METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MOTION-BASED MANAGEMENT OF AN ENHANCED LOGISTICS CONTAINER

• US 20170278374A1
• Filed: 02/15/2017
• Published: 09/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Federal Express Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fedex Corporate Services Incorporated (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: SKAAKSRUD, OLE-PETTER
• Granted Patent: US 11,096,009 B2
• Time in Patent Office: 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 36/302 due to low signal strength
• 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

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.

Claims

1. A method for motion-based management of a logistics container using one or more elements of a wireless node network including a container node, wherein the container node being associated with the logistics container and equipped with a motion sensor, the method comprising:

detecting a motion status for the logistics container by the motion sensor of the container node associated with the logistics container;

comparing, by the container node, the detected motion status to a prior motion status for the logistics container;

identifying, by the container node, a changed motion condition for the logistics container based upon the comparison of the detected motion status and the prior motion status; and

altering a broadcast profile for the container node based upon the changed motion condition for 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 logistics container comprises a housing portion and a door portion, the housing portion defining an interior storage area, wherein the door portion is coupled to the housing portion to secure the interior storage area when in a closed position and provide access to the interior storage area when in an open position;

wherein at least one of the plurality of sensing elements is attached to the door portion and is operative to sense movement of the door portion; and

wherein detecting the motion status by the motion sensor of the container node further comprises detecting movement from at least one of the plurality of sensing elements of the motion sensor.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the detected motion status for the logistics container comprises at least one of a moving status, a stationary status, an accelerating status, and a decelerating status.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of altering the broadcast profile further comprises revising, by the container node, at least one parameter of the broadcast profile to change how the container node communicates with a second node, the second node being one of the elements in the wireless node network.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the second node comprises a server managing the wireless node network that includes the container node.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the second node comprises a facility master node managing the container node and in communication with a server managing a wireless node network that includes the container node and the facility master node.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the second node comprises a package ID node associated with a package maintained within the logistics container.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the revising step further comprises changing how frequently the container node communicates with the second node based upon the revised parameter of the broadcast profile.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of changing how frequently the container node communicates with the second node further comprises decreasing how frequently the container node communicates with the second node when the changed motion condition indicates the logistics container is at least one of stationary or decelerating.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising increasing how frequently the container node communicates with the second node after the changed motion condition previously indicated the logistics container is at least one of stationary or decelerating but a current changed motion condition indicates the logistics container is at least one of moving or accelerating.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of changing how frequently the container node communicates with the second node further comprises increasing how frequently the container node communicates with the second node when the changed motion condition indicates the logistics container is at least one of moving or accelerating.

14. The method of claim 6, wherein the revising step further comprises changing a power level of a signal broadcast by the container node based upon the revised parameter of the broadcast profile.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of altering the broadcast profile comprises selecting from a plurality of communication mode profiles based upon the changed motion condition when the container node identifies the changed motion condition, wherein each of the plurality of communication mode profiles defines a different set of operational parameters used by the container node when broadcasts a signal in an attempt to communicate with a second node, the second node being one of the elements in the wireless node network.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising notifying, by the container node, a second node as one of the elements in the wireless node network with a message related to the changed motion condition of the logistics container.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second node comprises at least one or a server, a master node, and a package ID node associated with a package maintained within the logistics container.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting, by the container node, a control message to a package ID node associated with a package maintained within the logistics container, the package ID node being one of the elements in the wireless node network, the control message providing instructional input to the package ID node that changes a communication profile for the package ID node relative to the identified changed motion condition of the logistics container.

19. A motion sensing container node apparatus deployed within a logistics container and for use as one of a plurality of elements in a wireless node network, the container node 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 management code for execution by the node processing unit and a broadcast profile defining at least one operational communication parameter for the container node apparatus;

a communication interface coupled to the node processing unit and operative to communicate with a second node over a communication path in accordance with the broadcast profile maintained in the memory storage, the second node being one of the elements in the wireless node network;

a motion sensor coupled to the node processing unit, the motion sensor detecting a motion status of the logistics container and reporting the detected motion status to the node processing unit;

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

receive the detected motion status from the motion sensor,

store the detected motion status in the memory storage as a first motion status for the logistics container,

receive a subsequent detected motion status from the motion sensor,

compare the subsequent detected motion status to the first detected motion status for the logistics container,

identify a changed motion condition for the logistics container based upon the comparison of the subsequent detected motion status and the first detected motion status,

alter the operational communication parameter defined in the broadcast profile based upon the identified changed motion condition, and

cause the communication interface to communicate with the second node in accordance with the altered operational communication parameter.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the motion sensor comprises one from a group consisting of an inertial sensor, a shock detector, an accelerometer, and a microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the motion sensor comprises a plurality of sensing elements.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the logistics container comprises a housing portion and a door portion, the housing portion defining an interior storage area, wherein the door portion is coupled to the housing portion to secure the interior storage area when in a closed position and provide access to the interior storage area when in an open position;

wherein at least one of the plurality of sensing elements of the motion sensor is attached to the door portion of the logistics container and is operative to sense movement of the door portion; and

wherein the motion sensor is operative to detect the motion status by detecting movement from at least one of the plurality of sensing elements of the motion sensor.

23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the detected motion status for the logistics container comprises at least one of a moving status, a stationary status, an accelerating status, and a decelerating status.

24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the node processing unit is operative to alter the operational communication parameter by being further operative to revise the operational communication parameter of the broadcast profile stored in the memory storage, wherein the revised operational communication parameter relates to how the container node communicates with the second node in accordance with the identified changed motion condition for the logistics container.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the second node comprises a server managing the wireless node network that includes the container node apparatus.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the second node comprises a facility master node managing the container node and in communication with a server managing a wireless node network that includes the container node apparatus and the facility master node, the server being another of the elements in the wireless node network.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the second node comprises a package ID node associated with a package maintained within the logistics container.

28. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the revised operational communication parameter of the broadcast profile changes how frequently the node processing unit causes the communication interface to communicates with the second node.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the revised operational communication parameter of the broadcast profile decreases how frequently the node processing unit causes the communication interface to communicate with the second node when the changed motion condition indicates the logistics container is at least one of stationary or decelerating.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the node processing unit is further operative to change the revised operational communication parameter to increase how frequently the container node communicates with the second node after (a) the changed motion condition previously indicated the logistics container is at least one of stationary or decelerating and (b) a current changed motion condition indicates the logistics container is now at least one of moving or accelerating.

31. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the revised operational communication parameter of the broadcast profile increases how frequently the node processing unit causes the communication interface to communicates with the second node when the changed motion condition indicates the logistics container is at least one of moving or accelerating.

32. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the revised operational communication parameter of the broadcast profile changes a power level of a signal broadcast by the communication interface.

33. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the broadcast profile maintained on the memory storage comprises a plurality of communication mode profiles, wherein each of the plurality of communication mode profiles defining respectively different variations of the operational communication parameter used by the communication interface when broadcasting a signal in an attempt to communicate with the second node.

34. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the communication interface is further operative to transmit a message to the second node in response to an input from the node processing unit, the message being related to the changed motion condition of the logistics container.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the second node comprises at least one or a server, a master node, and a package ID node associated with a package maintained within the logistics container.

36. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the communication interface comprises a short range interface operative to provide access to a package ID node as the second node, wherein the package ID node is associated with a package maintained within the logistics container.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the node processing unit is further operative to cause the short range interface to transmit a control message to the package ID node, the control message providing instructional input to the package ID node that alters operation of the package ID node based upon the identified changed motion condition of the logistics container.

38. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the communication interface comprises a long range interface operative to provide access to a server as the second node.

39. A motion sensing container apparatus that operates as part of a wireless node network, comprising:

a logistics container for maintaining a plurality of packages, the logistics container further comprising

a housing portion, and

a door portion movably coupled to the housing portion,

wherein the housing portion defining an interior storage area capable of maintaining the plurality of packages,

wherein the door portion secures the interior storage area when in a closed position relative to the housing portion and provides access to the interior storage area when in an open position relative to the housing portion; and

a container node attached to the logistics container, the container node being a first node in the wireless node network, the container node further comprising at least

a motion sensor that detects a motion status of the logistics container, and

a communication interface operative to allow the container node to communicate with a second node in the wireless node network in accordance with a motion-dependent broadcast profile based upon the motion status detected by the motion sensor.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the logistics container comprises at least one from the group consisting of a ULD container, an intermodal shipping container, a trailer, a delivery vehicle, a secure drop box logistics receptacle, and a secure locker container.

41. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the motion sensor comprises one from a group consisting of an inertial sensor, a shock detector, an accelerometer, and a microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor.

42. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the motion sensor of the container node comprises a plurality of motion sensing elements.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein at least one of the plurality of motion sensing elements is deployed relative to the door portion to sense movement of the door portion;

and

wherein the motion sensor is operative to detect the motion status by detecting movement from at least one of the plurality of motion sensing elements.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the one of the motion sensing elements deployed to sense movement of the door portion comprises at least one of an inertial sensor sensitive to inertial motion of the door portion, an optical sensor sensitive to light from outside the logistics container when the door portion is in the open position, a proximity sensor sensitive to a detected distance to the door portion, an infrared sensor sensitive to motion of the door portion, a microwave sensor sensitive to motion of the door portion, an ultrasonic sensor sensitive to motion of the door portion, and an image sensor operative to capture image information over time of the door portion to detect motion of the door portion.

45. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the detected motion status for the logistics container comprises at least one of a moving status, a stationary status, an accelerating status, and a decelerating status.

46. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the second node comprises a server managing the wireless node network that includes the container node.

47. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the second node comprises a facility master node managing the container node and in communication with a server managing the wireless node network that includes the container node and the facility master node.

48. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the second node comprises a package ID node associated with at least one of the packages maintained within the interior storage area of the logistics container.

49. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the motion-dependent broadcast profile changes how frequently the communication interface communicates with the second node based upon the motion status detected by the motion sensor.

50. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the motion-dependent broadcast profile decreases how frequently the communication interface communicates with the second node when the motion status detected by the motion sensor indicates the logistics container is at least one of stationary or decelerating.

51. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the motion-dependent broadcast profile increases how frequently the communication interface communicates with the second node when the motion status detected by the motion sensor indicates the logistics container is at least one of moving or accelerating.

52. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the motion-dependent broadcast profile changes a power level of a signal broadcast by the communication interface based upon the motion status detected by the motion sensor.

53. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the communication interface comprises a short range interface operative to provide access to a package ID node as the second node, wherein the package ID node is associated with at least one of the packages maintained within the interior storage area of the logistics container.

54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the short range interface of the container node transmits a control message to the package ID node based upon the motion status detected by the motion sensor in accordance with the motion-dependent broadcast profile, the control message providing instructional input to the package ID node to alter operation of the package ID node.

55. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the communication interface comprises a long range interface operative to provide access to a server as the second node.

56. A motion-based management system for a logistics container maintaining a plurality of packages within the logistics container, the system operating with one or more elements of a wireless node network, the system comprising:

a plurality of package ID nodes, wherein each of the package ID nodes are associated with a different one of the packages maintained within the logistics container; and

a container node associated with the logistics container for managing the package ID nodes, the container node further comprising

a motion sensor that detects a motion status of the logistics container,

a communication interface operative to allow the container node to communicate with at least one of the package ID nodes in accordance with a motion-dependent broadcast profile based upon the motion status detected by the motion sensor.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein the motion sensor of the container node comprises one from a group consisting of an inertial sensor, a shock detector, an accelerometer, and a microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor.

58. The system of claim 56, wherein the motion sensor of the container node comprises a plurality of motion sensing elements.

59. The system of claim 58, wherein at least one of the plurality of motion sensing elements is deployed relative to an access door on the logistics container to sense movement of the access door;

and wherein the motion sensor is operative to detect the motion status by detecting movement from at least one of the plurality of motion sensing elements.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein the one of the motion sensing elements deployed to sense movement of the access door comprises at least one of an inertial sensor sensitive to inertial motion of the access door, an optical sensor sensitive to light from outside the logistics container when the access door is in the open position, a proximity sensor sensitive to a detected distance to the access door, an infrared sensor sensitive to motion of the access door, a microwave sensor sensitive to motion of the access door, an ultrasonic sensor sensitive to motion of the access door, and an image sensor operative to capture image information over time of the access door to detect motion of the access door.

61. The system of claim 56, wherein the detected motion status for the logistics container comprises at least one of a moving status, a stationary status, an accelerating status, and a decelerating status.

62. The system of claim 56, wherein the motion-dependent broadcast profile changes how frequently the communication interface communicates with the one of the package ID nodes based upon the motion status detected by the motion sensor.

63. The system of claim 56, wherein the motion-dependent broadcast profile decreases how frequently the communication interface communicates with the one of the package ID nodes when the motion status detected by the motion sensor indicates the logistics container is at least one of stationary or decelerating.

64. The system of claim 56, wherein the motion-dependent broadcast profile increases how frequently the communication interface communicates with the one of the package ID nodes when the motion status detected by the motion sensor indicates the logistics container is at least one of moving or accelerating.

65. The system of claim 56, wherein the container node is operative to transmit a control message to the one of the package ID nodes based upon the motion status detected by the motion sensor in accordance with the motion-dependent broadcast profile, the control message providing instructional input to the one of the package ID nodes to alter operation of the one of the package ID nodes.

66. The system of claim 56, wherein the communication interface is further operative to allow the container node to communicate with a higher level node apparatus as one of the elements in the wireless node network;

and

wherein the motion-dependent broadcast profile changes how frequently the communication interface communicates with the higher level node apparatus based upon the motion status detected by the motion sensor.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the motion-dependent broadcast profile decreases how frequently the communication interface communicates with the higher level node apparatus when the motion status detected by the motion sensor indicates the logistics container is at least one of stationary or decelerating.

68. The system of claim 66, wherein the motion-dependent broadcast profile increases how frequently the communication interface communicates with the higher level node apparatus when the motion status detected by the motion sensor indicates the logistics container is at least one of moving or accelerating.

69. The system of claim 66, wherein the higher level node apparatus comprises a server in direct communication with the container node via the communication interface.

70. The system of claim 66, wherein the higher level node apparatus comprises a facility master node in direct communication with the container node via the communication interface, the facility master node being managed by a server.

71. The system of claim 56, wherein the motion-dependent broadcast profile changes a power level of a signal broadcast by the communication interface based upon the motion status detected by the motion sensor.

72. A motion sensing container apparatus deployed in a wireless node network having at least a second node that communicates with the apparatus, the motion sensing container apparatus comprising:

a logistics container for maintaining a plurality of packages, the logistics container further comprising

a base platform capable of supporting the plurality of packages, the base platform comprising a central support surface and a plurality of base attachment points disposed relative to a periphery of the base platform and outside the central support base surface, and

a flexible cover having a plurality of cover attachment points capable of being temporarily secured to a corresponding one of the base attachment points of the base platform, wherein the flexible cover, when secured to the base attachment points, is capable of securing the plurality of packages to the base platform; and

a container node attached to the base platform, the container node being a first node in the wireless node network, the container node further comprising at least

a motion sensor that detects a motion status of the logistics container, and

a communication interface operative to allow the container node to communicate with the second node in the wireless node network in accordance with a motion-dependent broadcast profile based upon the motion status detected by the motion sensor.

73. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein the base platform comprises a rigid skid having a rail disposed on the periphery of the base platform.

74. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the plurality of base attachment points are disposed along the rail.

75. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein the container node is removably secured to the base platform.

76. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein the container node is integrated as part of the base platform.

77. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein the flexible cover comprises a cargo net.

78. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein the motion sensor comprises one from a group consisting of an inertial sensor, a shock detector, an accelerometer, and a microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor.

79. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein the motion sensor of the container node comprises a plurality of motion sensing elements.

80. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the plurality of motion sensing elements are collectively disposed in a dispersed configuration relative to the base platform.

81. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein the detected motion status for the logistics container comprises at least one of a moving status, a stationary status, an accelerating status, and a decelerating status.

82. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein the container node further comprises a magnetometer that measures a magnetic field strength proximate the logistics container;

and

wherein the communication interface is further operative to allow the wireless container node to communicate with the second node in accordance with the motion-dependent broadcast profile further based upon the measured magnetic field strength.

83. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein the communication interface is further operative to allow the container node to communicate with the second node in accordance with the motion-dependent broadcast profile further based upon a change in magnetic field strength as measured by the magnetometer over a period of time.

84. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein the second node comprises a server managing the wireless node network that includes the container node.

85. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein the second node comprises a facility master node managing the container node and in communication with a server managing the wireless node network that includes the container node and the facility master node.

86. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein the second node comprises a package ID node associated with at least one of the packages supported by the base platform of the logistics container and secured in place with the flexible cover of the logistics container.

87. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein the motion-dependent broadcast profile changes how frequently the communication interface communicates with the second node based upon at least one of the motion status detected by the motion sensor and the magnetic field strength measured by the magnetometer.

88. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein the motion-dependent broadcast profile decreases how frequently the communication interface communicates with the second node when at least one of the motion status detected by the motion sensor and the magnetic field strength measured by the magnetometer indicates the logistics container is at least one of stationary or decelerating.

89. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein the motion-dependent broadcast profile increases how frequently the communication interface communicates with the second node when at least one of the motion status detected by the motion sensor and the magnetic field strength measured by the magnetometer indicates the logistics container is at least one of moving or accelerating.

90. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein the motion-dependent broadcast profile changes a power level of a signal broadcast by the communication interface based upon at least one of the motion status detected by the motion sensor and the magnetic field strength measured by the magnetometer.

91. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein the communication interface comprises a short range interface operative to provide access to a package ID node as the second node, wherein the package ID node is associated with at least one of the packages supported on the base platform of the logistics container.

92. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the short range interface transmits a control message to the package ID node based upon the motion status detected by the motion sensor in accordance with the motion-dependent broadcast profile, the control message providing instructional input to the package ID node to alter operation of the package ID node.

93. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein the communication interface comprises a short range interface operative to provide access to a package ID node as the second node, wherein the package ID node is associated with at least one of the packages supported on the base platform of the logistics container, the short range interface being operative to transmit a control message to the package ID node based upon at least one of the motion status detected by the motion sensor and the magnetic field strength measured by the magnetometer, wherein transmission of the control message by the short range interface is in accordance with the motion-dependent broadcast profile, the control message providing instructional input to the package ID node to alter operation of the package ID node.

94. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein the communication interface comprises a long range interface operative to provide access to a server as the second node.