Methods, non-transitory computer readable media, and systems for improved communication management of a plurality of wireless nodes in a wireless node network

• US 10,271,166 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2017
• Issued: 04/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fedex Corporate Services Incorporated (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fedex Corporate Services Incorporated (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Skaaksrud, Ole-Petter
• Primary Examiner(s): Sciacca, Scott M
• Application Number:
  US15/434,425
• Publication Number:
  US 20170280351A1
• Time in Patent Office: 796 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

Technical solutions for enhanced communication management of wireless nodes are described. For example, an enhanced system for communication management may include different wireless nodes deployed at different locations, including a target node at an initial location. The system'"'"'s server can directly or indirectly communicate with each of the nodes. The server, when executing communication management software instructions, can identify the target node; identify an initial group of other nodes proximate to the initial location of the target node; determine an operating node density of the initial group of other nodes; and transmit a change in a broadcast profile to at least one neighboring node from the initial group of other nodes proximate to the target node'"'"'s initial location if the operating node density exceeds a threshold. This profile change causes at least one neighboring node to temporarily cease broadcasting during a time interval.

Claims

1. An enhanced method of communication management of a plurality of wireless nodes by a server operating in a wireless node network, the method comprising:

identifying, by the server, a target node of the plurality of wireless nodes, the target node being at an initial location;

determining, by the server, an operating node density of an initial group of other nodes in the plurality of wireless nodes that are within a threshold range relative to the initial location of the target node; and

transmitting, by the server, a change in a broadcast profile to at least one neighboring node from the initial group of other nodes that are within the threshold range relative to the initial location of the target node if the operating node density exceeds a threshold, the change in the broadcast profile causing the at least one neighboring node to temporarily cease broadcasting during a first time interval.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one neighboring node comprises a single node in the initial group of other nodes, wherein the single node is located closer to the target node compared to at least a majority of the remaining nodes in the initial group of other nodes.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one neighboring node comprises an ID node paired with a package.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial group of other nodes comprises a plurality of ID nodes that each are paired with one of a plurality of packages.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the target node comprises a master node capable of separately communicating with the server over a first communication path and communicating with at least a portion of the plurality of wireless nodes over a second communication path, wherein the portion of the plurality of wireless nodes comprising a plurality of ID nodes that each are paired with one of a plurality of packages.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one neighboring node comprises a subgroup cluster of a plurality of nodes from the initial group of other nodes that are within the threshold range relative to the initial location of the target node.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the transmitting step comprises transmitting, by the server, the change in the broadcast profile to each node in the subgroup cluster of nodes if the operating node density exceeds the threshold, the change in the broadcast profile causing each node in the subgroup cluster of nodes to temporarily cease broadcasting during the first time interval.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the change in the broadcast profile further comprises:

identifying, by the server, a plurality of subgroup clusters of nodes from the initial group of other nodes as the at least one neighboring node; and

transmitting, by the server, the change in the broadcast profile to each node in a first of the subgroup clusters of nodes if the operating node density exceeds the threshold, the change in the broadcast profile causing each node in the first of the subgroup clusters of nodes to temporarily cease broadcasting during the first time interval.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of transmitting, by the server, the change in the broadcast profile to each node in a second of the subgroup clusters of nodes after the first time interval expires and if the operating node density still exceeds the threshold, the change in the broadcast profile transmitted to each node in the second of the subgroup clusters of nodes causing a temporary cease of broadcasting for each node in the second of the subgroup clusters of nodes during a second time interval.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein identifying the plurality of subgroup clusters of nodes from the initial group of other nodes in the plurality of wireless nodes that are within the threshold range relative to the initial location of the target node is based upon a clustering parameter.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the clustering parameter comprises shipping information stored on the server, wherein the shipping information is related to each node in the initial group of other nodes.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the clustering parameter comprises context data stored on the server, wherein the context data relates to an anticipated environment for each node in the initial group of other nodes during predicted movement of each node in the group of other nodes.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the clustering parameter comprises association data stored on the server, wherein the association data identifies server-permitted relationships between different ones of the nodes in the initial group of other nodes.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

determining, by the server after the first time interval expires, an updated operating node density of an updated group of other nodes in the plurality of wireless nodes that are within the threshold range relative to an updated location of the target node; and

transmitting, by the server, a further change in the broadcast profile to at least one node from the updated group of other nodes that are within the threshold range relative to the updated location of the target node if the updated operating node density exceeds the threshold once the first time interval expires, the further change in the broadcast profile causing the at least one node from the updated group of other nodes to temporarily cease broadcasting during a second time interval.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the updated location of the target node is different compared to the initial location.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the updated group of other nodes is different compared to the initial group of other nodes due to node movement.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of:

identifying, by the server, a plurality of updated subgroup clusters of nodes from the updated group of other nodes in the plurality of wireless nodes that are within the threshold range relative to the updated location of the target node; and

transmitting, by the server, the further change in the broadcast profile to each node in a first of the updated subgroup clusters of nodes if the updated operating node density exceeds the threshold after the first time interval expires, the further change in the broadcast profile causing each node in the first of the updated subgroup clusters of nodes to temporarily cease broadcasting during the second time interval.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising transmitting, by the server, the further change in the broadcast profile to each node in a second of the updated subgroup clusters of nodes after the second time interval expires and if the updated operating node density still exceeds the threshold, the further change in the broadcast profile transmitted to each node in the second of the updated subgroup clusters of nodes causing a temporary cease of broadcasting for each node in the second of the updated subgroup clusters of nodes during a third time interval.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions which when executed on a server-based processor performs an enhanced method of communication management of a plurality of wireless nodes by a server operating in a wireless node network, the method when executed comprising:

identifying, by the server, a target node of the plurality of wireless nodes, the target node being at an initial location;

determining, by the server, an operating node density of an initial group of other nodes in the plurality of wireless nodes that are within a threshold range relative to the initial location of the target node; and

transmitting, by the server, a change in a broadcast profile to at least one neighboring node from the initial group of other nodes that are within the threshold range relative to the initial location of the target node if the operating node density exceeds a threshold, the change in the broadcast profile causing the at least one neighboring node to temporarily cease broadcasting during a first time interval.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the at least one neighboring node comprises a single node in the initial group of other nodes, wherein the single node is located closer to the target node compared to at least a majority of the remaining nodes in the initial group of other nodes.

21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the at least one neighboring node comprises an ID node paired with a package.

22. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the initial group of other nodes comprises a plurality of ID nodes that each are paired with one of a plurality of packages.

23. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the target node comprises a master node capable of separately communicating with the server over a first communication path and communicating with at least a portion of the plurality of wireless nodes over a second communication path, wherein the portion of the plurality of wireless nodes comprising a plurality of ID nodes that each are paired with one of a plurality of packages.

24. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the at least one neighboring node comprises a subgroup cluster of a plurality of nodes from the initial group of other nodes that are within the threshold range relative to the initial location of the target node.

25. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 24, wherein the transmitting step of the method comprises transmitting, by the server, the change in the broadcast profile to each node in the subgroup cluster of nodes if the operating node density exceeds the threshold, the change in the broadcast profile causing each node in the subgroup cluster of nodes to temporarily cease broadcasting during the first time interval.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the method step of transmitting the change in the broadcast profile further comprises:

identifying, by the server, a plurality of subgroup clusters of nodes from the initial group of other nodes as the at least one neighboring node; and

transmitting, by the server, the change in the broadcast profile to each node in a first of the subgroup clusters of nodes if the operating node density exceeds the threshold, the change in the broadcast profile causing each node in the first of the subgroup clusters of nodes to temporarily cease broadcasting during the first time interval.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the method further comprises the step of transmitting, by the server, the change in the broadcast profile to each node in a second of the subgroup clusters of nodes after the first time interval expires and if the operating node density still exceeds the threshold, the change in the broadcast profile transmitted to each node in the second of the subgroup clusters of nodes causing a temporary cease of broadcasting for each node in the second of the subgroup clusters of nodes during a second time interval.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein identifying the plurality of subgroup clusters of nodes from the initial group of other nodes in the plurality of wireless nodes that are within the threshold range relative to the initial location of the target node is based upon a clustering parameter.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 28, wherein the clustering parameter comprises shipping information stored on the server, wherein the shipping information is related to each node in the initial group of other nodes.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 28, wherein the clustering parameter comprises context data stored on the server, wherein the context data relates to an anticipated environment for each node in the initial group of other nodes during predicted movement of each node in the group of other nodes.

31. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 28, wherein the clustering parameter comprises association data stored on the server, wherein the association data identifies server-permitted relationships between different ones of the nodes in the initial group of other nodes.

32. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19 further comprising the method steps of:

determining, by the server after the first time interval expires, an updated operating node density of an updated group of other nodes in the plurality of wireless nodes that are within the threshold range relative to an updated location of the target node; and

transmitting, by the server, a further change in the broadcast profile to at least one node from the updated group of other nodes that are within the threshold range relative to the updated location of the target node if the updated operating node density exceeds the threshold once the first time interval expires, the further change in the broadcast profile causing the at least one node from the updated group of other nodes to temporarily cease broadcasting during a second time interval.

33. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 32, wherein the updated location of the target node is different compared to the initial location.

34. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 32, wherein the updated group of other nodes is different compared to the initial group of other nodes due to node movement.

35. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 32 further comprising the method steps of:

identifying, by the server, a plurality of updated subgroup clusters of nodes from the updated group of other nodes in the plurality of wireless nodes that are within the threshold range relative to the updated location of the target node; and

transmitting, by the server, the further change in the broadcast profile to each node in a first of the updated subgroup clusters of nodes if the updated operating node density exceeds the threshold after the first time interval expires, the further change in the broadcast profile causing each node in the first of the updated subgroup clusters of nodes to temporarily cease broadcasting during the second time interval.

36. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 35 further comprising the method step of transmitting, by the server, the further change in the broadcast profile to each node in a second of the updated subgroup clusters of nodes after the second time interval expires and if the updated operating node density still exceeds the threshold, the further change in the broadcast profile transmitted to each node in the second of the updated subgroup clusters of nodes causing a temporary cease of broadcasting for each node in the second of the updated subgroup clusters of nodes during a third time interval.

37. An enhanced system for communication management deployed as part of a wireless node network, the system comprising:

a plurality of wireless nodes deployed in the wireless node network at different respective locations, the plurality of wireless node including a target node at an initial location; and

a server deployed in the wireless node network as a managing element of the wireless node network, the server being operative to communicate with each of the plurality of wireless nodes either via a direct communication path from the server or via an indirect communication path that uses one of the wireless nodes as an intermediary node, the server being configured when executing communication management software instructions maintained within the server to perform a process to;

identify the target node of the plurality of wireless nodes,

identify an initial group of other nodes from the plurality of wireless nodes that are within a threshold range relative to the initial location of the target node,

determine an operating node density of the initial group of other nodes, and

transmit a change in a broadcast profile to at least one neighboring node from the initial group of other nodes that are within the threshold range relative to the initial location of the target node if the operating node density exceeds a threshold, the change in the broadcast profile causing the at least one neighboring node to temporarily cease broadcasting during a first time interval.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the at least one neighboring node comprises a single node in the initial group of other nodes, wherein the single node is located closer to the target node compared to at least a majority of the remaining nodes in the initial group of other nodes.

39. The system of claim 37, wherein the at least one neighboring node comprises an ID node paired with a package being shipped.

40. The system of claim 37, wherein the initial group of other nodes comprises a plurality of ID nodes that each are paired with one of a plurality of packages being shipped.

41. The system of claim 37, wherein the target node comprises a master node capable of separately communicating with the server over a first communication path and communicating with at least a portion of the plurality of wireless nodes over a second communication path, wherein the portion of the plurality of wireless nodes comprising a plurality of ID nodes that each are paired with one of a plurality of packages.

42. The system of claim 37, wherein the at least one neighboring node comprises a subgroup cluster of a plurality of nodes from the initial group of other nodes that are within the threshold range relative to the initial location of the target node.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the server is configured to transmit the change in the broadcast profile by being further configured by the executing communication management software instructions to transmit the change in the broadcast profile to each node in the subgroup cluster of nodes if the operating node density exceeds the threshold, the change in the broadcast profile causing each node in the subgroup cluster of nodes to temporarily cease broadcasting during the first time interval.

44. The system of claim 37, wherein the server is further configured by the executing communication management software instructions to transmit the change in the broadcast profile by continuing the process to:

identify a plurality of subgroup clusters of nodes from the initial group of other nodes as the at least one neighboring node; and

transmit the change in the broadcast profile to each node in a first of the subgroup clusters of nodes if the operating node density exceeds the threshold, the change in the broadcast profile causing each node in the first of the subgroup clusters of nodes to temporarily cease broadcasting during the first time interval.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the server is further configured by the executing communication management software instructions to transmit the change in the broadcast profile to each node in a second of the subgroup clusters of nodes after the first time interval expires and if the operating node density still exceeds the threshold, the change in the broadcast profile transmitted to each node in the second of the subgroup clusters of nodes causing a temporary cease of broadcasting for each node in the second of the subgroup clusters of nodes during a second time interval.

46. The system of claim 44, wherein the server is configured to identify the subgroup clusters of nodes from the initial group of other nodes based upon a clustering parameter.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the clustering parameter comprises shipping information stored on the server, wherein the shipping information is related to each node in the initial group of other nodes.

48. The system of claim 46, wherein the clustering parameter comprises context data stored on the server, wherein the context data relates to an anticipated environment for each node in the initial group of other nodes during predicted movement of each node in the group of other nodes.

49. The system of claim 46, wherein the clustering parameter comprises association data stored on the server, wherein the association data identifies server-permitted relationships between different ones of the nodes in the initial group of other nodes.

50. The system of claim 37, wherein the server is further configured by the executing communication management software instructions to continue to perform the process to:

determine, after the first time interval expires, an updated operating node density of an updated group of other nodes in the plurality of wireless nodes that are within the threshold range relative to an updated location of the target node; and

transmit a further change in the broadcast profile to at least one node from the updated group of other nodes that are within the threshold range relative to the updated location of the target node if the updated operating node density exceeds the threshold once the first time interval expires, the further change in the broadcast profile causing the at least one node from the updated group of other nodes to temporarily cease broadcasting during a second time interval.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the target node is mobile and the updated location of the target node is different compared to the initial location of the target node.

52. The system of claim 50, wherein the updated group of other nodes is different in composition compared to the initial group of other nodes due to node movement relative to the target node during the first time interval.

53. The system of claim 50, wherein the server is further configured by the executing communication management software instructions to continue to perform the process to:

identify a plurality of updated subgroup clusters of nodes from the updated group of other nodes in the plurality of wireless nodes that are within the threshold range relative to the updated location of the target node; and

transmit the further change in the broadcast profile to each node in a first of the updated subgroup clusters of nodes if the updated operating node density exceeds the threshold after the first time interval expires, the further change in the broadcast profile causing each node in the first of the updated subgroup clusters of nodes to temporarily cease broadcasting during the second time interval.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the server is further configured by the executing communication management software instructions to continue to perform the process to transmit the further change in the broadcast profile to each node in a second of the updated subgroup clusters of nodes after the second time interval expires and if the updated operating node density still exceeds the threshold, the further change in the broadcast profile transmitted to each node in the second of the updated subgroup clusters of nodes causing a temporary cease of broadcasting for each node in the second of the updated subgroup clusters of nodes during a third time interval.

55. An enhanced method of communication management of a plurality of wireless nodes by a server operating in a wireless node network, the method comprising:

identifying, by the server, a target node of the plurality of wireless nodes, the target node being at an initial location;

identifying, by the server, an initial group of other nodes from the plurality of wireless nodes that are within a predetermined distance from the initial location of the target node;

determining, by the server, an operating node density of the initial group of other nodes; and

transmitting, by the server, a broadcast profile change message to at least one neighboring node from the initial group of other nodes to the initial location of the target node if the operating node density exceeds a threshold; and

receiving, by the at least one neighboring node, the broadcast profile change message from the server; and

changing, by the at least one neighboring node, a broadcast profile resident and operating on the at least one neighboring node to a temporary silent mode that causes the at least one neighboring node to temporarily cease broadcasting during a first time interval.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein the at least one neighboring node comprises a single node in the initial group of other nodes, wherein the single node is located closer to the target node compared to at least a majority of the remaining nodes in the initial group of other nodes.

57. The method of claim 55, wherein the at least one neighboring node comprises an ID node paired with a package.

58. The method of claim 55, wherein the initial group of other nodes comprises a plurality of ID nodes that each are paired with one of a plurality of packages.

59. The method of claim 55, wherein the target node comprises a master node capable of separately communicating with the server over a first communication path and communicating with at least a portion of the plurality of wireless nodes over a second communication path, wherein the portion of the plurality of wireless nodes comprising a plurality of ID nodes that each are paired with one of a plurality of packages.

60. The method of claim 55, wherein the at least one neighboring node comprises a subgroup cluster of a plurality of nodes from the initial group of other nodes that are within the threshold range relative to the initial location of the target node.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the transmitting step comprises transmitting, by the server, the broadcast profile change message to each node in the subgroup cluster of nodes if the operating node density exceeds the threshold, the broadcast profile change message causing each node in the subgroup cluster of nodes to temporarily cease broadcasting during the first time interval.

62. The method of claim 55, wherein the step of transmitting the broadcast profile change message comprises the steps of:

identifying, by the server, a plurality of subgroup clusters of nodes from the initial group of other nodes as the at least one neighboring node; and

transmitting, by the server, the broadcast profile change message to each node in a first of the subgroup clusters of nodes if the operating node density exceeds the threshold, the broadcast profile change message causing each node in the first of the subgroup clusters of nodes to temporarily cease broadcasting during the first time interval.

63. The method of claim 62 further comprising the step of transmitting, by the server, the broadcast profile change message to each node in a second of the subgroup clusters of nodes after the first time interval expires and if the operating node density still exceeds the threshold, the broadcast profile change message transmitted to each node in the second of the subgroup clusters of nodes causing a temporary cease of broadcasting for each node in the second of the subgroup clusters of nodes during a second time interval.

64. The method of claim 62, wherein identifying the plurality of subgroup clusters of nodes from the initial group of other nodes in the plurality of wireless nodes that are within the threshold range relative to the initial location of the target node is based upon a clustering parameter.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein the clustering parameter comprises shipping information stored on the server, wherein the shipping information is related to each node in the initial group of other nodes.

66. The method of claim 64, wherein the clustering parameter comprises context data stored on the server, wherein the context data relates to an anticipated environment for each node in the initial group of other nodes during predicted movement of each node in the group of other nodes.

67. The method of claim 64, wherein the clustering parameter comprises association data stored on the server, wherein the association data identifies server-permitted relationships between different ones of the nodes in the initial group of other nodes.

68. The method of claim 55 further comprising the steps of:

re-setting, by the at least one neighboring node after the first time interval expires, the broadcast profile resident and operating on the at least one neighboring node to a previous broadcast mode to no longer prevent the at least one neighboring node from broadcasting;

determining, by the server after the first time interval expires, an updated operating node density of an updated group of other nodes in the plurality of wireless nodes that are within the predetermined distance from an updated location of the target node to an updated location of the target node;

transmitting, by the server, a further broadcast profile change message to at least a second neighboring node to the target node from the updated group of other nodes if the updated operating node density exceeds the threshold once the first time interval expires;

receiving, by the at least second neighboring node, the broadcast profile change message from the server; and

changing, by the at least second neighboring node, a broadcast profile resident and operating on the at least second neighboring node to the temporary silent mode that causes the at least second neighboring node to temporarily cease broadcasting during a second time interval.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein the updated location of the target node is different compared to the initial location.

70. The method of claim 68, wherein the updated group of other nodes is different compared to the initial group of other nodes due to node movement.

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

identifying, by the server, a plurality of updated subgroup clusters of nodes from the updated group of other nodes in the plurality of wireless nodes that are within the predetermined distance from the updated location of the target node; and

transmitting, by the server, the further broadcast profile change message to each node in a first of the updated subgroup clusters of nodes if the updated operating node density exceeds the threshold after the first time interval expires, the further broadcast profile change message causing each node in the first of the updated subgroup clusters of nodes to temporarily cease broadcasting during the second time interval.

72. The method of claim 71 further comprising transmitting, by the server, the further broadcast profile change message to each node in a second of the updated subgroup clusters of nodes after the second time interval expires and if the updated operating node density still exceeds the threshold, the further broadcast profile change message transmitted to each node in the second of the updated subgroup clusters of nodes causing a temporary cease of broadcasting for each node in the second of the updated subgroup clusters of nodes during a third time interval.

73. An enhanced method of communication management of a plurality of wireless nodes by a master node operating in a hierarchical wireless node network having at least the plurality of wireless nodes disposed at a low level in the network, the master node disposed at a middle level in the network, and a server disposed at a top level in the network, the method comprising:

identifying, by the master node, a target node from a subset of the plurality of wireless nodes, the subset of the plurality of wireless nodes defined by a node management rule received from the server and stored within the master node, and the target node being at an initial location;

determining, by the master node, an operating node density of an initial group of other nodes in the subset of the plurality of wireless nodes that are within a threshold range relative to the initial location of the target node; and

transmitting, by the master node, a change in a broadcast profile to at least one neighboring node from the initial group of other nodes in the subset and that are within the threshold range relative to the initial location of the target node if the determined operating node density exceeds a threshold, the change in the broadcast profile causing the at least one neighboring node to temporarily cease broadcasting during a first time interval.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein the at least one neighboring node comprises a single node in the initial group of other nodes, wherein the single node is located closer to the target node compared to at least a majority of the remaining nodes in the initial group of other nodes.

75. The method of claim 73, wherein the at least one neighboring node comprises an ID node paired with a package.

76. The method of claim 73, wherein the initial group of other nodes comprises a plurality of ID nodes that each are paired with one of a plurality of packages.

77. The method of claim 73, wherein the master node is capable of separately communicating with the server over a first communication path and communicating with the subset of the plurality of wireless nodes over a second communication path, wherein the subset of the plurality of wireless nodes comprising a plurality of ID nodes that each are paired with one of a plurality of packages.

78. The method of claim 73, wherein the at least one neighboring node comprises a subgroup cluster of a plurality of nodes from within the initial group of other nodes that are within the threshold range relative to the initial location of the target node.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein the transmitting step comprises transmitting, by the master node, the change in the broadcast profile to each node in the subgroup cluster of nodes if the determined operating node density exceeds the threshold, the change in the broadcast profile causing each node in the subgroup cluster of nodes to temporarily cease broadcasting during the first time interval.

80. The method of claim 73, wherein the step of transmitting the change in the broadcast profile further comprises:

identifying, by the master node, a plurality of subgroup clusters of nodes from within the initial group of other nodes as the at least one neighboring node; and

transmitting, by the master node, the change in the broadcast profile to each node in a first of the subgroup clusters of nodes if the operating node density exceeds the threshold, the change in the broadcast profile causing each node in the first of the subgroup clusters of nodes to temporarily cease broadcasting during the first time interval.

81. The method of claim 80 further comprising the step of transmitting, by the master node, the change in the broadcast profile to each node in a second of the subgroup clusters of nodes after the first time interval expires and if the operating node density still exceeds the threshold, the change in the broadcast profile transmitted to each node in the second of the subgroup clusters of nodes causing a temporary cease of broadcasting for each node in the second of the subgroup clusters of nodes during a second time interval.

82. The method of claim 80, wherein identifying the plurality of subgroup clusters of nodes from within the initial group of other nodes in the subset of the plurality of wireless nodes that are within the threshold range relative to the initial location of the target node is based upon a clustering parameter.

83. The method of claim 82, wherein the clustering parameter comprises shipping information provided by the server to the master node, wherein the shipping data is related to each node in the initial group of other nodes.

84. The method of claim 82, wherein the clustering parameter comprises context data provided by the server to the master node, wherein the context data is related to an anticipated environment for each node in the initial group of other nodes during predicted movement of each node in the group of other nodes.

85. The method of claim 82, wherein the clustering parameter comprises association data provided by the server to the master node, wherein the association data identifies server-permitted relationships between different ones of the nodes in the initial group of other nodes.

86. The method of claim 73 further comprising the steps of:

determining, by the master node after the first time interval expires, an updated operating node density of an updated group of other nodes within the subset where the updated group of other nodes is that are within the threshold range relative to an updated location of the target node; and

transmitting, by the master node, a further change in the broadcast profile to at least one node from the updated group of other nodes that are within the threshold range relative to the updated location of the target node if the updated operating node density exceeds the threshold once the first time interval expires, the further change in the broadcast profile causing the at least one node from the updated group of other nodes to temporarily cease broadcasting during a second time interval.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein the updated location of the target node is different compared to the initial location.

88. The method of claim 86, wherein the updated group of other nodes is different compared to the initial group of other nodes due to node movement.

89. The method of claim 73 further comprising receiving, by the master node, an updated node management rule from the server, the updated node management rule defining an alternative subset of the plurality of wireless nodes assigned to the master node for communication management.

90. An enhanced method of communication management of a plurality of wireless nodes by a master node operating in a hierarchical wireless node network having at least the plurality of wireless nodes disposed at a low level in the network, the master node disposed at a middle level in the network, and a server disposed at a top level in the network, the method comprising:

identifying, by the master node, a target node from a subset of the plurality of wireless nodes, the subset of the plurality of wireless nodes defined by a node management rule received by the master node from the server and stored within a memory of the master node, wherein the target node is disposed at an initial location relative to other nodes in the subset;

identifying, by the master node, an initial group of the other nodes in the subset that are within a predetermined distance from the initial location of the target node;

determining, by the master node, an operating node density of the initial group of other nodes in the subset;

transmitting, by the master node, a broadcast profile change message to at least one neighboring node from the initial group of other nodes in the subset if the operating node density exceeds a threshold; and

receiving, by the at least one neighboring node, the broadcast profile change message from the master node; and

changing, by the at least one neighboring node, a broadcast profile resident and operating on the at least one neighboring node to a temporary silent mode that causes the at least one neighboring node to temporarily cease broadcasting during a first time interval.

91. An enhanced method of communication management of a plurality of wireless nodes disposed in a hierarchical wireless node network having at least the plurality of wireless nodes disposed at a low level in the network, a plurality of master nodes disposed at a middle level in the network and physically located in different locations, and a server disposed at a top level in the network, the method comprising:

receiving, by each of the master nodes, a respective one of a plurality of dedicated node communication management rules from the server, each of the respective dedicated node communication management rules assigning one of a plurality of portions of the wireless nodes to a respective one of the master nodes;

identifying, by a first of the master nodes, a first target node from within a first portion of the wireless nodes assigned to the first master node, the first portion being defined by the dedicated node communication management rule received by the first master node, wherein the first target node is disposed at a first location;

determining, by the first master node, an operating node density of an initial group of other nodes in the first portion of wireless nodes that are within a threshold range relative to the first location of the first target node; and

transmitting, by the first master node, a change in a broadcast profile to at least one neighboring node from the initial group of other nodes in the first portion of wireless nodes if the determined operating node density of the initial group of other nodes in the first portion of wireless nodes exceeds a threshold node density, the change in the broadcast profile causing the at least one neighboring node related to the first portion of the wireless nodes to temporarily cease broadcasting during a first time interval;

identifying, by a second of the master nodes, a second target node from within a second portion of the wireless nodes assigned to the second master node, the second portion being defined by the dedicated node communication management rule received by the second master node, wherein the second target node is disposed at a second location;

determining, by the second master node, an operating node density of an initial group of other nodes in the second portion of the wireless nodes that are within the threshold range relative to the second location of the second target node; and

transmitting, by the second master node, the change in the broadcast profile to at least one neighboring node from the initial group of other nodes in the second portion of the wireless nodes if the determined operating node density of the initial group of other nodes in the second portion of the wireless nodes exceeds the threshold node density, the change in the broadcast profile causing the at least one neighboring node related to the second portion of wireless nodes to temporarily cease broadcasting during a second time interval, wherein the first time interval and the second time interval have an overlapping time period.

92. An enhanced method of communication management in a hierarchical wireless node network having at least a plurality of wireless ID nodes disposed at a low level in the network, a plurality of master nodes disposed at a middle level in the network and physically located in different locations, and a server disposed at a top level in the network, the method comprising:

receiving, by a first of the master nodes, an active node communication management rule from the server, the active node communication management rule assigning the first master node to operate as a primary master node managing others of the master nodes and the ID nodes collectively within a communication range of the first master node;

identifying, by the first master node, a target node from the others of the master nodes and the ID nodes collectively within the communication range of the first master node, wherein the target node is disposed at a first location within the communication range of the first master node;

determining, by the first master node, an operating node density of an initial group of the others of the master nodes and the ID nodes that are within a threshold range relative to the first location; and

transmitting, by the first master node, a change in a broadcast profile to at least one neighboring node from the initial group if the determined operating node density of the initial group exceeds a threshold node density, the change in the broadcast profile causing the at least one neighboring node from the initial group to temporarily cease broadcasting during a first time interval.

93. The method of claim 92, wherein the communication range of the first master node is greater than a communication range of any of the others of the master nodes.

94. The method of claim 92, wherein the first master node is disposed at a centroid location relative to the others of the master nodes.

95. The method of claim 92 further comprising the step of receiving, by each of the others of the master nodes, a passive node communication management rule from the server, the passive node communication management rule causing each of the others of the master nodes to operate as a passive child node under the control of the first master node.

96. The method of claim 92 further comprising the step of receiving, by each of the others of the master nodes, a passive node communication management rule from the first master node, the passive node communication management rule causing each of the others of the master nodes to operate as a passive child node under the control of the first master node.

97. The method of claim 92, wherein each of the ID nodes is paired with a shipment package.

98. The method of claim 92 further comprising the steps of:

determining, by the first master node after the first time interval elapses, an updated operating node density of an updated group of the others of the master nodes and the ID nodes that are within the threshold range relative to an updated location of the target node; and

transmitting, by the first master node, a further change in the broadcast profile to at least one node from the updated group if the updated operating node density of the updated group exceeds the threshold once the first time interval expires, the further change in the broadcast profile causing the at least one node from the updated group of other nodes to temporarily cease broadcasting during a second time interval.