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.

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 or more location-based restrictions.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are described for dynamically transforming scan data representing a container's loaded volume using a scanning sensor node mounted above storage space within the container. The scanning sensor node generally includes a memory, a depth sensor oriented above and towards the storage space, an identification scanner, and a communications interface to an external managing node. The identification scanner identifies an item being loaded into the storage space and the depth sensor responsively scans the storage space to generate the scan data. The scanning sensor node determines if the item is at least partially not visible to the depth sensor based upon the generated scan data and dynamically transforms the scan data into refined scan data based on this determination and upon material dimension data associated with the item.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining an improved location of a node in a wireless node network based on context data are described. A network device, such as a master node or server, accesses a first type of the context data related to a proximate environment of the node being located. The first type of the context data includes signal degradation information for a second node (similar to the first node) in a similar environment to the proximate environment of the first node. Based upon this first type of context data, the network device adjusts a communication distance related to the first node, such as a transmission distance or receiver sensitivity range distance. The network device then determines the improved location of the first node based upon the adjusted communication distance that accounts for signal degradation known to affect the similar second node in the similar environment.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for creating a hierarchical sensor network for enhanced monitoring of a grouped set of packages being shipped, the hierarchical sensor network using a wireless node network having a mobile master node, an ID node and a server. The mobile master node can communicate directly with the server over a first communication path, and is placed within a package in the grouped packages. The ID node can communicate directly with the master node over a second communication path but cannot communicate directly with the server over the first communication path. The ID node is placed within another package in the grouped packages. The mobile master node and the ID node are enabled with power, and the hierarchical sensor network for the grouped packages is activated by causing the server to associate the mobile master node with the ID node.

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: Methods and systems are described for active shipment management within a wireless network enabled vehicle that may use an ID node associated with a package, a container node associated with a logistics container, a vehicle node on the vehicle, and a managing node external to the vehicle. In general, the vehicle node broadcasts a management request to the container node related to the package. The container node identifies the ID node associated with the package based upon shipping information included in the management request. The container node verifies the package is on the vehicle via the ID node's location as determined by the container node. The container node transmits a verification message to the vehicle node to indicate whether the package is verified to be on the vehicle. The vehicle node then transmits a shipment update message to the managing node indicating updated shipping information related to the package.

Abstract: Systems, master node-based apparatus, and methods are described for enhanced monitoring for an event candidate within a wireless node network. Such a system may include a low-level ID node and a mid-level master node. The master node receives a first group of signals, and then detects if the ID node is broadcasting with a cycling broadcast RF power profile setting, receives a second plurality of advertising signals from the ID node also broadcast with this setting. The master node then determines a first average of an observed parameter for the first advertising signals within a first window of time commensurate with the cycling period and a second average of the observed parameter for the second advertising signals within a second window of time commensurate with the cycling period. The master node then identifies and reports the event candidate when a comparison of the first average and the second average indicates a threshold observed change relative to the ID node.

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, apparatus, and methods are described for checkpoint summary based monitoring for an event candidate within a wireless node network of ID nodes, a master node, and a server. Such a method, for example, may have the master node receiving a first set of advertising signals broadcast by an ID node and generating a first checkpoint summary representing the first set of received signals. The master node then receives a second set of advertising signals broadcast by the ID node (after the ID node broadcasts the first set) and generates a second checkpoint summary representing the second set of received signals. The method then identifies the event candidate based upon a comparison of an observed parameter for each of the first checkpoint summary and the second checkpoint summary; and reports to the server a message about the event candidate relative to the ID node.

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: Improved methods, systems, and apparatus are described for determining a location using chaining triangulation for one of a plurality of nodes in a wireless node network having a server. A first of the nodes determines a location of the first node, and transmits the location of the first node to the server. A second of the nodes determines a location of the second node, and transmits the location of the second node to the server. The server receives the locations of the first and second notes, and infers a location of a third of the nodes. Thereafter, the server triangulates the location of the one node based upon a determined distance of the one node to each of the locations of the first and second nodes and a determined distance of the one node to the inferred location of the third node.

Abstract: Methods and systems for context management of a wireless node network having at least a plurality of nodes and a server are described. The server identifies at least one of the nodes. The server determines what context data relates to an operating environment of the identified node as the identified node moves along a path within the operating environment. Based upon the determined context data (e.g., scan data, historic data, shipment data, and layout data), the server performs a management task related to the identified node (e.g., instructs the node to alter its operation, associate the node with the another node, locates the node, tracks and reports the location of the node) with an adjustment made to account for the determined context data.

Abstract: Methods, computer-readable medium, and apparatus assemblies are described for assessing a current location for a node-enabled logistics receptacle. In the method, the node-enabled logistics receptacle is operative to detect a level of wireless communication signal activity on a communication interface on the node-enabled logistics receptacle as well as receive and temporarily maintain custody of a package being shipped. The receptacle then records the detected level of wireless communication signal activity over a predetermined period of time in a memory disposed in the node-enabled logistics receptacle. Next, the receptacle compares the recorded level of wireless communication signal activity over the predetermined period of time to a user criteria level for the node-enabled logistics receptacle. Using the comparison of the recorded level and the user criteria level, the node-enabled logistics receptacle is thus able to assess that suitability of the current location of the receptacle.

Abstract: Enhanced monitoring for an event candidate, as performed by a master node in a wireless node network with a server and at least one ID node, generally has the master node detecting a first signal broadcast by the ID node; identifying the event candidate as a first sighting event when detecting the first signal; generating and reporting event data representing the first sighting event (e.g., an ID node identifier, timing, and signal strength information); identifying the event candidate as a sporadic event related to the ID node when (1) there is no identified first benchmark checkpoint event related to the ID node and (2) there is no detected subsequent signal broadcast by the ID node within a gap time period from when the latest signal from the ID node was detected; generating and reporting event data representing the sporadic event (e.g.

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, media, apparatus, and systems are described for improved and enhanced node location determination related to one of a plurality of nodes in a wireless node network. A first and second other node in the network are instructed to detect any message broadcast from the one node over a period of time. The server receives a first indication from the first other node, where the first indication relates to a characteristic of all messages broadcast from the one node that are detected by the first other node during the time period. The server receives a second indication from the second other node, where the second indication relates to the characteristic of all messages broadcast from the one node that are detected by the second other node during the time period. The server then determines a location of the one node based upon a difference in the first and second indications.