US 12,131,285 B2
Apparatus, systems, and methods for multi-domain management of a node-based logistics receptacle in response to a dispatched logistics operation involving the node-based logistics receptacle and a mobile courier node
Ole-Petter Skaaksrud, Germantown, TN (US)
Assigned to FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION, Memphis, TN (US)
Filed by FEDEX CORPORATE SERVICES, INC., Collierville, TN (US)
Filed on Jul. 25, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/226,241.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/434,492, filed on Dec. 22, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0211859 A1, Jun. 27, 2024
Int. Cl. G06Q 10/0836 (2023.01)
CPC G06Q 10/0836 (2013.01) 37 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for multi-domain management of a node-based logistics receptacle in response to a dispatched logistics operation involving the node-based logistics receptacle and a mobile courier node, the node-based logistics receptacle having a plurality of storage receptacle components including at least an entrance opening for receiving one or more shipping items, a temporary storage area for temporarily maintaining the one or more shipping items once received, and a retrieval door providing selective access to the one or more shipping items within the temporary storage area, the node-based logistics receptacle further comprising a wireless accessory sensor node disposed on the node-based logistics receptacle and a receptacle bridge node disposed on the node-based logistics receptacle operative to communicate with a backend server, wherein the wireless accessory sensor node operatively coupled to a plurality of sensors, the method comprising the steps of:
detecting, by a first of the sensors coupled to the wireless accessory sensor node, a pickup retrieval door interaction with the retrieval door of the node-based logistics receptacle during the dispatched logistics operation;
uploading, by the receptacle bridge node, initial pickup event information from the wireless accessory sensor node, the initial pickup event information corresponding to at least timing associated with the pickup retrieval door interaction as detected by the first of the sensors;
determining, by the receptacle bridge node, the pickup retrieval door interaction occurred prior to a predetermined drop off time setting for the node-based logistics receptacle based upon the initial pickup event information;
transmitting, by the receptacle bridge node, the initial event information to the backend server;
uploading, by the receptacle bridge node, chute event information from the wireless accessory sensor node, the chute event information corresponding to one or more interactions with the entrance opening as detected by a second of the sensors coupled to the wireless accessory sensor node;
transmitting, by the receptacle bridge node, the chute event information to the backend server;
transmitting, by the mobile courier node, pickup scan information to the backend server, the pickup scan information representing the one or more shipping items as retrieved from the temporary storage area as part of the dispatched logistics operation;
generating, by the backend server, an adjustment message for the receptacle bridge node in the node-based logistics receptacle based upon an assessment of the chute event information and the pickup scan information, the adjustment message initiating an operational change for the node-based logistics receptacle;
transmitting, by the backend server, the adjustment message to the receptacle bridge node in the node-based logistics receptacle; and
initiating, by the receptacle bridge node, the operational change related to the adjustment message in response to receipt of the adjustment message by the receptacle bridge node.