Abstract: 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 one or more location-based restrictions.
Abstract: A system and method for providing sensor data may comprise receiving a request for sensor data, the request including a triggering parameter. Furthermore, the system and method for providing sensor data may comprise searching for information identifying devices that meet the triggering parameter. Devices are selected from a plurality of item tracking devices, where the plurality of item tracking devices correspond to a plurality of items. Moreover, the system and method for providing sensor data may retrieve the requested sensor data that corresponds to the devices that meet the triggering parameter, and return the requested sensor data.
Abstract: 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.
Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include wearable devices and methods for performing courier services. In one implementation, the device includes a depth camera for detecting object depths in a field of view, a scanner for decoding visual codes, a speaker for producing audible sounds in response to an electrical signal, memory, and a processor. The processor may execute instructions to detect a scanning event based on a first signal received from the depth camera, determine a scan region associated with the scanning event, provide a second signal to the scanner causing the scanner to decode a visual code located within the scan region, generate scan data based on a third signal received from the scanner, and provide a fourth signal to the speaker causing the speaker to emit a notification sound. The wearable device may also capture signatures, dimension objects, and disable device functions based on time and place restrictions.
Abstract: A server apparatus allows for enhanced management of a wireless node network having a ID nodes and a master node in communication with the ID nodes. The server includes a processing unit, memory storage, and a network interface. The memory storage maintains event candidate analytics engine code for execution by the server, node management information (e.g., context data describing a contextual environment of the ID nodes and rule data used for node control operations) used to control ID nodes and the master node as part of managing the wireless node network.
Abstract: 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.
Abstract: 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 one or more location-based restrictions.
Abstract: There is disclosed methods and systems for managing drop boxes. Events reflecting outputs from one or more sensors are detected. Information that is a function of the detected event is forwarded to a drop box management system. This information, along with additional information received by the drop box management system, is utilized to generate instructions including display instructions for each drop box. Displays of drop boxes are then updated based on the instructions.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 14, 2018
Publication date:
April 25, 2019
Applicant:
FedEx Corporate Services, Inc.
Inventors:
Mark E. CALDWELL, Erika J. RAETH, James S. STAGGS, Kevin B. REASONS
Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems that are directed towards improved logistics node monitoring. Such a system may include a high-level managing node and a mid-level monitoring node that can communicate with low-level ID nodes associated with items being shipped. The mid-level node uses a central node control processor to coordinate monitoring for ID node signals, and a remote management communication interface coupled to the processor to provide the processor with access to the high-level node and a control input sent from the high-level node. A first command radio transceiver coupled to the processor provides a first command interface to the ID nodes and allows for transmission of an ID node instruction from the processor to at least one of the ID nodes. A first node monitoring radio receiver in the mid-level monitoring node is assigned to listen for ID node signals over a first channel.
Abstract: Technical solutions for enhanced communication management of wireless nodes are described. For example, an enhanced system for communication management may include different wireless nodes deployed at different locations, including a target node at an initial location. The system's server can directly or indirectly communicate with each of the nodes. The server, when executing communication management software instructions, can identify the target node; identify an initial group of other nodes proximate to the initial location of the target node; determine an operating node density of the initial group of other nodes; and transmit a change in a broadcast profile to at least one neighboring node from the initial group of other nodes proximate to the target node's initial location if the operating node density exceeds a threshold. This profile change causes at least one neighboring node to temporarily cease broadcasting during a time interval.
Abstract: Methods, computer-readable medium, and apparatus are described for proactively reporting a content status of a node-enabled logistics receptacle in a wireless node network. Generally, the node-enabled logistics receptacle may update the content status stored in memory onboard the node-enabled logistics receptacle based upon whether the node-enabled logistics receptacle has received a package and is temporarily maintaining custody of the package. The receptacle may then broadcast status information related to the updated content status for the node-enabled logistics receptacle. In more detail, a node assembled within the node-enabled logistics receptacle may detect a signal broadcast from a master node in the wireless node network, access the content status stored in memory onboard the receptacle, and broadcast status information to the master node related to the content status for the node-enabled receptacle.
Abstract: A wireless tracking device operating in at least two modes to reduce power consumption and extend the operable period of the wireless tracking device. In an active mode, the wireless tracking device samples sensor signals at a higher resolution and may also actively communicate with a remote device via wireless connection. In a hibernation mode, most of the components or modules in the wireless tracking device are shut down to reduce power consumption. The wireless tracking device may switch to the active mode When a predetermine event is detected.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 1, 2018
Publication date:
February 28, 2019
Applicant:
FedEx Corporate Services, Inc.
Inventors:
Martin TURON, Xin YANG, Michael P. DIERKS
Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for motion-based tracking of package placement in a logistics container are described using a container node associated with the logistics container. In general, the container node activates a scanning mode to electronically listen for an ID node associated with a package being shipped within the logistics container. The container node detects a signal broadcast from the package's ID node and then senses an impact force on the logistics container using a motion sensor on the container node. The container node determines whether the detected signal broadcast from the ID node and the sensed impact force indicate the package was placed within the logistics container, and then transmits a notification to a managing node to reflect that the detected signal and the sensed impact force indicate the package was placed within the logistics container.
Abstract: A method of management of a communication device in an aircraft may include transitioning the communication device from a normal mode to a disabled mode based on a calculated device sleep time based on data associated with transportation information of the device. One of these modes may be a state of the device in which a transceiver of the device is deactivated and the other mode may be a state of the device in which the transceiver is activated. Therefore, the device sleep time determines when the wireless device's transceiver may not be activated.
Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus are described for adaptive adjustment of node power level in a wireless node network having a plurality of nodes and a server. In a method, the server or a master node in the network may detect a proximate condition relative to a first of the nodes and adjust the node power of the first node accordingly. More specifically, the server or master node may detect if either a number of other nodes operating proximate a first of the nodes exceeds a neighboring node threshold, or if the first node is located in an RF restricted area, or if a signal strength level near the first node exceeds a signal strength threshold. If so, the server may adapt an output power setting on the first node from an original level to an adapted level.
Abstract: Multi-antenna container node implemented methods, apparatus and systems are described that can locate a package ID node within a logistics container and communicate with a master node outside the container. The container node's controller may generate a location control message related to the package ID node and send it to one of the node's transceivers. That transceiver may select different subsets of its antenna elements to receive an inbound wireless signal from the package ID node in response to the location control message, and detect reception information about what was received for each of the subsets before providing that detected reception information to the container node controller. The controller then determines a location of the package ID node relative to the logistics container based upon the detected reception information, and then another separate transceiver of the container node transmits a location determination message to the master node.
Abstract: Methods, computer-readable medium, and apparatus are described for detecting a plurality of package types in the custody of a node-enabled logistics receptacle in a wireless node network. The receptacle detects a first type of package by receiving a signal broadcast from a node within a first node-enabled package prior to sensing a deposit of the first package. The receptacle also detects a second type of package (not a node-enabled package) by sensing a deposit of a second package without receiving a signal broadcast from a node within the second package. The node-enabled logistics receptacle then logs the detections of the first type of package and the second type of package. Then, the node-enabled logistics receptacle notifies another network device within the wireless node network about the logged detection of the first type of package and the second type of package.