Abstract: A package command node detects an environmental anomaly related to a shipment package for transport within a shipping container on a transit vehicle having an external transceiver. The package command node has a command node housing disposed with the package, a processor within the housing, a memory maintaining package command node environmental detection program code, and a wireless transceiver communication interface that communicates with sensor-based ID nodes generating sensor data from different parts of the container. The package command node's processor is programmatically configured to detect the ID node sensor data; identify the anomaly when the detected sensor data indicates an environmental condition that exceeds an environmental threshold; generate an alert notification related to the anomaly; and transmit the alert notification to the external transceiver to initiate a mediation response related to the environmental anomaly.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are described for generating a content related notification based upon managed logistics information related to a container using a container interface display apparatus. Such a container interface display apparatus records an update to the managed logistics information maintained in a memory of the container interface display apparatus and then accesses at least a portion of the managed logistics information maintained in the memory after recording the update. The container interface display apparatus then detects a notification event based upon the accessed portion of the managed logistics information. Such notification event is related to status information associated with the container or an item stored within the container.

Abstract: 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.

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: Methods and systems are disclosed for managing shipped physical objects. The methods and systems comprise receiving data associated with a journey of the shipped object and determining, using a processor, alert conditions based on the received data. Alert conditions are representative of risk of damage, loss, or delay associated with the shipped object. In addition, the methods and systems comprise transmitting one or more alternative options for mitigating the alert condition to a user, receiving a selection of one of the alternative options, and modifying the journey based on the received selection.

Abstract: Methods and node-enabled apparatus are described that involve use of node-enabled packaging material as part of a container for an item to be shipped. The method begins by forming at least a part of the container with the packaging material. Next, the method activates a node integrated as part of the packaging material. The node is operative to communicate with one or more network devices (such as an ID node, master node and/or server) in a wireless node network. The method then registers shipping information with a server in the wireless node network via a user access device operated by a shipping customer. The shipping information is related to the container and the node integrated as part of the packaging material of the container. The item to be shipped may be sealed within the container.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for tracking one or more items. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method for tracking an item. The method may include periodically detecting sensor information of an item by a sensor device. The method may also include periodically transmitting the sensor information by the sensor device. The method may also include receiving the sensor information at a tracking center, storing the sensor information in a database, and reviewing the stored sensor information. The method may further include using the stored sensor information to update shipment information for a package.

Abstract: 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). 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, for example, 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.

Abstract: Adaptive wireless node-implemented systems and methods are described for detecting an environmental anomaly related to a shipping container and reporting a layered alert notification to an external transceiver on a transit vehicle transporting the shipping container. The system has ID nodes within the container (a portion of which being associated with objects transported in the container), a primary command node within the container, and a designated survivor command node mounted to the container. The primary command node monitors signal activity from the ID nodes, identifies the environmental anomaly based upon the signal activity, generates the alert notification (identifying a targeted mediation recipient and mediation action, and establishing a mediation response priority), and transmits the alert notification to the external transceiver to initiate a mediation response. The designated survivor command node takes over as the primary command node when unable to communicate with the primary command node.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for tracking one or more items. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method for tracking an item. The method may include periodically detecting sensor information of an item by a sensor device. The method may also include periodically transmitting the sensor information by the sensor device. The method may also include receiving the sensor information at a tracking center, storing the sensor information in a database, and reviewing the stored sensor information. The method may further include using the stored sensor information to update shipment information for a package.

Abstract: Systems for layered initiation of a mediation response to a battery-related environmental anomaly may have a node-enabled battery, a secondary sensor-based node disposed next to the node-enabled battery, and a command node.

Abstract: An enhanced shipping container apparatus generally includes a shipping container housing, sensor-based ID nodes in different locations on the housing, and a command node mounted to the housing. The ID nodes have environmental sensors that generate sensor data on an environmental condition proximate each respective ID node. The command node is programmatically configured to detect sensor data broadcasted from the ID nodes; identify an environmental anomaly for the shipping container when the detected sensor data does not include sensor data from a threshold number of ID nodes and when sensor data detected indicates an environmental condition exceeding an environmental threshold; and initiate a mediation response related to a targeted mediation action (identified by the command node) by transmitting a layered alert notification to an external transceiver.

Abstract: A command node designates a group of monitor beacons from wireless ID nodes in different locations in a shipping container where the group further includes a remote monitor beacon located outside a reception range of the command node. The command node programmatically configures another ID node to be a dedicated bridging node providing a dedicated intermediary communication link between the command node and the remote monitor beacon. The command node receives a respective broadcast signal from the monitor beacons (directly or indirectly through the bridging node), monitors those signals for any unanticipated ceased broadcasting, identifies an unresponsive subset of monitor beacons from such monitoring, and detecting an environmental anomaly when the size of the unresponsive subset exceed a threshold setting. The command node then generates an alert notification related to the anomaly and initiates a mediation response for the anomaly by transmitting the alert notification to an external transceiver.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Systems/methods are described for initiating a mediation response to a detected environmental anomaly in a shipping container. Multiple wireless sensor-based ID nodes in the container generate sensor data on environmental conditions proximate each ID node. A command node mounted to the container has a command node sensor generating sensor data on an environmental condition proximate the command node. The command node detects ID node sensor data and detects the anomaly when ID node sensor data exceeds an ID node's threshold condition. The command node then generates a layered alert notification identifying a targeted mediation recipient and targeted mediation action, and establishing a mediation response priority based upon comparing the ID node sensor data and the threshold, and a difference between the command node sensor data and a container environmental profile maintained by the command node). The command node initiates a mediation response by transmitting the notification to an external transceiver.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

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.

Abstract: An adaptive method and system for monitoring a shipping container for an environmental anomaly uses sensor-based ID nodes within the container and a command node. Sensors on each ID node generate sensor data about an environmental condition proximate the ID node as disposed within the container. Each ID node periodically broadcasts the sensor data. The command node monitors a first group of sensor data from the ID nodes over a first time period to detect an initial environmental threshold condition related to the container, then monitors a subsequent group of sensor data over a second time period under a modified monitoring parameter to detect a secondary environmental threshold condition related to the container as the anomaly. In response to detecting the secondary condition, the command node generates an alert notification and transmits the alert notification to an external transceiver to initiate a mediation response related to the anomaly.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for proactively notifying a shipping customer using a wireless node network about an alternative shipping solution when shipping a package. A master node in the network related to a shipping facility may detect a signal broadcast by a user access device related to the shipping customer as the device approaches the shipping facility master node with the package to be shipped. The shipping customer's user access device (e.g., smartphone, tablet) is operating as another node in the network. The shipping facility master node then associates with the user access device, and may receive shipping information on the package to be shipped from a server. The shipping facility master node may then provide a proactive notification about an alternative shipping solution to the user access device based upon a shipping status for the shipping facility.