METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS FOR ENHANCED MULTI-RADIO CONTAINER NODE ELEMENTS USED IN A WIRELESS NODE NETWORK

• US 20170280289A1
• Filed: 02/15/2017
• Published: 09/28/2017
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 9,992,623 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 36/30 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

Multi-antenna container node implemented methods, apparatus and systems are described that can locate a package ID node within a logistics container and communicate with a master node outside the container. The container node'"'"'s controller may generate a location control message related to the package ID node and send it to one of the node'"'"'s transceivers. That transceiver may select different subsets of its antenna elements to receive an inbound wireless signal from the package ID node in response to the location control message, and detect reception information about what was received for each of the subsets before providing that detected reception information to the container node controller. The controller then determines a location of the package ID node relative to the logistics container based upon the detected reception information, and then another separate transceiver of the container node transmits a location determination message to the master node.

Claims

1. An enhanced container node apparatus disposed as part of a wireless node network capable logistics container, the apparatus interacting with a master node disposed external to the logistics container and a package ID node disposed within the logistics container, the apparatus comprising:

a container node controller disposed on the logistics container;

a first radio transceiver operatively coupled to the container node controller, the first radio transceiver further comprising a first antenna providing the first radio transceiver with wireless communication access to the master node disposed external to the logistics container; and

a second radio transceiver operatively coupled to the container node controller, the second radio transceiver further comprising a plurality of antenna elements disposed in a spatially disperse configuration relative to the logistics container, the plurality of antenna elements providing the second radio transceiver with multi-antenna wireless communication access to the package ID node disposed within the logistics container;

wherein the second radio transceiver is responsive to a location control message from the container node controller to be operative to

select different subsets of the antenna elements to receive an inbound wireless signal from the package ID node,

detect reception information about the inbound wireless signal for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements, and

provide the detected reception information to the container node controller;

wherein the container node controller is responsive to the detected reception information from the second radio transceiver to be operative to

determine a location of the package ID node relative to the logistics container based upon the detected reception information from the second radio transceiver, and

cause the first radio transceiver to transmit a location determination message to the master node, the location determination message reflecting the determined location of the package ID node relative to the logistics container.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the antenna elements are disposed in the spatially disperse configuration along an axis of the logistics container.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spatially disperse configuration comprises a beamforming phased array configuration.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the antenna elements has an antenna pattern focused on one of a plurality of different portions of a storage area within the logistics container.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spatially dispersed configuration of the antenna elements disposes the antenna elements on more than one of a plurality of interior surfaces of the logistics container.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the interior surfaces of the logistics container comprise a ceiling, a door, a side wall, and a floor.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second radio transceiver is operative to select the different subsets of the antenna elements by being further operative to control which of the different subsets of the antenna elements provides a wireless reception input for the second radio transceiver, wherein each of the different subsets of the antenna elements is located in a different part of the logistics container.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detected reception information comprises an observed signal strength of the inbound wireless signal for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the location of the package ID node relative to the logistics container comprises a relative location within a storage area of the logistics container.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the container node controller is responsive to the detected reception information from the second radio transceiver to determine the relative location of the package ID node within the storage area of the logistics container by being operative to:

(a) compare the detected reception information for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements;

(b) identify one of the selected subsets of antenna elements having a maximum observed signal strength of the inbound wireless signal; and

(c) determine the relative location of the package ID node as being related to a focal area within the storage area for the identified one of the selected subsets of antenna elements in (b).

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container node controller is further operative to generate placement feedback information about the package ID node based upon the determined location of the package ID node relative to the logistics container, and cause the first radio transceiver to broadcast a placement feedback message to the master node based upon the generated placement feedback information.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the placement feedback information generated by the container node controller further comprises a loading status parameter indicating whether the package ID node is located within the logistics container in accordance with a loading plan for the logistics container compared to the determined location of the package ID node relative to the logistics container.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the placement feedback information generated by the container node controller further comprises a current weight parameter for the logistics container based at least upon a weight of a package associated with the package ID node.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the placement feedback information generated by the container node controller further comprises a current balance parameter for the logistics container based at least upon the determined location of the package ID node relative to the logistics container and the weight of the package associated with the package ID node.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second radio transceiver further comprises:

a central communication interface operatively coupled to the container node controller; and

a plurality of dedicated radio units, wherein each of the dedicated radio units is correspondingly coupled to the central communication interface and to at least one of the antenna elements to monitor one of a plurality of different portions of a storage area within the logistics container.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the logistics container comprises a unit load device (ULD) container capable of being transported within an airplane.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the logistics container comprises a trailer capable of being moved by a vehicle.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the logistics container comprises a train car capable of being moved on a railway system.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the logistics container comprises an intermodal shipping container capable of being moved on at least two different types of transportation modalities.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the logistics container comprises a logistics storage platform.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the logistics storage platform comprises a base platform and a flexible cover that is removably attachable to the base platform in order to secure the package ID node relative to the base platform.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the logistics storage platform comprises a shelf capable of supporting (a) the package ID node and (b) a package associated with the package ID node.

23. An enhanced wireless node network capable container system that interacts with a master node and a package ID node disposed with a package, the system comprising:

a logistics container;

a container node controller disposed on the logistics container;

a first radio transceiver operatively coupled to the container node controller, the first radio transceiver further comprising a first antenna providing the first radio transceiver with wireless communication access to the master node disposed external to the logistics container; and

a second radio transceiver operatively coupled to the container node controller, the second radio transceiver further comprising a plurality of antenna elements disposed in a dispersed configuration relative to the logistics container, the plurality of antenna elements providing the second radio transceiver with multi-antenna wireless communication access to the package ID node disposed with the package maintained within the logistics container;

wherein the second radio transceiver is responsive to a location control message from the container node controller to be operative to

select different subsets of the antenna elements to receive an inbound wireless signal from the package ID node,

detect reception information about the inbound wireless signal for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements, and

provide the detected reception information to the container node controller;

wherein the container node controller is responsive to the detected reception information from the second radio transceiver to be operative to

determine a location of the package ID node relative to the logistics container based upon the detected reception information from the second radio transceiver, and

cause the first radio transceiver to transmit a location message to the master node, the location message reflecting the determined location of the package ID node relative to the logistics container.

24. The container system of claim 23, wherein the antenna elements are disposed in the spatially disperse configuration along an axis of the logistics container.

25. The container system of claim 23, wherein the logistics container comprises a storage area within which to maintain the package inside the logistics container;

and

wherein each of the antenna elements has an antenna pattern focused on one of a plurality of different portions of the storage area.

26. The container system of claim 23, wherein logistics container further comprises a plurality of interior surfaces;

and

wherein the spatially dispersed configuration of the antenna elements has the antenna elements disposed on more than one of the plurality of interior surfaces of the logistics container.

27. The container system of claim 26, wherein the interior surfaces of the logistics container comprise a ceiling, a door, at least one or more side walls, and a floor.

28. The container system of claim 23, wherein the second radio transceiver is operative to select the different subsets of the antenna elements in response to the location control message by being further operative to control which of the different subsets of the antenna elements provides a wireless reception input for the second radio transceiver, wherein each of the different subsets of the antenna elements is located in a different part of the logistics container.

29. The container system of claim 23, wherein the detected reception information comprises an observed signal strength of the inbound wireless signal for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements.

30. The container system of claim 23, wherein the logistics container comprises a storage area within which to maintain the package and the package ID node;

wherein the container node controller is responsive to the detected reception information from the second radio transceiver to determine the location of the package ID node as a relative location within the storage area of the logistics container.

31. The container system of claim 30, wherein the container node controller is responsive to the detected reception information from the second radio transceiver to determine the relative location of the package ID node within the storage area of the logistics container by being operative to:

(a) compare the detected reception information for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements;

(b) identify one of the selected subsets of antenna elements having a maximum observed signal strength of the inbound wireless signal; and

(c) determine the relative location of the package ID node as being related to a focal area within the storage area for the identified one of the selected subsets of antenna elements in (b).

32. The container system of claim 23, wherein the container node controller is further operative to

generate placement feedback information about the package ID node based upon the determined location of the package ID node relative to the logistics container;

and

cause the first radio transceiver to broadcast a placement feedback message to the master node based upon the generated placement feedback information.

33. The container system of claim 32, wherein the placement feedback information generated by the container node controller further comprises a loading status parameter indicating whether the package ID node is located within the logistics container in accordance with a loading plan for the logistics container compared to the determined location of the package ID node relative to the logistics container.

34. The container system of claim 33, wherein the placement feedback information generated by the container node controller further comprises a current weight parameter for the logistics container based at least upon a weight of a package associated with the package ID node.

35. The container system of claim 34, wherein the placement feedback information generated by the container node controller further comprises a current balance parameter for the logistics container based at least upon the determined location of the package ID node relative to the logistics container and the weight of the package associated with the package ID node.

36. The container system of claim 23, wherein the logistics container further comprises an accessible storage area for maintaining the plurality of packages in respectively different portions of the storage area;

and

wherein the second radio transceiver further comprises;

a central communication interface operatively coupled to the container node controller, and

a plurality of dedicated radio units, wherein each of the dedicated radio units is correspondingly coupled to the central communication interface and to at least one of the antenna elements to monitor one of a plurality of different portions of the accessible storage area of the logistics container.

37. The container system of claim 23, wherein the logistics container comprises a unit load device (ULD) container capable of being transported within an airplane.

38. The container system of claim 23, wherein the logistics container comprises a trailer capable of being moved by a vehicle.

39. The container system of claim 23, wherein the logistics container comprises a train car capable of being moved on a railway system.

40. The container system of claim 23, wherein the logistics container comprises an intermodal shipping container capable of being moved on at least two different types of transportation modalities.

41. The container system of claim 23, wherein the logistics container comprises a logistics storage platform.

42. The container system of claim 41, wherein the logistics storage platform comprises:

a base platform; and

a flexible cover removably attachable to the base platform in order to secure the package ID node relative to the base platform.

43. The container system of claim 23, wherein the logistics storage platform comprises a shelf capable of supporting (a) the package ID node and (b) a package associated with the package ID node.

44. A multi-antenna container node implemented method of locating a package ID node within a storage area of a logistics container, the multi-antenna container node being disposed on the logistics container and operative to communicate with a master node disposed external to the logistics container, the multi-antenna container node having at least a container node controller, a first radio transceiver, and a second radio transceiver with a plurality of antenna elements disposed in a spatially disperse configuration relative to the logistics container, the method comprising the steps of:

generating, by the container node controller, a location control message related to the package ID node;

sending, by the container node controller, the location control message to the second radio transceiver of the multi-antenna container node;

selecting, by the second radio transceiver, different subsets of the antenna elements to receive an inbound wireless signal from the package ID node in response to the location control message;

detecting, by the second radio transceiver, reception information about the inbound wireless signal for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements;

providing, by the second radio transceiver, the detected reception information to the container node controller;

determining, by the container node controller, a location of the package ID node relative to the logistics container based upon the detected reception information provided by the second radio transceiver; and

transmitting, by the first radio transceiver of the multi-antenna container node, a location determination message to the master node disposed external to the logistics container, the location determination message reflecting the determined location of the package ID node relative to the logistics container.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the antenna elements are disposed in the spatially disperse configuration along an axis of the logistics container.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein each of the antenna elements has an antenna pattern focused on one of a plurality of different portions of the storage area.

47. The method of claim 44, wherein the spatially dispersed configuration of the antenna elements has the antenna elements disposed on more than one of a plurality of interior surfaces of the logistics container.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the interior surfaces of the logistics container comprise a ceiling, a door, a side wall, and a floor.

49. The method of claim 44, wherein the step of selecting the different subsets of the antenna elements in response to the location control message comprises controlling, by the second radio transceiver, which of the different subsets of the antenna elements provides a wireless reception input for the second radio transceiver, wherein each of the different subsets of the antenna elements are located in a different part of the logistics container.

50. The method of claim 44, wherein the detected reception information comprises an observed signal strength of the inbound wireless signal for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements.

51. The method of claim 44, wherein the determining step further comprises determining, by the container node controller, the location of the package ID node as a relative location within the storage area of the logistics container based upon the detected reception information provided by the second radio transceiver.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the determining step performed by the container node controller further comprises:

comparing the detected reception information for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements to identify one of the selected subsets of antenna elements having a maximum observed signal strength of the inbound wireless signal; and

determining the relative location of the package ID node within the storage area as being a location of a focal area within the storage area for the identified one of the selected subsets of antenna elements.

53. The method of claim 44 further comprising the steps of:

generating, by the container node controller, placement feedback information about the package ID node based upon the determined location of the package ID node relative to the logistics container; and

transmitting, by the first radio transceiver, a placement feedback message to the master node based upon the generated placement feedback information.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the placement feedback information generated by the container node controller further comprises a loading status parameter indicating whether the package ID node is located within the logistics container in accordance with a loading plan for the logistics container compared to the determined location of the package ID node relative to the logistics container.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the placement feedback information generated by the container node controller further comprises a current weight parameter for the logistics container based at least upon a weight of a package associated with the package ID node.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein the placement feedback information generated by the container node controller further comprises a current balance parameter for the logistics container based at least upon the determined location of the package ID node relative to the logistics container and the weight of the package associated with the package ID node.

57. The method of claim 44, wherein the step of selecting different subsets of the antenna elements to receive the inbound wireless signal further comprises:

receiving, by a central communication interface of the second radio transceiver, the location control message; and

selecting, by the central communication interface in response to the location control message, different dedicated radio units of the second radio transceiver to receive the inbound wireless signal from the package ID node, each of the different dedicated radio units comprising a wireless transceiver and at least a paired one of the antenna elements that monitor one of a plurality of different portions of the storage area within the logistics container.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein selecting the different dedicated radio units further comprises incrementally activating each of the different dedicated radio units to incrementally monitor the different portions of the storage area;

and

wherein the detecting step further comprises detecting a relative signal strength of the inbound wireless signal as received by the activated one of the different dedicated radio units as the reception information about the inbound wireless signal for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements.

59. The method of claim 44, wherein the logistics container comprises a unit load device (ULD) container capable of being transported within an airplane.

60. The method of claim 44, wherein the logistics container comprises a trailer capable of being moved by a vehicle.

61. The method of claim 44, wherein the logistics container comprises a train car capable of being moved on a railway system.

62. The method of claim 44, wherein the logistics container comprises an intermodal shipping container capable of being moved on at least two different types of transportation modalities

63. The method of claim 44, wherein the logistics container comprises a logistics storage platform.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein the logistics storage platform comprises:

a base platform; and

a flexible cover that is removably attachable to the base platform in order to secure the package ID node relative to the base platform.

65. The method of claim 44, wherein the logistics storage platform comprises a shelf capable of supporting (a) the package ID node and (b) a package associated with the package ID node.

66. An enhanced container node apparatus disposed as part of a wireless node network capable logistics container maintained within a physical storage, the apparatus comprising:

a container node controller disposed on the logistics container;

a first radio transceiver operatively coupled to the container node controller, the first radio transceiver further comprising a plurality of antenna elements disposed in a spatially disperse configuration relative to the logistics container, the plurality of antenna elements providing the first radio transceiver with multi-antenna wireless communication access to a master node disposed external to the logistics container, the master node being associated with the physical storage and located at a fixed position relative to the physical storage;

a second radio transceiver operatively coupled to the container node controller, the second radio transceiver providing the container node controller with wireless communication access to a package ID node disposed within the logistics container and associated with a package maintained within the logistics container; and

wherein the first radio transceiver is responsive to a location control message from the container node controller to be operative to

select different subsets of the antenna elements to receive an inbound wireless signal from the master node,

detect reception information about the inbound wireless signal for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements, and

provide the detected reception information to the container node controller;

wherein the container node controller is responsive to the detected reception information from the first radio transceiver to

determine a location of the logistics container relative to the physical storage based upon the detected reception information from the first radio transceiver, and

cause the first radio transceiver to transmit a location determination message to the master node, the location determination message reflecting the determined location of the logistics container relative to the physical storage associated with the master node.

67. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the antenna elements are disposed in the spatially disperse configuration along an axis of the logistics container.

68. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the spatially dispersed configuration of the antenna elements disposes the antenna elements on more than one of a plurality of external surfaces of the logistics container.

69. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the spatially dispersed configuration of the antenna elements disposes the antenna elements on different corners of the logistics container.

70. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the spatially dispersed configuration of the antenna elements disposes the antenna elements on more than one of a plurality of internal surfaces of the logistics container while allowing each of the antenna elements to receive a wireless signal broadcast from outside the logistics container.

71. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the spatially dispersed configuration of the antenna elements disposes each of the antenna elements as an integrated part of the logistics container.

72. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the spatially dispersed configuration of the antenna elements disposes a first portion of the antenna elements as one or more integrated parts of the logistics container and disposes a second portion of the antenna elements as one or more attachable antenna components mounted to the logistics container.

73. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the first radio transceiver is operative to select the different subsets of the antenna elements by being further operative to control which of the different subsets of the antenna elements provides an active wireless reception input for the first radio transceiver.

74. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the detected reception information comprises an observed signal strength of the inbound wireless signal from the master node for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements.

75. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the container node controller is responsive to the detected reception information from the first radio transceiver to determine the location of the logistics container relative to the physical storage based upon an average of the detected reception information from each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements.

76. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the container node controller is responsive to the detected reception information from the first radio transceiver to determine the location of the logistics container relative to the physical storage by being operative to:

(a) for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements from the detected reception information, identify an observed signal strength relative to a broadcast signal strength for the inbound wireless signal; and

(b) based upon the identified relative observed signal strengths of the inbound wireless signal as associated with the respective positions for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements, determine an estimated placement region within the physical storage for the logistics container as the determined location of the logistics container relative to the physical storage.

77. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the container node controller is operative to identify the observed signal strength relative to the broadcast signal strength for the inbound wireless signal as indicated by a broadcast power setting parameter in a header of the inbound wireless signal.

78. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the container node controller is further operative to (b) determine the estimated placement region using reverse trilateration based upon the fixed position of the master node relative to the physical storage.

79. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the container node controller is further operative to determine the location of the logistics container relative to the physical storage by being operative to:

(b1) identify an angular orientation of the logistics container relative to the master node based upon the identified relative observed signal strength of the inbound wireless signal as associated with a respective position for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements; and

(b2) based upon the identified relative observed signal strength of the inbound wireless signal as associated with a respective position for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements and the identified angular orientation of the logistics container relative to the master node, identify a refined relative position of the logistics container within the physical storage for the logistics container as the determined location of the logistics container relative to the physical storage.

80. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the location determination message reflects the identified angular orientation of the logistics container relative to the physical storage associated with the master node.

81. The apparatus of claim 77, wherein the location determination message further comprises a loading status parameter informing the master node whether the logistics container is located within the physical storage in accordance with a loading plan for the physical storage compared to the determined location of the logistics container relative to the physical storage.

82. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the first radio transceiver further comprises:

a central communication interface operatively coupled to the container node controller; and

a plurality of dedicated radio units, wherein each of the dedicated radio units is correspondingly coupled to the central communication interface and to at least one of the antenna elements to monitor for signals broadcast from the master node.

83. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the container node controller is operative to send the location control message to the first radio transceiver in response to a location request message received from the master node over the first radio transceiver.

84. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the logistics container comprises a unit load device (ULD) container capable of being transported within an airplane.

85. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the logistics container comprises a trailer capable of being moved by a vehicle.

86. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the logistics container comprises a train car capable of being moved on a railway system.

87. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the logistics container comprises an intermodal shipping container capable of being moved on at least two different types of transportation modalities.

88. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the logistics container comprises a logistics storage platform.

89. The apparatus of claim 88, wherein the logistics storage platform comprises:

a base platform; and

a flexible cover that is removably attachable to the base platform in order to secure the package ID node relative to the base platform.

90. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the logistics storage platform comprises a shelf capable of supporting (a) the package ID node and (b) a package associated with the package ID node.

91. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the physical storage comprises a unit load device (ULD) container capable of being transported within an airplane.

92. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the physical storage a cargo area of an airplane.

93. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the physical storage comprises a trailer capable of being moved by a vehicle.

94. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the physical storage comprises a train car capable of being moved on a railway system.

95. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the physical storage comprises an intermodal shipping container capable of being moved on at least two different types of transportation modalities.

96. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the physical storage comprises at least one of a fixed storage facility, a designated portion of a building, and a designated storage area.

97. An enhanced wireless node network capable container system for use within a physical storage having an associated master node located at a fixed position relative to the physical storage, the container system comprising:

a logistics container;

a container node controller disposed on the logistics container;

a first radio transceiver operatively coupled to the container node controller, the first radio transceiver further comprising a plurality of antenna elements disposed in a spatially disperse configuration relative to the logistics container, the plurality of antenna elements providing the first radio transceiver with multi-antenna wireless communication access to the master node disposed external to the logistics container;

a second radio transceiver operatively coupled to the container node controller, the second radio transceiver providing the container node controller with wireless communication access to a package ID node disposed within the logistics container and associated with a package maintained within the logistics container; and

wherein the first radio transceiver is responsive to an location control message from the container node controller to be operative to

select different subsets of the antenna elements to receive an inbound wireless signal from the master node,

detect reception information about the inbound wireless signal for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements, and

provide the detected reception information to the container node controller; and

wherein the container node controller is responsive to the detected reception information from the first radio transceiver to

determine a location of the logistics container relative to the physical storage based upon the detected reception information from the first radio transceiver, and

cause the first radio transceiver to transmit a location determination message to the master node, the location determination message reflecting the determined location of the logistics container relative to the physical storage associated with the master node.

98. The container system of claim 97, wherein the antenna elements are disposed in the spatially disperse configuration along an axis of the logistics container.

99. The container system of claim 97, wherein the spatially dispersed configuration of the antenna elements disposes the antenna elements on more than one of a plurality of external surfaces of the logistics container.

100. The container system of claim 97, wherein the spatially dispersed configuration of the antenna elements disposes the antenna elements on different corners of the logistics container.

101. The container system of claim 97, wherein the spatially dispersed configuration of the antenna elements disposes the antenna elements on more than one of a plurality of internal surfaces of the logistics container while allowing each of the antenna elements to receive a wireless signal broadcast from outside the logistics container.

102. The container system of claim 97, wherein the spatially dispersed configuration of the antenna elements disposes each of the antenna elements as an integrated part of the logistics container.

103. The container system of claim 97, wherein the spatially dispersed configuration of the antenna elements disposes a first portion of the antenna elements as one or more integrated parts of the logistics container and disposes a second portion of the antenna elements as one or more attachable antenna components mounted to the logistics container.

104. The container system of claim 97, wherein the first radio transceiver is operative to select the different subsets of the antenna elements by being further operative to control which of the different subsets of the antenna elements provides an active wireless reception input for the first radio transceiver.

105. The container system of claim 97, wherein the detected reception information comprises an observed signal strength of the inbound wireless signal from the master node for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements.

106. The container system of claim 97, wherein the container node controller is responsive to the detected reception information from the first radio transceiver to determine the location of the logistics container relative to the physical storage based upon an average of the detected reception information from each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements.

107. The container system of claim 97, wherein the container node controller is responsive to the detected reception information from the first radio transceiver to determine the location of the logistics container relative to the physical storage by being operative to:

(a) for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements from the detected reception information, identify an observed signal strength relative to a broadcast signal strength for the inbound wireless signal; and

(b) based upon the identified relative observed signal strengths of the inbound wireless signal as associated with the respective positions for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements, determine an estimated placement region within the physical storage for the logistics container as the determined location of the logistics container relative to the physical storage.

108. The container system of claim 107, wherein the container node controller is operative to identify the observed signal strength relative to the broadcast signal strength for the inbound wireless signal as indicated by a broadcast power setting parameter in a header of the inbound wireless signal.

109. The container system of claim 107, wherein the container node controller is further operative to (b) determine the estimated placement region using reverse trilateration based upon the fixed position of the master node relative to the physical storage.

110. The container system of claim 107, wherein the container node controller is further operative to determine the location of the logistics container relative to the physical storage by being operative to:

(b1) identify an angular orientation of the logistics container relative to the master node based upon the identified relative observed signal strength of the inbound wireless signal as associated with a respective position for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements; and

(b2) based upon the identified relative observed signal strength of the inbound wireless signal as associated with a respective position for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements and the identified angular orientation of the logistics container relative to the master node, identify a refined relative position of the logistics container within the physical storage for the logistics container as the determined location of the logistics container relative to the physical storage.

111. The container system of claim 110, wherein the location determination message reflects the identified angular orientation of the logistics container relative to the physical storage associated with the master node.

112. The container system of claim 108, wherein the location determination message further comprises a loading status parameter informing the master node whether the logistics container is located within the physical storage in accordance with a loading plan for the physical storage compared to the determined location of the logistics container relative to the physical storage.

113. The container system of claim 97, wherein the first radio transceiver further comprises:

a central communication interface operatively coupled to the container node controller; and

a plurality of dedicated radio units, wherein each of the dedicated radio units is correspondingly coupled to the central communication interface and to at least one of the antenna elements to monitor for signals broadcast from the master node.

114. The container system of claim 97, wherein the container node controller is operative to send the location control message to the first radio transceiver in response to a location request message received from the master node over the first radio transceiver.

115. The container system of claim 97, wherein the logistics container comprises at least

a base that supports the package;

and

confinement structure attached to the base that retains the package in physical proximity to the base.

116. The container system of claim 115, wherein the base comprises a pallet, and wherein the confinement structure comprises cargo netting.

117. The container system of claim 97, wherein the logistics container comprises a shelf capable of supporting (a) the package ID node and (b) the package associated with the package ID node.

118. The container system of claim 115, wherein the confinement structure comprises

a plurality of wall portions attached to the base;

a ceiling portion attached to the wall portions opposite the base; and

at least one access portion that is attached to the base,

wherein at least some of the wall portions, and a part of the ceiling portion define an accessible storage area within the wall portions, ceiling portion, base, and the access portion.

119. The container system of claim 97, wherein the logistics container comprises a unit load device (ULD) container capable of being transported within an airplane.

120. The container system of claim 97, wherein the logistics container comprises a trailer capable of being moved by a vehicle.

121. The container system of claim 97, wherein the logistics container comprises a train car capable of being moved on a railway system.

122. The container system of claim 97, wherein the logistics container comprises an intermodal shipping container capable of being moved on at least two different types of transportation modalities.

123. The container system of claim 97, wherein the physical storage comprises a unit load device (ULD) container capable of being transported within an airplane.

124. The container system of claim 97, wherein the physical storage a cargo area of an airplane.

125. The container system of claim 97, wherein the physical storage comprises a trailer capable of being moved by a vehicle.

126. The container system of claim 97, wherein the physical storage comprises a train car capable of being moved on a railway system.

127. The container system of claim 97, wherein the physical storage comprises an intermodal shipping container capable of being moved on at least two different types of transportation modalities.

128. The container system of claim 97, wherein the physical storage comprises at least one of a fixed storage facility, a designated portion of a building, and a designated storage area.

129. A method of locating a multi-antenna container node enhanced logistics container disposed within a physical storage having an associated master node located at a fixed position relative to the physical storage, the container node in the logistics container having at least a container node controller, a first radio transceiver, and a second radio transceiver, wherein the first radio transceiver further comprises a plurality of antenna elements disposed in a spatially disperse configuration relative to the logistics container such that the plurality of antenna elements provides the first radio transceiver with multi-antenna wireless communication access to the master node disposed external to the logistics container, the method comprising the steps of:

sending, by the container node controller of the multi-antenna container node, a location control message to the first radio transceiver of the multi-antenna container node;

selecting, by the first radio transceiver, different subsets of the antenna elements to receive an inbound wireless signal from the master node in response to the location control message from the container node controller;

detecting, by the first radio transceiver, reception information about the inbound wireless signal from the master node for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements;

providing, by the first radio transceiver, the detected reception information to the container node controller;

determining, by the container node controller, a location of the logistics container relative to the physical storage based upon the detected reception information from the first radio transceiver; and

transmitting, by the first radio transceiver of the multi-antenna container node, a location determination message to the master node, the location determination message reflecting the determined location of the logistics container relative to the physical storage associated with the master node.

130. The method of claim 129, wherein the antenna elements are disposed in the spatially disperse configuration along an axis of the logistics container.

131. The method of claim 129, wherein the spatially dispersed configuration of the antenna elements disposes the antenna elements on more than one of a plurality of external surfaces of the logistics container.

132. The method of claim 129, wherein the spatially dispersed configuration of the antenna elements disposes the antenna elements on different corners of the logistics container.

133. The method of claim 129, wherein the spatially dispersed configuration of the antenna elements disposes the antenna elements on more than one of a plurality of internal surfaces of the logistics container while allowing each of the antenna elements to receive a wireless signal broadcast from outside the logistics container.

134. The method of claim 129, wherein the spatially dispersed configuration of the antenna elements disposes each of the antenna elements as an integrated part of the logistics container.

135. The method of claim 129, wherein the spatially dispersed configuration of the antenna elements disposes a first portion of the antenna elements as one or more integrated parts of the logistics container and disposes a second portion of the antenna elements as one or more attachable antenna components mounted to the logistics container.

136. The method of claim 129, wherein the step of selecting the different subsets of the antenna elements in response to the location control message comprises controlling, by the first radio transceiver, which of the different subsets of the antenna elements provides an active wireless reception input for the first radio transceiver.

137. The method of claim 129, wherein the detected reception information comprises an observed signal strength of the inbound wireless signal from the master node for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements.

138. The method of claim 129, wherein the determining step further comprises determining, by the container node controller, the location of the logistics container relative to the physical storage based upon an average of the detected reception information from each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements.

139. The method of claim 129, wherein the determining step performed by the container node controller further comprises:

(a) for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements from the detected reception information, identifying an observed signal strength relative to a broadcast signal strength for the inbound wireless signal broadcast by the master node; and

(b) based upon the identified relative observed signal strengths of the inbound wireless signal as associated with the respective positions for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements, determining an estimated placement region within the physical storage for the logistics container as the determined location of the logistics container relative to the physical storage.

140. The method of claim 139, wherein the identifying step (a) further comprises identifying the observed signal strength relative to the broadcast signal strength for the inbound wireless signal as indicated by a broadcast power setting parameter in a header of the inbound wireless signal broadcast by the master node.

141. The method of claim 139, wherein the determining step (b) comprises determining the estimated placement region using reverse trilateration based upon the fixed position of the master node relative to the physical storage.

142. The method of claim 139, wherein the determining step (b) comprises:

(b1) identifying an angular orientation of the logistics container relative to the master node based upon the identified relative observed signal strength of the inbound wireless signal as associated with a respective position for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements; and

(b2) based upon the identified relative observed signal strength of the inbound wireless signal as associated with a respective position for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements and the identified angular orientation of the logistics container relative to the master node, identifying a refined relative position of the logistics container within the physical storage for the logistics container as the determined location of the logistics container relative to the physical storage.

143. The method of claim 142, wherein the location determination message reflects the identified angular orientation of the logistics container relative to the physical storage associated with the master node.

144. The method of claim 140, wherein the location determination message further comprises a loading status parameter informing the master node whether the logistics container is located within the physical storage in accordance with a loading plan for the physical storage compared to the determined location of the logistics container relative to the physical storage, the loading plan being stored within a memory on the multi-antenna container node and accessible by the container node controller.

145. The method of claim 129, wherein the logistics container comprises a unit load device (ULD) container capable of being transported within an airplane.

146. The method of claim 129, wherein the logistics container comprises a trailer capable of being moved by a vehicle.

147. The method of claim 129, wherein the logistics container comprises a train car capable of being moved on a railway system.

148. The method of claim 129, wherein the logistics container comprises an intermodal shipping container capable of being moved on at least two different types of transportation modalities.

149. The method of claim 129, wherein the physical storage comprises a unit load device (ULD) container capable of being transported within an airplane.

150. The method of claim 129, wherein the physical storage a cargo area of an airplane.

151. The method of claim 129, wherein the physical storage comprises a trailer capable of being moved by a vehicle.

152. The method of claim 129, wherein the physical storage comprises a train car capable of being moved on a railway system.

153. The method of claim 129, wherein the physical storage comprises an intermodal shipping container capable of being moved on at least two different types of transportation modalities.

154. The method of claim 129, wherein the physical storage comprises at least one of a fixed storage facility, a designated portion of a building, and a designated storage area.

155. An enhanced wireless node network capable container system for use in shipping a plurality of packages and that interacts with a master node external to the system, comprising:

a logistics storage platform configured to support the plurality of packages;

a container node controller disposed on the logistics storage platform;

a first radio transceiver operatively coupled to the container node controller, the first radio transceiver further comprising a first antenna providing the first radio transceiver with wireless communication access to the master node; and

a second radio transceiver operatively coupled to the container node controller, the second radio transceiver further comprising a plurality of antenna elements disposed in a dispersed configuration relative to the logistics storage platform, the plurality of antenna elements providing the second radio transceiver with multi-antenna wireless communication access to a package ID node disposed with one of the packages supported on the logistics storage platform;

wherein the second radio transceiver is responsive to a location control message from the container node controller to be operative to

select different subsets of the antenna elements to receive an inbound wireless signal from the package ID node,

detect reception information about the inbound wireless signal for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements, and

provide the detected reception information to the container node controller; and

wherein the container node controller is responsive to the detected reception information from the second radio transceiver to

determine a location of the package ID node relative to the logistics storage platform based upon the detected reception information from the second radio transceiver, and

cause the first radio transceiver to transmit a location message to the master node, the location message reflecting the determined location of the package ID node relative to the logistics storage platform.

156. The container system of claim 155, wherein the logistics storage platform has a central axis and the antenna elements are disposed in the disperse configuration along the axis of the logistics storage platform.

157. The container system of claim 155, wherein the logistics storage platform includes a support surface on which to maintain the plurality of packages;

and

wherein each of the antenna elements has an antenna pattern focused on one of a plurality of different portions of the support surface.

158. The container system of claim 155, wherein the dispersed configuration of the antenna elements has the antenna elements spatially disposed in a pattern where each of the antenna elements are attached to a different one of a plurality of portions of the logistics storage platform.

159. The container system of claim 158, wherein the different portions of the logistics storage platform comprises:

a top surface of the logistics storage platform;

a bottom surface of the logistics storage platform;

a side surface of the logistics storage platform; and

an interior part of the logistics storage platform.

160. The container system of claim 155, wherein the second radio transceiver is operative to select the different subsets of the antenna elements in response to the location control message by being further operative to control which of the different subsets of the antenna elements provides a wireless reception input for the second radio transceiver, wherein each of the different subsets of the antenna elements is located at a different portion of the logistics storage platform.

161. The container system of claim 155, wherein the detected reception information comprises an observed signal strength of the inbound wireless signal for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements.

162. The container system of claim 155, wherein the container node controller is responsive to the detected reception information from the second radio transceiver to determine the location of the package ID node as a relative location within a storage area above the logistics storage platform.

163. The container system of claim 162, wherein the container node controller is responsive to the detected reception information from the second radio transceiver to determine the relative location of the package ID node within the storage area above the logistics storage platform by being operative to

(a) compare the detected reception information for each of the different selected subsets of the antenna elements;

(b) identify one of the selected subsets of antenna elements having a maximum observed signal strength of the inbound wireless signal; and

(c) determine the relative location of the package ID node as being related to a focal area within the storage area for the identified one of the selected subsets of antenna elements in (b).

164. The container system of claim 155, wherein the container node controller is further operative to

generate placement feedback information about the package ID node based upon the determined location of the package ID node relative to the logistics storage platform;

and

cause the first radio transceiver to broadcast a placement feedback message to the master node based upon the generated placement feedback information.

165. The container system of claim 164, wherein the placement feedback information generated by the container node controller further comprises a loading status parameter indicating whether the package ID node is located on the logistics storage platform in accordance with a loading plan for the logistics storage platform compared to the determined location of the package ID node relative to the logistics storage platform.

166. The container system of claim 165, wherein the placement feedback information generated by the container node controller further comprises a current weight parameter for the logistics storage platform based at least upon a weight of a package associated with the package ID node.

167. The container system of claim 166, wherein the placement feedback information generated by the container node controller further comprises a current balance parameter for the logistics storage platform based at least upon the determined location of the package ID node on the logistics storage platform and the weight of the package associated with the package ID node.

168. The container system of claim 155, wherein the logistics storage platform comprises a shelf.

169. The container system of claim 155, wherein the shelf comprises:

a base platform; and

at least a plurality of side wall sections in contact with the base platform;

wherein the base platform and the side wall sections define a storage area associated with the shelf.

170. The container system of claim 169, wherein each of the plurality of antenna elements of the second radio transceiver being disposed on one of the base platform or the side wall sections.

171. The container system of claim 155, wherein the logistics storage platform comprises a plurality of shelves.

172. The container system of claim 171, wherein the plurality of shelves are disposed in a building.

173. The container system of claim 171, wherein the plurality of shelves are disposed in a vehicle.

174. The container system of claim 155, wherein the logistics storage platform is fixed to a larger logistics container.

175. The container system of claim 155, wherein the logistics storage platform comprises a base platform used with a flexible cover that maintains and secures the one of the packages relative to the base platform.

176. The container system of claim 175, wherein the flexible cover comprises a cargo net.