A node-enabled autonomous vehicle conducting a logistics transaction for a package includes an autonomous vehicle and a mobile master node on the vehicle. The vehicle moves, pursuant to control input, from a first location to a transaction location related to the logistics transaction. The mobile master node has a short range communication interface to communicate with other nodes in a wireless node network and a longer range communication interface to communicate directly with a server in the network. The vehicle's mobile master node is operative to receive shipment information from the server that identifies the package and an identification of a node associated with the package; provide a control signal to a control input of the vehicle causing the vehicle to move to the transaction location; and automatically conduct the logistics transaction related to the package if the mobile master node successfully associates with a node associated with the package.

Methods and apparatus are described for improved delivery notification using a wireless node network having an ID node related to an item being shipped, a courier master node, a mobile delivery point master node related to a mobile delivery point (e.g., a vehicle), and a server. The mobile delivery point master node detects a signal from the ID node as the ID node approaches the mobile delivery point master node, and responsively determines shipping information related to the ID node, an intended recipient of the shipped item, and the courier master node currently associated with the ID node. The mobile delivery point master node then transmits information on the mobile delivery point master node's current location at the mobile delivery point to the courier master node, and transmits a notification to the identified recipient to inform the intended recipient about the item being substantially near the mobile delivery point.

Methods, apparatus, and systems are described for monitoring at least one signal passing through a coupling connection from a first conveyance to a second conveyance, where the coupling connection has a network device that communicates on a wireless node network. Generally, the network device (e.g., an ID node) integrated in the coupling connection monitors the signal line passing through the coupling connection from the first conveyance to the second conveyance. The network device then detects data on the monitored signal line and records the detected data. Thereafter, the network device in the coupling connection transmits the detected data (e.g., a notification that the conveyances are disconnected, a change in power flowing between the conveyances, etc.) to another entity in the wireless network, such as a server or master node.

Methods and apparatus are described for improved delivery notification using a wireless node network having an ID node, a master node, and a server. The master node detects a signal from the ID node as the ID node approaches the master node located substantially near a delivery point, where the ID node is related to an item being shipped (such as being in or part of the package that holds the item). The master node determines shipping information related to the ID node and an intended recipient of the item being shipped (e.g., via server inquiries), and transmits a notification from the master node to the identified recipient, the notification informing the intended recipient about the item being substantially near the delivery point. In some aspects, the master node may transmit an instruction to the server, which causes the server to transmit the notification to the intended recipient.

Methods and systems are described for monitoring an activity of a person using a hierarchical node network having at least an ID node, a master node, and a server. The ID node is associated with a person, can monitor the person's activity, can communicate directly with the master node but is unable to directly communicate with the server. The master node can directly communicate with the server and separately communicate with the ID node. The master node associates with the ID node upon detecting a signal broadcast from the ID node. The server determines a location of the ID node. The ID node detects an actionable event related to the person's activity based upon the ID node location, and transmits a message to the master node reporting the actionable event. The master node notifies the server about the event. The server initiates a responsive action based upon the notification.

Methods, medium, systems, and a network device (or node) are described for enhanced power notification from a node, such as an ID node, in a wireless node network having a master node and a server. The ID node is capable of communicating directly with the master node but incapable of communicating directly with the server. In general, the ID node detects a current power status for the ID node and determines a current location of the ID node. The method then has the ID node broadcasting an enhanced power alert notification when the current power status of the ID node is below a threshold. The enhanced power alert notification indicates that the current power status of the ID node is below the threshold and includes the current location of the ID node.

Improved methods and networks of components are described for dynamically changing an operational mode of node operations in a wireless node network having at least a plurality of master nodes and a server. A method begins with a first master node detecting an environmental change related to the first master node, such as when the first master node loses reception of a location signal due to surrounding structure. In response to the detected environmental change, changing an operational mode for the first master node to a temporary ID node mode where the first master node no longer can self-determine its location. The first master node operating in the temporary ID node mode then notifies the server that the first master nodes is operating in the temporary ID node mode, and associates with a second master node.

Methods, computer-readable medium, and apparatus are described for proactively reporting a content status of a node-enabled logistics receptacle in a wireless node network. Generally, the node-enabled logistics receptacle may update the content status stored in memory onboard the node-enabled logistics receptacle based upon whether the node-enabled logistics receptacle has received a package and is temporarily maintaining custody of the package. The receptacle may then broadcast status information related to the updated content status for the node-enabled logistics receptacle. In more detail, a node assembled within the node-enabled logistics receptacle may detect a signal broadcast from a master node in the wireless node network, access the content status stored in memory onboard the receptacle, and broadcast status information to the master node related to the content status for the node-enabled receptacle.

The invention is based on a musical instrument case, in particular for storage of a string instrument, with at least one housing, with at least one storage region, which is delimited by the housing, for storage of a musical instrument, and with at least one fixing unit, which is provided to fixate a musical instrument in the storage region at least substantially fixedly as regards a position. It is proposed that the at least one fixing unit-4-84 comprises at least one structural element of low flexural strength, which is in a fixated state of a musical instrument provided to contact a body of the musical instrument.

Methods, media, apparatus, and systems are described for improved and enhanced node location determination related to one of a plurality of nodes in a wireless node network. A first and second other node in the network are instructed to detect any message broadcast from the one node over a period of time. The server receives a first indication from the first other node, where the first indication relates to a characteristic of all messages broadcast from the one node that are detected by the first other node during the time period. The server receives a second indication from the second other node, where the second indication relates to the characteristic of all messages broadcast from the one node that are detected by the second other node during the time period. The server then determines a location of the one node based upon a difference in the first and second indications.