Fedex Corporate Services, Inc.

Federal Express Corporation

William Cawein

Reuben F Burch

Reuben F Burch V

Methods, apparatus, and systems are described for quantifying space within a container using a removable scanning sensor node. In general, the removable scanning sensor node identifies a type of the container, uses at least one depth sensor on the removable scanning sensor node to scan the space within the container to generate scan data, where the removable scanning sensor node is temporarily mounted within the container and above the space within the container, and where the depth sensor is oriented to scan the space within the container from above the space and within the container. The removable scanning sensor node then determines an unoccupied amount of the space within the container based upon the scan data.

Systems, apparatus, and methods for quantifying space within a container using a removable scanning sensor node

Apparatus, systems, non-transient media, and methods are described that use a removable scanning sensor node for managing a load operation related to a container. For example, the method has the scanning sensor node identifying an item to be shipped within the container and mapping the space within the container after the item has been placed within the container using the node as temporarily disposed within the container and oriented to map the container's space from above the space. The method then has the scanning sensor node determining an occupied capacity within the container based upon mapping data associated with the mapped space and transmitting a notification to a managing node in communication with the removable scanning sensor node. The transmitted notification relates to the occupied capacity within the container as determined by the scanning sensor node.

Systems, apparatus, non-transient computer readable media, and methods for automatically managing and monitoring a load operation related to a logistics container using a scanning sensor node

Methods, apparatus, and systems are described for dynamically transforming dimensional data representing a shipping item being loaded within a container using a scanning sensor node mounted above a space within the container. Generally, the scanning sensor node has a memory, a depth sensor oriented to scan the space from above, and a communications interface to an external managing node. For example, the method uses the scanning sensor node to access the onboard memory for available material dimension data related to the shipping item. The method uses the depth sensor to generate scan data on the shipping item once the shipping item is placed within the container, compare the generated scan data to the available material dimension data, and dynamically transform the available material dimension data into the current dimensional data representing the shipping item based upon the comparison of the generated scan data to the available material dimension data.

Systems, apparatus, and methods for dynamically transforming dimensional data representing a shipping item being loaded within a container using a scanning sensor node

Apparatus, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media are described for detecting an operational safety condition within a container using a scanning sensor node deployed within the container and above a storage space within the container. For example, the method uses the scanning sensor node to sense if the container is in a closed state and monitors the storage space from above the storage space while the container is in the closed state. The method then has the scanning sensor node detecting a movement within the container based upon the monitoring of the storage space while in the closed state. Such a detected movement is indicative of the operational safety condition. The method then has the scanning sensor node transmitting an alert to a managing node over a wireless communication interface of the scanning sensor node, where the alert is associated with the operational safety condition within the container.

Systems, apparatus, non-transient computer readable media, and methods for detecting an operational safety condition within a logistics container using a scanning sensor node

Methods, apparatus, and systems are described for dynamically transforming scan data representing a container's loaded volume using a scanning sensor node mounted above storage space within the container. The scanning sensor node generally includes a memory, a depth sensor oriented above and towards the storage space, an identification scanner, and a communications interface to an external managing node. The identification scanner identifies an item being loaded into the storage space and the depth sensor responsively scans the storage space to generate the scan data. The scanning sensor node determines if the item is at least partially not visible to the depth sensor based upon the generated scan data and dynamically transforms the scan data into refined scan data based on this determination and upon material dimension data associated with the item.

Systems, apparatus, and methods for dynamically transforming scan data using a scanning sensor node

Improved methods, non-transient computer readable media, and apparatus are described for automatically quantifying space within a container using a scanning sensor node disposed within the container and exposed to scan the space from above the space. For example, a general method involves detecting an initiating condition from within the container using an activation sensor on the scanning sensor node. The initiating condition reflects at least an anticipated change within the container (such as an opening of the container, movement, ceased movement, loading/unloading operation, or closing of the container). In response to the activation sensor driven detection of the initiating condition, the scanning sensor node captures a snapshot scan of the space within the container from above the space and within the container and stores the snapshot scan within a memory of the scanning sensor node.

Apparatus, non-transient computer readable media, and methods for automatically quantifying space within a logistics container using a scanning sensor node disposed within the container

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Germantown, TN, United States of America

William Cawein