Methods and apparatus for enhanced power notification in a wireless node network

• US 9,769,786 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2014
• Issued: 09/19/2017
• 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): Elliott, IV, Benjamin H
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, KEVIN H
• Application Number:
  US14/538,887
• Publication Number:
  US 20150156627A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 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, medium, systems, and a network device (or node) are described for enhanced power notification from a node, such as an ID node, in a wireless node network having a master node and a server. The ID node is capable of communicating directly with the master node but incapable of communicating directly with the server. In general, the ID node detects a current power status for the ID node and determines a current location of the ID node. The method then has the ID node broadcasting an enhanced power alert notification when the current power status of the ID node is below a threshold. The enhanced power alert notification indicates that the current power status of the ID node is below the threshold and includes the current location of the ID node.

Claims

1. A method for enhanced power notification from an ID node in a wireless node network having a master node and a server, comprising:

detecting, by the ID node, a current power status for the ID node, the ID node being capable of communicating directly with the master node but incapable of communicating directly with the server;

determining a current location of the ID node; and

broadcasting, by the ID node, an enhanced power alert notification when the current power status of the ID node is below a threshold, wherein the threshold comprises a value based upon context data related to a shipment journey status for the ID node, and wherein the enhanced power alert notification indicates that the current power status of the ID node is below the threshold and including the current location of the ID node.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhanced power alert notification further comprises a request for a replacement power source for the ID node.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhanced power alert notification further comprises a request to recharge an existing power source in the ID node.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of assigning an alert level based upon the current power status for the ID node, and wherein the broadcasting step comprises broadcasting, by the ID node, the enhanced power alert notification when the current power status of the ID node is below the threshold, the enhanced power alert notification indicating that the current power status of the ID node is below the threshold and including at least the current location of the ID node and the assigned alert level.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the assigned alert level instructs the master node to take a responsive action when the master node receives the broadcasted enhanced power alert notification, wherein the responsive action depends on the assigned alert level.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the assigned alert level instructs the master node to notify the server after the master node receives the broadcasted enhanced power alert notification.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the assigned alert level instructs the master node to notify the server about the current location of the ID node and the assigned alert level after the master node receives the broadcasted enhanced power alert notification.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of receiving, by the ID node, an alert response from the master node, the alert response changing a broadcast setting for the ID node.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising prioritizing one or more operations within the ID node to conserve power when the current power status of the ID node is below the threshold.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions which when executed on a processor performs a method for enhanced power notification from an ID node in a wireless node network having a master node and a server, the method comprising:

detecting, by the ID node, a current power status for the ID node, the ID node being capable of communicating directly with the master node but incapable of communicating directly with the server;

determining a current location of the ID node; and

broadcasting, by the ID node, an enhanced power alert notification when the current power status of the ID node is below a threshold, wherein the threshold comprises a value based upon context data related to a shipment journey status for the ID node, and wherein the enhanced power alert notification indicates that the current power status of the ID node is below the threshold and including the current location of the ID node.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the enhanced power alert notification further comprises a request for a replacement power source for the ID node.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the enhanced power alert notification further comprises a request to recharge an existing power source in the ID node.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises the step of assigning an alert level based upon the current power status for the ID node, and wherein the broadcasting step comprises broadcasting, by the ID node, the enhanced power alert notification when the current power status of the ID node is below the threshold, the enhanced power alert notification indicating that the current power status of the ID node is below the threshold and including at least the current location of the ID node and the assigned alert level.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the assigned alert level instructs the master node to take a responsive action when the master node receives the broadcasted enhanced power alert notification, wherein the responsive action depends on the assigned alert level.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the assigned alert level instructs the master node to notify the server after the master node receives the broadcasted enhanced power alert notification.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the assigned alert level instructs the master node to notify the server about the current location of the ID node and the assigned alert level after the master node receives the broadcasted enhanced power alert notification.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises the step of receiving, by the ID node, an alert response from the master node, the alert response changing a broadcast setting for the ID node.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises prioritizing one or more operations within the ID node to conserve power when the current power status of the ID node is below the threshold.

19. A network device in a wireless node network, the node comprising:

a processing unit;

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

a short-range communication interface coupled to the processing unit and operative to communicate with another network device in the network;

a power source coupled to the processing unit and providing power for the network device; and

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

detect a current power status of the power source,

determine a current location of the network device, and

broadcast an enhanced power alert notification over the short-range communication interface when the current power status of the power source is below a threshold, wherein the threshold comprises a value based upon context data related to a shipment journey status for the ID node, and wherein the enhanced power alert notification indicates that the current power status of the power source is below the threshold and including the current location of the network device.

20. The network device of claim 19, wherein the processing unit is operative to communicate directly with a master node in the wireless node network over the short-range communication interface but unable to communicate directly with a server in the wireless node network.

21. The network device of claim 19 further comprising a longer-range communication interface coupled to the processing unit and be operative to communicate with a server in the wireless node network.

22. The network device of claim 21 further comprising location circuitry coupled to the processing unit and operative to receive at least one location signal and provide the current location of the network device to the processing unit as part of determining the current location of the network device.

23. The network device of claim 19, wherein the processing unit is operative to determine the current location of the network device by accessing data maintained on the memory, the data representing the current location of the network device.

24. The network device of claim 19, wherein the enhanced power alert notification further comprises a request for a replacement power source for the network device.

25. The network device of claim 19, wherein the enhanced power alert notification further comprises a request to recharge an existing power source in the network device.

26. The network device of claim 19, wherein the processing unit is further operative to assign an alert level based upon the detected current power status of the power source, and wherein the processing unit is further operative to broadcast the enhanced power alert notification when the current power status is below the threshold, wherein the enhanced power alert notification indicating that the current power status is below the threshold and including at least the current location of the network device and the assigned alert level.

27. The network device of claim 19, wherein the processing unit is further operative to receive an alert response from another network device over the short-range communication interface, the alert response changing a broadcast setting for the network device.

28. The network device of claim 19, wherein the processing unit is further operative to prioritizing one or more operations of the network device to conserve power consumption within the network device when the current power status is below the threshold.