Hierarchical sensor network for a grouped set of packages being shipped using elements of a wireless node network

A method for creating a hierarchical sensor network for a grouped set of packages being shipped, the hierarchical sensor network using a wireless node network having a mobile master node, an ID node and a server, comprising:

• placing the mobile master node within one of the packages in the grouped set of packages, wherein the mobile master node is operative to communicate directly with a server in the wireless node network over a first communication path;
• placing an ID node within another of the packages in the grouped set of packages, wherein the ID node is operative to communicate directly with the master node over a second communication path but not operative to communicate directly with a server over the first communication path;
• enabling the mobile master node and the ID node with power;
• and
• activating the hierarchical sensor network for the grouped set of packages by causing the server to associate the mobile master node with the ID node.

A method for creating a hierarchical sensor network for a grouped set of packages being shipped, the hierarchical sensor network using a wireless node network having a mobile master node, an ID node and a server, comprising:

• associating, by the mobile master node, one of the packages in the grouped set of packages with the mobile master node, wherein the mobile master node is operative to communicate directly with the server over a longer range communication path and operative to communicate with the ID node over a short range communication path;
• detecting, by the mobile master node, a signal broadcast from the ID node over the short range communication path;
• the ID node being associated with another of the packages in the grouped set of packages, wherein the ID node is operative to communicate directly with the mobile master node over the short range communication path but not operative to communicate directly with the server;
• transmitting, by the mobile master node, an authorization request to associate the mobile master node and the ID node;
• receiving, by the mobile master node, a response from the server to authorize associating the mobile master node and the ID node;
• and
• establishing the hierarchical sensor network for the grouped set of packages with the mobile master node and the ID node when the mobile master node associates with the ID node.

A hierarchical sensor system for a set of packages being shipped, the hierarchical sensor system comprising:

• a mobile master node associated with one of the packages in the set of packages, the mobile master node being operative to communicate with a server over a longer range communication path;
• a plurality of ID nodes, wherein each of the ID nodes is associated with one of the remaining packages in the set of packages, and each of the plurality of ID nodes being operative to communicate with the mobile master node over a short range communication path but unable to directly communicate with the server;
• wherein one or more of the ID nodes further comprises a sensor that collects shipment condition information about its associated package;
• and
• wherein the mobile master node is further operative to receive the collected shipment condition information from the ID nodes over the short range communication path and update the server over the longer range communication path with summary shipment condition information related to each of the packages in the set of packages, the summary shipment condition information being based upon the collected shipment condition information from the ID nodes.