Node-enabled delivery notification using elements of a wireless node network

• US 9,788,297 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2014
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fedex Corporate Services Incorporated (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fedex Corporate Services Incorporated (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Skaaksrud, Ole-Petter
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, George
• Application Number:
  US14/446,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20150154540A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,168 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 60/00256 Delivery operations
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 25/02 Packaging agricultural or horticultural products
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/02 Internal fittings of containers made by folding or erecting blanks made of paper B65D5/44
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/102 Straps, bands, strings or other elongate elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3407 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3453 Special cost functions, i.e. other than distance or default speed limit of road segments
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/362 received from an external device or application, e.g. PDA, mobile phone or calendar application
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/01 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0289 of multiple transceivers, e.g. in ad hoc networks
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/14 Determining absolute distances from a plurality of spaced points of known location
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0022 characterised by the communication link data switching networks in general H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/021 specially adapted to land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0712 the arrangement being capable of triggering distinct operating modes or functions dependent on the strength of an energy or interrogation field in the proximity of the record carrier active means for hindering electromagnetic reading or writing G06K19/07336
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0835 Relationships between shipper or supplier and carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08355 Routing methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0836 : Recipient pick-ups
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0838 : Historical data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 : Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 : specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/22 : Payment schemes or models
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/308 : using the Internet of Things
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/321 : using wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/325 : using wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 : Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 : Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 : based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0261 : System arrangements wherein the object is to detect trespassing over a fixed physical boundary, e.g. the end of a garden
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0269 : System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact location of child or item using a navigation satellite system, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 : for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/65 : stored on portable record carriers, e.g. on smartcards, RFID tags or CD
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 : ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3822 : specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/61 : for local area broadcast, e.g. instore broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/71 : Wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/026 : using e-messaging for transporting management information, e.g. email, instant messaging or chat
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0813 : characterised by the conditions triggering a change of settings
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0823 : characterised by the purposes of a change of settings, e.g. optimising configuration for enhancing reliability for optimising operational conditions of wireless networks H04W24/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/10 : Active monitoring, e.g. heartbeat, ping or trace-route
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/22 : Alternate routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 : Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 : in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 : specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 : Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 : specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 : Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 : Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 : using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/025 : using location based information parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/38 : for collecting sensor information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/60 : Subscription-based services using application servers or record carriers, e.g. SIM application toolkits
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0212 : managed by the network, e.g. network or access point is master and terminal is slave
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/04 : TPC
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 : Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/003 : locating network equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/006 : with additional information processing, e.g. for direction or speed determination
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 : Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 : Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/24 : Transfer of terminal data
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are described for improved delivery notification using a wireless node network having an ID node, a master node, and a server. The master node detects a signal from the ID node as the ID node approaches the master node located substantially near a delivery point, where the ID node is related to an item being shipped (such as being in or part of the package that holds the item). The master node determines shipping information related to the ID node and an intended recipient of the item being shipped (e.g., via server inquiries), and transmits a notification from the master node to the identified recipient, the notification informing the intended recipient about the item being substantially near the delivery point. In some aspects, the master node may transmit an instruction to the server, which causes the server to transmit the notification to the intended recipient.

Claims

1. A method for improved delivery notification related to an item being shipped using a wireless node network having at least an ID node operating at a low-level of the network and packaged with the item being shipped, a first master node operating at a mid-level of the network and associated with a delivery point for the item being shipped, and a server operating at a top-level of the network while being in direct communication with at least the first master node, the ID node packaged with the item being implemented with a second master node that normally operates at the mid-level of the network in direct communication with the server and configured to self-locate but is operating temporarily as the ID node because the second master node is temporarily unable to self-locate, the method comprising:

detecting, by the first master node, a signal broadcast from the ID node as the ID node approaches the first master node prior to when the item is received at the delivery point, wherein the detected signal is broadcast from the ID node without being programmatically requested to respond by the first master node;

determining, by the first master node, shipping information related to the ID node and an intended recipient of the item being shipped by accessing a memory on the first master node, the shipping information provided to the first master node by the server; and

transmitting a notification from the first master node to the identified recipient in response to the detecting step and the determining step, the notification informing the intended recipient about the item prior to the item being received at the delivery point.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining the shipping information further comprises:

notifying, by the first master node, the server in the wireless node network that the first master node and the ID node are logically associated for tracking by the server; and

receiving the shipping information by the first master node from the server in response to notifying the server.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the notifying step further comprises notifying, by the master node, the server that the first master node has established a passive association with the ID node without requiring an authorized connection between the first master node and ID node.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivery point comprises a designated package handling area.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivery point comprises a logistics receptacle.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining, by the first master node, an identification of the ID node based upon the signal from the ID node, and wherein the step of determining the shipping information further comprises determining, by the first master node, the shipping information based upon the identification of the ID node.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting step further comprises:

forwarding, by the first master node, the notification to the server in the wireless node network from the first master node, wherein the notification causes the server to send the notification to the intended recipient.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the notifying step further comprises notifying, by the first master node, the server in the wireless node network that the first master node has established an active association with the ID node reflecting an authorized connection between the first master node and ID node.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining, by the first master node, that the ID node is within a predetermined range of the delivery point by instructing the ID node to alter an RF transmission power level for a future signal transmitted by the ID node as the ID node approaches the delivery point before transmitting the notification to the intended recipient.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions which when executed on a processor performs a method for improved delivery notification related to an item being shipped using a wireless node network having at least an ID node operating at a low-level of the network and packaged with the item being shipped, a first master node operating at a mid-level of the network and associated with a delivery point for the item being shipped, and a server operating at a top-level of the network while being in direct communication with at least the first master node, the ID node packaged with the item being implemented with a second master node that normally operates at the mid-level of the network in direct communication with the server and configured to self-locate but is operating temporarily as the ID node because the second master node is temporarily unable to self-locate, the method comprising:

detecting, by the first master node, a signal broadcast from the ID node as the ID node approaches the first master node prior to when the item is received at the delivery point, wherein the detected signal is broadcast from the ID node without being programmatically requested to respond by the first master node;

determining, by the first master node, shipping information related to the ID node and an intended recipient of the item being shipped by accessing a memory on the first master node, the shipping information provided to the first master node by the server; and

transmitting a notification from the first master node to the identified recipient in response to the detecting step and the determining step, the notification informing the intended recipient about the item prior to the item being received at the delivery point.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the step of determining the shipping information further comprises:

notifying, by the first master node, the server in the wireless node network that the first master node and the ID node are logically associated for tracking by the server; and

receiving the shipping information by the first master node from the server in response to notifying the server.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the notifying step further comprises notifying, by the master node, the server that the first master node has established a passive association with the ID node without requiring an authorized connection between the first master node and ID node.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the delivery point comprises a designated package handling area.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the delivery point comprises a logistics receptacle.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises determining, by the first master node, an identification of the ID node based upon the signal from the ID node, and wherein the step of determining the shipping information further comprises determining, by the first master node, the shipping information based upon the identification of the ID node.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the transmitting step further comprises:

forwarding, by the first master node, the notification to the server in the wireless node network from the first master node, wherein the notification causes the server to send the notification to the intended recipient.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the notifying step further comprises notifying, by the first master node, the server in the wireless node network that the first master node has established an active association with the ID node reflecting an authorized connection between the first master node and ID node.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises determining, by the first master node, that the ID node is within a predetermined range of the delivery point by instructing the ID node to alter an RF transmission power level for a future signal transmitted by the ID node as the ID node approaches the delivery point before transmitting the notification to the intended recipient.

19. A delivery point master node for improved delivery notification related to an item being shipped using a wireless node network having at least an ID node operating at a low-level of the network and packaged with the item being shipped and a server operating at a top-level of the network while being in direct communication with at least the delivery point master node, the ID node packaged with the item being implemented with a second master node that normally operates at a mid-level of the network in direct communication with the server and configured to self-locate but is operating temporarily as the ID node because the second master node is temporarily unable to self-locate, the delivery point master node comprising:

a node processing unit,

a node memory storage coupled to the node processing unit, the node memory storage maintaining code for execution by the node processing unit and shipping information related to the item being shipped and the ID node packaged with the item being shipped, and

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

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

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

detect a signal broadcast from the ID node on the first communication interface as the ID node approaches the delivery point master node associated with a delivery point for the item being shipped and prior to the item being received at the delivery point, wherein the detected signal is broadcast from the ID node without being programmatically requested to respond by the delivery point master node,

access the node memory storage to determine the shipping information related to the ID node and an intended recipient of the item being shipped from the shipping information, the shipping information provided to the delivery point master node by the server, and

instruct the second communication interface to transmit a notification from the master node to the intended recipient in response to detecting the signal broadcast from the ID node prior to the item being received at the delivery point, the notification informing the identified recipient about the item prior to the item being received at the delivery point.

20. The delivery point master node of claim 19, wherein the node processing unit is further operative to:

notify to the server that the delivery point master node and the ID node are logically associated for tracking by the server; and

receive the shipping information by the delivery point master node from the server in response to notifying the server.

21. The delivery point master node of claim 20, wherein the node processing unit is further operative to notify the server that the delivery point master node has established a passive association with the ID node without requiring an authorized connection between the delivery point master node and ID node.

22. The delivery point master node of claim 19, wherein the delivery point comprises any one of a designated package handling area or a logistics receptacle.

23. The delivery point master node of claim 19, wherein the node processing unit is further operative to determine an identification of the ID node based upon the signal from the ID node, and determine the shipping information based upon the identification of the ID node.

24. The delivery point master node of claim 19, wherein the node processing unit is further operative to:

forward the notification to the server from the delivery point master node; and

communicate an instruction to the server to cause the server to send the notification to the intended recipient.

25. The delivery point master node of claim 19, wherein the node processing unit is further operative to notify the server that the delivery point master node has established an active association with the ID node reflecting an authorized connection between the delivery point master node and ID node.

26. The delivery point master node of claim 19, wherein the node processing unit is further operative to determine that the ID node is within a predetermined range of the delivery point by instructing the ID node to alter an RF transmission power level for a future signal transmitted by the ID node as the ID node approaches the delivery point before transmitting the notification to the intended recipient.

27. The delivery point master node of claim 19, wherein the node processing unit is further operative to transmit the notification by being operative to instruct the second communication interface to transmit the notification from the delivery point master node to the server for forwarding to the intended receipt.