Description A LETTER BOX

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a registered mail box, and more particularly to a registered mail box capable of confirming a receipt of a registered mail or a postal package from the receiver thereof, even though the receiver is away from the receiving area during delivery of the registered mail or the postal package. Background Art

[2] Generally, during delivery of the registered mail or the postal package, the mailmen delivers it to the receiver or the people around him and then, receives his stamp or sign.

[3] However, where the receiver or the people around him are away from the receiving area, it is impossible to deliver the registered mail or the postal package. After all, the mailmen again calls at the receiving area covering 2-3 times, so that it can be transmitted in case of staying at the receiving area.

[4] Accordingly, where the receiver or the people around him are away from the receiving area, since the mailmen can deliver the registered mail or the postal package through a several revisit, there is a problem in that the efficiency of the mail delivery can be deteriorated.

[5] Also, there is an inconvenience in that the receiver continuously waits for the mailmen in the mail receiving area so as to receive the registered mail or the postal package.

[6]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[7] Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a registered mail box in that a mailmen can deliver a registered mail or a postal package to a mail receiving area and the receiver can check out the delivery thereof at a long distance, even though the receiver is away from the receiving area during delivery of the registered mail or the postal package. Technical Solution

[8] To accomplish the objects, the present invention provides A registered mail box having a body having a receiving space for receiving a registered mail or a postal package and a door for opening and closing the receiving space comprising: a card checking portion formed at an outside of the body and for inserting a card of a mailman therein, scanning the inserted card, and reading an information of the card; a

door opening and closing portion for opening the door or maintaining a locking status of the door in a state that it is mounted on the body and the door; a mail input checking portion formed at the body and for detecting a receiving status of the registered mail or the postal package during opening of the door through the door opening and closing portion and generating a mail receipt signal; a communication portion formed at the body and connected to the communication device of the receiver and for communicating the mailmen with the receiver; a mail receipt confirming portion formed at the body and for generating a mail receipt confirming signal of detecting a receipt confirmation of the registered mail or the postal package according to an input of a password received from the communication device of the receiver; a checking sign output portion formed at the body and for printing a receipt checking sign of the receiver on a receipt identification card injected by the mailmen where the mail receipt confirming signal is generated; a memory for storing a card information for confirming the mailmen, a receiver contact address for communicating with the communication device of the receiver, the password for checking out the mail confirmation, and the receiver sign data for checking mail receit confirmation; and a controller for controlling the door opening and closing portion by comparing the card information read from the card checking portion with card information stored in the memory, receiving the mail receipt signal, controlling the communication portion for connecting to the communication device of the receiver established previously according to the received mail receipt signal, receiving the mail receipt confirming signal, and controlling the checking sign output portion according to the received mail receipt confirming signal.

[9] Preferably, the mail input checking portion comprises a mail receipt detecting sensor for detecting the registered mail or the postal package received in the receiving space and generating the mail receipt signal.

[10] Preferably, the mail input checking portion further comprises an image input camera for photographing the registered mail or the postal package received in the receiving space and generating an image signal thereof, the image signal generated from the image input camera being transmitted to a communication device of the receiver through the controller.

[11] Preferably, the door comprises a first door of a transparent material for blocking the receiving space formed at the outside of body and a second door located at the outside of the first door and the controller allows the image input camera to be controlled so as to photograph the registered mail or the postal package received in the receiving space and generate the image signal, where the mailmen closes the first door in a state that the registered mail or the postal package is inputted in the receiving space of the body.

[12] Preferably, the door comprises a first door of a transparent material for blocking the

receiving space formed at the outside of body, a second door located at the outside of the first door, and a connector formed at the body and electrically connected to the terminal of the mailmen capable of photographing and sending the image to receive an image signal from a terminal of the mailmen, and the controller allows the communication portion to be controlled so as to transmit the image signal received through the connector to the communication device of the receiver, where the first door closes the receiving space in a state that the registered mail or the postal package is inputted in the receiving space of the body.

[13] Preferably, the communication device of the receiver is any one of a wire communication terminal installed at a mail receiving area and a wireless communication terminal possessed by the receiver and a wireless communication module connected to the wireless communication terminal of the receiver is further formed at the inside of the body in case of the wireless communication terminal.

[14] Preferably, the wire communication terminal is an interphone and the wireless communication terminal is a cellular phone.

[15] Preferably, the interphone comprises a handset, a body door opening button for opening the door of the body, a parcel authentication button for authenticating a receipt checking of the registered mail or the postal package received in the receiving area of the body, and a displaying window.

[16] Preferably, the communication portion comprises a microphone for receiving a sound of the mailmen and a speaker for outputting the sound of the receiver during talking over the telephone between the mailmen and the receiver.

[17] Preferably, a password input button portion formed at the outside of the body and for inputting the password informed through the receiver by means of the mailmen thereon and the mail receipt confirming portion serves to generate the mail receipt confirming signal where any one of the password received from the communication device of the receiver and the password inputted through the password input button portion by means of the mailmen.

[18] Preferably, the checking sign output portion comprises an identification card inlet for receiving the receipt identification card possessed by the mailmen and a printing device for displaying the sign of the receiver on the receipt identification card injected through the identification card inlet.

[19] Preferably, the registered mail box further comprises a bell button portion for ringing the bell of the interphone located at the receiving area of the mail so as to check out existence and nonexistence of the receiver connected to the interphone and an external confirmation camera for allowing the receiver or the resident located at the receiving area of the mail to confirm the external mailmen through the interphone in case that the bell of the interphone rings through the bell button portion.

[20] Preferably, the registered mail box further comprises: an emergency situation detecting portion formed at the interphone and for detecting a gas generated in the receiving area of the mail, detecting an abnormal temperature of an inside of the receiving area of the mail during a fire, generating an emergency sound signal during detection of an emergency sound of a resident resided in the receiving area of the mail, and receiving an image signal of an inside of the receiving area; and an emergency situation display portion formed at the body and for outputting the image of the inside of the receiving area of the mail during operation of the emergency situation detecting portion, displaying an emergency signal, and generating an emergency situation sound through the handset portion.

[21] Preferably, the emergency situation detecting portion comprises a gas detecting sensor for detecting the gas generated in the receiving area of the mail, a thermometer sensor for detecting the abnormal temperature of the inside of the receiving area of the mail, and an emergency sound detecting sensor for detecting the emergency sound during generation of the emergency sound of the resident stored in a memory; and a receiving area camera for photographing the image of inside of the receiving area while any one signal of the detecting signals generated from the gas detecting sensor, the thermometer sensor, and the emergency sound detecting sensor is generated.

[22] Preferably, the emergency situation display portion comprises a receiving area displaying portion for receiving the image signal generated from the receiving area camera of the emergency situation detecting portion to be outputted and an emergency winker for emitting light during generation of any one signal of the detecting signals generated from the gas detecting sensor, the thermometer sensor, and the emergency sound detecting sensor.

[23] Preferably, the emergency situation display portion further comprises an emergency situation button for operating the receiving area displaying portion and the receiving area camera of the emergency situation detecting portion.

[24] Preferably, the controller serves to transmit an emergency signal to all contact address stored in the memory through the communication portion during operation of any one of the gas detecting sensor, the thermometer sensor, and the emergency sound detecting sensor.

[25] Preferably, the registered mail box further comprises a mail delivery request button for generating a mail delivery request signal in a state that the registered mail or the postal package are received in the receiving space of the body so as to request a delivery of the registered mail or the postal package by means of the resident of the mail receiving area and the controller receives the mail delivery request signal from the mail delivery request button and then, send the received mail delivery request signal to a terminal of a delivery enterprise through the communication portion.

[26] Preferably, the controller receives a part of the password from the password input button and the remaining password from the communication device of the receiver and then, compares a mixed password with a password stored in the memory, whereby printing a receipt checking sign of the receiver on a receipt identification card injected by the mailmen where the combined password is the same as the password stored in the memory.

[27] To accomplish the objects, the present invention provides another registered mail box having a body having a receiving space for receiving a registered mail or a postal package, a door for opening and closing the receiving space, and a control box coupled to the body comprising: an authentication signal receiving portion for receiving a recognition signal of a communication terminal possessed by the mailmen formed at the control box; a contact address display portion for displaying the receiver contact address during confirmation of the mailmen according to the recognition signal received in the authentication signal receiving portion formed at the control box; a password input button portion formed at the control box and for inputting a password received through a voice of the receiver during talking over the telephone between the mailmen and the receiver displayed on the contact address display portion through the terminal thereof; a door opening and closing portion for opening the door or maintaining a locking status of the door in a state that it is mounted on the body and the door; a memory formed at the control box and for storing the authentication recognition signal, the receiver contact address information for displaying the receiver contact on the contact address display portion, and the password for opening the door; and a controller formed at the control box and for displaying the receiver contact address on the contact address display portion in case that the recognition signal rec eived in the authentication signal receiving portion coincides with the authentication recognition signal stored in the memory and opening the door through the door opening and closing portion in case that the password inputted into the password input button portion coincides with the password for receipt confirmation stored in the memory.

[28] Preferably, the communication terminal is a PDA or a cellular phone capable of performing an Infra-red Data Communications and the authentication signal receiving portion has an infra-red data communication receiver communicated with the communication terminal.

[29] Preferably, the controller receives a part of the password from the password input button and the remaining password from the communication device of the receiver and then, compares a mixed password with a password stored in the memory, whereby opening the door through the door opening and closing portion, where the combined password is the same as the password stored in the memory.

[30]

Advantageous Effects

[31] As can be seen from the foregoing, according to the registered mail box of the present invention, there are effects in that the receiver can check out the receipt of the registered mail or the postal package received in the receiving area of the body through the communication device and can issue the receipt confirmation sign to the mailmen, even though the receiver is away from the receiving area, whereby the registered mail or the postal package can be easily delivered without revisit of the mailmen. Brief Description of the Drawings

[32] The above as well as the other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[33] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a registered mail box according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[34] FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view illustrating an inner structure of a body of FIG. l;

[35] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a registered mail box according to one embodiment of the present invention; [36] FIG. 4 is an entire perspective view illustrating an interphone according to one embodiment of the present invention; [37] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a registered mail box according to another embodiment of the present invention; [38] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a registered mail box according to further another embodiment of the present invention; [39] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a registered mail box according to further another embodiment of the present invention; [40] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a registered mail box according to further another embodiment of the present invention; [41] FIG. 9 is an entire perspective view illustrating a registered mail box according to further another embodiment of the present invention; [42] FIG. 10 is a partially exploded view illustrating a registered mail box according to further another embodiment of the present invention; and [43] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a registered mail box according to further another embodiment of the present invention. [44]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [45] A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in detail below with

reference to the accompanying drawings.

[46] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a registered mail box according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view illustrating an inner structure of a body of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a registered mail box according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an entire perspective view illustrating an interphone according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[47] As shown in the drawings, the registered mail box 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a body 10 having a receiving space 11 for receiving a registered mail or a postal package and a door 20 for opening and closing the receiving space 11.

[48] Here, preferably, the door 20 has a general mail receipt hole 21 capable of inserting the general mail into the receiving space 11 by means of a mailman.

[49] The registered mail box 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes a card checking portion 100, a door opening and closing portion 200, a mail input checking portion 300, a communication portion 400, a mail receipt confirming portion 500, a password input button portion 600, a checking sign output portion 700, a memory 800, and a controller 900.

[50] The card checking portion 100 is formed at one side of an outside of the body 10 and serves to insert a card of the mailman therein, scan the inserted card, and read the information of the card.

[51] Here, it is preferred that the kind of the card inserted into the card checking portion

100 is limited to any card provided to the authorized mailman.

[52] The door opening and closing portion 200 serves to open the door 20 or maintain a locking status of the door 20 in a state that it is mounted on the body 10 and the door 20.

[53] The mail input checking portion 300 serves to detect a receiving status of the registered mail or the postal package during opening of the door through the door opening and closing portion 200 and generate a mail receipt signal.

[54] The mail input checking portion 300 has a mail receipt detecting sensor 310 for detecting the registered mail or the postal package received in the receiving space 11.

[55] The mail receipt detecting sensor 310 can be utilized by a weight detecting sensor for detecting a weight of the registered mail or the postal package, or an objective detecting sensor for detecting a shape and a figure of the registered mail or the postal package.

[56] Also, the mail input checking portion 300 has an image input camera 320 for photographing the registered mail or the postal package received in the receiving space 11 and generating an image signal thereof.

[57] The image signal generated from the image input camera 320 is transmitted to the controller 900 and then, transmitted to a communication device of a receiver through the communication portion 400 during talking over the telephone between the mailmen and the receiver. Accordingly, the image is outputted through the communication device of the receiver, so that it can grasp the receiving status of the registered mail or the postal package.

[58] Here, the communication portion 400 formed at the body 10 is connected to the communication device of the receiver, so that the mailmen can talk over the telephone with the receiver.

[59] Also, the communication device of the receiver may be a wire communication terminal formed at a mail receiving area or a wireless communication terminal possessed by the receiver. In case of the wireless communication terminal, it is preferred that a wireless communication module (not shown) connected to the wireless communication terminal of the receiver is formed at the inside of the body 10.

[60] Preferably, the wire communication terminal is an interphone 50. In this case, the interphone 50 includes a handset 57, a body door opening button 51 for opening the door 20 of the body 10, and a displaying window 52.

[61] The communication portion 400 is connected to a telephone network provided in the interphone 50 of the mail receiving area, so that it can be communicated with the communication device of the receiver located at the outside of receiving area.

[62] Also, the communication portion 400 includes a handset portion 410 for talking over the telephone between the mailmen and the receiver through the communication portion 400 and the communication device of the receiver.

[63] The handset portion 410 includes a microphone 411 for receiving a sound of the mailmen and a speaker 412 for outputting the sound of the receiver.

[64] The mail receipt confirming portion 500 formed at the body 10 serves to generate a mail receipt confirming signal for detecting a receipt confirmation of the registered mail or the postal package according to an input of a password received from the communication device of the receiver during talking over the telephone between the mailmen and the receiver through communication portion 400.

[65] Instead of the mail receipt confirming portion 500, the controller 900 can perform the role thereof.

[66] Also, the registered mail box 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes the password input button portion 600 for allowing a password to be transmitted to the mailmen through a voice of the receiver and directly inputting the password by the mailmen during talking over the telephone between the mailmen and the receiver.

[67] At this time, preferably, the mail receipt confirming portion 500 allows the mail

receipt confirming signal to be generated in case that the password is inputted through the communication device of the receiver or the password input button portion 600.

[68] The checking sign output portion 700 formed at the body 10 serves to print a receipt checking sign of the receiver on a receipt identification card injected by the mailmen where the mail receipt confirming signal is generated.

[69] The checking sign output portion 700 includes an identification card inlet 710 for receiving the receipt identification card possessed by the mailmen and a printing device 720 for printing the sign of the receiver on the receipt identification card injected through the identification card inlet 710.

[70] The printing device 720 of the checking sign output portion 700 may be a perforator or a printer.

[71] The memory 800 formed at the inside of the body 10 serves to store a card information for confirming the mailmen, a receiver contact address for communicating with the communication device of the receiver, the passwords for checking out the mail confirmation, and the checking sign of the receiver printed in the receipt identification card of the mailmen.

[72] The controller 900 formed at the inside of the body 10 serves to control the door opening and closing portion 200 by comparing the card information read from the card checking portion 100 with the card information stored in the memory 800, receive the mail receipt signal, control the communication portion 400 for connecting to the communication device of the receiver established previously according to the received mail receipt signal, receive the mail receipt confirming signal, and control the checking sign output portion 700 according to the received mail receipt confirming signal.

[73] That is, the controller 900 serves to search the card information stored in the memory, the receiver contact address, the receipt checking sign and so on and control the door opening and closing portion 200, the communication portion 400, and the control the checking sign output portion 700.

[74] Also, the registered mail box 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes a bell button portion 30 for ringing the bell of the interphone 50 located at the receiving area of the mail so as to check out existence and nonexistence of the receiver or the resident connected to the interphone 50.

[75] Moreover, the registered mail box 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes an external confirmation camera 40 for allowing the receiver or the resident located at the receiving area of the mail to confirm the external mailmen through the interphone 50 in case that the bell of the interphone 50 rings through the bell button portion 30.

[76] As shown in FIG. 4, the interphone 50 can include a door opening button 53 for directly controlling the door opening and closing portion 200 by means of the receiver

or the resident located at the receiving area of the mail so as to open the door 20 of the body 10 where the mailmen is confirmed through the bell button portion 30 and the external confirmation camera 40 in case that the receiver stays at home.

[77] Also, the interphone 50 further includes a camera operation button 54 for confirming the receiving status of the registered mail or the postal package by receiving the image signal generated from the image input camera 320 formed at the inside of the receiving space 11 of the body 10 according to the control of the controller 900 and displaying the image of the registered mail or the postal package on the display window of the interphone 50.

[78] Moreover, the interphone 50 further includes a parcel authentication button 55 for allowing receipt checking sign to be printed on the receipt identification card in the checking sign output portion 700 where the receipt status of the registered mail or the postal package is confirmed through the camera operation button 54.

[79] Finally, the interphone 50 further includes a mail delivery request button 56 for generating a mail delivery request signal in a state that the registered mail or the postal package are received in the receiving space 11 of the body 10 so as to request the delivery of the registered mail or the postal package by means of the receiver or the resident of the mail receiving area.

[80] That is, where the receiver or the resident press the mail delivery request button 56, the controller 900 receives the mail delivery request signal from the mail delivery request button 56 and then, send the received mail delivery request signal to a terminal of a delivery enterprise through the communication portion 400.

[81] Here, the terminal of the delivery enterprise may be a computer of the post office or a

PDA or a cellular phone of the assigned mailmen.

[82] An operation of the registered mail box 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 4.

[83] First, the mailmen presses the bell button portion 30 provided in the body 10 of the registered mail box 1.

[84] Here, where the receiver is resided in the mail receiving area, the receiver confirms the mailmen through the external confirmation camera 40 and then, presses the door opening button 53 formed at the interphone 50, so that the door of the body 10 is opened.

[85] Continuously, the receiver presses the camera operation button 54 of the interphone

50 so as to confirm as to whether the registered mail or the postal package is received in the receiving space 11 of the body 10 by the mailmen or not. Also, where the mailmen injects the receipt identification card into the identification card inlet 710 of the checking sign output portion 700, the receiver presses the parcel authentication button 55, so that the receipt checking sign of the receiver is printed and outputted to

the injected receipt identification card through the printing device of the checking sign output portion 700.

[86] In the meantime, where the receiver is not stayed in the mail receiving area, the mailmen inserts the possessing card into the card checking portion 100.

[87] Then, the card checking portion 100 serves to read the card information of the mailmen and the controller 900 serves to confirm the card authentication by comparing the card information read from the card checking portion 100 with the card information stored in the memory 800. Here, when the card authentication is confirmed, the door 20 is opened through the door opening and closing portion 20.

[88] When the door 20 is opened through the door opening and closing portion 20, the mailmen inputs the registered mail or the postal package in the receiving space 11 of the body 10. Here, the received registered mail or postal package are detected through the mail input checking portion 300 and then, the mail receipt signal is generated in the mail input checking portion 300. Here, the controller 900 serves to receive the mail receipt signal and research the receiver contact address stored in the memory 800 so as to communicate with the communication device of the receiver through the communication portion 400.

[89] Thereafter, the receiver confirms the receipt of the registered mail or the postal package located in the receiving space 11 of the body 10 through the communication portion 400. Then, the receiver inputs the password though the communication portion 400 or the mailmen directly inputs the password informed through the voice of the receiver during talking over the telephone between the mailmen and the receiver into the password input button portion.

[90] The controller 900 serves to compare the password received from the communication portion 400 or the password received from the password input button portion with the password stored in the memory 800. Here, where the password received from the communication portion 400 or the password received from the password input button portion are identical with the password stored in the memory 800, the mailmen injects the receipt identification card into the identification card inlet 710 of the checking sign output portion 700. Accordingly, the controller 900 serves to allow the confirmation sign of the receiver stored in the memory 800 to be printed on the receipt identification card injected into the identification card inlet 710.

[91] Here, where the mailmen directly inputs the password informed through the voice of the receiver during talking over the telephone between the mailmen and the receiver into the password input button portion, it can expose the password to the mailmen or other persons.

[92] Accordingly, the controller 900 receives a part of the password from the password input button 600 and the remaining password from the communication device of the

receiver, so that the mixed password can be compared with the stored password stored in the memory 800.

[93] That is, in case of four places (password), the receiver send the front two places of the entire password to the mailmen, so that the mailmen can input the received front two places thereof and the receiver can input the remaining two places of the entire password through his communication device, thereby preventing the four place of the password from being exposed to mailmen.

[94] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a registered mail box according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[95] The structure of the registered mail box 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention is identical with that of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, except that the door 20 is a dual structure.

[96] As shown in Fig. 5, the door 2 of the registered mail box 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a first door 20a of a transparent material for blocking the receiving space 11 formed at the outside of body 10 and a second door 20b located at the outside of the first door 20a.

[97] In the registered mail box 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention, where the mailmen closes the first door 20a in a state that the registered mail or the postal package is inputted in the receiving space 11 of the body 10, the controller 900 serves to control the image input camera 320 so as to photograph the registered mail or the postal package received in the receiving space 11 and transmit the image signal received from the image input camera 320 to the communication device of the receiver through the communication portion 400, thereby outputting the image of the receiving space 11 of the body 10 to the communication device of the receiver and checking out the receiving status of the registered mail or the postal package by means of the receiver.

[98] Since other structures of the registered mail box 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention is the same as those of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, further descriptions on these are omitted here.

[99] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a registered mail box according to further another embodiment of the present invention.

[100] The structure of the registered mail box 1 according to further another embodiment of the present invention is identical with that of FIG. 5, except that a connector 60 is formed at one side of the body 10.

[101] As shown in Fig. 6, the body 10 of the registered mail box 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention further includes the connector 60 for receiving an image signal from a terminal of the mailmen electrically connected to the terminal of the mailmen capable of photographing and sending the image.

[102] In the registered mail box 1 according to further another embodiment of the present invention, where the mailmen closes the first door 20a and the terminal of the mailmen is connected to the connector 60 in a state that the registered mail or the postal package is inputted in the receiving space 11 of the body 10, the mailmen takes a photograph of the registered mail or the postal package received in the receiving space 11 through the terminal, so the image signal generated from the terminal of the mailmen can be transmitted to the controller 900 through the connector 60. Also, the controller 900 serves to control the communication portion 400 so as to transmit the image signal received through the connector 60 to the communication device of the receiver, thereby outputting the image of the receiving space 11 of the body 10 to the communication device of the receiver and checking out the receiving status of the registered mail or the postal package by means of the receiver.

[103] Since other structures of the registered mail box 1 according to further another embodiment of the present invention is the same as those of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, further descriptions on these are omitted here.

[104] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a registered mail box according to further another embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a registered mail box according to further another embodiment of the present invention.

[105] The structure of the registered mail box 1 according to further another embodiment of the present invention is identical with that of FIG. 5, except that an emergency situation detecting portion 80 and an emergency situation display portion 90 are further provided.

[106] As shown in Fig. 7 and FIG. 8, the registered mail box 1 according to further another embodiment of the present invention further includes the emergency situation detecting portion 80 formed at the interphone 50 and the emergency situation display portion 90 formed at the body 10.

[107] The emergency situation detecting portion 80 serves to detect a gas generated in the receiving area of the mail, detect an abnormal temperature of the inside of the receiving area of the mail during a fire, generate an emergency sound signal during detection of an emergency sound of a resident resided in the receiving area of the mail, or photograph the image of inside of the receiving area to generate an image signal thereof.

[108] The emergency situation detecting portion 80 includes a gas detecting sensor 81 for detecting the gas generated in the receiving area of the mail, a thermometer sensor 82 for detecting the abnormal temperature of the inside of the receiving area of the mail, and an emergency sound detecting sensor 83 for detecting the emergency sound during generation of the emergency sound of the resident stored in a memory 800 mentioned

below. Here, the gas detecting sensor 81, the thermometer sensor 82, and the emergency sound detecting sensor 83 can be formed at the interphone 50 or one side of the inside of the receiving area of the mail electrically connected to the interphone 50.

[109] Also, in the emergency situation detecting portion 80, any one of the detecting signals generated from the gas detecting sensor 81, the thermometer sensor 82, and the emergency sound detecting sensor 83 can be generated. The emergency situation detecting portion 80 further includes a receiving area camera 84 for photographing the image of inside of the receiving area and generating the image signal thereof.

[110] The emergency situation display portion 90 formed at the body 10 serves to display the image of the inside of the receiving area of the mail during operation of the receiving area camera 84, grasp the inside situations of the receiving area of the mail, and generate the emergency situation sound through the handset portion 410.

[I l l] The emergency situation display portion 90 includes a receiving area displaying portion 91 for displaying the image of the inside of the receiving area of the mail through the image signal generated from the receiving area camera 84 of the emergency situation detecting portion 80 and an emergency winker 92 for emitting light during generation of any one of the detecting signals generated from the gas detecting sensor 81, the thermometer sensor 82, and the emergency sound detecting sensor 83.

[112] Here, the emergency situation sound can be generated through the handset portion 410 simultaneously with the lighting of the emergency winker 92.

[113] Also, the emergency situation display portion 90 further includes an emergency situation button 93 for operating the receiving area displaying portion 91 according to the operation of the receiving area camera 84 of the emergency situation detecting portion 80, operating of the emergency winker 92, and generating the emergency situation sound through the speaker 412 of the handset portion 410 in case that the resident of the receiving area presses the emergency situation button 93.

[114] It is preferred that the emergency situation button 93 is formed at the interphone 50. However, it can be operated by portable remote control.

[115] Also, the emergency sound of the emergency situation detecting portion 80 can be stored in the memory 800.

[116] Here, the emergency sound of the emergency situation detecting portion 80 may be "stop thief, "fire", "gas leak" and so forth. However, the user can selectively input his sound.

[117] Also, the controller 900 serves to receive the detecting signal and the image signal from the emergency situation detecting portion 80, control the emergency situation display portion 90 so as to display the image of inside of the receiving area thereon, and operate the emergency winker 92.

[118] Moreover, the controller 900 serves to transmit an emergency signal to all contact address stored in the memory through the communication portion during operation of any one of the gas detecting sensor 81, the thermometer sensor 82, and the emergency sound detecting sensor 83.

[119] Since other structures of the registered mail box 1 according to further another embodiment of the present invention is the same as those of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, further descriptions on these are omitted here.

[120] FIG. 9 is an entire perspective view illustrating a registered mail box according to further another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a partially exploded view illustrating a registered mail box according to further another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a registered mail box according to further another embodiment of the present invention.

[121] As shown in the drawings, the registered mail box 1' according to further another embodiment of the present invention includes a body 10' having a receiving space 11' for receiving the registered mail or the postal package therein, a control box coupling portion 12', a door 20' for opening and closing the receiving space 11', and a control box 30' for inserting into the control box coupling portion 12' thereof.

[122] Here, preferably, the door 20' has a general mail receipt hole 21' capable of inserting the general mail into the receiving space 11 ' by means of a mailman.

[123] The registered mail box 1' according to further another embodiment of the present invention further includes an authentication signal receiving portion 31', a contact address display portion 32', a password input button portion 33', a door opening and closing portion 40', a memory 34', and a controller 35'.

[124] The authentication signal receiving portion 31' formed at one side of an outside of the control box 30' serves to receive a recognition signal of wire or wireless transmitter-receiver possessed by the mailmen.

[125] Here, it is preferred that the kind of the recognition signal received in the authentication signal receiving portion 31 ' is limited to any signal generated from a two- way terminal provided to the authorized mailman.

[126] Here, the two-way terminal provided to the authorized mailman may be a PDA or a cellular phone capable of performing an Infra-red Data Communications. In case of using the two-way terminal capable of performing the Infra-red Data Communications, it is preferred that the authentication signal receiving portion 31 ' includes an infra-red data communication receiver.

[127] Also, the contact address display portion 32' formed at one side of an outside of the control box 30' serves to display the receiver contact address during confirmation of the mailmen according to the recognition signal received in the authentication signal receiving portion 31.

[128] The password input button portion 33' formed at one side of an outside of the control box 30' serves to allow a password to be transmitted to the mailmen through a voice of the receiver and directly input the password by the mailmen during talking over the telephone between the mailmen and the receiver.

[129] That is, the password input button portion 33' is any inputting means for inputting the password received through the voice of the receiver during talking over the telephone between the mailmen and the receiver displayed on the contact address display portion 32' through the terminal thereof.

[130] The door opening and closing portion 40' serves to open the door 20' by releasing a locking status of the door 20' where the password is inputted into the password input button portion 33'.

[131] Here, after the door 20' is opened through the input of the password, the registered mail or the postal package is inputted into the receiving space 11' of the body 10' by means of the mailmen and then, the mailmen closes the door, thereby maintaining locking status of the door 20' by means of the door opening and closing portion 40'.

[132] It is preferred that the kind of the door opening and closing portion 40' is a combined electronic and mechanic opening and closing device.

[133] The memory 34' formed at the inside of the control box 30' serves to store the authentication recognition signal, the receiver contact address information for displaying the receiver contact on the contact address display portion 32', and the password for opening the door 20'.

[134] Here, the recognition signal, the receiver contact address, and the receipt confirmation authentication No. stored in the memory 34' can be arbitrary varied by means of the receiver.

[135] The controller 35' formed at the inside of the control box 30' serves to display the receiver contact address on the contact address display portion 32' in case that the recognition signal received in the authentication signal receiving portion 31 ' coincides with the authentication recognition signal stored in the memory 34' and open the door 20' through the door opening and closing portion 40' in case that the password inputted into the password input button portion 33' coincides with the password for receipt confirmation stored in the memory 34'.

[136] Also, the control box 30' includes a subsidiary battery 36' and a power connection connector 37'.

[137] The registered mail box 1' according to further another embodiment of the present invention further includes a key hole 13' formed at the door 20' and serving to open the door opening and closing portion 40' so as to receive the registered mail or the postal package received in the body 10' by means of the receiver and a door opening key (not shown) for opening the door 20' by inserting it into the key hole 13'.

[138] An operation of the registered mail box 1' according to further another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.

[139] First, when the receiver is away from the receiving area, the mailmen allow his terminal to be adjacent to the authentication signal receiving portion 31' of the control box.

[140] Then, if the authentication signal receiving portion 31' receives the recognition signal from the terminal of the mailmen, the controller 35' compares the authentication signal received in the authentication signal receiving portion 31 ' with the authentication recognition signal stored in the memory 34'.

[141] If the recognition signal received in the authentication signal receiving portion 31' coincides with the authentication recognition signal stored in the memory 34', the controller 35' allows the receiver contact address stored in the memory 34' to be displayed on the contact address display portion 32'.

[142] Continuously, the mailmen gets in touch with the receiver contact address displayed on the contact address display portion 32' by using his terminal and then, the mailmen receives the password through the conversation by telephone with the receiver.

[143] Thereafter, the mailmen inputs the password into the password input button portion 33', so that the door 20 is opened through the control of the door opening and closing portion 40' by means of the controller 35'.

[144] Here, where the mailmen directly inputs the password informed through the voice of the receiver during talking over the telephone between the mailmen and the receiver into the password input button portion 33', it can expose the password to the mailmen or other persons.

[145] Accordingly, the controller 35' receives a part of the password from the password input button 33' and the remaining password from the communication device of the receiver, so that the mixed password can be compared with the password stored in the memory 34'.

[146] That is, in case of four places (password), the receiver send the front two places of the entire password to the mailmen, so that the mailmen can input the received front two places thereof and the receiver can input the remaining two places of the entire password through his communication device, thereby preventing the four place of the password from being exposed to outside.

[147] Thereafter, the mailmen inputs the registered mail or the postal package into the body 10' and then closes the door 20', thereby maintaining the locking status of the door 20' by means of the door opening and closing portion 40'.

[148] Finally, when the receiver reaches on the receiving area so as to receive the registered mail or the postal package located at the inside of the body 10', the receiver inserts his door opening key into the key hole 13', so that the door 20' can be opened

through the operation of the door opening and closing portion 40', thereby receiving the registered mail or the postal package received in the body 10'.

[149] While this invention has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments and the drawings, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and variations within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[150]

Industrial Applicability

[151] The present invention relates to a registered mail box capable of confirming a receipt of a registered mail or a postal package from the receiver thereof, even though the receiver is away from the receiving area during delivery of the registered mail or the postal package.