Abstract: Systems and methods are described for securely monitoring a shipping container for an environmental anomaly using elements of a wireless node network of sensor-based ID nodes disposed within the container and a command node associated with the container. The method has the command node identifying which of the ID nodes are confirmed as trusted sensors based upon a security credential specific to each of the ID nodes; monitoring only the confirmed ID nodes for sensor data broadcast those ID nodes; detecting the anomaly based upon the sensor data from at least one of the confirmed ID nodes; automatically generating an alert notification related to the detected environmental anomaly for the shipping container; and transmitting the alert notification to the external transceiver to initiate a mediation response related to the detected environmental anomaly.

Abstract: An enhanced shipping container apparatus that maintains packages is described having integrated fire suppression. The apparatus has a container base supporting the packages, multiple container walls coupled to the container base, and a container top coupled to each of the container walls. A fire suppression panel is integrated as part of one or more of the walls and top portion, and has a support sheet of fire resistant material; an interior exposed sheet of temperature sensitive material; a sealed boundary connecting the support sheet and interior exposed sheet on peripheral edges (where the sealed boundary, support sheet and interior exposed sheet define a holding cavity), and integrated fire suppression material in the holding cavity. The temperature sensitive material of the interior exposed sheet releases the integrated fire suppressant material from within the holding cavity when the temperature sensitive material of the interior exposed sheet is exposed to a threshold temperature.

Abstract: Methods and enhanced apparatus used in such methods are described that a dispatched logistics operation for a deliverable item from a hold-at-location (HAL) logistics facility having a secured storage and using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and a dispatch server. The bot apparatus assembly picks up and delivers the item from the HAL facility in response to a delivery dispatch command from the dispatch server. In response, the MAM of the bot verifies compatibility of modular components for the operation, controls receiving of the deliverable item from the secured storage at the HAL facility, then autonomously causes movement to the delivery destination. The MAM notifies the customer before delivery of the approaching delivery, authenticates delivery is to the authorized customer, provides access to the item within the bot apparatus assembly, monitors unloading of the item, then autonomously moves back to the HAL facility.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for multi-entity management of an ID node in a wireless node network. The ID node associates with a first entity user access device, which operates as a master node and communicates directly with a server over a first communication path. The first device separately communicates with the ID node over a second communication path, but the ID node is unable to directly communicate with the server. The ID node provides the first device with access to data collected by the ID node if an initial privilege authorizes it. After associating with a shipping entity master node, the ID node provides the shipping entity master node with the data collected based on a transferred privilege from the server. And then after associating with a second entity user access device, the ID node provides access to this second device if authorized by a destination privilege from the server.

Abstract: A detachable modular mobile autonomy module (MAM) for a modular autonomous bot apparatus includes a housing with latching points, an autonomous controller, location circuitry, external sensors monitoring an environment external to the MAM and providing sensor data to the controller, multi-element light panels on the housing driven by the controller; and a modular component power and data bus. The bus has a bottom side modular component electronics interface disposed on the housing that mates to a corresponding interface on another proximately-attached modular component of the bot.

Abstract: Motion-based management of a logistics container uses elements of a wireless node network including a container node associated with the logistics container and equipped with a motion sensor. The motion sensor detects a motion status (e.g., moving, stationary, accelerating, decelerating) for the logistics container. The container node compares the motion status to a prior motion status, and then identifies a changed motion condition for the logistics container based upon the comparison. In response to the changed motion condition, the container node alters a broadcast profile used by the container node in communicating with other nodes in the wireless node network. The container node may be deployed as an apparatus within a logistics container, be considered together with the logistics container as a motion sensing container node apparatus, and be considered with multiple package ID nodes as a motion-based management system for the logistics container.

Abstract: Motion-based management of a logistics container uses elements of a wireless node network including a container node associated with the logistics container and equipped with a motion sensor. The motion sensor detects a motion status (e.g., moving, stationary, accelerating, decelerating) for the logistics container. The container node compares the motion status to a prior motion status, and then identifies a changed motion condition for the logistics container based upon the comparison. In response to the changed motion condition, the container node alters a broadcast profile used by the container node in communicating with other nodes in the wireless node network. The container node may be deployed as an apparatus within a logistics container, be considered together with the logistics container as a motion sensing container node apparatus, and be considered with multiple package ID nodes as a motion-based management system for the logistics container.

Abstract: A system for detecting and verifying an environmental anomaly within a shipping container (transported on a transit vehicle having an external transceiver) has wireless sensor-based ID nodes at different locations within the container and multiple command nodes mounted to the container. A first command node is programmatically configured to be operative to detect the sensor data broadcasted from the ID nodes; responsively identify the anomaly based upon the sensor data detected by that command node; and transmit a validation request to another command node. The other command node is configured to be operative to also detect the sensor data broadcasted from the ID nodes; receive the validation request from the first command node; verify the anomaly in response to the validation request and based upon the sensor data detected by the second command node; and broadcast a verification message based upon whether the anomaly for the shipping container is verified.

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 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 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: A modular autonomous cart assembly for transporting an item being shipped is described with a sensor-equipped mobility base that carries the item(s), a modular cart handle, a sensor-equipped modular mobile cart autonomy control module detachably attached to the modular handle, all sharing a modular common power and data transport bus. The autonomous controller of the modular control module is programmatically adapted operative to establish a secure connection to a wireless mobile courier node, locate the courier node and the cart assembly, receive sensor data from the base and control module sensors, generate steering and propulsion control commands using the locations and sensor data and send them to a controller on the mobility base so that the assembly can autonomously track and follow the current location of the courier node as the courier node moves and while maintaining a predetermined follow distance from the current location of the courier node.

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: 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 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 described for preparing a node-enabled shipment of an item to be shipped using a wireless node network having at least a node and a server. A user access device, such as a laptop computer, smartphone, or tablet, may capture an identification of the node to be related to the item. The user access device enters shipping information related to the item and linked with an identification of the node. The shipping information is stored on the node, and then the node is combined with the item to be shipped. A system may include a node and a server, where the node is specially-adapted via programming to emit the identification of the node to the user access device, receive shipping information from the device, store the shipping information on the node, and then upload the shipping information to the server.

Abstract: An enhanced shipping container apparatus that maintains packages is described having integrated fire suppression. The apparatus has a container base supporting the packages, multiple container walls coupled to the container base, and a container top coupled to each of the container walls. A fire suppression panel is integrated as part of one or more of the walls and top portion, and has a support sheet of fire resistant material; an interior exposed sheet of temperature sensitive material; a sealed boundary connecting the support sheet and interior exposed sheet on peripheral edges (where the sealed boundary, support sheet and interior exposed sheet define a holding cavity), and integrated fire suppression material in the holding cavity. The temperature sensitive material of the interior exposed sheet releases the integrated fire suppressant material from within the holding cavity when the temperature sensitive material of the interior exposed sheet is exposed to a threshold temperature.

Abstract: Improved methods and systems are described that improve and enhance payment transaction technologies using node association in a wireless node network. In general, a master node related to a payment receiver may detect a signal from an ID node related to a payment provider as the ID node approaches the master node. The master node may then determine if the ID node desires to associate with the master node for a payment transaction based upon a first part of information within the detected signal, such as an identified item being purchased in the transaction. If desired, the master node and the ID node associate for the payment transaction, and the master node then submits payment transaction data to a server. Such payment transaction data is based upon a second part of information within the detected signal, such as an identified payment source for the transaction.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described that use multiple node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles on a single logistics operation having multiple legs performed by different transport vehicles with enhanced transfer of the item being shipped between such vehicles. A first or primary master node on a first node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle detects a signal from the second master node on a second transport vehicle, navigates to the second transport vehicle based on the detected signal and its direction, and may dock in a transfer configuration. At least one item (or a container with an item) is transferred as payload from the first to the second vehicle using one or more object manipulation systems on respective ones of the first and second transport vehicles. The second vehicle then detects a signal from another node, and navigates to that node as another leg in the multi-leg operation.

Abstract: A modular mobility base for a modular autonomous bot apparatus transporting an item being shipped including a mobile base platform, a component alignment interface, a mobility controller, a propulsion and steering system, and sensors. The component alignment interface provides an alignment channel into which another modular component can be placed and secured on the platform. The mobility controller generates propulsion control signals for controlling speed of the modular mobility base and steering control signals for navigation of the modular mobility base. The propulsion system is connected to the platform and responsive to the propulsion control signal. The steering system is connected to the mobile base platform and is responsive to the steering control signal to cause changes to directional movement of the modular mobility base. The sensors are disposed on the platform provide feedback sensor data to the mobility controller about a condition of the modular mobility base.