FEDEX CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.

Disclosed are methods, apparatuses, and systems for tracking an object transport vehicle. The method includes calculating a front center point of the object transport vehicle based on first signals received from a first plurality of wireless devices affixed to a front portion of the object transport vehicle. A rear center point of the object transport vehicle is calculated based on second signals received from a second plurality of wireless devices affixed to a rear portion of the object transport vehicle. A location and direction of travel of the object transport vehicle are determined based on the front center point and the rear center point. The location and direction of travel of the object transport vehicle is determined based only on the rear center point, on a condition that the first signals from the first plurality of wireless devices are not received and prerequisites are met.

Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for tracking one or more items. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method for tracking one or more items. The method may include periodically detecting, by a sensor device, sensor information of the one or more items, and periodically transmitting, by the sensor device, the sensor information. The method may also include determining if the one or more parties is authorized to receive the sensor information. The method may also include transmitting the sensor information to the one or more authorized parties. The method may further include determining if the one or more parties is authorized to receive the sensor information and the periodically transmitting the sensor information to the one or more authorized parties based on a set of one or more permissions that grants or restricts access of the one or more parties to the sensor information based on the set of one or more permissions.

A connected logistics receptacle system having enhanced status indication functionality related to a logistics operation for a delivery item being deposited by a parcel customer. The system includes a storage receptacle for receiving the delivery item and a bridge node mounted to the storage receptacle. The bridge node has a bridge node processor and a communication interface operative to communicate with at least a backend server. The system includes a status indicator and a wireless accessory sensor node. The bridge node processor is operative to detect an updated advertising signal broadcast by the wireless accessory sensor node, retrieve event information from the wireless accessory sensor node in response to detecting the updated advertising signal, and toggle the status indicator from a first condition to a second condition based upon a comparison of the event information to a status indicator setting profile.

Methods and enhanced apparatus used in such methods are described that a dispatched logistics operation for a deliverable item from a hold-at-location (HAL) logistics facility having a secured storage and using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and a dispatch server. The bot apparatus assembly picks up and delivers the item from the HAL facility in response to a delivery dispatch command from the dispatch server. In response, the MAM of the bot verifies compatibility of modular components for the operation, controls receiving of the deliverable item from the secured storage at the HAL facility, then autonomously causes movement to the delivery destination. The MAM notifies the customer before delivery of the approaching delivery, authenticates delivery is to the authorized customer, provides access to the item within the bot apparatus assembly, monitors unloading of the item, then autonomously moves back to the HAL facility.

A centrally managed system for tuning a plurality of enhanced node-based logistics receptacles includes a backend server, a first enhanced node-based logistics receptacles, and a second node-based logistics receptacles. The backend server transmits a first setup message to a first bridge node, transmits a second setup message to a second bridge node, receives retrieved first event information from the first bridge node and retrieved second event information from the second bridge node, compares the retrieved first event information with a management profile and compares the retrieved second event information with the management profile, revises the management profile based upon the comparison of the retrieved first event information with the management profile and the comparison of the retrieved second event information with the management profile, and transmits an adjustment message that is based upon the revised management profile to the first bridge node.

A proactively monitored and reporting logistics receptacle system for receiving and temporarily maintaining a delivery item. The system includes a storage receptacle for receiving the delivery item, a bridge node mounted to the storage receptacle, and a wireless accessory sensor node to monitor each of the monitored storage components for a change in state. The wireless accessory sensor node determines whether a change in state has been detected based upon sensor data generated, generates event information reflecting the detected change in state, periodically generates non-event information when the change in state has not been detected, and broadcasts an updated advertising signal. The bridge node processor detects the flag, retrieves the status update, and transmits receptacle update information to a backend server. The receptacle update information causes the backend server to initiate a first type of dispatched logistics operation when the status update corresponds to the event information.

A system for enhanced interaction with a node-based logistics receptacle. The system includes a wireless accessory sensor node on the receptacle that monitors one or more of storage receptacle components of the receptacle to generate internal sensor data and that monitors a local environment proximate the receptacle to generate external sensor data. The system also includes a bridge node on the receptacle that detects a wireless communication signal, detects placement of a delivery item proximate the receptacle based upon the external sensor data without information reflecting the interaction with the one or more of the storage receptacle components using the internal sensor data, transmits a verification message, receives a verification confirmation message, and transmits external deposit information to a backend server related to the detected placement of the delivery item to cause the backend server to initiate a dispatched logistics operation related to the receptacle.

A system providing an on-demand deployable logistics capacity related to a reporting node-based logistics receptacle. The system includes a deployable mobile logistics receptacle being operative to receive parcel items at a deployed location. The system also includes a backend server in communication with the reporting node-based logistics receptacle. The backend server receives event information from the reporting node-based logistics receptacle, the event information indicating a demand surge condition exists relative to the reporting node-based logistics receptacle. The backend server sends an activation message to the deployable mobile logistics receptacle to initiate deployment of the deployable mobile logistics receptacle to a location of the reporting node-based logistics receptacle. The deployable mobile logistics receptacle receives the activation message from the backend server, moves from a current position of the deployable mobile logistics receptacle to the deployed location, and provides the on-demand deployable logistics capacity related to a subsequent shipping deposit.

An enhanced connected logistics receptacle system that selectively retrieves and reports event information to a backend server to initiate a dispatched logistics operation related to a delivery item. The system includes a storage receptacle for receiving the delivery item, a bridge node mounted to the storage receptacle, and a wireless accessory sensor node coupled to a plurality of sensors. The wireless accessory sensor node is operative to detect a change in state of the storage receptacle based upon sensor data, record timestamped information reflecting the detected change in state, and broadcast an updated advertising signal having a data available flag set within the updated advertising signal. The bridge node processor is operative to detect the data available flag, selectively retrieve event information from the wireless accessory sensor node, and transmit the retrieved event information to the backend server to cause the backend server to initiate the dispatched logistics operation.

A node-enabled logistics receptacle system with a deployable storage element for receiving and temporarily maintaining a delivery item. The system includes a storage receptacle with an entrance opening for receiving the delivery item and a deployable autonomous mobile container as the deployable storage element. A first node is mounted to the storage receptacle and includes a first node processor, a first node memory, a communication interface, and a plurality of sensors including an interaction sensor and a storage sensor. The first node detects a change in the state of the entrance opening, determines a current condition of what is presently maintained within the deployable autonomous mobile container, generates a deploy activation signal, and transmits the deploy activation signal to the deployable autonomous mobile container to initiate movement by the deployable autonomous mobile container from the host position within the storage receptacle to a position external to the storage receptacle.