Centrally managed apparatus, systems, and methods for tuning a plurality of enhanced node-based logistics receptacles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing logistics receptacles face inefficiencies in monitoring and reporting, leading to inappropriate pickup times and potential overloading, which can result in costly courier dispatch inefficiencies or customer frustration.

Innovation Solution

A centrally managed system with enhanced node-based logistics receptacles equipped with wireless accessory sensor nodes and bridge nodes that monitor interactions, transmit event information to a backend server, and adjust operations based on real-time data to optimize logistics operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional logistics receptacles are used without centralized monitoring, then device complexity is reduced, but pickup timing efficiency deteriorates leading to overloading and courier dispatch inefficiencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelogistics operation efficiencyVSAvoidreceptacle system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the logistics network into autonomous node-based receptacles, each with its own sensor nodes and bridge nodes that independently monitor and report their status. This segmentation allows centralized optimization without requiring complex integrated control in each individual receptacle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Sensor nodes continuously monitor receptacle conditions (capacity, status, interactions) and provide real-time feedback to the backend server. This feedback loop enables the server to optimize pickup timing and dispatch based on actual receptacle states, improving logistics efficiency while keeping individual receptacles relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If sensor nodes continuously monitor receptacle interactions, then measurement precision of logistics operations is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteraction monitoring accuracyVSAvoidsensor node energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous monitoring, sensor nodes periodically sample receptacle conditions and transmit data at scheduled intervals or when specific thresholds are reached. This periodic operation maintains measurement precision for logistics optimization while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Sensor nodes autonomously determine when to activate and transmit data based on local conditions (e.g., when capacity thresholds are approached or unusual interactions occur). This self-service approach ensures critical events are captured with high precision while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If pickup times are optimized based on real-time data, then loss of time in logistics operations is reduced, but device complexity increases due to centralized management requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepickup scheduling timeVSAvoidcentralized management system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The backend server acts as an intermediary that receives data from multiple simple sensor nodes and translates it into optimized pickup schedules. This intermediary approach allows complex centralized optimization algorithms to reduce pickup scheduling time without requiring complex logic in each individual receptacle or node.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of accumulated sensor data to predict optimal pickup times before actual logistics operations occur. This preliminary action enables proactive scheduling that reduces wait times and improves efficiency without requiring real-time complex decision-making at the receptacle level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12406224B2Centrally managed apparatus, systems, and methods for tuning a plurality of enhanced node-based logistics receptacles

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 FEDERAL EXPRESS CORP

AI summary

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.