Methods, medium, systems, and a master node are described involving adjusting a broadcast setting of a node in a wireless node network. In an exemplary method, the master node detects an advertising signal from the node deployed in the network. The master node then establishes an active association with the node, and determines an updated value for the broadcast setting (e.g., a frequency, power level, timing setting) of the node. The updated value may be a value related to a structure (such as building or container) associated with the master node. The method concludes with the master node adjusting the broadcast setting of the node from a current value to the updated value. Such adjusting may take the form of modifying a broadcast profile of the node, where the broadcast profile defines the broadcast setting used when the node communicates with the master node.

Methods and systems are described for monitoring a piece of equipment using a hierarchical node network having at least an ID node, a master node, and a server. The ID node is associated with the equipment, can monitor equipment operations, and 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 when the master node detects a signal broadcast from the ID node. The server then determines a location of the ID node. The ID node detects an actionable event related to the operation of the equipment, and transmits a message reporting the actionable event to the master node. The master node notifies the server about the actionable event. Thereafter, the server initiates a responsive action based upon the notification.

Methods, media, and node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles are described for navigating to a shipping location using a plurality of nodes in a wireless node network. A node associated with the autonomous transport vehicle, such as a mobile master node, detects a signal broadcast from an ID node associated with the shipping location, and instructs the ID node to lower a power level of the broadcast signal. The mobile master node identifies the signal broadcast from the ID node with the lowered power level, and determines a direction of the ID node relative to the mobile master node based upon the detected signal with the lowered power level. The mobile master node then navigates to the ID node associated with the shipping location based upon the determined direction, which may involve providing the determined direction to an input for the vehicle's control system.

Improved methods and apparatus are described for determining node locations using one or more associations of nodes in a wireless node network. In general, a first node (such as a master node) may broadcast one or more first messages at a first anticipated range distance. The first node identifies which nodes associated with the first node received at least one of the first messages, such as by reports from associated nodes that receives such message(s). The first node then broadcasts one or more second messages at a smaller anticipated range distance (e.g., with a lower output power level), and determines a location of those associated nodes that did not receive any second messages but received at least one of the first messages. Such a location is between the first anticipated range distance from the first node and the second anticipated range distance from the first node.

A case comprising a first housing, a second housing attached to the first housing, a liner on the inside of the first housing and/or second housing, and a strap attached to the first housing and/or second housing, the strap being constructed and arranged to secure footwear.

Methods, systems, and node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles are described for automating a logistics transaction using a plurality of nodes and a server in a wireless node network. A first node is associated with a shipping courier and downloads shipment information from the server. The shipment information identifies a package for the logistics transaction, a transaction location, and an identification of a second node associated with the package. The first node provides the shipment information to a third node, which is part of an autonomous vehicle. The third node causes the autonomous vehicle to move from a first location to the transaction location, and conducts the logistics transaction related to the package if the third node on the autonomous vehicle completes a node association with the second node associated with the package.

A means of suspending items within a transportable container, such as an environmental enclosure like a common cooler or ice-chest. Inside the container, items are supported by resting on top of a shelf or platform that may be rigid, semi-rigid, inflatable, pleated, telescoping, floating, cushioned, or flexible. The shelf may be supported by straps that may exit the container and are fastened to, or encircle, the interior and/or exterior of the container. The mechanism for attachment to the outside of the container may be a simple loop over an external anchor point affixed to the outside of the container, or a latch or latches, or a magnetic device, or a continuous loop or loops that encircle the container such that no external anchor is required.

Disclosed is an insulated beverage dispenser having a generally cube-shaped insulated body with an interior chamber, an open top, and an outlet adjacent a bottom of the interior chamber. It includes a removable closure member for the outlet and an insulated top hingedly connected to the body to close the open top. A guideway is located on a front outer surface of the body generally adjacent the open top and is sized and positioned to receive a securement strap extended across the body without interference with opening the top. The closure member can be a liquid dispensing valve and/or a plug. An interior surface of the lid may include a recess for receiving a spare closure member for the outlet.

Methods and systems are described for merging of a set of items being shipped using a wireless node network. In an example method, a master node receives ID node identification information from a server in the network. The ID node identification information defines the group of ID nodes. Each of the ID nodes is related to a different item from the set of items being shipped. Next, each of the ID nodes in the group is associated with the master node when the master node detects a signal from each ID node as they respectively approach the master node. When the master node detects a last one of the ID nodes in the group approaching the master node, the master node transmits a notification to the server. Thereafter, the master node receives a shipment merge indication from the server.

Improved methods and apparatus are described for determining node locations using one or more associations of nodes in a wireless node network. In general, a first node (such as a master node) may broadcast one or more first messages at a first anticipated range distance. The first node identifies which nodes associated with the first node received at least one of the first messages, such as by reports from associated nodes that receives such message(s). The first node then broadcasts one or more second messages at a smaller anticipated range distance (e.g., with a lower output power level), and determines a location of those associated nodes that did not receive any second messages but received at least one of the first messages. Such a location is between the first anticipated range distance from the first node and the second anticipated range distance from the first node.