Magnetically altered operations of a node in a wireless node network

• US 9,182,232 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2014
• Issued: 11/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fedex Corporate Services Incorporated (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fedex Corporate Services Incorporated (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Skaaksrud, Ole-Petter, Hollahan, Terence
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, SEUNG H
• Application Number:
  US14/538,857
• Publication Number:
  US 20150154536A1
• Time in Patent Office: 363 Days
• Field of Search: 235/383, 235/385, 370/254
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 60/00256 Delivery operations
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 25/02 Packaging agricultural or horticultural products
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/02 Internal fittings of containers made by folding or erecting blanks made of paper B65D5/44
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/102 Straps, bands, strings or other elongate elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3407 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3453 Special cost functions, i.e. other than distance or default speed limit of road segments
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/362 received from an external device or application, e.g. PDA, mobile phone or calendar application
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/01 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0289 of multiple transceivers, e.g. in ad hoc networks
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/14 Determining absolute distances from a plurality of spaced points of known location
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0022 characterised by the communication link data switching networks in general H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/021 specially adapted to land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0712 the arrangement being capable of triggering distinct operating modes or functions dependent on the strength of an energy or interrogation field in the proximity of the record carrier active means for hindering electromagnetic reading or writing G06K19/07336
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0835 Relationships between shipper or supplier and carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08355 Routing methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0836 : Recipient pick-ups
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0838 : Historical data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 : Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 : specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/22 : Payment schemes or models
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/308 : using the Internet of Things
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/321 : using wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/325 : using wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 : Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 : Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 : based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0261 : System arrangements wherein the object is to detect trespassing over a fixed physical boundary, e.g. the end of a garden
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0269 : System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact location of child or item using a navigation satellite system, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 : for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/65 : stored on portable record carriers, e.g. on smartcards, RFID tags or CD
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 : ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3822 : specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/61 : for local area broadcast, e.g. instore broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/71 : Wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/026 : using e-messaging for transporting management information, e.g. email, instant messaging or chat
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0813 : characterised by the conditions triggering a change of settings
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0823 : characterised by the purposes of a change of settings, e.g. optimising configuration for enhancing reliability for optimising operational conditions of wireless networks H04W24/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/10 : Active monitoring, e.g. heartbeat, ping or trace-route
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/22 : Alternate routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 : Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 : in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 : specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 : Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 : specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 : Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 : Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 : using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/025 : using location based information parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/38 : for collecting sensor information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/60 : Subscription-based services using application servers or record carriers, e.g. SIM application toolkits
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0212 : managed by the network, e.g. network or access point is master and terminal is slave
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/04 : TPC
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 : Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/003 : locating network equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/006 : with additional information processing, e.g. for direction or speed determination
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 : Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 : Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/24 : Transfer of terminal data
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A magnetically actuated node apparatus and methods of its operation are described involving interaction with a master node that communicates with a server in a wireless node network. As part of magnetically altering an operation of a node in a wireless node network having a master node operative to communicate with a server, the node detects one or more magnetic field changes in a proximate environment of the node (such as a sensing an altered configuration of a magnetic switch integrated within the node). The node then alters a management function of the node (such as changing a power condition of the node that may override a prior power setting) in response to the detected one or more magnetic field changes. The node further transmits to the master node information about the altered management function (such as a movement alert and/or location information) to be forwarded to the server.

Claims

1. A method for magnetically altering an operation of a node in a wireless node network having a master node operative to communicate with a server, comprising:

detecting, by the node, one or more magnetic field changes in a proximate environment of the node;

altering, by the node, a management function of the node in response to the detected one or more magnetic field changes; and

transmitting, by the node to the master node, information about the altered management function to be forwarded to the server.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more magnetic field changes comprises an increase in a magnetic field in the proximate environment to the node.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more magnetic field changes comprises a decrease in a magnetic field in the proximate environment to the node.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting step further comprises sensing an altered configuration of a magnetic switch integrated within the node.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the altering step comprises changing, by the node, a power condition of the node in response to the detected one or more magnetic field changes.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of changing the power condition of the node comprises selectively energizing the node from a power source by actuating a magnetic switch integrated into the node to enable powered operation of the node in response to the detected one or more magnetic field changes.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the altered management function comprises overriding a power setting previously established in response to a server command.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the altered management function comprises transmitting an alert.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of transmitting the alert comprises transmitting, by the node to the master node, a movement alert and location information related to the node.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of transmitting the alert further comprises transmitting the alert by the node to a predetermined set of nodes in the network defined by a filtering mode set by the server.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of transmitting the alert further comprises transmitting the alert by the node to a predetermined set of nodes in the network that overrides a filtering mode set by the server.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the altered management function comprises altering association data related to the node.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of altering the association data related to the node comprises changing the association data to reflect a change in an inventory management aspect of an item related to the node.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of changing the association data to reflect the change in the inventory management aspect of the item related to the node comprises changing the association data to indicate movement of the item related to the node.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the altered management function comprises logging usage information for an item related to the node.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the usage information comprises time-related data on when the item has been moved relative to a source of the magnetic field.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the detecting step comprises detecting, by the node, the one or more magnetic field changes in the proximate environment to the node when the node has been separated from a placement support for the node, the placement support being the source of the magnetic field.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the node is part of a placement support for a moveable object having a source of the magnetic field.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the altered management function comprises logging usage information for the moveable object having the source of the magnetic field.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the usage information comprises information related to time and location data.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the detected one or more magnetic field changes in the proximate environment to the magnetically actuated node include a plurality of changes that collectively indicate the management function to alter.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the plurality of changes further comprises a series of magnetic field changes over a period of time.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the detected one or more magnetic field changes in the proximate environment to the magnetically actuated node include a detected pattern.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the detecting step further comprises detecting, by a magnetic switch integrated within the magnetically actuated node, the series of magnetic field changes over the period of time.

25. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions which when executed on a processor performs a method for magnetically altering an operation of a node in a wireless node network having a master node operative to communicate with a server, the method comprising:

detecting, by the node, one or more magnetic field changes in a proximate environment of the node;

altering, by the node, a management function of the node in response to the detected one or more magnetic field changes; and

transmitting, by the node to the master node, information about the altered management function to be forwarded to the server.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the one or more magnetic field changes comprises an increase in a magnetic field in the proximate environment to the node.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the one or more magnetic field changes comprises a decrease in a magnetic field in the proximate environment to the node.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the detecting step further comprises sensing an altered configuration of a magnetic switch integrated within the node.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the altering step comprises changing, by the node, a power condition of the node in response to the detected one or more magnetic field changes.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 29, wherein the step of changing the power condition of the node comprises selectively energizing the node from a power source by actuating a magnetic switch integrated into the node to enable powered operation of the node in response to the detected one or more magnetic field changes.

31. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the altered management function comprises overriding a power setting previously established in response to a server command.

32. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the altered management function comprises transmitting an alert.

33. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 32, wherein the step of transmitting the alert comprises transmitting, by the node to the master node, a movement alert and location information related to the node.

34. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 32, wherein the step of transmitting the alert further comprises transmitting the alert by the node to a predetermined set of nodes in the network defined by a filtering mode set by the server.

35. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 32, wherein the step of transmitting the alert further comprises transmitting the alert by the node to a predetermined set of nodes in the network that overrides a filtering mode set by the server.

36. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the altered management function comprises altering association data related to the node.

37. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 36, wherein the step of altering the association data related to the node comprises changing the association data to reflect a change in an inventory management aspect of an item related to the node.

38. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the step of changing the association data to reflect the change in the inventory management aspect of the item related to the node comprises changing the association data to indicate movement of the item related to the node.

39. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the altered management function comprises logging usage information for an item related to the node.

40. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 39, wherein the usage information comprises time-related data on when the item has been moved relative to a source of the magnetic field.

41. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 40, wherein the detecting step comprises detecting, by the node, the one or more magnetic field changes in the proximate environment to the node when the node has been separated from a placement support for the node, the placement support being the source of the magnetic field.

42. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the node is part of a placement support for a moveable object having a source of the magnetic field.

43. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 42, wherein the altered management function comprises logging usage information for the moveable object having the source of the magnetic field.

44. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 43, wherein the usage information comprises information related to time and location data.

45. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the detected one or more magnetic field changes in the proximate environment to the magnetically actuated node include a plurality of changes that collectively indicate the management function to alter.

46. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the plurality of changes further comprises a series of magnetic field changes over a period of time.

47. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 46, wherein the detecting step further comprises detecting, by a magnetic switch integrated within the magnetically actuated node, the series of magnetic field changes over the period of time.

48. A magnetically actuated node in a wireless node network, the magnetically actuated node comprising:

a node processing unit;

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

a first communication interface coupled to the node processing unit and operative to communicate over a first communication path with a master node in the network, the master node being in communication with a server in the network over a second communication path;

a magnetic switch having an output coupled to the node processing unit, wherein control of the magnetic switch is responsive to one or more magnetic field changes in a proximate environment of the magnetically actuated node;

a power source for selectively energizing the magnetically actuated node; and

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

alter a management function of the magnetically actuated node when the magnetically actuated switch responds to the one or more magnetic field changes and sends a response signal from the output of the magnetically actuated switch to the node processing unit, and

transmit a message to the master node, the message comprising information about the altered management function to be forwarded to the server.

49. The magnetically actuated node of claim 48, wherein the one or more magnetic field changes comprises an increase in a magnetic field in the proximate environment to the magnetically actuated node.

50. The magnetically actuated node of claim 48, wherein the one or more magnetic field changes comprises a decrease in a magnetic field in the proximate environment to the magnetically actuated node.

51. The magnetically actuated node of claim 48, wherein the node processing unit is operative to alter the management function by being further operative to override a power setting previously established in response to a server command.

52. The magnetically actuated node of claim 48, wherein the node processing unit is operative to alter the management function by being further operative to transmit an alert to the master node.

53. The magnetically actuated node of claim 52, wherein the node processing unit is operative to transmit the alert by being further operative to transmit a node movement alert and node location information to the master node.

54. The magnetically actuated node of claim 52, wherein the node processing unit is operative to transmit the alert by being operative to transmit the alert to a predetermined set of other nodes in the network defined by a filtering mode set by the server.

55. The magnetically actuated node of claim 52, wherein the node processing unit is operative to transmit the alert by being operative to transmit the alert to a predetermined set of nodes in the network that overrides a filtering mode set by the server.

56. The magnetically actuated node of claim 48, wherein the node processing unit is operative to alter the management function by being further operative to alter association data related to the node and store the altered association data in the node memory.

57. The magnetically actuated node of claim 56, wherein the node processing unit is operative to alter the association data related to the node by being operative to change the association data to reflect a change in an inventory management aspect of an item related to the magnetically actuated node.

58. The magnetically actuated node of claim 57, wherein the node processing unit is operative to change the association data to reflect the change in the inventory management aspect of the item related to the node by being further operative to change the association data to indicate movement of the item related to the magnetically actuated node.

59. The magnetically actuated node of claim 48, wherein the node processing unit is operative to alter the management function by being further operative to record usage information in the node memory, the usage information being for an item related to the magnetically actuated node.

60. The magnetically actuated node of claim 59, wherein the usage information comprises time-related data on when the item has been moved relative to a source of the magnetic field.

61. The magnetically actuated node of claim 60, further comprising a placement support holder for the magnetically actuated node having the source of the magnetic field, wherein the one or more magnetic field changes in the proximate environment to the node occur when the node is separated from the placement support for the magnetically actuated node.

62. The magnetically actuated node of claim 48, wherein the magnetically actuated node is part of a placement support holder for a moveable object having a source of the magnetic field.

63. The magnetically actuated node of claim 62, wherein the node processing unit is operative to alter the management function by being further operative to record usage information in the node memory, the usage information being for the moveable object having the source of the magnetic field.

64. The magnetically actuated node of claim 63, wherein the usage information comprises information related to time-related and location-related data.

65. The magnetically actuated node of claim 48, wherein the node processing unit is operative to alter the management function by being further operative to identify a series of magnetic field changes as being related to the management function based upon assessing the output of the magnetic switch over a period of time.

66. The magnetically actuated node of claim 48, further comprising:

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

location circuitry having an input coupled to an antenna and an output coupled to the node processing unit, the location circuitry being operative to receive one or more location signals in the input from the antenna and provide a determined location of the magnetically actuated node on the output to the node processing unit.