Proximity based adaptive adjustment of node power level in a wireless node network

• US 10,157,363 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2014
• Issued: 12/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fedex Corporate Services Incorporated (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fedex Corporate Services Incorporated (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Skaaksrud, Ole-Petter
• Primary Examiner(s): Recek, Jason D
• Application Number:
  US14/489,554
• Publication Number:
  US 20150156254A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,552 Days
• Field of Search: 709203, 709224
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 60/00256 Delivery operations
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 25/02 Packaging agricultural or horticultural products
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/02 Internal fittings of containers made by folding or erecting blanks made of paper B65D5/44
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/102 Straps, bands, strings or other elongate elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3407 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3453 Special cost functions, i.e. other than distance or default speed limit of road segments
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/362 received from an external device or application, e.g. PDA, mobile phone or calendar application
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/01 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0289 of multiple transceivers, e.g. in ad hoc networks
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/14 Determining absolute distances from a plurality of spaced points of known location
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0022 characterised by the communication link data switching networks in general H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/021 specially adapted to land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0712 the arrangement being capable of triggering distinct operating modes or functions dependent on the strength of an energy or interrogation field in the proximity of the record carrier active means for hindering electromagnetic reading or writing G06K19/07336
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0835 Relationships between shipper or supplier and carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08355 Routing methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0836 : Recipient pick-ups
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0838 : Historical data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 : Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 : specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/22 : Payment schemes or models
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/308 : using the Internet of Things
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/321 : using wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/325 : using wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 : Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 : Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 : based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0261 : System arrangements wherein the object is to detect trespassing over a fixed physical boundary, e.g. the end of a garden
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0269 : System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact location of child or item using a navigation satellite system, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 : for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/65 : stored on portable record carriers, e.g. on smartcards, RFID tags or CD
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 : ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3822 : specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/61 : for local area broadcast, e.g. instore broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/71 : Wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/026 : using e-messaging for transporting management information, e.g. email, instant messaging or chat
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0813 : characterised by the conditions triggering a change of settings
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0823 : characterised by the purposes of a change of settings, e.g. optimising configuration for enhancing reliability for optimising operational conditions of wireless networks H04W24/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/10 : Active monitoring, e.g. heartbeat, ping or trace-route
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/22 : Alternate routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 : Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 : in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 : specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 : Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 : specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 : Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 : Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 : using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/025 : using location based information parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/38 : for collecting sensor information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/60 : Subscription-based services using application servers or record carriers, e.g. SIM application toolkits
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0212 : managed by the network, e.g. network or access point is master and terminal is slave
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/04 : TPC
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 : Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/003 : locating network equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/006 : with additional information processing, e.g. for direction or speed determination
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 : Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 : Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/24 : Transfer of terminal data
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

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.

Claims

1. A method for adaptive adjustment of node power level in a wireless node network having a plurality of nodes and a server, comprising:

predicting, by the server, an expected transit path of a first of the nodes and a related item being shipped with the first node;

accessing context data, by the server, related to the predicted expected transit path of the first node;

detecting, by the server, if a number of other nodes anticipated to be operating proximate the first node exceeds a threshold as the first node moves based upon anticipated movement of the first node from a first area on the predicted expected transit path to a second area on the predicted expected transit path as indicated by the context data; and

adapting, by the server, an output power setting on the first node from an original level to an adapted level when the number of other nodes anticipated to be operating proximate the first node exceeds the threshold.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the number of other nodes anticipated to be operating proximate the first node comprises a number of other nodes anticipated to be operating within a first communication area around the first node.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first communication area around the first node is defined by a transmission range around the first node or by a reception range from the first node.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the adapted level comprises an RF output signal level that is decreased relative to the original level based upon the extent the number of other nodes anticipated to be operating proximate the first node exceeds the threshold.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising altering the output power setting to the original level when the server detects the number of other nodes anticipated to be operating proximate the first node no longer exceeds the threshold as the first node continues to move.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the accessed context data relates to the anticipated movement of the first node on an expected transit path of the first node.

7. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions which when executed on a processor performs a method for adaptive adjustment of node power level in a wireless node network having a plurality of nodes and a server, the method comprising:

predicting, by the server, an expected transit path of a first of the nodes and a related item being shipped with the first node;

accessing context data, by the server, related to the predicted expected transit path of the first node;

detecting, by the server, if a number of other nodes anticipated to be operating proximate the first node exceeds a threshold as the first node moves based upon anticipated movement of the first node from the a first area on the predicted expected transit path to a second area on the predicted expected transit path as indicated by the context data; and

adapting, by the server, an output power setting on the first node from an original level to an adapted level when the number of other nodes anticipated to be operating proximate the first node exceeds the threshold.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the number of other nodes anticipated to be operating proximate the first node comprises a number of other nodes anticipated to be operating within a first communication area around the first node.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the first communication area around the first node is defined by a transmission range around the first node or by a reception range from the first node.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the adapted level comprises an RF output signal level that is decreased relative to the original level based upon the extent the number of other nodes anticipated to be operating proximate the first node exceeds the threshold.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the method further comprises altering the output power setting to the original level when the server detects the number of other nodes anticipated to be operating proximate the first node no longer exceeds the threshold as the first node continues to move.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the accessed context data relates to the anticipated movement of the first node on an expected transit path of the first node.

13. A server apparatus for adaptive adjustment of node power level in a wireless node network of a plurality of nodes, the apparatus comprising:

a processing unit;

a memory coupled to the processing unit, the memory maintaining code for execution by the processing unit, context data related to at least a first of the nodes, and location data regarding the nodes;

a communication interface coupled to the processing unit and operative to communicate with at least the first node; and

wherein the processing unit, when executing the code maintained on the memory, is operative to

predict an expected transit path of the first node and a related item being shipped with the first node,

access the location data on the memory,

access the context data on the memory,

detect anticipated movement of the first node from a first area on the predicted expected transit path to a second area on the predicted expected transit path

identify how many of the nodes are anticipated to be operating proximate the first node based upon the location data and the context data related to the anticipated movement of the first node from the first area on the predicted expected transit path to the second area on the predicted expected transit path,

detect if the identified number of other nodes anticipated to be operating proximate the first node exceeds a threshold, and

adapt an output power setting on the first node from an original level to an adapted level when the identified number of other nodes anticipated to be operating proximate the first node exceeds the threshold.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the number of nodes anticipated to be operating proximate the first node comprises a number of nodes anticipated to be operating within a first communication area around the first node.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first communication area around the first node is defined by a transmission range around the first node or by a reception range from the first node.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the adapted level comprises an RF output signal level that is decreased relative to the original level based upon the extent the number of nodes anticipated to be operating proximate the first node exceeds the threshold.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the processing unit is further operative to transmit a message to the first node to alter the output power setting to the original level when the number of nodes anticipated to be operating proximate the first node no longer exceeds the threshold as the first node continues to move.

18. The server apparatus of claim 13, wherein the context data on the memory relates to the anticipated movement of the first node on an expected transit path of the first node.

19. A master node apparatus for adaptive adjustment of node power level in a wireless node network of a plurality of other nodes and a server, the apparatus comprising:

a master node processing unit;

a master node memory coupled to the master node processing unit, the master node memory maintaining code for execution by the master node processing unit, context data received from the server and related to at least a first of the nodes, and location data regarding the other nodes;

a first communication interface coupled to the master node processing unit and operative to communicate with at least the first node;

a second communication interface coupled to the master node processing unit and being is operative to communicate with the server; and

wherein the master node processing unit, when executing the code maintained on the memory, is operative to

receive a threshold setting from the server over the second communication interface,

receive the context data from the server, wherein the content indicating anticipated movement of the first node and a related item being shipped with the first node from a first area on a server predicted expected transit path to a second area on the server predicted expected transit path,

access the content data in the master node memory,

identify how many of the other nodes are anticipated to be operating proximate the first node based upon the context data related to the anticipated movement of the first node,

detect if the identified number of other nodes anticipated to be operating proximate the first node exceeds the received threshold setting, and

adapt an output power setting on the first node from an original level to an adapted level when the identified number of other nodes anticipated to be operating proximate the first node exceeds the threshold.

20. The master node of claim 19, wherein the master node processing unit is further operative to access the location data on the master node memory, and identify how many of the other nodes are anticipated to be operating proximate the first node based upon the location data and the context data.

21. The master node of claim 19, wherein the number of other nodes anticipated to be operating proximate the first node comprises a number of other nodes anticipated to be operating within a first communication area around the first node.

22. The master node of claim 21, wherein the first communication area around the first node is defined by a transmission range around the first node or by a reception range from the first node.

23. The master node of claim 19, wherein the adapted level comprises an RF output signal level that is decreased relative to the original level based upon the extent the number of other nodes anticipated to be operating proximate the first node exceeds the threshold setting.

24. The master node of claim 19, wherein the master node processing unit is further operative to transmit a message to the first node over the first communication interface to alter the output power setting to the original level when the number of other nodes anticipated to be operating proximate the first node no longer exceeds the threshold setting as the first node continues to move.

25. The master node of claim 19, wherein the context data in the master node memory relates to the anticipated movement of the first node on an expected transit path of the first node.