MLchartDataset catalogue

Patent · US11659039B2 · B2 · US

Systems, apparatus, and methods for detecting and verifying an environmental anomaly using multiple command nodes

(11) Publication number
US11659039B2
(21) Application number
17/477,766
(22) Filing date
2021-09-17
(30) Priority date
2018-09-22
(43) Publication date
2023-05-23
(45) Date of grant
2023-05-23
(51) IPC
A62C 3/00; A62C 3/07; A62C 3/08; A62C 3/10; A62C 31/22; A62C 37/36; A62C 37/40; A62C 37/44; B60C 9/00; B60Q 9/00; B64D 25/00; B64D 45/00; B64D 9/00; B65D 25/02; B65D 90/06; B65D 90/22; B65D 90/48; G01C 5/06; G01J 5/00; G01J 5/02; G01J 5/48; G01K 3/00; G01K 3/10; G01N 33/00; G01T 1/17; G06K 19/07; G06K 19/077; G06Q 10/0832; G06Q 10/0833; G06Q 10/087; G08B 17/06; G08B 17/10; G08B 19/00; G08B 21/18; G08B 23/00; G08B 25/00; G08B 25/10; H02J 7/00; H04L 41/04; H04L 41/06; H04L 67/12; H04Q 9/00; H04Q 9/02; H04W 12/06; H04W 12/108; H04W 24/08; H04W 4/021; H04W 4/35; H04W 4/38; H04W 84/18; H04W 88/18
(52) CPC
  • G01N Investigating or analysing materials by determining their chemical or physical properties: 33/004, 33/0075
  • A62C Fire-fighting: 3/002, 3/07, 3/08, 3/10, 3/16, 31/22, 37/04, 37/40, 37/44
  • B60C Vehicle tyres; tyre inflation; tyre changing; connecting valves to inflatable elastic bodies in general; devices or arrangements related to tyres: 9/00
  • B60Q Arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general: 9/00
  • B60Y Indexing scheme relating to aspects cross-cutting vehicle technology: 2200/14, 2200/30, 2200/50
  • B64D Equipment for fitting in or to aircraft; flight suits; parachutes; arrangement or mounting of power plants or propulsion transmissions in aircraft: 25/00, 45/00, 9/00, 9/003
  • B65D Containers for storage or transport of articles or materials, e.g. bags, barrels, bottles, boxes, cans, cartons, crates, drums, jars, tanks, hoppers, forwarding containers; accessories, closures, or fittings therefor; packaging elements; packages: 2203/10, 25/02, 2590/0083, 90/06, 90/22, 90/48
  • B65G Transport or storage devices, e.g. conveyors for loading or tipping, shop conveyor systems or pneumatic tube conveyors: 2201/0235, 2203/0216
  • G01C Measuring distances, levels or bearings; surveying; navigation; gyroscopic instruments; photogrammetry or videogrammetry: 5/06
  • G01J Measurement of intensity, velocity, spectral content, polarisation, phase or pulse characteristics of infrared, visible or ultraviolet light; colorimetry; radiation pyrometry: 5/0014, 5/0066, 5/025, 5/48
  • G01K Measuring temperature; measuring quantity of heat; thermally-sensitive elements not otherwise provided for: 3/005, 3/10
  • G01T Measurement of nuclear or x-radiation: 1/17
  • G06K Graphical data reading; presentation of data; record carriers; handling record carriers: 19/0702, 19/0717, 19/07758, 19/07766
  • G06Q Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial or supervisory purposes; systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial or supervisory purposes, not otherwise provided for: 10/0832, 10/0833, 10/087
  • G08B Signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems; order telegraphs; alarm systems: 17/06, 17/10, 19/00, 21/182, 23/00, 25/001, 25/009, 25/10
  • H02J Electric power networks; circuit arrangements or systems for supplying or distributing electric power; systems for storing electric energy: 7/00036, 7/0047, 7/44, 7/80
  • H04L Transmission of digital information, e.g. telegraphic communication: 41/04, 41/06, 67/04, 67/12, 67/52, 67/53, 69/28
  • H04Q Selecting: 2209/40, 2209/823, 2209/826, 9/00, 9/02
  • H04W Wireless communication networks: 12/009, 12/06, 12/10, 12/108, 24/08, 4/021, 4/35, 4/38, 8/005, 84/18, 88/18
(73) Assignee
FedEx Corporate Services Inc
(72) Inventors
Ole-Petter Skaaksrud
(54) Title
Systems, apparatus, and methods for detecting and verifying an environmental anomaly using multiple command nodes
(57) Abstract

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.

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Claims (27)

  1. An enhanced wireless node system for detecting and verifying an environmental anomaly within a shipping container being transported on a transit vehicle having an external transceiver, the system comprising: a plurality of sensor-based ID nodes disposed in different locations within the shipping container, wherein each of the sensor-based ID nodes comprising an ID node processor, an environmental sensor coupled to the ID node processor, the environmental sensor operative to generate sensor data related to an environmental condition proximate the respective sensor-based ID node within the shipping container, and a wireless radio transceiver coupled to the ID node processor, the wireless radio transceiver being operative to broadcast the sensor data in response to a command from the ID node processor; and a command node mounted to the shipping container, wherein the command node comprises a command node processor, a first communication interface coupled to the command node processor, the first communication interface comprising a first transceiver and a second transceiver, wherein the first transceiver and the second transceiver being operative to communicate with each of the sensor-based ID nodes using a first wireless communication format compatible with the wireless radio transceiver on each of the sensor-based ID nodes, and a second communication interface coupled to the command node processor, the second communication interface being operative to communicate with the external transceiver associated with the transit vehicle using a second wireless communication format compatible with the external transceiver; and wherein the command node is programmatically configured to be operative to detect the sensor data broadcasted from the sensor-based ID nodes using the first transceiver of the first communication interface, responsively identify the environmental anomaly for the shipping container based upon the sensor data detected using the first transceiver of the first communication interface, verify the environmental anomaly for the shipping container based upon the sensor data as detected by the second transceiver of the first communication interface, and broadcast a verification message over the second communication interface based upon whether the environmental anomaly for the shipping container is verified using the sensor data as detected by the second transceiver of the first communication interface.
  2. The system of claim 1, wherein the command node is further programmatically configured to broadcast the verification message as a validated alert notification over the second communication interface to the external transceiver to cause the external transceiver to initiate a mediation response to the environmental anomaly.
  3. The system of claim 2, wherein the validated alert notification comprises an instruction to cause the external transceiver to initiate the mediation response to the environmental anomaly.
  4. The system of claim 3, wherein the mediation response causes the external transceiver to generate a secondary mediation response notification for an operator of the transit vehicle as a targeted mediation recipient, the second mediation response notification requesting the operator of the transit vehicle to alter movement of the transit vehicle.
  5. The system of claim 3, wherein the mediation response causes the external transceiver to generate a secondary mediation response notification for a logistics crew member of the transit vehicle as a targeted mediation recipient, the secondary mediation response notification requesting the logistics crew member to inspect the enhanced shipping container.
  6. The system of claim 3, wherein the mediation response causes the external transceiver to generate a secondary mediation response notification that activates a fire suppression system within the transit vehicle and outside the shipping container.
  7. The system of claim 1, wherein the command node being further configured to responsively identify the environmental anomaly for the shipping container when (a) the broadcasted sensor data detected using the first transceiver does not include the sensor data from at least a threshold number of the sensor-based ID nodes and (b) the broadcasted sensor data detected using the first transceiver indicates an environmental condition that exceeds an environmental threshold.
  8. The system of claim 1, wherein the command node being further configured to verify the environmental anomaly for the shipping container when (a) the broadcasted sensor data detected using the second transceiver does not include the sensor data from at least a threshold number of the sensor-based ID nodes and (b) the broadcasted sensor data detected using the second transceiver indicates an environmental condition that exceeds an environmental threshold.
  9. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the sensor-based ID nodes maintains a broadcast profile defining a first messaging rate and a second messaging rate, wherein each of the first messaging rate and the second messaging rate regulate how often the sensor data generated by a respective sensor-based ID node is broadcast, the first messaging rate being slower than the second messaging rate; wherein the command node is further operative to detect the sensor data broadcasted from the sensor-based ID nodes using the first transceiver when the sensor-based ID nodes broadcast using the first messaging rate; and wherein the command node is further operative to verify the environmental anomaly in response to the validation request by being operative to: instruct each of the sensor-based ID nodes to broadcast future generated sensor data at the second messaging rate using the second transceiver, detect the sensor data broadcasted from the sensor-based ID nodes at the second messaging rate using the second transceiver, and verify the environmental anomaly for the shipping container based upon the sensor data detected by the second transceiver using the second messaging rate.
  10. The system of claim 1, wherein the command node comprises a master node associated with the shipping container and operative to self-locate.
  11. The system of claim 10, wherein the master node comprises a mobile master node permanently mounted to the shipping container.
  12. The system of claim 11, wherein master node comprises a mobile master node integrated as part of the shipping container.
  13. The system of claim 11, wherein the master node comprises a mobile master node being implemented separately from the shipping container and removably mounted to the shipping container.
  14. The system of claim 11, wherein the shipping container includes a shipment pouch attached to the shipping container, and wherein the mobile master node is removably mounted to the shipping container by being disposed within the shipment pouch.
  15. The system of claim 1, wherein the environmental sensor coupled to the ID node processing unit comprises at least one from a group consisting of a temperature sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a chemical sensor, a movement sensor, a light sensor, a humidity sensor, a magnetic field sensor, an altitude sensor, an attitude sensor, an orientation sensor, and an acceleration sensor.
  16. The system of claim 1, wherein the environmental sensor coupled to the ID node processing unit comprises a plurality of sensor elements, the sensor elements comprising at least two from a group consisting of a temperature sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a chemical sensor, a movement sensor, a light sensor, a humidity sensor, a magnetic field sensor, an altitude sensor, an attitude sensor, an orientation sensor, and an acceleration sensor.
  17. The system of claim 1, wherein the environmental sensor comprises a chemical sensor is operative to detect a chemical indicative of the environmental condition.
  18. The system of claim 17, wherein the chemical indicative of the environmental condition comprises a chemical indicative of an explosive.
  19. The system of claim 17, wherein the chemical indicative of the environmental condition comprises a chemical indicative of a fire.
  20. The system of claim 17, wherein the chemical indicative of the environmental condition comprises a gaseous chemical.
  21. The system of claim 20, wherein the gaseous chemical comprises at least one of a flammable chemical, a combustible chemical, and a toxic chemical.
  22. The system of claim 1, wherein the environmental sensor on two or more of the sensor-based ID nodes comprises a chemical sensor.
  23. The system of claim 1, wherein the environmental sensor on each of the sensor-based ID nodes comprises a chemical sensor operative to detect a chemical indicative of the environmental condition proximate the respective sensor-based ID node within the shipping container.
  24. The system of claim 1, wherein the environmental sensor being operative to detect a chemical indicative of at least one from a group consisting of (a) the presence of an explosive as the environmental condition proximate the respective sensor-based ID node, (b) the presence of a fire as the environmental condition proximate the respective sensor-based ID node, and (c) the presence of a gaseous chemical representing the environmental condition proximate the respective sensor-based ID node.
  25. The system of claim 24, wherein the gaseous chemical comprises at least one of a flammable chemical, a combustible chemical, and a toxic chemical.
  26. The system of claim 1, wherein the command node further comprises an onboard sensor operative to generate command node sensor data related to an environmental condition proximate the respective command node; and wherein the command node being programmatically configured to be operative to identify the environmental anomaly for the shipping container based upon the sensor data detected from the sensor-based ID nodes using the first transceiver of the first communication interface and based upon the command node sensor data; and verify the environmental anomaly for the shipping container based upon the sensor data as detected from the sensor-based ID nodes by the second transceiver of the first communication interface and based upon the command node sensor data.
  27. The system of claim 26, wherein the onboard sensor comprises a chemical sensor.

Description

The present disclosure generally relates to systems, apparatus and methods in the field of detecting an environmental anomaly onboard a container and responsively initiating an improved mediation response. In particular, the present disclosure relates to various aspects involving systems, apparatus and methods for improved environmental anomaly detection, related enhanced layered alerting as part of a mediated response, and initiating layered types of mediation responses to such an environmental anomaly using one or more elements of an adaptive, context-aware wireless node network.

Transporting items, objects, or materials (collectively and generally referred to herein as “packages” whether the items, objects, or materials are wrapped in packaging material or the items, objects, or materials are being shipped without packaging material) is an important part of commerce. In some instances, the type of item being transported may involve an item, object, or material that may be caustic, flammable, incendiary (e.g., easy to catch fire), or have a composition that inherently may pose some danger when transporting the item, object or material. For example, the transportation and shipment for certain types of batteries (e.g., lithium-based or lithium-ion batteries) may incur the risk of creating an environmental anomaly (such as a fire, explosion, chemical leak, or radiation leak).

Common monitoring techniques for monitoring the condition of what is being shipped within a shipping container may involve sensors remote from the shipping container.

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Record as JSON 
{
  "publication_number": "US11659039B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Systems, apparatus, and methods for detecting and verifying an environmental anomaly using multiple command nodes",
  "abstract": "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.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An enhanced wireless node system for detecting and verifying an environmental anomaly within a shipping container being transported on a transit vehicle having an external transceiver, the system comprising: a plurality of sensor-based ID nodes disposed in different locations within the shipping container, wherein each of the sensor-based ID nodes comprising an ID node processor, an environmental sensor coupled to the ID node processor, the environmental sensor operative to generate sensor data related to an environmental condition proximate the respective sensor-based ID node within the shipping container, and a wireless radio transceiver coupled to the ID node processor, the wireless radio transceiver being operative to broadcast the sensor data in response to a command from the ID node processor; and a command node mounted to the shipping container, wherein the command node comprises a command node processor, a first communication interface coupled to the command node processor, the first communication interface comprising a first transceiver and a second transceiver, wherein the first transceiver and the second transceiver being operative to communicate with each of the sensor-based ID nodes using a first wireless communication format compatible with the wireless radio transceiver on each of the sensor-based ID nodes, and a second communication interface coupled to the command node processor, the second communication interface being operative to communicate with the external transceiver associated with the transit vehicle using a second wireless communication format compatible with the external transceiver; and wherein the command node is programmatically configured to be operative to detect the sensor data broadcasted from the sensor-based ID nodes using the first transceiver of the first communication interface, responsively identify the environmental anomaly for the shipping container based upon the sensor data detected using the first transceiver of the first communication interface, verify the environmental anomaly for the shipping container based upon the sensor data as detected by the second transceiver of the first communication interface, and broadcast a verification message over the second communication interface based upon whether the environmental anomaly for the shipping container is verified using the sensor data as detected by the second transceiver of the first communication interface.",
    "2. The system of claim 1, wherein the command node is further programmatically configured to broadcast the verification message as a validated alert notification over the second communication interface to the external transceiver to cause the external transceiver to initiate a mediation response to the environmental anomaly.",
    "3. The system of claim 2, wherein the validated alert notification comprises an instruction to cause the external transceiver to initiate the mediation response to the environmental anomaly.",
    "4. The system of claim 3, wherein the mediation response causes the external transceiver to generate a secondary mediation response notification for an operator of the transit vehicle as a targeted mediation recipient, the second mediation response notification requesting the operator of the transit vehicle to alter movement of the transit vehicle.",
    "5. The system of claim 3, wherein the mediation response causes the external transceiver to generate a secondary mediation response notification for a logistics crew member of the transit vehicle as a targeted mediation recipient, the secondary mediation response notification requesting the logistics crew member to inspect the enhanced shipping container.",
    "6. The system of claim 3, wherein the mediation response causes the external transceiver to generate a secondary mediation response notification that activates a fire suppression system within the transit vehicle and outside the shipping container.",
    "7. The system of claim 1, wherein the command node being further configured to responsively identify the environmental anomaly for the shipping container when (a) the broadcasted sensor data detected using the first transceiver does not include the sensor data from at least a threshold number of the sensor-based ID nodes and (b) the broadcasted sensor data detected using the first transceiver indicates an environmental condition that exceeds an environmental threshold.",
    "8. The system of claim 1, wherein the command node being further configured to verify the environmental anomaly for the shipping container when (a) the broadcasted sensor data detected using the second transceiver does not include the sensor data from at least a threshold number of the sensor-based ID nodes and (b) the broadcasted sensor data detected using the second transceiver indicates an environmental condition that exceeds an environmental threshold.",
    "9. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the sensor-based ID nodes maintains a broadcast profile defining a first messaging rate and a second messaging rate, wherein each of the first messaging rate and the second messaging rate regulate how often the sensor data generated by a respective sensor-based ID node is broadcast, the first messaging rate being slower than the second messaging rate; wherein the command node is further operative to detect the sensor data broadcasted from the sensor-based ID nodes using the first transceiver when the sensor-based ID nodes broadcast using the first messaging rate; and wherein the command node is further operative to verify the environmental anomaly in response to the validation request by being operative to: instruct each of the sensor-based ID nodes to broadcast future generated sensor data at the second messaging rate using the second transceiver, detect the sensor data broadcasted from the sensor-based ID nodes at the second messaging rate using the second transceiver, and verify the environmental anomaly for the shipping container based upon the sensor data detected by the second transceiver using the second messaging rate.",
    "10. The system of claim 1, wherein the command node comprises a master node associated with the shipping container and operative to self-locate.",
    "11. The system of claim 10, wherein the master node comprises a mobile master node permanently mounted to the shipping container.",
    "12. The system of claim 11, wherein master node comprises a mobile master node integrated as part of the shipping container.",
    "13. The system of claim 11, wherein the master node comprises a mobile master node being implemented separately from the shipping container and removably mounted to the shipping container.",
    "14. The system of claim 11, wherein the shipping container includes a shipment pouch attached to the shipping container, and wherein the mobile master node is removably mounted to the shipping container by being disposed within the shipment pouch.",
    "15. The system of claim 1, wherein the environmental sensor coupled to the ID node processing unit comprises at least one from a group consisting of a temperature sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a chemical sensor, a movement sensor, a light sensor, a humidity sensor, a magnetic field sensor, an altitude sensor, an attitude sensor, an orientation sensor, and an acceleration sensor.",
    "16. The system of claim 1, wherein the environmental sensor coupled to the ID node processing unit comprises a plurality of sensor elements, the sensor elements comprising at least two from a group consisting of a temperature sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a chemical sensor, a movement sensor, a light sensor, a humidity sensor, a magnetic field sensor, an altitude sensor, an attitude sensor, an orientation sensor, and an acceleration sensor.",
    "17. The system of claim 1, wherein the environmental sensor comprises a chemical sensor is operative to detect a chemical indicative of the environmental condition.",
    "18. The system of claim 17, wherein the chemical indicative of the environmental condition comprises a chemical indicative of an explosive.",
    "19. The system of claim 17, wherein the chemical indicative of the environmental condition comprises a chemical indicative of a fire.",
    "20. The system of claim 17, wherein the chemical indicative of the environmental condition comprises a gaseous chemical.",
    "21. The system of claim 20, wherein the gaseous chemical comprises at least one of a flammable chemical, a combustible chemical, and a toxic chemical.",
    "22. The system of claim 1, wherein the environmental sensor on two or more of the sensor-based ID nodes comprises a chemical sensor.",
    "23. The system of claim 1, wherein the environmental sensor on each of the sensor-based ID nodes comprises a chemical sensor operative to detect a chemical indicative of the environmental condition proximate the respective sensor-based ID node within the shipping container.",
    "24. The system of claim 1, wherein the environmental sensor being operative to detect a chemical indicative of at least one from a group consisting of (a) the presence of an explosive as the environmental condition proximate the respective sensor-based ID node, (b) the presence of a fire as the environmental condition proximate the respective sensor-based ID node, and (c) the presence of a gaseous chemical representing the environmental condition proximate the respective sensor-based ID node.",
    "25. The system of claim 24, wherein the gaseous chemical comprises at least one of a flammable chemical, a combustible chemical, and a toxic chemical.",
    "26. The system of claim 1, wherein the command node further comprises an onboard sensor operative to generate command node sensor data related to an environmental condition proximate the respective command node; and wherein the command node being programmatically configured to be operative to identify the environmental anomaly for the shipping container based upon the sensor data detected from the sensor-based ID nodes using the first transceiver of the first communication interface and based upon the command node sensor data; and verify the environmental anomaly for the shipping container based upon the sensor data as detected from the sensor-based ID nodes by the second transceiver of the first communication interface and based upon the command node sensor data.",
    "27. The system of claim 26, wherein the onboard sensor comprises a chemical sensor."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present disclosure generally relates to systems, apparatus and methods in the field of detecting an environmental anomaly onboard a container and responsively initiating an improved mediation response. In particular, the present disclosure relates to various aspects involving systems, apparatus and methods for improved environmental anomaly detection, related enhanced layered alerting as part of a mediated response, and initiating layered types of mediation responses to such an environmental anomaly using one or more elements of an adaptive, context-aware wireless node network.\n\nTransporting items, objects, or materials (collectively and generally referred to herein as “packages” whether the items, objects, or materials are wrapped in packaging material or the items, objects, or materials are being shipped without packaging material) is an important part of commerce. In some instances, the type of item being transported may involve an item, object, or material that may be caustic, flammable, incendiary (e.g., easy to catch fire), or have a composition that inherently may pose some danger when transporting the item, object or material. For example, the transportation and shipment for certain types of batteries (e.g., lithium-based or lithium-ion batteries) may incur the risk of creating an environmental anomaly (such as a fire, explosion, chemical leak, or radiation leak).\n\nCommon monitoring techniques for monitoring the condition of what is being shipped within a shipping container may involve sensors remote from the shipping container.",
  "cpc": [
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    "A62C 3/002",
    "A62C 3/07",
    "A62C 3/08",
    "A62C 3/10",
    "A62C 3/16",
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  "assignees": [
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  "inventors": [
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  "filing_date": "2021-09-17",
  "publication_date": "2023-05-23",
  "grant_date": "2023-05-23",
  "priority_date": "2018-09-22",
  "application_number": "US-202117477766-A",
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Record 769 of 8,000 in Patents full text (MLC-0201). Request the full dataset.