METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATING A LOGISTICS TRANSACTION USING AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE AND ELEMENTS OF A WIRELESS NODE NETWORK

• US 20150154557A1
• Filed: 11/12/2014
• Published: 06/04/2015
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 9,913,240 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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

Methods, systems, and node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles are described for automating a logistics transaction using a plurality of nodes and a server in a wireless node network. A first node is associated with a shipping courier and downloads shipment information from the server. The shipment information identifies a package for the logistics transaction, a transaction location, and an identification of a second node associated with the package. The first node provides the shipment information to a third node, which is part of an autonomous vehicle. The third node causes the autonomous vehicle to move from a first location to the transaction location, and conducts the logistics transaction related to the package if the third node on the autonomous vehicle completes a node association with the second node associated with the package.

Claims

1. A method for automating a logistics transaction using a plurality of nodes and a server in a wireless node network, comprising:

downloading, by a first of the nodes, shipment information from the server, the shipment information identifying a package for the logistics transaction, a transaction location for the logistics transaction, and an identification of a second of the nodes associated with the package, wherein the first node is associated with a shipping courier;

providing, by the first node, the shipment information to a third of the nodes, wherein the third node is part of an autonomous vehicle;

causing, by the third node, the autonomous vehicle to move from a first location to the transaction location; and

conducting, by the third node, the logistics transaction related to the package if the third node on the autonomous vehicle completes a node association with the second node associated with the package.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the logistics transaction comprises picking up the package at the transaction location after the third node associates with the second node.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein conducting the logistics transaction further comprises:

detecting, by the third node, a signal from the second node associated with the package as the autonomous vehicle approaches the transaction location;

associating the third node and the second node;

picking up the package at the transaction location; and

placing the package in a package payload storage of the autonomous vehicle.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising deploying the autonomous vehicle from a courier transport vehicle at the first location.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

returning, by the autonomous vehicle, to the courier transport vehicle to unload the package and the second node associated with the package from the package payload storage of the autonomous vehicle; and

transmitting, by the third node, a verification message to the server, wherein the verification message confirming that the package was picked up and is on the courier transport vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the logistics transaction comprises dropping off the package at the transaction location after the third node associates with the second node.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein conducting the logistics transaction further comprises:

detecting, by the third node, a signal from the second node associated with the package as the autonomous vehicle approaches the transaction location;

associating the third node and the second node;

removing the package from a package payload storage of the autonomous vehicle; and

dropping off the package at the transaction location.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of:

deploying the autonomous vehicle from a courier transport vehicle at the first location; and

loading the package into a package payload storage of the autonomous vehicle prior to causing the autonomous vehicle to move from the first location to the transaction location.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the steps of:

returning, by the autonomous vehicle, to the courier transport vehicle; and

transmitting, by the third node, a verification message to the server, wherein the verification message confirming that the package was dropped off at the transaction location and is no longer on the courier transport vehicle.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first node and the third node are each a mobile master node, wherein each of the mobile master nodes is one of the plurality of nodes and is operative to communicate directly with the server in the wireless node network over a first communication path.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second node is an ID node, wherein the ID node is another node of the plurality of nodes and is operative to communicate with each of the master nodes over a shorter range communication path but is unable to communicate directly with the server.

12. A system for automating a logistics transaction related to a package, comprising:

a first of a plurality of nodes in a wireless node network, the first node associated with a courier transport vehicle and operative to be in communication with a server in the wireless node network;

a second of the nodes, the second node associated with the package;

a third of the nodes, the third node integrated as part of an autonomous vehicle related to the courier transport vehicle;

wherein, the first node is operative to

download shipment information from the server, the shipment information identifying the package for the logistics transaction, a transaction location for the logistics transaction related to the package, and an identification of the second node associated with the package, and

provide the shipment information to the third node; and

wherein the third node is operative to

cause the autonomous vehicle to move from a first location proximate the courier transport vehicle to the transaction location, and

conduct the logistics transaction related to the package if the third node successfully associates with the second node associated with the package.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the logistics transaction comprises picking up the package at the transaction location after the third node successfully associates with the second node.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the third node is further operative to conduct the logistics transaction by being further operative to:

detect a signal from the second node associated with the package as the autonomous vehicle approaches the transaction location;

associate the third node and the second node;

instruct a package articulation system on the autonomous vehicle to pick up the package at the transaction location; and

instruct the package articulation system to place the package in a package payload storage of the autonomous vehicle.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the third node is further operative to:

cause the autonomous vehicle to return to the courier transport vehicle;

instruct the package articulation system to unload the package and the second node associated with the package from the package payload storage of the autonomous vehicle into a storage area of the courier transport vehicle; and

transmit a verification message to the server, wherein the verification message confirming that the package was picked up and is on the courier transport vehicle.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the logistics transaction comprises dropping off the package at the transaction location after the third node successfully associates with the second node.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the third node is further operative to conduct the logistics transaction by being further operative to:

detect a signal from the second node associated with the package as the autonomous vehicle approaches the transaction location;

associate the third node and the second node;

instruct a package articulation system on the autonomous vehicle to remove the package from a package payload storage of the autonomous vehicle; and

instruct the package articulation system to drop off the package at the transaction location.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the third node is further operative to transmit a verification message to the server, wherein the verification message confirming that the package was dropped off at the transaction location.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the first node and the third node are each a mobile master node, wherein each of the mobile master nodes is one of the plurality of nodes and is operative to communicate directly with the server in the wireless node network over a first communication path.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the second node comprises an ID node, wherein the ID node is another node of the plurality of nodes and is operative to communicate with each of the master nodes over a shorter range communication path but is unable to directly communicate with the server.

21. A node-enabled autonomous vehicle that conducts a logistics transaction related to a package, comprising:

an autonomous vehicle operative to move, in response to control input, from a first location to a transaction location related to the logistics transaction;

a mobile master node integrated as part of the autonomous vehicle, the mobile master node being one of a plurality of nodes in a wireless node network, wherein the mobile master node further comprises;

a node processing unit,

a node memory coupled to the node processing unit, the node memory maintaining code for execution by the node processing unit,

a short-range communication interface coupled to the node processing unit and being operative to communicate with the nodes in the wireless node network;

a longer range communication interface coupled to the node processing unit and operative to communicate directly with a server in the wireless network; and

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

receive shipment information generated by the server, the shipment information identifying the package for the logistics transaction, the transaction location for the logistics transaction related to the package, and an identification of the second node associated with the package,

provide a control signal to the control input of the autonomous vehicle causing the autonomous vehicle to move from the first location 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.

22. The node-enabled autonomous vehicle of claim 21, wherein the logistics transaction comprises picking up the package at the transaction location after the third node successfully associates with the second node.

23. The node-enabled autonomous vehicle of claim 22, wherein the autonomous vehicle further comprises a package payload storage and a package articulation system that is operative to place the package within the package payload storage and remove the package from within the package payload storage;

and

wherein the third node is further operative to automatically conduct the logistics transaction by being operative to;

detect a signal from the second node associated with the package as the autonomous vehicle approaches the transaction location,

associate the third node and the second node, and

provide a pickup control signal to the control input of the autonomous vehicle to cause the package articulation system on the autonomous vehicle to pick up the package at the transaction location and place the package in the package payload storage of the autonomous vehicle.

24. The node-enabled autonomous vehicle of claim 23, wherein the third node is further operative to:

cause the autonomous vehicle to return to the courier transport vehicle;

provide an unload control signal to the control input of the autonomous vehicle to cause the package articulation system to unload the package and the second node associated with the package from the package payload storage of the autonomous vehicle; and

transmit a verification message to the server over the longer range communication interface, wherein the verification message confirming that the package was picked up.

25. The node-enabled autonomous vehicle of claim 21, wherein the logistics transaction comprises dropping off the package at the transaction location after the third node successfully associates with the second node.

26. The node-enabled autonomous vehicle of claim 25, wherein the autonomous vehicle further comprises a package payload storage and a package articulation system that is operative to place the package within the package payload storage and remove the package from within the package payload storage;

and

wherein the third node is further operative to conduct the logistics transaction by being further operative to;

detect a signal from the second node associated with the package as the autonomous vehicle approaches the transaction location;

associate the third node and the second node; and

provide a drop off control signal to the control input of the autonomous vehicle to cause the package articulation system on the autonomous vehicle to remove the package from within the package payload storage and place the package at the transaction location.

27. The node-enabled autonomous vehicle of claim 26, wherein the third node is further operative to transmit a verification message to the server over the longer range communication interface, wherein the verification message confirming that the package was dropped off at the transaction location.

28. The node-enabled autonomous vehicle of claim 21, wherein the second node is an ID node, wherein the ID node is another node of the plurality of nodes and is operative to communicate with the mobile master node over the short-range communication interface but is unable to directly communicate with the server.