be opened without physical contact.

In addition to the electronic lock being arranged to be opened by a dedicated communication device, the electronic lock may also be opened by a cell phone, smartphone, PDA or similar provided with short range communication means.

The release codes are sent from the centrally arranged mail delivery communication unit to the user. The user can next either use his/her phone, smartphone or similar to provide the electronic lock with the release code or the communication device with the provided code. A time limited code is especially used for the common mailboxes for larger mail items, while a permanent code is used for the user's personal mailbox for receiving regular mail.

In this way the user will have an own dedicated electronic key, i.e. the short range

communication device, for his/her personal mailbox for regular mail, while the user will use either the communication device or a cell phone, smartphone or similar to open the larger common mailbox when for example a packet is delivered. If the user desires to use the short range communication device he/she will need access to a computer for providing it with the time limited code. The short range communication device may also be arranged for communication with a cell phone, smartphone, PDA or similar for getting the code.

It is the mail delivering personnel who sets the time limited code on the common mailbox. The mail delivering personnel may also use the permanent code which is assigned to the user's personal mailbox for receiving regular mail, as this result in that the user will not need to do anything with the short range communication unit or download temporary release codes to be able to open the common mailbox.

The mailboxes are further preferably provided with visual notification means for alerting the user that mail or packets are delivered to the mailbox. The visual notification means are further arranged for providing a signal to the mail delivering personnel if the delivery is not collected within a time limit. The mail personnel will then take the delivery out of the mailbox and bring it back to the main facility of the mail delivery company.

The user may also use the personal mailbox or common mailbox to send mail or packets. For this the notification means are arranged to notify the mail delivery personnel that the personal or common mailbox includes mail or packets to be collected. For this the mailbox can be provided with a switch or the electronic key may be arranged to send a signal to the PCB of the mailbox to set a "mail to collected" signal.

The communication means of the handheld communication unit is preferably arranged as a master key which is able to open all mailboxes desired as the mail delivery personnel is approaching a cluster of mailboxes, i.e. the modular mailbox assembly. The handheld

communication unit may further be arranged for logging date and time for delivery and pickup.

The electronic lock is preferably arranged for returning to locked position within a time limit so that no activation is need for locking the mailboxes. By the electronic lock being arranged as a snap lock, the door of the mailboxes can be closed and the mailboxes are locked.

As the mail personnel has delivered the mail items in the mailboxes, the mail personnel uses the handheld communication device to notify the central mail delivery communication unit which again sends a message to the receiver via SMS, email or similar.

The number of personal mailboxes and common mailboxes of the modular mailbox assembly can be increased or decreased according to the needs.

A method according to the invention for safe delivery of mail items to a modular mailbox assembly as described above can be summarized in the following steps:

- affiliating the electronic lock of a personal mailbox with a permanent release code,

- affiliating the electronic lock of a common mailbox with a temporary release code,

- authorizing a receiver to open the electronic lock with the affiliated release codes,

- providing a short range communication device for remote opening of the electronic lock with the affiliated release codes.

The affiliation of the release code to the mailbox is performed by the use of the handheld communication device of the mail delivery personnel or is pre-set at the time of manufacturing. A pre-set release code of the mailbox may be changed by use of the handheld communication device if desired. The short range communication device may be provided with a pre-set release code or provided by a release code by connecting it to a computer, cell phone, smartphone, PDA or similar.

The method further preferably includes a step of registering that a mail item is delivered and sending a signal/message to a central mail delivery communication unit by means of a handheld communication device.

The method further preferably includes a step of sending a message, such as a delivery notice, to a receiver from a mail delivery communication unit.

The method further preferably includes a step of releasing a return message from the mailbox at the withdrawal of the mail item. The return message is picked up as the handheld

communication device is within the vicinity of mailbox.

The method further includes providing a visual notification on the mailbox when a mail item is disposed in the mailbox, by setting a light, such as a LED. The colour of the visual notification is preferably changes depending on if it is a mail item to be picked up by the receiver or mail personnel.

The method further includes providing a visual or audible alert at the lack of battery capacity, malfunction of the electronic lock, insufficiently closed mailbox door or other malfunction.

The method further includes opening all desired mailboxes of a modular mailbox assembly as the mail delivery personnel is within a pre-set vicinity of the modular mailbox assembly, preferably only mailboxes where mail or packets are to be delivered to, and mailboxes containing mail or packets to be collected by the mail delivery personnel are opened.

The method further includes locking the lock after a pre-set time is elapsed.

Further details of the invention will appear from the following example description.

Example

The invention will below be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is showing a modular mailbox assembly and an embodiment of a communication system which is suitable for carrying out the method of the invention,

Figure 2 is showing a perspective view of a mailbox which can be used in a mail delivery system according to the invention,

Figure 3a shows details of a lock mechanism in locked position, and

Figure 3b shows details of the lock mechanism in unlocked position.

Reference is now made to Figure 1 which shows a modular mailbox assembly 11 according to the invention including personal regularly sized mailboxes 12 and common larger mailboxes 13, arranged in a mailbox stand in a building or similar. In the shown example the mailbox assembly 11 includes four personal mailboxes 12 for regular mail, such as letters and other small mail items, and with one common larger mailbox 13 for larger mail items, notably packets. The modular mailbox assembly 11 is preferably a modular mailbox assembly such that the number of personal and common mailboxes can be increased or decreased according to the needs. The mailboxes 12, 13 may be arranged at a post office, in a residential building or in a cluster in a suburban area.

Each of the personal mailboxes 12 is affiliated to a private or business subscribers intended for the daily delivery of mail to the respective subscribers. The affiliation and purpose of common mailbox 13 will be further described below.

Each personal mailbox 12 is provided with a door 14 with a slot 15, described in more detail with reference to Figure 2.

The mail delivery system according to the invention further includes a centrally located mail delivery communication unit 16, normally arranged at one or more locations central to the delivery of the mail and operated by staff of a delivering company or mail system.

The mail delivery communication unit 16 may be in the form of a computer 17 with a communication unit 18, preferably a GMS communication unit. The communication unit 18 implies communications through a communication network 19, preferably a GMS network, with SMS or e- mails. The communication unit 16 is preferably provided with a web based database containing information on the receiver/subscriber, such as receiver register, addresses to mailboxes, persons living at the actual addresses, geotags for the actual address and similar information. It is further arranged for receiving and processing SMS messages or email messages and arranged for sending information on the form of SMS messages or email. It is preferably also arranged for containing other information, such as holiday messages, redirection information, etc.

A further part of this mail delivery system is an electronic key in the form of a short range communication device 20 with a battery powered short range wireless communication means, preferably an F-circuit, to emit a signal to an electronic lock 29 of the mailbox 12, 13. The short range communication device 20 is provided for a subscriber or mail receiver 21. The short range communication device 20 may be provided with a USB connection or similar, to be programmed from a PC or a mobile phone. It can also be arranged for Bluetooth communication and similar wireless communication.

The mail receiver 21 is also shown with a mobile phone 22 connected to the communication network 19, via which the mail receiver 21 can be notified of delivered mail.

A further part of the mail delivery system is a handheld communication unit 23 which is to be used by mail delivery personnel 24. In an embodiment the handheld communication unit 23 may incorporate a mobile phone or smartphone to allow the mail personnel 24 to communicate with the mail delivery communication unit 16 and with the subscriber or mail receiver 21.

The larger common mailbox 13 is provided for accommodating packets, i.e. lager mail pieces which are too large to be deposited in the personal regularly sized mailbox 12.

The mailboxes 12, 13 have been designated a unique geotag. This geotag may be included in a GPS-map for localizing each mailbox unit in an area with GPS equipment.

Figure 2 is showing an open personal mailbox 12 according to an embodiment of the invention. The illustrated personal mailbox 12 is sized to accommodate a packet 25 which fit into a modular system of the delivery company, preferably in an international system. The packet 25 should be sized for the delivery of books, pharmaceuticals, small textile items, and other small goods vended through Internet and delivered by mail or corresponding delivery services.

An electronic lock 26 is included in the mailbox 12 to hold a catch 27 on the mailbox door 14 or the electronic lock 26 is arranged to the door 14 and the catch 27 is arranged in the mailbox 12. The design of the electronic lock 26 may be based on prior art technology, with an

electromechanical system for receiving an opening command by a wireless signal. The electronic lock 26 may have a two point locking for enhanced security. The catch 27 is adapted to the electronic lock 26.

Reference is now made to Figures 3a-b which show a preferable embodiment an electronic lock 26 according to the invention, in a locked position and open position, respectively.

According to the invention the electronic lock 26 includes an enclosure body 50, preferably with a rectangular shape, which enclosure body 50 is provided with means (not shown) for arrangement to an inner surface of the mailbox 12, 13 or to the door 14. Preferably the catch 27 has a mainly rectangular shape with a size slightly larger than the size of the enclosure body 50. The lock 26 is provided with one or more locking elements 51 arranged to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the enclosure body 50, to be protruding out of the enclosure body 50 in locking position and contained within the enclosure body 50 in open position. Preferably the lock 26 includes two locking elements 51 arranged at opposite sides of the enclosure body 50. The locking elements 51 are made of a mainly rectangular body 52 and a sloping locking plunger 53 at one side of the rectangular body 52. The locking elements 51 are arranged in suitable

compartments of the enclosure body 50.

The lock 26 further includes driving means in the form of an electric motor 54 for movement of the locking elements 51 between a locking position and an opening position. The electric motor 54 is preferably powered by batteries 55.

The electric motor 54 is controlled by a PCB 56 which is arranged to a communication unit 57 for short range communication and to the batteries 55. For the movement of the locking elements 51 between locked position and open position the lock 26 is provided with one or more spirals 58 which are connected to a cogwheel 59 via suitable connections 60 at one end and rotatably arranged to the locking element 51 at the other end. To the spirals 58 are arranged nuts 61 which are further arranged inside the rectangular body 52 of the locking element 51. The lock 26 further includes springs 62 which are arranged on the spirals 58, between one the side of the rectangular body 52 facing the locking plungers 53 and nut 61 for providing the locking elements 51 with a snap lock function and for biased returning of the locking elements 51. The cogwheel 59 is arranged to the electric motor 54 via suitable transmission means 63, such as one or more cogwheels 64. The electric motor 54 can of course be arranged directly to the cogwheel 59, but by using several cogwheels the motor requirements are lower and accordingly the motor is cheaper. The lock 26 further preferably is provided with a switch 65 to provide information to the electric motor 54 of the position of the locking elements 51.

In this way there is provided a lock which can be operate by an electric motor 54 by sending an opening signal via the short range communication device 20, 23. When a verified signal is received the motor 54 will rotate, resulting in that the cogwheel 59 rotates and the spirals 58 rotates with it, resulting in that the nuts 61 are moving towards the cogwheel 59. This movement of the nuts 61 will results in that also the locking elements 51 are moved towards the cogwheel 59 and the locking plungers 53 are brought into the enclosure body 50 by that the nuts 61 are pulling the locking elements 51. As the locking plungers 53 are inside the enclosure body 50 the lock 26 is in an open position, the locking plungers 53 are out of the catch 27 and the door 15 of the mailbox 12, 13 can be opened.

The lock 29 is preferably provided with a time activated lock function. After a pre-set time force built up in the spring will return the locking elements 51 to locking position. By that the locking elements 51 are provided with a snap lock function, the locking elements 51 will yield as the door 15 is closed. As the locking plungers 53 enters an recessed area of the catch 27, the force of the springs 62 will result in that the locking elements 51 are brought into locking position with the catch 27.

The mail boxes 12, 13 are preferably further provided with means for visual notifying in the form of a LED 28 or a corresponding signalling device is included in the mailbox door 15 or a surface of the mailbox 12, 13, as shown in Figure 1. The LED 28 may signal various states of operation, lacking battery capacity, malfunction of the electronic lock 26, insufficiently closed mailbox door 15 or other malfunction. The LED 28 may also signal that mail or packets are present in the mailbox 12, 13 for the receiver or for the collection of mail personnel, preferably with different colours. For the subscriber/receiver to be able to send mail or packets, the mailbox 12, 13 is, for example, provided with a switch which the user can activate to inform the mail delivery personnel that an item is ready for sending, and at the same time the LED light is activated with a special colour informing the delivery personnel that a sending is ready. Alternatively the short range

communication device is arranged to send a signal to the mailbox 12, 13 for setting the LED light.

A thought scenario will now be described. As the delivery personnel starts a working day he/her receives a list from the communication unit 16 informing the delivery personnel of addresses, geotags and information on where mail is to be delivered to. This information preferably also contains release codes for mailboxes 12, 13 to deliver to that day. The delivery personnel may use a GPS to find the correct address and correct mailbox 12, 13. As the delivery personnel is approaching the modular mailbox assembly 11, for example one meter away, the mailboxes 12, 13 to which mail is to be delivered are automatically opened by that the handheld communication unit sends the correct release codes to the mailboxes 12, 13. At this stage also mailboxes 12, 13 containing mail or packets to be picked up are opened. As the delivery personnel has closed the mailboxes 12, 13 he/her uses the handheld communication unit to sends a message to the central communication unit that mail is delivered. The central communication unit then sends a message to the receiver that mail or packets are disposed in the mailboxes 12, 13. If the receiver has received mail or packets in a common mailbox 13, i.e. the larger mailbox 13, the receiver is provided with a temporary release code to open this. Alternatively the mail delivery personnel has affiliated the common mailbox 13 with the permanent code of the receiver's personal mail box 12, which he/her normally uses for opening the mailbox 12 containing regular mail. The delivery personnel may also set a time limit for the use of this temporary or permanent code, which the receiver is informed about in the message from the central communication unit.

As the delivery personnel have delivered the last mail on the route, the handheld

communication unit is used to send a log of the route and happenings to the central

communication unit.

Modifications

The slot 15 may be provided with a lid which can be locked from the inside.

The mailboxes may be operated by a cell phone, smartphone, or PDA if it is compatible with the mailbox.

The mailbox may be provided with means for charging the batteries by a renewable energy source, such as a solar panel arranged to the mailbox.

The mailbox may be provided with means for using the power of the short range

communication device as backup power for the mailbox. The short range communication device may be provided with means for giving the receiver a notice as mail is disposed in the mailbox.

Claims

1. Mail delivery system including a modular mailbox assembly (11) with one or more mailboxes (12, 13) arranged to be publicly available, which mailbox (12, 13) being provided with a door (15) and possibly a slot (15), said door (14) being provided with an electronic lock (26) to be operated by wireless communication means, characterized in that the modular mailbox assembly (11) includes at least one personal mailbox (12) of regular size arranged for receiving regular mail, such as letters and other small mail items, and at least one larger common mailbox (13) arranged for receiving larger mail items which are too large for the personal mailbox (12), which mailboxes (12, 13) are provided with a permanent geotag for localizing each mailbox (12, 13) in an area with GPS- equipment,

where the electronic lock (26) of the personal mailbox (12) is arranged to be affiliated with a permanent release code for enabling the operation of the lock (26) by means of a short range communication device (20) provided with the affiliated permanent release code, and the electronic lock (26) of the larger common mailbox (26) is arranged to be affiliated with a temporary release code for enabling the operation of the electronic lock (26) by means of a short range communication device (20) provided with the temporary release code.

2. Mail delivery system according to claim 1, characterized in that the short range wireless communication device (20) is provided with communication means for enabling it to be programmed from a PC, smartphone, PDA or a mobile phone.

3. Mail delivery system according to claim 1, characterized in it includes a centrally located mail delivery communication unit (16), provided with communication means for communication via a communication network (19).

4. Mail delivery system according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a handheld communication unit (23) to be used by mail delivering personnel (24), which handheld communication unit (23) is provided with short range communication means for communicating with the communication means of the mailbox (12, 13) and communication means for communicating with the mail delivery communication unit (16).

5. Mail delivery system according to claim 4, characterized in that handled communication unit (23) is arranged for setting the temporary release code on the common mailbox.

6. Mail delivery system according to claim 4, characterized in that the handheld communication unit (23) is provided with permanent and temporary release codes to work as a master key which is able to open all desired mailboxes (12, 13) in the mailbox assembly (11) as the mail delivery personnel (24) is approaching the mailbox assembly (11).

7. Mail delivery system according to claim 4, characterized in that the handheld communication unit (23) is arranged for logging date and time for delivery and/or pickup.

8. Mail delivery system according to claim 4, characterized in that the handheld communication unit (23) is arranged for transferring a temporary or permanent release code to a dedicated lock

(26), and to transfer a message to the mail delivery communication unit (16) of delivered mail.

9. Mail delivery system according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic lock (26) is provided with a PCB (56) for controlling the electronic lock (26) and communication means (57) for short range wireless communication adapted for communicating with the short range

communication device (20), cell phone, smartphone, PDA or similar provided with short range communication means for receiving a release code, and with the handheld communication unit (23) for receiving a release code or setting a release code.

10. Mail delivery system according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic lock (26) is specially designed for the mailbox (12, 13), and which lock (26) is provided with two locking elements (51) for enhanced security, which locking elements (51) are operated by an electric motor (54) being powered by one or more batteries (55).

11. Mail delivery system according to claim 10, characterized in that the electronic lock (26) is provided with one or more springs (62) to provide the electronic lock (26) with a snap lock function and for biased returning of the locking elements (51) to locked position after an opening signal is ended.

12. Mail delivery system according to claim 10, characterized in that the lock (26) is provided with a switch (65) to provide information to the electric motor (54) of the position of the locking elements (51).

13. Mail delivery system according to claim 3, characterized in that mail delivery communication unit (16) is arranged to send a message to a receiver (21) informing of temporary release code and/or delivered mail.

14. Mail delivery system according to claim 1, characterized in that the mailbox (12, 13) are provided with means (28) for visual notification of mail being delivered to the mailbox (12, 13), which means are arranged to the door (14) or a surface of the mailbox (12, 13), which visual notification also signals one or more of: lack of battery capacity, malfunction of the lock, insufficiently closed mailbox door or other malfunction.

15. Mail delivery system according claim 14, characterized in that the means (28) for visual notification are arranged for:

- providing a signal to the mail personnel (24) if the delivery is not collected within a pre-set time limit, and

- notifying the mail delivery personnel (24) that the mailbox (12, 13) includes mail items to be collected.

16. Mail delivery system according to claim 9, characterized in that the mailbox (12, 13) is provided with a switch or that the short range communication device is a sending a signal to the PCB of the mailbox (12, 13) to set a "mail to collected" signal on the means for notification (28).

17. Mail delivery system according to claim 3, characterized in that the central mail delivery communication unit (16) is provided with a web based database containing information on the receiver/subscriber, such as receiver register, addresses to mailboxes, persons living at the actual addresses, geotags for the actual address and similar information, and arranged for:

- receiving and processing SMS messages or email messages and arranged for sending information on the form of SMS messages or email, and

- arranged for containing other information, such as holiday messages, redirection information, etc.

18. Method for providing safe delivery of mail items to a mailbox assembly (11) of a mail delivery system according to claims 1-17, characterized in that includes the following steps:

- affiliating the electronic lock (26) of a personal mailbox (12) with a permanent release code,

- affiliating the electronic lock (26) of a common mailbox (13) with a temporary release code, - authorizing a receiver to open the electronic lock (26) with the affiliated release codes, - providing a short range communication device (20) for remote opening of the electronic lock (26) with the affiliated release codes.

19. Method according to claim 18, characterized in that the affiliation of the electronic temporary release code to the common mailbox (13) is performed by the use of a handheld communication device (23) of a mail delivery personnel (24) and that the electronic permanent release code of the personal mailbox (12) is pre-set at the time of manufacturing.

20. Method according to claim 19, characterized in that a pre-set permanent release code of the personal mailbox (12) is changed by use of the handheld communication device (23).

21. Method according to claim 18, characterized by providing the short range communication device (20) a pre-set release code or providing it with a temporary release code by connecting it to a computer, cell phone, smartphone, PDA or similar.

22. Method according to any one of the claims 18-21, characterized in that the method includes a step of registering that a mail item is delivered and sending a signal/message to a central mail delivery communication unit (16) by means of the handheld communication device (23).

23. Method according to any one of the claims 18-22, characterized in that the method includes a step of sending a message, such as a delivery notice, to a receiver from the mail delivery communication unit (16).

24. Method according to any one of the claims 18-23, characterized in that the method includes a step of releasing a return message from the mailbox (12, 13) at the withdrawal of the disposed mail item, which return message is picked up as the handheld communication device (20) is within the vicinity of mailbox (12, 13).

25. Method according to any one of the claims 18-24, characterized in that the method includes providing a visual notification on the mailbox (12, 13) when a mail item is disposed in the mailbox

(12, 13), which visual notification changes depending on if it is a mail item to be picked up by the receiver or mail delivery personnel.

26. Method according to any one of claims 18-25, characterized in that the method includes providing a visual or audible notification on the mailbox (12, 13) at the lack of battery capacity, malfunction of the lock, insufficiently closed mailbox door (15) or other malfunction.

27. Method according to any one of claims 18-26, characterized in that the method includes opening all desired mailboxes (12, 13) as the mail delivery personnel is within a pre-set vicinity of the mailboxes (12, 13), especially mailboxes where mail items are to be delivered to, and mailboxes (12, 13) containing mail items to be collected by the mail delivery personnel.

28. Method according to any one of claims 18-27, characterized in that the method includes setting the electronic lock (26) in locked position after a pre-set time is elapsed.