Methods and Systems for Managing Shipment of an Item Using a Wireless Node Network
Methods and systems that manage shipment of an item using a wireless node network are disclosed having at least one ID node, a plurality of master nodes, and a server. The server receives shipping information that registers the ID node and the item. The ID node may be associated to a first master node prior to pick-up, with association information sent to the server. The ID node may be disassociated from the first master node when it associates with another master node along a predicted path traveled by the item and ID node. The disassociation/association information is reported to the server, which tracks the ID node associations and location. The ID node may be disassociated from the second master node when it associates with a final master node along the predicted path traveled by the item and ID node and after a drop-off event of the item.
1 . A method for managing a shipment of an item using a wireless node network having at least one ID node, a plurality of master nodes, and a server, the method comprising:
transmitting shipping information to the server to cause the server to register the ID node and the item to be shipped;
associating the ID node to a first master node related to a predicted path for shipping the item;
updating, by the first master node, the server to reflect the association between the ID node and the first master node;
associating the ID node and a second master node related to the predicted path as the ID node transits the predicted path; and
updating, by the second master node, the server to reflect the association between the ID node and the second master node as the ID node continues to transit the predicted path.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first master node is a user access device from a group comprising a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet device, a personal area network device, a smartphone device, and a smart wearable device.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of associating the ID node to the first master node is performed prior to a pick-up event in the predicted path.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising
disassociating the ID node and the first master node; and
updating, by the first master node, the server to reflect the disassociation between the ID node and the first master node.
5 . The method of claim 4 further comprising
associating the ID node to a third master node related to the predicted path at an end of the predicted path for shipping the item; and
notifying, by the third master node, the server to reflect the association between the ID node and the third master node.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising
disassociating the ID node and the second master node; and
updating, by the second master node, the server to reflect the disassociation between the ID node and the second master node.
7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the third master node is a user access device from a group comprising a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet device, a personal area network device, a smartphone device, and a smart wearable device.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of associating the ID node to the third master node is performed after a drop-off event in the predicted path.
9 . The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving context data by the second master node related to the predicted path.
10 . The method of claim 9 further comprising relying upon the received context data to adjust for an environmental aspect of the predicted path by second master node when associating the ID node to the second master node.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of associating the ID node to the first master node further comprises associating, by the first master node, the ID node to the first master node upon capture of a scan event.
12 - 30 . (canceled)
31 . A system for managing a shipment of an item, the system comprising:
an ID node registered to the item being shipped;
a first master node related to a path for shipping the item, the first master node being operative to communicate with the ID node;
a second master node related to the path as the ID node transits the path, the second master node being operative to communicate with the ID node;
a server operative to communicate with each of the first master node and the second master node, wherein the server being further operative to register the ID node and the item being shipped based upon shipping information received by the server;
wherein the first master node is operative to associate the ID node and transmit a first update to the server, the first update reflecting the association between the ID node and the first master node; and
wherein the second master node is operative to associate the ID node as the ID node transits the path, and transmit a second update the server as the ID node continues to transit the path, the second update reflecting the association between the ID node and the second master node.
32 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the first master node is a user access device from a group comprising a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet device, a personal area network device, a smartphone device, and a smart wearable device.
33 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the first master node is further operative to associate with the ID node prior to a pick-up event in the path.
34 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the first master node is further operative to disassociate the ID node and transmit a third update to the server, the third update reflecting the disassociated status of the ID node and the first master node.
35 . The system of claim 34 further comprising a third master node related to the path at an end of the path for shipping the item, wherein the third master node being operative to associate the ID node and transmit a notification to the server, the notification reflecting the association between the ID node and the third master node.
36 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the second master node is further operative to disassociate the ID node and transmit a third update to the server, the third update reflecting the disassociated status of the ID node and the second master node.
37 . The system of claim 35 , wherein the third master node is a user access device from a group comprising a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet device, a personal area network device, a smartphone device, and a smart wearable device.
38 . The system of claim 37 , wherein the third master node is further operative to associate the ID node after a drop-off event in the path.
39 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the server is further operative to transmit context derived data to the second master node related to the path.
40 . The system of claim 39 , wherein the second master node is further operative, when associating the ID node, to adjust for an environmental aspect of the path based upon the context derived data received from the server.
41 . The system of claim 31 , wherein first master node is further operative to associate the ID node based upon capture of a scan event.
42 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the ID node moves with the item being shipped as the ID node transits the path.
43 . The system of claim 42 , wherein the ID node is within a package containing the item being shipped.
44 . A system for managing a shipment of an item and an ID node that moves with the item, the system comprising:
a first master node related to a path for shipping the item, the first master node being operative to communicate with the ID node;
a second master node related to the path as the ID node transits the path, the second master node being operative to communicate with the ID node;
a server operative to communicate with each of the first master node and the second master node, wherein the server being further operative to register the ID node and the item being shipped based upon shipping information received by the server;
wherein the first master node is operative to associate the ID node and transmit a first update to the server, the first update reflecting the association between the ID node and the first master node; and
wherein the second master node is operative to associate the ID node as the ID node transits the path, and transmit a second update the server as the ID node continues to transit the path, the second update reflecting the association between the ID node and the second master node.
45 . The system of claim 44 , wherein the first master node is a user access device from a group comprising a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet device, a personal area network device, a smartphone device, and a smart wearable device.
46 . The system of claim 45 , wherein the first master node is further operative to associate with the ID node prior to a pick-up event in the path.
47 . The system of claim 44 further comprising a third master node related to the path at an end of the path for shipping the item, wherein the third master node being operative to associate the ID node and transmit a notification to the server, the notification reflecting the association between the ID node and the third master node.
48 . The system of claim 47 , wherein the third master node is a user access device from a group comprising a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet device, a personal area network device, a smartphone device, and a smart wearable device.
49 . The system of claim 48 , wherein the third master node is further operative to associate the ID node after a drop-off event in the path.