This invention relates to an apparatus and method for the secure receipt of articles, and in particular, but not exclusively to an apparatus and method for the secure receipt of bank deposits or courier packages.

BACKGROUND

The receipt of deposits in a bank can be a time consuming task. Banking management often consider that their staffs time could be better spent providing more profitable services to their clients. Also, people may often need to deposit cash and cheques outside of normal banking hours, for example a business owner who may only be able to deposit his/her takings after the close of business.

These problems have been solved to some extent by providing deposit slots, drawers or boxes where deposits can be left. The envelopes containing the deposits that are placed in these receptacles can be opened later in a secure environment where video cameras can record the contents as they are withdrawn and as any cash is counted.

However, existing deposit slots or deposit boxes, and the methods of receiving deposits have a number of limitations.

In some cases it is possible for a determined person to "fish" out deposits that have been deposited by another person into the box. For example by dropping a length of string with a sticky "hook" attached to one end, through the opening or chute of the deposit box, to grip a deposited envelope and to withdraw it from the deposit box.

When a deposit is made at a "drop-off' collection box little or no records are made of who made the deposit or what was deposited. Since no records are kept disputes can arise as to what was deposited. In addition, a deposit can be stolen between the time it is deposited and the time that it is formally accepted by the bank, and the bank will not know. A person may claim to have made a deposit, but may have retrieved the package just prior to it being captured by the deposit box. Video records of the event may appear to show the person making the deposit. This leaves the bank with a problem, as it is not able to verify whether the deposit was actually made. In cases where it is claimed that a deposit has been lost, the bank may be responsible to recompense the person making the claim.

Similar difficulties are experienced with the receipt of mail or courier packages.

In this specification unless the contrary is expressly stated, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge; or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

OBJECT It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for the secure receipt of articles which will at least go some way towards overcoming one or more of the above mentioned problems, or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in an article receiving apparatus, the apparatus having a robust enclosure, an article storage location within the enclosure, and a movable article receiving module; the module being configured to restrict access to the article storage location from outside the enclosure and having an article receiving compartment, the module being movable between three positions, · a first position in which the module is fully extended from an opening in the enclosure,

• a third position in which the module is fully home within the enclosure, and • a second position which is between the first position and the third position, and the apparatus is configured such that;

• articles can only be received into the compartment of the module when the module is situated at the first position or is situated between the first position and the second position,

• articles that have been received into the compartment of the module can only be transferred into the article storage location when the module is situated between the second position and the third position or is situated at the third position, and

• access into the compartment of the module is restricted when the module is between the second position and the third position.

Preferably the part of the module that extends from the enclosure when the module is between the second position and the third position restricts access into the compartment of the module.

Preferably the module is in the form of a slidable drawer. Preferably the enclosure includes a first opening and a second opening, the movable module controlling access through the first opening, and the second opening having a lockable door that is configured to provide controlled access to the article storage location.

Preferably the apparatus further includes an article detection system configured to detect whether an article has been placed in the compartment of the module.

Preferably the article detection system includes a scanner.

Preferably the apparatus further includes a first controllable lock configured to selectively prevent the module from moving past the second position and toward the third position.

Preferably the apparatus further includes a second controllable lock configured to selectively prevent the module from moving past the second position and toward the first position. Preferably the apparatus is configured such that the first controllable lock remains deployed to prevent the module from moving past the second position and toward the third position unless the article detection system detects an appropriate article within the article receiving compartment. Preferably the apparatus is configured such that any articles contained within the article receiving compartment of the module can only be transferred from the module and into the article storage location, when the module is between the second position and the third position.

Preferably the module includes a movable floor configured to allow the contents of the compartment to drop from the module and into the article storage location.

Optionally the apparatus includes a third controllable lock adapted to selectively prevent articles being transferred from the compartment of the module and into the article storage location.

Preferably the apparatus includes one or more sensors configured to detect the location of the module.

Preferably the apparatus includes one or more sensors adapted to detect the location of the movable floor of the module.

Preferably the apparatus includes one or more article transfer sensors adapted to detect whether an article has passed from the compartment of the module and into the article storage location.

Preferably the apparatus is configured such that the second controllable lock remains deployed to prevent the module from moving away from, or past, the second position and toward the first position until one or more article transfer sensors have detected the transfer of an article from the compartment of the module and into the article storage location.

Preferably the article storage location includes a bag holder which is adapted to hold a bag open and ready to receive articles. Preferably the apparatus is provided with a bag sealing device adapted to seal a bag prior to the bag being removed form the apparatus.

Preferably the apparatus includes a control system adapted to receive information from one or more sensors and to control one or more of the controllable locks of the apparatus. Preferably the apparatus includes a memory device adapted to store information relating to each article received by the apparatus.

Preferably the apparatus includes a communications device configured to be able to communicate stored information from the apparatus to a communications network.

Optionally the apparatus can further include a user identification reading device, for example a key pad for entering an identification code, a card or tag reader or an optical scanner.

In a second aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in an automated banking machine or terminal incorporating at least one article receiving apparatus substantially as specified herein. Preferably the apparatus is configured to detect the presence of a bank deposit envelope or receptacle that is provided with identification means.

In a third aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in an automated courier package receiving machine or terminal incorporating at least one article receiving apparatus substantially as specified herein. Preferably the apparatus is configured to detect the presence of a courier package that is provided with identification means.

Preferably the identification means includes a bar code printed on the courier package, however, the identification means may take a number of forms, for example a set of printed characters or a radio frequency identification device (RFID). In a fourth aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a method of receiving an article in a secure manner, the method including the steps of; • receiving an article in an article receiving compartment of a movable article receiving module of an article receiving apparatus,

• scanning the article once the movable article receiving module has moved a first distance into the article receiving apparatus, and · aUowing the article to be transferred into an article storage location within the article receiving apparatus after the article has been scanned and after the article receiving module has moved a second distance into the article receiving apparatus.

The invention may also broadly be said to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of the parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents, such equivalents are incorporated herein as if they were individually set forth.

DESCRIPTION

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic side elevation view of an article receiving apparatus shown with a movable article receiving module in a first position,

FIGURE 2 is a schematic side elevation view of the article receiving apparatus shown with the movable article receiving module in a second position,

FIGURE 3 is a schematic side elevation view of the article receiving apparatus shown with the movable article receiving module in a third position,

FIGURE 4 is an upper, right, aft perspective view of the article receiving apparatus shown with the movable article receiving module in the third position, FIGURE 5 is an upper, right, aft perspective view of the article receiving apparatus shown with the movable article receiving module in the first position,

FIGURE 6 is a lower, right, aft perspective view of the article receiving apparatus shown with the movable article receiving module in the third position, and

FIGURE 7 is an upper, right, front perspective view of the article receiving apparatus shown with the movable article receiving module in or near the second position.

With reference to Figures 1 to 7, an article receiving apparatus (11, 111) according to the present invention is now described. Figures 1 to 3 show the receiving apparatus (11) in a schematic form, and figures 4 to 7 show a practical example of the receiving apparatus (111). The receiving apparatus (11) and the receiving apparatus (111) are similar embodiments of the invention described in this patent specification. Throughout this description similar descriptive terms are used for the parts or features of each embodiment. The reference numerals between 11 and 99 refer to parts and features of the first embodiment as shown in figures 1 to 3, and the reference numerals between 111 and 199 refer to the corresponding parts and features of the second embodiment as shown in figures 4 to 7. The apparatus (11, 111) includes a robust enclosure (13, 113), an article storage location (15, 115) within the enclosure (13, 113), and a movable article receiving module (17, 117). Articles can be received by the article receiving apparatus (11, 111) and can be held securely within the enclosure (13, 113) until they are later collected and transported to a processing or handling facility. The articles can be bank deposits or courier packages for example. It is envisaged that a number of such articles can be received by the article receiving apparatus (11, 111) over a period of time before being collected and transferred to a centralised location, for example a centralised receiving office of a bank or a centralised courier package handling facility. The module (17, 117) is configured to restrict access to the article storage location (15, 115) from outside the enclosure (13, 113). The module (17, 117) has an article receiving compartment (19, 119) in which articles such as bank deposits or courier packages can be placed. The enclosure (13, 113) will typically comprise a metal housing that will resist theft of the articles from within the apparatus (11, 111)

The module (17, 117) is movable between three main positions;

• a first position (21 , 121) in which the module is fully extended from an opening in an outer wall (23, 123) of the enclosure (13, 113),

• a third position (25, 125) in which the module is fully home within the enclosure (13, 113), and

• a second position (27, 127) which is between the first position (21, 121) and the third position (25, 125).

The apparatus (11, 111) is configured such that;

• articles can only be received into the compartment (19, 119) of the module (17, 117) when the module (17, 117) is situated at the first position (21, 121) or is situated between the first position (21, 121) and the second position (27, 127),

• articles that have been received into the compartment (19, 119) of the module (17, 117) can only be transferred into the article storage location (15, 115) when the module (17, 117) is situated between the second position (27, 127) and the third position (25, 125) or is situated at the third position (25, 125), and

• access into the compartment (19, 119) of the module (17, 117) is restricted when the module (17, 117) is between the second position (27, 127) and the third position (25, 125).

The enclosure (13, 113) includes a first opening (29, 129) and a second opening (31, 131), both being situated in its outer wall (23, 123). The movable module (17, 117) controls access through the first opening (29, 129). Note: in figures 4 to 6 the outer wall (123) is shown partially cutaway to allow some of the internal components of the receiving apparatus (111) to be visible.

The second opening (31, 131) has a lockable door (33, 133) and the lockable door (33, 133) is configured to provide controlled access to the article storage location (15, 115). Articles that have been collected in the article storage location (15, 115) can be removed through the second opening (31, 131) after first opening the lockable door (33, 133) using a required access key or code. Note: in figures 4 to 6 the lockable door (133) is not shown to allow some of the internal components of the receiving apparatus (111) to be visible.

In this example, the module (17, 117) is in the form of a slidable drawer (35, 135), albeit a modified drawer. The slidable drawer (35, 135) slides into and out of the enclosure (33, 133), through the first opening (29, 129). The drawer (35, 135) comprises an open part of the drawer (35, 135) which forms the article receiving compartment (19, 119), and an enclosed section (37, 137). The enclosed section (37, 137) forms a plug that blocks access through the first opening (29, 129) when the module (17; 117) is between the second position (27, 127) and the third position (25, 125).

The article receiving compartment (19, 119) occupies about a half to three quarters of the length of the drawer (35, 135) in its direction of movement, and the enclosed section (37, 137) occupies the remaining length. Only the enclosed section (37, 137) of the module (17, 117), or a part of it, extends from the enclosure (13, 113) when the module (17, 117) is between the second position (27, 127) and the third position (25, 125).

The size and shape of a cross section of the enclosed section (37, 137) in a plane perpendicular to the direction of movement of the drawer (35, 135) is similar to that of the first opening (29, 129). And because of the similar size and shape, and because it is fully enclosed, the enclosed section (37, 137) acts like a plug to fully occupy the first opening (29, 129) and restricts access into the compartment (19, 119) of the module (17, 117) through the first opening (29, 129) when the module is between the second position (27, 127) and the third position (25, 125).

The apparatus (11, 111) includes an article detection system (39, 139) configured to detect whether an article, or an appropriate article, has been placed in the compartment (19, 119) of the module (17, 117). In this example the article detection system (39, 139) includes a scanner or reader (41, 141), or more specifically a bar code scanner or reader. The scanner (41, 141) is mounted to the structure of the enclosure (13, 113) and can scan any articles in the compartment (19, 119) as the module (17, 117) is being moved from the first position (21, 121) to the second position (27, 127). The apparatus (11, 111) includes a first controllable lock (43, 143) configured to selectively prevent the module (17, 117) from moving past the second position (27, 127) and toward the third position (25, 125). And the apparatus (11, 111) includes a second controllable lock (45, 145) configured to selectively prevent the module (17, 117) from moving away from, or past, the second position (27, 127) and toward the first position (21, 121). In this example both the first controllable lock (43, 143) and the second controllable lock (45, 145) are a part of a single rocker assembly which is configured in such a manner that the second controllable lock (45, 145) cannot extend to a deployed or locked configuration without the first controllable lock (43, 143) being withdrawn from its locked configuration, and visa versa. The apparatus (11, 111) is configured such that the first controllable lock (43, 143) remains deployed to prevent the module (17, 117) from moving past the second position (27, 127) and toward the third position (25, 125) unless the article detection system (39, 139) detects an appropriate article within the article receiving compartment (19, 119).

The second controllable lock (45, 145) is used to stop the module (17, 117) being withdrawn back toward the first position (21, 121) until the contents of the compartment (19, 119) have been transferred to the article storage location (15, 115).

The apparatus (11, 111) is configured such that any articles contained within the article receiving compartment (19, 119) of the module (17, 117) can only be transferred or dropped from the module (17, 117) and into the article storage location (15, 115), when the module (17, 117) is between the second position (27, 127) and the third position (25, 125).

In this example the module (17, 117) includes a movable floor (47, 147) configured to allow the contents of the compartment (19, 119) to drop from the module (17, 117) and into the article storage location (15, 115). The movable floor (47, 147) comprises a flap that is connected to the drawer (35, 135) by a hinge (48, 148) along an edge of the flap nearest to the enclosed section (37, 137) of the drawer (35, 135). Ideally the movable floor (47, 147) has a textured or dimpled surface to reduce the chance that an article may stick to the floor (47, 147), for example a damp envelope may be more likely to stick to the floor (47, 147) if it has a smooth surface. The apparatus (11, 111) can include a third controllable lock (49, 149) adapted to selectively prevent articles being transferred from the compartment (19, 119) of the module (17, 117) and into the article storage location (15, 115). The third controllable lock (49, 149) can engage the movable floor (47, 147) at a location opposite the hinge (48, 148) and is used to prevent the movable floor (47, 147) from lowering until the module (17, 117) is between the second position (27, 127) and the third position (25, 125).

The apparatus is provided with a stationary cam (50, 150) that is situated below the drawer (35, 135) in the area where an inside end of the drawer (35, 135) is situated when the drawers is at the second position. The cam (50, 150) has a profile that controls the rate at which the movable floor (47, 147) drops as the drawer (35, 135) moves from the second position (27, 127) toward the third position (25, 125), and the rate at which the floor (47, 147) lifts when the drawer (35, 135) moves back from the third position (25, 125) to the second position (27, 127). The cam (50, 150) is ideally made from a low friction plastics material.

The slidable drawer (35, 135) is mounted on roller slides and cannot be fully removed from the enclosure (13, 113) by a person depositing an article. Also, since the movable floor (47, 147) is only unlocked and allowed to fall when the drawer (35, 135) is situated between the second position (27, 127) and the third position (25, 125), and this is also when the enclosed section (37, 137) of the drawer (35, 135) closes off the first opening (29, 129), access is never provided from outside the apparatus (11, 111) through the first opening (29, 129) to the article storage location (15, 115).

In the example shown, the apparatus (11, 111) is provided with two module location sensors (51) to detect the location of the module (17, 117). A first module location sensor (51a, 151a) senses when the module (17, 117) is approaching the second position (27, 127) from the first position (21, 121), and is ideally positioned to detect when the module (17, 117) is approximately forty to eighty millimetres away from the second position (27, 127). A second module location sensor (51b, 151b) senses when the module (17, 117) has reached the second position (27, 127).

The first module location sensor (51a, 151a) acts like an 'early warning sensor'. If the drawer (35, 135) passes the first module location sensor (51a, 151a) and the article detection system (39, 139) has made a positive identification of an article in the module (17, 117), the first lock (43, 143) will be retracted from its extended position to allow the module to slide continuously past the second position (27, 127) and toward the third position (25, 125). This makes the apparatus (11, 111) simpler and easier to use, than if there was always a momentary stop at the second position (27, 127). If the apparatus (11, 111) detects that the module (17, 117) has reached the second position (27, 127), but the article detection system (39, 139) has not detected an article in the compartment (19, 119), the first controllable lock (43, 143) remains deployed to prevent the module (17, 117) passing the second position (27, 127). This feature can be used to halt the depositing process, signalling to the person making the deposit that the article has not been recognised by the apparatus (11, 111). And since the drawer (35, 135) is only partly retracted at this stage the person will instinctively know that something has gone wrong with the depositing process.

A display screen (52) can also be provided on the apparatus (11, 111) to communicate to the person that the article has not been recognised and cannot be deposited. The problem may be that a barcode on the article is not facing upwards and the article may simply need to be turned over. Note: the display screen (152) is not shown in figures 4 to 7 since a top cover of the apparatus (111) is not shown to allow internal components to be seen.

The apparatus (11, 111) includes a floor location sensor (53, 153) that is adapted to detect the location of the movable floor (47, 147) of the module (17, 117). In the example shown, the floor location sensor (53, 153) is situated on a chute (54, 154) that is configured to guide articles as they drop from the module (17, 117) to the article storage location (15, 115). The floor location sensor (53, 153) detects when the movable floor (47, 147) has dropped through the full extent of its travel and is lying against a wall of the chute (54, 154). The apparatus (11, 111) includes a number of article transfer sensors (55, 155), in this example four sensors (55, 155) are used. The article transfer sensors (55, 155) are positioned between the module (17, 117) and the article storage location (15, 115) at a throat (56, 156) of the chute (54, 154), and are adapted to detect whether an article has passed from the compartment (19, 119) of the module (17, 117) and into the article storage location (15, 115). In the example described, the article transfer sensors (55, 155) are infrared sensors. The information provided by the article transfer sensors (55, 155) can be used to confirm that an article was physically received into the article storage location (15, 115). The article transfer sensors (55, 155) can also be used to indicate that the article receiving bag (57) is full, for example they can detect when an article has not dropped fully into the bag (57) and is still being detected by the article transfer sensors (55, 155). Note: the receiving bag (157) is not shown in figures 4 and 5 to allow the bag holder (158) to be shown clearly. The apparatus (11, 111) is configured such that the second controllable lock (45, 145) remains deployed to prevent the module (17, 117) from moving away from, or past, the second position (27, 127) and toward the first position (21, 121) until one or more article transfer sensors (55, 155) have detected the transfer of an article from the compartment (19, 119) of the module (17, 117) and into the article storage location (15, 115). In this example the article storage location (15, 115) includes a bag holder (58, 158) which is adapted to hold the bag (57) open and ready to receive articles that are deposited in the apparatus (11, 111). The apparatus (11, 111) is also provided with a bag sealing device (59, 159) adapted to seal the bag (57) prior to the bag (57) being removed from the apparatus (11, 111). The apparatus (11, 111) is configured such that the lockable door (33, 133) cannot be opened until the bag (57) has been sealed by the bag sealing device (59, 159). The operation of the bag holder (58, 158) and the bag sealing device (59, 159) is described in the applicant's NZ patent application # 585911.

The apparatus (11, 111) includes a control system (61, 161) adapted to receive information from one or more of the sensors and to control one or more of the controllable locks of the apparatus (11, 111). The control system (61, 161) is a microprocessor based control system. The control system (61, 161) includes a memory device (63, 163) and is also able to collect and store data or information in relation to each article received by the apparatus (11, 111), for example information from the scanner (41, 141) and/or information from a personal identification system. The apparatus (11, 111) includes a communications device (65, 165) configured to communicate stored information from the apparatus (11, 111) to a communications network. The communications device (65, 165) could be a cellular phone for example. Such a communications device (65, 165) can be used to send information relating to the articles received to the location where the articles will later taken after the articles are collected from the apparatus (11, 111). This provides improved security as the organisation that collects the articles can verify that each article that was deposited into the apparatus (11, 111) is subsequently received by them.

The article receiving apparatus (11, 111) can form a part of, or be, an automated banking machine or terminal (71, 171). In such a case, the apparatus (11, 111) is configured to detect the presence of bank deposit envelopes or other bank deposit receptacles that are provided with identification means, for example bank deposit bags or envelopes that are each provided with a unique barcode.

The screen (54, 154) can be used to instruct a person making a deposit what to do, and to tell the person if the article is not recognised and cannot be deposited, or to corifirm to the person that the deposit has been received successfully.

The apparatus (11, 111) facilitates a method of receiving an article in a secure manner, the method including the steps of;

• receiving an article in an article receiving compartment (19, 119) of a movable article receiving module (17, 117) of an article receiving apparatus (11, 111), · scanning the article once the movable article receiving module (17, 117) has moved a first distance into the article receiving apparatus (11, 111), and

• allowing the article to be transferred into an article storage location (15, 115) within the article receiving apparatus (11, 111) after the article has been scanned and after the article receiving module (17, 117) has moved a second distance into the article receiving apparatus (11, 111).

The scanning step can include an evaluation of the scan results to determine whether the article is recognised by the article receiving apparatus (11, 111). The transfer of the article from the module (17, 117) to the article storage location (15, 115) can be halted if the article is not recognised by the article receiving apparatus (11, 111).

Transfer sensors can be used to detect and record the transfer of an article from the article receiving module (17, 117) to the article storage location (15, 115). VARIATIONS

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and appUcations of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

In the example described above the module (17, 117) includes a movable floor (47, 147) to allow the contents of the compartment (19, 119) to drop from the module (17, 117) and into the article storage location (15, 115). In an alternative configuration the compartment (19, 119) could be a part of a rotatable section of the module (17, 117) that could rotate to empty its contents into the article storage location (15, 115).

In the example described above the article receiving apparatus (11, 111) is described as an automated banking machine or terminal, however the same apparatus can also form a part of, or be, an automated courier package receiving machine or terminal (81, 181). One notable difference may be the size of the module (17, 117) and the article storage location (15, 115) that may need to be larger tan those of an automated banking machine or terminal. In such a configuration, the apparatus (11, 111) can be configured to detect the presence of a courier package that is provided with identification means. Γη the examples described above reference is made to identification means in the form of a bar code printed on a bank deposit envelope or a courier bag. However, the identification means may take a number of forms, for example a set of printed characters or a radio frequency identification device (RFID).

In a further variation, the apparatus (11, 111) can include a user identification reading device, for example a key pad for entering an identification code, a card or tag reader, or an optical scanner.

DEFINITIONS

Throughout this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word, such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

ADVANTAGES

Thus it can be seen that at least the preferred form of the invention provides an article receiving apparatus which can; a) help to minimise the risk of articles being stolen after being deposited, b) halt the receiving process until an article is positively identified, c) confirm whether a positively identified package is physically transferred into a collection area or bag, d) provide a definite transfer of responsibility for care of an article, e.g. when used in a bank deposit situation, the apparatus manages the transfer of responsibility for a bank deposit envelope - the envelope passes out of the hand of the bank customer, and within a secure environment the receiving apparatus confirms the presence of the envelope and confirms transfer of the envelope into a secure location controlled by the bank, at which time the bank assumes responsibility for the deposit. e) improve the security of an article once received - bank deposits previously made at unmanned deposit boxes often lack adequate security - this apparatus provides security for the deposits from the time that they leave the customers hand to the time that the deposited envelope is opened at the bank's cash processing centre - the apparatus records receipt of specific envelopes, each of the envelopes are sealed within a larger carry bag before they can be removed from the apparatus, and the cash processing centre can verify that every envelope deposited has been accounted for. f) provide instantaneous confirmation to the person depositing the article that it has been formally received by the apparatus, g) provide instructions/feedback to the customer while depositing the article, h) record the receipt of an article, i) provide a printed receipt to the person depositing the article at the time the article is deposited, j) seal a bag of collected items prior to allowing the bag to be removed from the receiving apparatus, and/or k) send data relating to the received articles to the organisation that ultimately collects the articles and processes or redirects them.

In summary, the apparatus described herein provides a customer with a much higher level of confidence when depositing a valuable article such as a bank deposit or a courier package. The customer can walk away with a printed receipt and the in the knowledge that the service provider has accepted responsibility for the article. In addition, the bank or courier companies can achieve tighter control of articles that have been received by them.