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.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for sharing shipment condition information in a wireless node network having a plurality of network devices and a server. In one method, a first node detects an advertising signal broadcast from a second node, where the first node is a first of the network devices and related to a first package, and the second node is a second of the network devices and related to a second package. The method continues by associating the first node and the second node. The first node then accesses the shipment condition information from a memory in the first node, and transmits or otherwise shares the shipment condition information with the second node if the first node is authorized to share the shipment condition information with the second node.

Abstract: A node-enabled autonomous vehicle conducting a logistics transaction for a package includes an autonomous vehicle and a mobile master node on the vehicle. The vehicle moves, pursuant to control input, from a first location to a transaction location related to the logistics transaction. The mobile master node has a short range communication interface to communicate with other nodes in a wireless node network and a longer range communication interface to communicate directly with a server in the network. The vehicle's mobile master node is operative to receive shipment information from the server that identifies the package and an identification of a node associated with the package; provide a control signal to a control input of the vehicle causing the vehicle to move to the transaction location; and automatically conduct the logistics transaction related to the package if the mobile master node successfully associates with a node associated with the package.

Abstract: A corner protector for protecting a corner of an article includes a first side panel lying in a first plane, and a second side panel lying in a second plane. The corner protector also includes an accordion-like connection structure interconnecting the first side panel and the second side panel such that inner surfaces of the first and second side panels define an adjustable article receiving cavity therebetween.

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: 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.

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.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for monitoring, detecting, and initiating a response to an environmental anomaly within a shipping container of packages involves sensor-based ID nodes, a command node and an external transceiver on a transit vehicle. Each ID node generates and broadcasts sensor data on environmental conditions proximate the respective ID node within the shipping container. The command node detects the sensor data from each ID node and compares it with locally maintained context data (an environmental threshold condition) for that ID node to detect the environmental anomaly when sensor data exceeds a respective threshold condition. The command node then generates a layered alert notification related to the environmental anomaly identifying a targeted mediation recipient and targeted mediation action, and establishing a mediation response priority.

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: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing a delivery of an item being shipped are described using a wireless node network having at least an ID node related to the item being shipped, a mobile user access device operative to function as a master node, and a server. The mobile user access device adapted to function as a master node in the network receives shipping information from the server. The shipping information is related to the item being shipped and an identification of the ID node. The mobile user access device then detects a signal broadcast from the ID node as the ID node comes within a communication range of the device. The ID node and mobile user access device are then associated to acknowledge the delivery of the item. Thereafter, the mobile user access device operating as the master node notifies the server about the acknowledged delivery.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for picking up an order using elements of a wireless node network. In one example, a master node receives order information from a server, where the order information identifies the order and a mobile user access device registered to pick up the order. The master node detects a signal broadcast from the mobile user access device identified by the order information when the mobile user access device is operating as an advertising ID node in the network and as the mobile user access device approaches the master node. The master node then associates with the identified mobile user access device. When the master node determines the identified mobile user access device is within a predetermined range of the pickup point, the master node notifies an order management system responsible for the order.

Abstract: An improved system on a transit vehicle is described for coordinated mediation action in response to an identified environmental anomaly on a shipping container transported by the vehicle. The system has wirelessly broadcasting ID nodes at different locations within the container, and a fire suppression system on the vehicle having a wireless transceiver-based controller operating as a master node that can cause the suppression system to deliver fire suppressant material to the container using a delivery nozzle and pump. The controller, as master node, is configured to operate as a primary monitor for the anomaly by being operative to monitor ID node signals; identify the anomaly based on the signals; generate a layered alert notification related to the anomaly (identifying a targeted mediation action and establishes a mediation response priority); and initiate a mediation response by the suppression system related to the targeted mediation action and the mediation response priority.

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: Methods and systems are described for generating a shipping label for an item to be shipped using a wireless node network. The network includes a master node associated with a shipping facility, a node associated with a shipping customer, and a server. The master node receives shipping information from the server, where the shipping information is related to the node associated with the shipping customer and item to be shipped. The master node then detects a signal from the shipping customer's node as it approaches the shipping facility. The master node proceeds to become associated with the shipping customer's node. The master node then causes generation of the shipping label for the item to be shipped when the master node determines the node associated with the shipping customer is within a predetermined range of a location within the shipping facility.

Abstract: Methods, computer-readable medium, and apparatus are described for deploying a plurality of pickup entities to a node-enabled logistics receptacle in a wireless node network. A server in the network receives a message from a node-enabled logistics receptacle. The message identifies a plurality of packages currently maintained within the node-enabled logistics receptacle ready for pickup. In response, the server accesses shipping information from a server memory storage, where the shipping information is related to the identified plurality of packages currently maintained with the node-enabled logistics receptacle. The server then identifies which of the plurality of pickup entities need to be deployed to provide one or more pickup services at the node-enabled logistics receptacle based upon the shipping information.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, non-transient media, and methods are described that use a removable scanning sensor node for managing a load operation related to a container. For example, the method has the scanning sensor node identifying an item to be shipped within the container and mapping the space within the container after the item has been placed within the container using the node as temporarily disposed within the container and oriented to map the container's space from above the space. The method then has the scanning sensor node determining an occupied capacity within the container based upon mapping data associated with the mapped space and transmitting a notification to a managing node in communication with the removable scanning sensor node. The transmitted notification relates to the occupied capacity within the container as determined by the scanning sensor node.