Methods, apparatus, and systems are described for monitoring packages in transit within a network to determine which packages are at risk of being delivered after a stated commit time. In general, package fingerprints that define events expected to occur for the package while in transit and define thresholds for those events are generated from historical data of events occurring in the logistics network for packages in transit. Those thresholds may be applied to packages in real time as the events for the packages are occurring while the packages are in transit to then determine a level of risk for any package that has an event that occurs after the threshold for the event. Attention can be given to those packages that are at a sufficient level of risk.
An improved system detects an environmental anomaly in a shipping container and initiates a mediation response through a generated layered alert notification. The system includes sensor-based ID nodes associated with packages within the container, and a command node mounted to the container communicating with the ID nodes and an external transceiver on a vehicle transporting the container. The command node is programmed to detect sensor data from the ID nodes; compare the sensor data to package environmental thresholds in context data related to each ID node; detect the environmental anomaly when the com- parison indicates an environmental condition for at least one package exceeds its environmental threshold; responsively generate a layered alert notification identifying a mediation recipient and mediation action, and establishing a mediation response priority based upon the comparison; and transmit the layered alert notification to the transceiver unit to initiate a mediation response related to the mediation action.
G08B 17/00 - Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
G08B 19/00 - Alarms responsive to two or more different undesired or abnormal conditions, e.g. burglary and fire, abnormal temperature and abnormal rate of flow
G08B 23/00 - Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions
3.
A MODULAR AUTONOMOUS BOT APPARATUS ASSEMBLY FOR TRANSPORTING AN ITEM BEING SHIPPED
A modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is described for transporting an item being shipped. The assembly includes a modular mobility base having propulsion, steering, sensors for collision avoidance, and suspension actuators; a modular auxiliary power module with a power source and cargo door; a modular cargo storage system with folding structural walls and a latching system; and a modular mobile autonomy module that covers the cargo storage system and provides human interaction interfaces, externals sensors, a wireless interface, and an autonomous controller with interfacing circuitry coupled to the human interaction interfaces and sensors on the mobile autonomy module. The assembly has a power and data transport bus that provides a communication and power conduit across the different modular components. A method for on-demand assembly of such a bot apparatus is further described with steps for authenticating the different modular components during assembly.
B60P 1/02 - Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading with parallel up-and-down movement of load supporting or containing element
B60P 1/16 - Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading with a tipping movement of load supporting or containing element actuated by fluid-operated mechanisms
B60P 1/44 - Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading having a loading platform thereon raising the load to the level of the load supporting or containing element
B60P 1/64 - Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading the load supporting or containing element being readily removable
4.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCED COLLISION AVOIDANCE ON LOGISTICS GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT USING MULTI-SENSOR DETECTION FUSION
Enhanced systems and methods for collision avoidance of a high value asset with reflective beacons around it using multi-sensor data fusion on a mobile industrial vehicle. The system has a sensing processing system with a LiDAR and camera sensors, and a multi¬ processor module responsive to the different sensors. The sensing processing system fuses the different sensor data to locate the reflective beacons. A model predictive controller on the vehicle determines possible control solutions where each defines a threshold allowable speed for the vehicle at discrete moments based upon an estimated path to a breaching point projected from the reflective beacons, and then identifies an optimal one of the control solutions based upon a performance cost function and associated with an optimal threshold allowable speed. The system has a vehicle actuator configured to respond and alter vehicle movement to avoid a collision when the vehicle exceeds the optimal threshold allowable speed.
B60W 30/095 - Predicting travel path or likelihood of collision
B60W 30/09 - Taking automatic action to avoid collision, e.g. braking and steering
G01S 17/86 - Combinations of lidar systems with systems other than lidar, radar or sonar, e.g. with direction finders
G01S 17/931 - Lidar systems, specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
B60K 31/00 - Vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed, i.e. preventing speed from exceeding an arbitrarily established velocity or maintaining speed at a particular velocity, as selected by the vehicle operat
B64F 1/00 - Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations
G05D 1/02 - Control of position or course in two dimensions
5.
SYSTEMS, APPARATUS, AND METHODS FOR SELF-ADJUSTING A BROADCAST SETTING OF A NODE IN A WIRELESS NODE NETWORK
Methods, apparatus and systems that are directed towards a tangible wireless node-based implementation for self-adjusting a broadcast setting of a node in a wireless node network. In general, the node (such as an ID node, a master node, or container-related node) detects a broadcast modification event (such as a time-based event, an association-based event, a location-based event, and/or a sensor-based event). In response to this detection, the node then accesses a broadcast profile stored within the node to determine an updated value for the broadcast setting of the node based upon the detected broadcast modification event. Pursuant to the broadcast profile, the updated value may be a modified RF transmission output power level setting, a modified frequency setting, and/or a timing setting that changes how the node broadcasts messages. Once the updated value is determined, the node then self-adjusts the broadcast setting from a current value to the updated value.
H04W 4/06 - Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
H04W 4/35 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for the management of goods or merchandise
Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for enhanced monitoring for an event candidate within a wireless node network. Such a system, for example, may include a server at a top level within the wireless node network, an ID node disposed at a low level within the wireless node network, and a master node disposed at a middle level within the wireless node network. The master node, which separately communicates with the server and the ID node and executes event detection code stored on its memory storage, is operative to detect a first and a second advertising signal broadcast by the ID node over a communication path with the ID node, compare an observed parameter of each of the first and second advertising signal (such as signal strength), identify the event candidate based upon the comparison, and use a second communication path to report the identified event candidate to the server.
H04W 40/00 - Communication routing or communication path finding
7.
SYSTEMS, APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF ENHANCED MANAGEMENT OF A WIRELESS NODE NETWORK BASED UPON AN EVENT CANDIDATE RELATED TO ELEMENTS OF THE WIRELESS NODE NETWORK
Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for enhanced monitoring for an event candidate within a wireless node network. Such a system, for example, may include a server at a top level within the wireless node network, an ID node disposed at a low level within the wireless node network, and a master node disposed at a middle level within the wireless node network. The master node, which separately communicates with the server and the ID node and executes event detection code stored on its memory storage, is operative to detect a first and a second advertising signal broadcast by the ID node over a communication path with the ID node, compare an observed parameter of each of the first and second advertising signal (such as signal strength), identify the event candidate based upon the comparison, and use a second communication path to report the identified event candidate to the server.
H04W 4/00 - Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
8.
SYSTEMS, APPARATUS AND METHOD OF EVENT MONITORING FOR AN EVENT CANDIDATE WITHIN A WIRELESS NODE NETWORK BASED UPON SIGHTING EVENTS, SPORADIC EVENTS, AND BENCHMARK CHECKPOINT EVENTS
Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for enhanced monitoring for an event candidate within a wireless node network. Such a system, for example, may include a server at a top level within the wireless node network, an ID node disposed at a low level within the wireless node network, and a master node disposed at a middle level within the wireless node network. The master node, which separately communicates with the server and the ID node and executes event detection code stored on its memory storage, is operative to detect a first and a second advertising signal broadcast by the ID node over a communication path with the ID node, compare an observed parameter of each of the first and second advertising signal (such as signal strength), identify the event candidate based upon the comparison, and use a second communication path to report the identified event candidate to the server.
H04W 4/00 - Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
G06Q 10/087 - Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
9.
SYSTEMS, APPARATUS AND METHOD OF ENHANCED CHECKPOINT SUMMARY BASED MONITORING FOR AN EVENT CANDIDATE RELATED TO AN ID NODE WITHIN A WIRELESS NODE NETWORK
Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for enhanced monitoring for an event candidate within a wireless node network. Such a system, for example, may include a server at a top level within the wireless node network, an ID node disposed at a low level within the wireless node network, and a master node disposed at a middle level within the wireless node network. The master node, which separately communicates with the server and the ID node and executes event detection code stored on its memory storage, is operative to detect a first and a second advertising signal broadcast by the ID node over a communication path with the ID node, compare an observed parameter of each of the first and second advertising signal (such as signal strength), identify the event candidate based upon the comparison, and use a second communication path to report the identified event candidate to the server.
Methods, apparatus, and systems are described for quantifying space within a container using a removable scanning sensor node. In general, the removable scanning sensor node identifies a type of the container, uses at least one depth sensor on the removable scanning sensor node to scan the space within the container to generate scan data, where the removable scanning sensor node is temporarily mounted within the container and above the space within the container, and where the depth sensor is oriented to scan the space within the container from above the space and within the container. The removable scanning sensor node then determines an unoccupied amount of the space within the container based upon the scan data.
G01B 21/18 - Measuring arrangements or details thereof, where the measuring technique is not covered by the other groups of this subclass, unspecified or not relevant for measuring depth
G01B 11/22 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring depth
11.
MANAGING LOGISTICS INFORMATION RELATED TO A LOGISTICS CONTAINER USING A CONTAINER INTERFACE DISPLAY APPARATUS
Methods, apparatus, and systems are described for managing logistics information related to a container using a container interface display apparatus. The container interface display apparatus may comprise a mountable housing, a display screen, a memory, a scanner, and a wireless communication interface. The housing is coupled to the container to permit the scanner to identify an item being loaded for shipment within the container. The scanner identifies the item, and the apparatus records an association in memory as part of managed logistics information that reflects an established and tracked relationship between the container and the item. The apparatus increments package count information (another part of the managed logistics information) to reflect that the item is loaded within the container. The apparatus generates electronic logistics monitor information on the display screen to include at least a portion of the managed logistics information related to the container.
B65D 90/00 - Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
H04W 4/00 - Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
B65D 79/00 - Kinds or details of packages, not otherwise provided for
B65D 90/48 - Arrangements of indicating or measuring devices
12.
METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS FOR TRANSMITTING A CORRECTIVE PICKUP NOTIFICATION FOR A SHIPPED ITEM ACCOMPANYING AN ID NODE BASED UPON INTENDEDPICKUP MASTER NODE MOVEMENT
Methods, apparatus, and systems that enhance delivery management of an item being shipped using a mobile node-enabled logistics receptacle are described that involve improved release control of the item and corrective delivery notifications related to the item. For example, a method for enhanced delivery management may a mobile node-enabled logistics receptacle identifying an intended delivery location associated with the item, detecting a current location of the mobile node-enabled logistics receptacle, and selectively releasing the item from the mobile node-enabled logistics receptacle based upon the detected current location of the mobile node- enabled logistics receptacle and the identified intended delivery location. Further detected conditions may be used when selectively releasing the item, such as successfully establishing a validation connection to a particular node in order to confirm or authorize release of the item or detecting signals from nodes associated with the intended delivery location.
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
H04W 68/00 - User notification, e.g. alerting or paging, for incoming communication, change of service or the like
H04W 4/35 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for the management of goods or merchandise
G06Q 10/0835 - Relationships between shipper or supplier and carriers
H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
13.
ENHANCED DELIVERY MANAGEMENT METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS FOR A SHIPPED ITEM USING A MOBILE NODE-ENABLED LOGISTICS RECEPTACLE
Methods, apparatus, and systems that enhance delivery management of an item being shipped using a mobile node-enabled logistics receptacle are described that involve improved release control of the item and corrective delivery notifications related to the item. For example, a method for enhanced delivery management may a mobile node-enabled logistics receptacle identifying an intended delivery location associated with the item, detecting a current location of the mobile node-enabled logistics receptacle, and selectively releasing the item from the mobile node-enabled logistics receptacle based upon the detected current location of the mobile node- enabled logistics receptacle and the identified intended delivery location. Further detected conditions may be used when selectively releasing the item, such as successfully establishing a validation connection to a particular node in order to confirm or authorize release of the item or detecting signals from nodes associated with the intended delivery location.
Methods, apparatus, and systems that enhance delivery management of an item being shipped using a mobile node-enabled logistics receptacle are described that involve improved release control of the item and corrective delivery notifications related to the item. For example, a method for enhanced delivery management may a mobile node-enabled logistics receptacle identifying an intended delivery location associated with the item, detecting a current location of the mobile node-enabled logistics receptacle, and selectively releasing the item from the mobile node-enabled logistics receptacle based upon the detected current location of the mobile node- enabled logistics receptacle and the identified intended delivery location. Further detected conditions may be used when selectively releasing the item, such as successfully establishing a validation connection to a particular node in order to confirm or authorize release of the item or detecting signals from nodes associated with the intended delivery location.
Methods of operation and systems are described for node communication within a hierarchical wireless node network having a plurality of ID nodes on a first level, a master node on a second level, and a server at a third level. A first of the ID nodes associates with the master node. The first ID node cannot self-determine its location while the master node is adapted to self-determine its location via location circuitry. The first ID node captures relevant node information, such as profile data, security data, association data, shared data, and/or sensor data. The relevant node information may be captured from another ID node. The first ID node begins operating in a pseudo master node mode so that it can transmit the relevant node information to the server without using the master node as an intermediary to the server.
H04W 4/06 - Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
Methods of operation and systems are described for node communication within a hierarchical wireless node network having a plurality of ID nodes on a first level, a master node on a second level, and a server at a third level. A first of the ID nodes associates with the master node. The first ID node cannot self-determine its location while the master node is adapted to self-determine its location via location circuitry. The first ID node captures relevant node information, such as profile data, security data, association data, shared data, and/or sensor data. The relevant node information may be captured from another ID node. The first ID node begins operating in a pseudo master node mode so that it can transmit the relevant node information to the server without using the master node as an intermediary to the server.
H04W 84/02 - Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
A system for tracking at least one object configured to be transported by at least one vehicle may include at least one computer system. The at least one computer system may be configured to determine at least one location of the at least one vehicle and determine at least one location of the at least one object. The at least one computer system may be further configured to determine at least one location of at least one geofence adjacent the at least one vehicle based on the at least one location of the at least one vehicle. Also, the at least one computer system may be configured to determine whether the at least one object is located within the at least one geofence to determine whether a load of the at least one vehicle includes the at least one object.
Methods and systems that manage shipment of an item using a wireless node network are disclosed having at least a plurality of nodes and a server. The system that carries this out has a first node and a second node, comprising a node processing unit, a node volatile memory coupled to the node processing unit, a first communication interface coupled to the node processing unit, and a second communication interface coupled to the node processing unit, wherein the first communication interface provides a short-range communication path between the first node and the second node. The server of the system has a server processing unit, a server volatile memory, and a third communication interface that provides a longer range communication path between the server and the second communication interface of the second node. The method comprises identifying, by a second of the nodes in the wireless node network, another (a first) of the nodes in the wireless node network as a potential for associating with the second node, the identifying being based upon a message broadcast by the first node and received by the second node. An association request is transmitted to the server by the second node and the server responds permissively to the second node. The first node and the second node are associated by the second node.
Methods and systems that manage shipment of an item using a wireless node network are disclosed having at least one ID node, a plurality of master nodes, and a server. The server receives shipping information that registers the ID node and the item. The ID node may be associated to a first master node prior to pick-up, with association information sent to the server. The ID node may be disassociated from the first master node when it associates with another master node along a predicted path traveled by the item and ID node. The disassociation/association information is reported to the server, which tracks the ID node associations and location. The ID node may be disassociated from the second master node when it associates with a final master node along the predicted path traveled by the item and ID node and after a drop-off event of the item.
Methods and systems that manage shipment of an item using a wireless node network are disclosed having at least a plurality of nodes and a server. The system that carries this out has a first node and a second node, comprising a node processing unit, a node volatile memory coupled to the node processing unit, a first communication interface coupled to the node processing unit, and a second communication interface coupled to the node processing unit, wherein the first communication interface provides a short-range communication path between the first node and the second node. The server of the system has a server processing unit, a server volatile memory, and a third communication interface that provides a longer range communication path between the server and the second communication interface of the second node. The method comprises identifying, by a second of the nodes in the wireless node network, another (a first) of the nodes in the wireless node network as a potential for associating with the second node, the identifying being based upon a message broadcast by the first node and received by the second node. An association request is transmitted to the server by the second node and the server responds permissively to the second node. The first node and the second node are associated by the second node.
21.
METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND DEVICES FOR DETECTING AND RESOLVING RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SHIPPED OBJECTS
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for resolving a risk associated with a shipped physical object. The methods and servers comprise associating a time with a geographical region. The methods and servers also comprise receiving a set of locations associated with transport of a physical object. In addition, the methods and servers comprise, determining that the set of locations fails to satisfy a condition associated with the time and the geographical region. The sensor devices report location data to a server at a first time interval, wherein the location data fails to satisfy a condition associated with a time and a geographical region. The sensor devices also receive an indication of a panic mode. In addition, the sensor devices also report location data to the server at a second time interval, wherein the second time interval is different than the first time interval.
G06F 3/04817 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance using icons
There is disclosed a method of providing information about a package in transit. The method involves receiving environmental data collected by a sensor associated with the package during transit and identifying contextual data about the package that is associated with the environmental data. The method also involves selectively providing access to the environmental and contextual data together as elements in an information feed to a plurality of parties, wherein the contextual data comprises at least one comment made by a party on an element in the information feed, and wherein one or more elements in the information feed are listed in chronological order beginning at a start time of the transit of the package.
A low power method for determining whether a cargo destined for air transport is in a flying state having the steps of: providing a housing for attachment to a cargo the housing having: an accelerometer for detecting a linear acceleration, a gyroscope for detecting an angular rate, a controller measuring a linear acceleration with the accelerometer, measuring an angular rate with the gyroscope, providing the measured linear acceleration and angular rate to the controller, and generating a flight status output signal indicating whether the housing is in a flying state as a function of the linear acceleration signal and angular rate signal.
G01C 23/00 - Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration
B64D 9/00 - Equipment for handling freight; Equipment for facilitating passenger embarkation or the like
G01C 21/04 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by terrestrial means
G01P 15/18 - Measuring acceleration; Measuring deceleration; Measuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration in two or more dimensions
24.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RULE-DRIVEN MANAGEMENT OF SENSOR DATA ACROSS GEOGRAPHIC AREAS AND DERIVED ACTIONS
The present disclosure relates to an information gathering method. The information gathering method includes identifying a location of a package, the location associated with one or more location-based restrictions on collecting data. The information gathering method also includes restricting access to sensor-collectable data associated with the package in accordance with the or more location-based restrictions.
There is provided a method for distributing sensor data. The method includes receiving, from a requesting device, a request to access first sensor-collectable data associated with at least one package. The requesting device is authenticated to access the first sensor-collectable data. And when second sensor-collectable data is associated with a predetermined value, the method also includes denying the request for access.
26.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GEO-STAGING OF SENSOR DATA THROUGH DISTRIBUTED GLOBAL (CLOUD) ARCHITECTURE
There is disclosed a method of staging real-time data in proximity to a mobile device. The method includes determining a geographic location associated with the mobile device and identifying a storage device located in proximity to the determined geographic location. The method also includes enabling real-time data published by the mobile device or provided to the mobile device to be stored on the identified storage device.
H04L 67/101 - Server selection for load balancing based on network conditions
H04L 67/1021 - Server selection for load balancing based on client or server locations
H04L 67/1023 - Server selection for load balancing based on a hash applied to IP addresses or costs
H04L 67/12 - Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
H04L 67/52 - Network services specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
H04L 67/568 - Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching
patents
