FEDEX CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.

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.

Methods and an assembly apparatus are described for operating a node-enabled logistics receptacle in a wireless node network having at least a first node related to an item being shipped. The method generally begins with the node-enabled logistics receptacle detecting a signal broadcast by the first node, such as when a package having the first node approaches the receptacle. The method then associates the node-enabled logistics receptacle with the first node. The method continues with the node-enabled logistics receptacle determining a location of the first node, and then altering a current inventory of nodes related to the node-enabled logistics receptacle based upon the location of the first node, such as when the first node is within a vicinity of the receptacle that is an area sufficiently proximate to the node-enabled logistics receptacle to indicate an item and node within the vicinity intends to be shipped.

The present disclosure relates to an information gathering method. The information gathering method includes identifying a location of a package, the location associated with one or more location-based restrictions on collecting data. The information gathering method also includes restricting access to sensor-collectable data associated with the package in accordance with the or more location-based restrictions.

The present disclosure relates to an information gathering method. The information gathering method includes identifying a location of a package, the location associated with one or more location-based restrictions on collecting data. The information gathering method also includes restricting access to sensor-collectable data associated with the package in accordance with the one or more location-based restrictions.

Improved methods and systems are described that improve and enhance payment transaction technologies using node association in a wireless node network. In general, a master node related to a payment receiver may detect a signal from an ID node related to a payment provider as the ID node approaches the master node. The master node may then determine if the ID node desires to associate with the master node for a payment transaction based upon a first part of information within the detected signal, such as an identified item being purchased in the transaction. If desired, the master node and the ID node associate for the payment transaction, and the master node then submits payment transaction data to a server. Such payment transaction data is based upon a second part of information within the detected signal, such as an identified payment source for the transaction.

Methods and systems are described for monitoring a piece of equipment using a node network having multiple nodes and a server. A second node is associated with the equipment, can monitor equipment operations, and communicate directly with a first node but is unable to directly communicate with the server. The first node can directly communicate with the server and separately communicate with the second node. The first node associates with the second node when the first node detects a signal broadcast from the second node. The second node detects an actionable event related to the operation of the equipment, and transmits a message reporting the actionable event to the first node. The first node notifies the server about the actionable event. Thereafter, the server initiates a responsive action based upon the notification.

Methods, systems and apparatus are described for enhanced node communication within a wireless node network having nodes and a server. The method begins with a first node associating with a second according to a server tracked logical connection authorized by the server. The first node captures relevant node information including shared data from another of the nodes. The first node transmits, when operating in a first connectivity mode, at least the shared data to the server using the second node operating as an intermediary for indirect communication with the server. The first node transmits, when operating in a second connectivity mode, at least the shared data to the server without using the second intermediary node by having the first node transmitting a message with at least the shared data to the server while avoiding the need to first send the message to the second node during transit to the server.

Methods and apparatus are described for enhanced node communication within a wireless node network having nodes and a server. The method begins with a first node associating with a second node, and the first node capturing relevant node information. When the first node is in a first connectivity mode, the relevant node information is transmitted to the server via the second node operating as an intermediary for indirect communication with the server. When the first node is in a second connectivity mode, the first node transmits the relevant node information to the server without using the second node as the intermediary or bridge to the server. Each of the first node and second node may be wireless transceiver-based nodes and respectively implemented as integrated circuits.

A system for detecting and verifying an environmental anomaly within a shipping container (transported on a transit vehicle having an external transceiver) has wireless sensor-based ID nodes at different locations within the container and multiple command nodes mounted to the container. A first command node is programmatically configured to be operative to detect the sensor data broadcasted from the ID nodes; responsively identify the anomaly based upon the sensor data detected by that command node; and transmit a validation request to another command node. The other command node is configured to be operative to also detect the sensor data broadcasted from the ID nodes; receive the validation request from the first command node; verify the anomaly in response to the validation request and based upon the sensor data detected by the second command node; and broadcast a verification message based upon whether the anomaly for the shipping container is verified.

A system for detecting and verifying an environmental anomaly within a shipping container (transported on a transit vehicle having an external transceiver) has wireless sensor-based ID nodes at different locations within the container and multiple command nodes mounted to the container. A first command node is programmatically configured to be operative to detect the sensor data broadcasted from the ID nodes; responsively identify the anomaly based upon the sensor data detected by that command node; and transmit a validation request to another command node. The other command node is configured to be operative to also detect the sensor data broadcasted from the ID nodes; receive the validation request from the first command node; verify the anomaly in response to the validation request and based upon the sensor data detected by the second command node; and broadcast a verification message based upon whether the anomaly for the shipping container is verified.