Methods and systems for motion-enhanced package placement tracking using a container node associated with a logistic container

• US 10,187,748 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2017
• Issued: 01/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2016
• 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): Feild, Joseph H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mahase, Pameshanand
• Application Number:
  US15/433,074
• Publication Number:
  US 20170278061A1
• Time in Patent Office: 706 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/16 Threshold monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• 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: H04W 28/0252 per individual bearer or channel dynamic wireless traffic scheduling H04W72/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/08 Reselecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/30 by measured or perceived connection quality data
• 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 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/322 Power control of broadcast channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/006 with additional information processing, e.g. for direction or speed determination
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/11 : Allocation or use of connection identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/15 : Setup of multiple wireless link connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 : Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, and systems for motion-based tracking of package placement in a logistics container are described using a container node associated with the logistics container. In general, the container node activates a scanning mode to electronically listen for an ID node associated with a package being shipped within the logistics container. The container node detects a signal broadcast from the package'"'"'s ID node and then senses an impact force on the logistics container using a motion sensor on the container node. The container node determines whether the detected signal broadcast from the ID node and the sensed impact force indicate the package was placed within the logistics container, and then transmits a notification to a managing node to reflect that the detected signal and the sensed impact force indicate the package was placed within the logistics container.

Claims

1. A motion-based method for improved tracking of package placement in a logistics container using a container node associated with the logistics container, the method comprising:

activating, by the container node, a scanning mode of the container node to electronically listen for an ID node associated with a package to be shipped within the logistics container;

detecting, by the container node, a signal broadcast from the ID node associated with the package;

sensing, by a motion sensor on the container node, an impact force on the logistics container after detecting the signal broadcast from the ID node;

determining whether the detected signal broadcast from the ID node and the sensed impact force indicate the package was placed within the logistics container; and

transmitting a notification by the container node to a managing node, the notification reflecting the detected signal and the sensed impact force indicate the package was placed within the logistics container.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor comprises one from a group consisting of an inertial sensor, a shock detector, an accelerometer, and a microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor of the container node comprises a plurality of sensing elements.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality of sensing elements are disposed proximate to different portions of an interior storage area within the logistics container.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting step comprises detecting, by the container node, a series of increasingly stronger signals broadcast from the ID node.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step comprises determining whether the detected signal and the sensed impact force indicate the package was placed within the logistics container based upon an elapsed time between when the container node detects the signal broadcast from the ID node and when the motion sensor senses the impact force.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step comprises determining whether the detected signal and the sensed impact force indicate the package was placed within the logistics container when the elapsed time between when the container node detects the signal broadcast from the ID node and when the motion sensor senses the impact force is within a threshold time period.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step comprises determining whether the detected signal and the sensed impact force indicate the package was placed within the logistics container based upon the impact force as sensed by the motion sensor within an interior storage area of the logistics container.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the determining step comprises determining whether the detected signal and the sensed impact force indicate the package was placed within the logistics container based upon a level of the impact force as sensed by the motion sensor within an interior storage area of the logistics container.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising updating inventory information maintained on a memory storage of the container node after determining whether the detected signal broadcast from the ID node and the detected impact force indicate the package was placed within the logistics container, the inventory information tracking the contents of the logistics container.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a confirmation message by the container node from the managing node, the confirmation message verifying that the package was placed within the logistics container.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising updating the inventory information maintained on the memory storage of the container node after receiving the confirmation message.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the managing node comprises at least one of a master node and a server.

14. A motion-based container node apparatus deployed within a logistics container for improved tracking of package placement in the logistics container, the apparatus comprising:

a node housing attached to the logistics container;

a node processing unit disposed within the node housing;

a memory storage disposed within the node housing and coupled to the node processing unit, the memory storage maintaining motion-based package tracking code for execution by the node processing unit;

a first communication interface coupled to the node processing unit and operative to communicate over a short range communication path with an ID node associated with a package to be shipped;

a second communication interface coupled to the node processing unit and operative to communicate over a long range communication path with a managing node;

a motion sensor coupled to the node processing unit, the motion sensor operative to detect an impact force on the logistics container and generate a reporting signal about the detected impact force;

wherein the node processing unit, when executing the motion-based package tracking code maintained on the memory storage, is operative to

cause the first communication interface to electronically listen for the ID node in accordance with a scanning mode of the container node apparatus,

identify a device signature of the ID node from a signal broadcast from the ID node and detected by the first communication interface,

receive the reporting signal from the motion sensor indicating the motion sensor detected the impact force on the logistics container after detecting the signal broadcast from the ID node,

determine whether the detected signal broadcast from the ID node and the detected impact force indicate the package was placed within the logistics container; and

cause the second communication interface to transmit a notification by the container node to a managing node, the notification including the identified device signature of the ID node and status information reflecting that the detected signal and the sensed impact force indicating the ID node associated with the package was placed within the logistics container.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the motion sensor comprises one from a group consisting of an inertial sensor, a shock detector, an accelerometer, and a microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the motion sensor of the container node comprises a plurality of sensing elements.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the motion sensor is disposed within the logistics container to monitor an interior storage area of the logistics container.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein plurality of sensing elements are disposed proximate to different portions of an interior storage area within the logistics container.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the node processing unit is operative to identify the device signature of the ID node from at least one of a series of increasingly stronger signals broadcast from the ID node and detected by the first communication interface.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the node processing unit is further operative to track an elapsed time between when the first communication interface detects the signal broadcast from the ID node and when the motion sensor detects the impact force;

and

wherein the node processing unit is operative to determine whether the detected signal broadcast from the ID node and the detected impact force indicate the package was placed within the logistics container based upon the elapsed time.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the node processing unit is operative to determine whether the detected signal broadcast from the ID node and the detected impact force indicate the package was placed within the logistics container when the elapsed time is within a threshold time period.

22. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the reporting signal generated by the motion sensor indicates a level of the impact force as detected by the motion sensor;

and

wherein the node processing unit is operative to determine whether the detected signal broadcast from the ID node and the detected impact force indicate the package was placed within the logistics container based upon the level of the impact force as detected by the motion sensor and indicated in the reporting signal.

23. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the node processing unit is further operative to update inventory information maintained on the memory storage after determining whether the detected signal broadcast from the ID node and the detected impact force indicate the package was placed within the logistics container, the inventory information tracking the contents of the logistics container.

24. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second communication interface is further operative to receive a confirmation message from the managing node and pass the confirmation message to the node processing unit, the confirmation message verifying that the package was placed within the logistics container;

and

wherein the node processing unit is further operative to update inventory information tracking the contents of the logistics container after receiving the confirmation message.

25. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the managing node comprises at least one of a master node and a server.

26. A motion-based apparatus for improved tracking of package placement, comprising:

a logistics container for maintaining a plurality of packages, the logistics container further comprising an interior storage area capable of maintaining the plurality of packages; and

a container node attached to the logistics container, the container node further comprising

a node processing unit,

a memory storage coupled to the node processing unit, the memory storage maintaining motion-based package tracking code for execution by the node processing unit,

a motion sensor coupled to the node processing unit and disposed within the logistics container to monitor the interior storage area of the logistics container, the motion sensor operative to detect an impact force on the interior storage area of the logistics container and generate a reporting signal about the detected impact force,

a first communication interface operative to communicate over a short range communication path with an ID node associated with a package to be shipped, and

a second communication interface operative to communicate over a long range communication path with a managing node external to the motion-based apparatus; and

wherein the node processing unit of the container node, when executing the motion-based package tracking code maintained on the memory storage, is operative to

cause the first communication interface to electronically listen for the ID node in accordance with a scanning mode of the container node apparatus,

identify a device signature of the ID node from a signal broadcast from the ID node and detected by the first communication interface,

receive the reporting signal from the motion sensor indicating the motion sensor detected the impact force on the logistics container after detecting the signal broadcast from the ID node,

determine whether the detected signal broadcast from the ID node and the detected impact force indicate the package was placed within the logistics container, and

cause the second communication interface to transmit a notification by the container node to a managing node, the notification including the identified device signature of the ID node and status information reflecting that the detected signal and the sensed impact force indicating the ID node associated with the package was placed within the logistics container.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the motion sensor comprises one from a group consisting of an inertial sensor, a shock detector, an accelerometer, and a microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the motion sensor of the container node comprises a plurality of sensing elements each of which are disposed proximate to different portions of the interior storage area.

29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the node processing unit is operative to identify the device signature of the ID node from at least one of a series of increasingly stronger signals broadcast from the ID node and detected by the first communication interface.

30. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the node processing unit is further operative to track an elapsed time between when the first communication interface detects the signal broadcast from the ID node and when the motion sensor detects the impact force;

and

wherein the node processing unit is operative to determine whether the detected signal broadcast from the ID node and the detected impact force indicate the package was placed within the logistics container based upon the elapsed time being within a threshold time period.

31. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the reporting signal generated by the motion sensor indicates a level of the impact force as detected by the motion sensor;

and

wherein the node processing unit is operative to determine whether the detected signal broadcast from the ID node and the detected impact force indicate the package was placed within the logistics container based upon the level of the impact force as detected by the motion sensor and indicated in the reporting signal.

32. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the node processing unit is further operative to update inventory information maintained on the memory storage after determining whether the detected signal broadcast from the ID node and the detected impact force indicate the package was placed within the logistics container, the inventory information tracking the contents of the logistics container.

33. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the second communication interface is further operative to receive a confirmation message from the managing node and pass the confirmation message to the node processing unit, the confirmation message verifying that the package was placed within the logistics container;

and

wherein the node processing unit is further operative to update inventory information tracking the contents of the logistics container after receiving the confirmation message.

34. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the managing node comprises at least one of a master node and a server.

35. A motion-based method for improved tracking of package placement relative to a plurality of logistics containers as part of a monitored loading operation using a wireless node network including at least a managing node, a plurality of container nodes, and at least one ID node, where each of the container nodes are respectively associated with each of the logistics containers, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving, by the managing node, a detection notification from one of the container nodes, the detection notification from the one of the respective container nodes indicating at least detection of a signal broadcast from the ID node in the wireless node network and an identification of the ID node, wherein the ID node is associated with a package involved in the loading operation;

receiving, by the managing node, a sensed impact notification as part of the detection notification received from the one of the container nodes, the sensed impact notification indicating a motion sensor on the one of the container nodes detected an impact force on the logistics container associated with the one of the container nodes;

determining, by the managing node, the package is appropriately loaded within the logistics container associated with the one of the container nodes based upon comparing information in the detection notification from the one of the container nodes and anticipated inventory data for the logistics container associated with the one of the container node; and

transmitting, by the managing node, an acknowledgement message to the one of the container nodes based upon whether the managing node determines the package is appropriately loaded.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the motion sensor is disposed within the logistics container associated with the one of the container nodes to monitor an interior package storage area of the logistics container associated with the one of the container nodes.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the motion sensor comprises one from a group consisting of an inertial sensor, a shock detector, an accelerometer, and a microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the motion sensor comprises a plurality of sensing elements each of which are disposed proximate to different portions of the interior package storage area.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein the detection notification comprises a device signature of the ID node associated with the package, the device signature being derived from the signal broadcast from the ID node.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein the sensed impact notification further indicating the motion sensor on the one of the container nodes detected the impact force on the logistics container associated with the one of the container nodes within a threshold time period after the one of the container nodes detected the signal broadcast from the ID node.

41. The method of claim 35, wherein the sensed impact notification further indicating the detected impact force on the logistics container associated with the one of the container nodes was at least the threshold level of impact force.

42. The method of claim 35, wherein the determining step further comprises:

accessing, by the managing node, a memory storage on the managing node to locate shipping information on the package based upon the identification of the ID node included in the detection notification;

reading, by the managing node, the anticipated inventory data for the logistics container associated with the one of the container nodes from the memory storage on the managing node; and

verifying the package is appropriately loaded within the logistics container associated with the one of the container nodes based upon a comparison of the shipping information and the anticipated inventory data for the logistics container associated with the one of the container node.

43. The method of claim 42 further comprising the step of updating, by the managing node, current inventory information for the logistics container associated with the one of the container nodes to reflect appropriate placement of the package associated with the ID node as being part of an inventory of contents maintained within the logistics container associated with the one of the container nodes.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the acknowledgement message comprises a confirmation message to the one of the container nodes with the updated current inventory information on the logistics container associated with the one of the container nodes when the anticipated inventory data and the shipping information verify that the package is appropriately loaded within the logistics container associated with the one of the container nodes.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein the acknowledgement message comprises an unload warning to the one of the container nodes indicating a misloaded status of the package when the anticipated inventory data and the shipping information fail to verify that the package is appropriately loaded within the logistics container associated with the one of the container nodes.

46. The method of claim 43, wherein the managing node comprises a master node;

and further comprising the step of reporting, by the master node, the updated current inventory to a server in the wireless node network.

47. The method of claim 35, wherein the managing node comprises a server in the wireless node network.

48. The method of claim 35 further comprising updating, by the managing node, a loading productivity parameter in response to receiving the sensed impact notification, wherein the loading productivity parameter is related to the logistics container associated with the one of the container nodes and indicates how quickly the logistics container associated with the one of the container nodes is being loaded as part of the loading operation.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the managing node comprises a master node;

and further comprising the step of reporting, by the master node, the updated loading productivity parameter to a server in the wireless node network.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein the managing node comprises a server in the wireless node network.

51. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of comparing (a) the sensed impact notification indicating the package was loaded into the logistics container associated with the one of the container nodes and (b) barcode scan data reported to the managing node and related to the package to verify the accuracy of the barcode scan data.

52. A motion-based system for improved tracking of package placement as part of a monitored loading operation, the system comprising:

a plurality of logistics containers, wherein each of the logistics containers has an interior storage area capable of maintaining a plurality of packages;

a plurality of container nodes, wherein each of the container nodes is a mid-level element of a wireless node network and is associated with a different one of the logistics containers, and wherein each of the container nodes further comprise

a motion sensor that detects an impact force on the associated one of the logistics containers,

a first communication interface operative to communicate over a short range communication path with an ID node associated with a package to be shipped, the ID node being a low-level element of the wireless node network, and

a second communication interface operative to communicate over a long range communication path;

wherein each of the container nodes are operative to

cause the first communication interface to enter a scanning mode that electronically listens for a signal broadcast from the ID node,

identify a device signature of the ID node when the first communication interface detects the signal broadcast from the ID node,

determine whether the motion sensor detected the impact force within a threshold time from when the first communication interface detected the signal broadcast from the ID node, and

cause the second communication interface to transmit a notification comprising the identified device signature of the ID node and motion status information reflecting whether the motion sensor detected the impact force within the threshold time;

a managing node associated with each of the container nodes and in communication with each of the container nodes over the long range communication path to receive the transmitted notification from each of the container nodes, the managing node being an upper-level element of the wireless node network, wherein the managing node being operative, in response to receiving the transmitted notification from each of the container nodes, to

identify one of the container nodes where the motion status information transmitted in the notification from the one of the container nodes indicates detection of the impact force,

determine a confirmation level indicating a successful load of the package associated with the ID node based upon comparing information in the transmitted notification from the identified one of the container nodes and anticipated inventory data for the logistics container associated with the identified one of the container node; and

transmit an acknowledgement message to the identified one of the container nodes based upon the determined confirmation level.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein the motion sensor of each of the container nodes is disposed within the associated one of logistics containers to monitor an interior package storage area of the logistics container associated with the one of the container nodes.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the motion sensor comprises one from a group consisting of an inertial sensor, a shock detector, an accelerometer, and a microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor.

55. The system of claim 53, wherein the motion sensor comprises a plurality of sensing elements each of which are disposed proximate to different portions of the interior package storage area.

56. The system of claim 52, wherein the device signature of the ID node is derived from a part of the signal broadcast from the ID node.

57. The system of claim 52, wherein the motion status information further reflecting whether the detected impact force was at least a threshold level of force.

58. The system of claim 52, wherein the managing node further comprises a memory storage maintaining at least shipping information on the package and the anticipated inventory data for the logistics container associated with the one of the container nodes;

wherein the managing node is operative to determine the confirmation level indicating the successful load of the package by being operative to

access the memory storage within the managing node to locate the shipping information on the package based upon the identified device signature of the ID node included in the transmitted notification from the identified one of the container nodes;

access the memory storage within the managing node to locate the anticipated inventory data for the logistics container associated with the identified one of the container nodes; and

determine the confirmation level by comparing the shipping information on the package and the anticipated inventory data for the logistics container associated with the identified one of the container nodes to verify the package was properly loaded.

59. The system of claim 58, wherein if the confirmation level indicates the package was properly loaded, the managing node is further operative to update current inventory information maintained in the memory storage to reflect proper loading of the package associated with the ID node as being part of an inventory of contents maintained within the logistics container associated with the identified one of the container nodes.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein if the confirmation level indicates the package was properly loaded, the acknowledgement message comprises a confirmation message to the identified one of the container nodes, the confirmation message comprising the updated current inventory information on the logistics container associated with the identified one of the container nodes.

61. The method of claim 58, wherein if the confirmation level indicates the package was not properly loaded, the acknowledgement message comprises an unload warning to the identified one of the container nodes indicating a misloaded status of the package.

62. The system of claim 59, wherein the managing node comprises a master node operative to report the updated current inventory to a server in the wireless node network, the server being at a top-level of the wireless node network.

63. The system of claim 52, wherein the managing node comprises a server in the wireless node network.

64. The system of claim 52, wherein the managing node is further operative to update a loading productivity parameter in response to receiving the transmitted notification from the identified one of the container nodes, wherein the loading productivity parameter is related to the logistics container associated with the identified one of the container nodes and indicates how quickly the logistics container associated with the identified one of the container nodes is being loaded as part of the monitored loading operation.

65. The system of claim 52, wherein the managing node is further operative to verify the accuracy of barcode scan data captured during the monitored loading operation and maintained within the memory storage by comparing (a) the confirmation level indicating the successful load of the package to (b) the barcode scan data related to the package.

66. A motion-based method for improved tracking of package placement in a logistics container using a container node associated with the logistics container, the method comprising:

sensing, by a motion sensor on the container node, an impact force on the logistics container at a first point in time;

transmitting, by the container node, a request for barcode information to a managing node, the barcode information corresponding to a barcode scanning event related to the logistics container and captured within a threshold time prior to the first point in time;

receiving the barcode information from the managing node;

determining whether the received barcode information and the sensed impact force indicate a first package was placed within the logistics container; and

transmitting a notification by the container node to the managing node, the notification reflecting the received barcode information and the sensed impact force collectively indicate the first package was placed within the logistics container.

67. The method of claim 66 further comprising the step of activating, by the container node, a scanning mode of the container node to electronically listen for a package ID node associated with a second package as the logistics container is being loaded.

68. The method of claim 67 further comprising the steps of:

detecting, by the container node, a signal broadcast from the package ID node associated with the second package;

sensing, by the motion sensor on the container node, a further impact force on the logistics container after detecting the signal broadcast from the package ID node;

determining whether the detected signal broadcast from the package ID node and the sensed further impact force indicate the second package was placed within the logistics container; and

transmitting a further notification by the container node to the managing node, the further notification reflecting the detected signal and the sensed further impact force collectively indicate the second package was placed within the logistics container.

69. The method of claim 66, wherein the motion sensor comprises one from a group consisting of an inertial sensor, a shock detector, an accelerometer, and a microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor.

70. The method of claim 66, wherein the motion sensor of the container node comprises a plurality of sensing elements.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein plurality of sensing elements are disposed proximate to different portions of an interior storage area within the logistics container.

72. The method of claim 66, wherein the step of determining whether the received barcode information and the sensed impact force collectively indicate the first package was placed within the logistics container is based upon an elapsed time between a time associated with the barcode scanning event and when the motion sensor senses the impact force.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein the step of determining whether the received barcode information and the sensed impact force collectively indicate the first package was placed within the logistics container is based upon whether the elapsed time is within a threshold time period.

74. The method of claim 68, wherein the detecting step comprises detecting, by the container node, a series of increasingly stronger signals broadcast from the package ID node that has the effect of indicating the second package is proximate to the logistics container.

75. The method of claim 68, wherein the step of determining whether the detected signal broadcast from the package ID node and the sensed further impact force collectively indicate the second package was placed within the logistics container is based upon an elapsed time between when the container node detects the signal broadcast from the package ID node and when the motion sensor senses the further impact force.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein the step of determining whether the detected signal broadcast from the package ID node and the sensed further impact force collectively indicate the second package was placed within the logistics container is based upon whether the elapsed time is within a threshold time period.

77. The method of claim 66, wherein the determining step comprises determining whether the received barcode information and the sensed impact force indicate the first package was placed within the logistics container based upon the impact force as sensed by the motion sensor within an interior storage area of the logistics container.

78. The method of claim 68, wherein the step of determining whether the detected signal broadcast from the package ID node and the sensed further impact force indicate the second package was placed within the logistics container based upon the further impact force as sensed by the motion sensor within an interior storage area of the logistics container.

79. The method of claim 66 further comprising updating inventory information maintained on a memory storage of the container node after determining whether the received barcode information and the detected impact force indicate the first package was placed within the logistics container, the inventory information tracking the contents of the logistics container.

80. The method of claim 68 further comprising updating inventory information maintained on a memory storage of the container node after determining whether the detected signal broadcast from the package ID node and the sensed further impact force indicate the second package was placed within the logistics container, the inventory information tracking the contents of the logistics container.

81. The method of claim 66 further comprising receiving a confirmation message by the container node from the managing node, the confirmation message verifying that the first package was placed within the logistics container.

82. The method of claim 68 further comprising receiving a confirmation message by the container node from the managing node, the confirmation message verifying that the second package was placed within the logistics container.

83. The method of claim 66, wherein the managing node comprises at least one of a master node and a server.