Abstract:
Systems and methods provide at least one of an image, video and audio for material handling equipment including capturing by an image capturing device at least one of an image, video and audio in an area proximate to a grasping portion of a material handling equipment, communicating at least one of the captured image, video and audio to a transceiver, and establishing communication between the image capturing device and transceiver to output at least one of the captured image, video, and audio for viewing by an operator of the material handling equipment on an image display device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional patent applications Ser. No. 62/035,146 filed Aug. 8, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    Generally, exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to the fields of hardware and software solutions for wirelessly transmitting images and/or a video in real time from material handling equipment, and in particular images that facilitate operation of a grasping device attached to a construction, utility or refuse collection vehicle for handling containers or different materials during collection/construction efforts. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Background of the Invention. 
         [0005]    Conventional material handling devices, such as specialty trucks  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  typically have a mechanism for lifting, moving and tipping a container or object of interest, such as a mechanism comprising a grasping device  120  attached to a large movable arm  110 . The grasping device often has a pair of spaced and opposed mechanical hands  130  that can grasp and release a container (not shown) by closing and opening hands  130  through operation by one or more actuating devices, such as hydraulic cylinders, controlled by controllers typically provided in a driver&#39;s cabin  140 . 
         [0006]    While there are various imaging and video equipment available for passenger vehicles and trucks, such as GPS-based navigation systems, entertainment systems, and back-up camera systems (including wireless systems), there are no tools available specifically for material handling equipment to provide visual guidance or information to operators of such equipment to facilitate accurate grasping and releasing of the material being handled. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, conventional methods and techniques for such operations have at least the drawbacks of requiring, for example, another person to observe the grasping and/or releasing function and direct the equipment operator accordingly, or multiple attempts by the operator to properly grasp and/or release the material being handled. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and provide at least the advantages described below. 
         [0009]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for providing at least one of an image, video and audio for material handling equipment including capturing by an image capturing device at least one of an image, video and audio in an area proximate to a grasping portion of a material handling equipment, communicating at least one of the captured image, video and audio to a transceiver, and establishing communication between the image capturing device and the transceiver to output at least one of the captured image, video, and audio for viewing by an operator of the material handling equipment on an image display device. 
         [0010]    According to an exemplary implementation of the embodiments of the present invention, communication includes wireless communication, and the output at the least one of the captured image, video, and audio is for viewing by the operator of the material handling equipment in real time. 
         [0011]    According to another exemplary implementation of the embodiments of the present invention, the grasping portion includes opposed hands to facilitate grasping, and the image, video and audio are captured essentially from a central support axis of the opposed hands. 
         [0012]    According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, material handling equipment includes an arm, and the grasping portion travels along the arm, the transceiver is fixedly disposed on the arm, the image capturing device is disposed on the grasping portion, and communication between the transceiver and the image capturing device is wired and/or wireless. 
         [0013]    According to yet another exemplary implementation of the embodiments of the present invention, the image displaying device includes at least one of a smartphone, a personal display device, a personal computing device, or a tablet in wired and/or wireless communication with the transceiver. In an exemplary implementation, the image display device can include the transceiver. 
         [0014]    According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, non-transient computer readable medium and associated computer implemented processing can be provided to selectively store and retrieve images and/or video obtained during a work process, whereby valuable information can be available for subsequent review, analysis and/or any record-keeping purposes. 
         [0015]    According to an exemplary implementation of the embodiments of the present invention, images can be transmitted wirelessly from a vehicle&#39;s exterior equipment to a receiver located in a driver&#39;s cabin of the vehicle. 
         [0016]    According to another exemplary implementation of the embodiments of the present invention, transmitted images and/or video can be stored, for example, on a local non-transient storage medium associated with a receiver, on a designated server, or on a cloud server. In yet another exemplary implementation, a streaming video can be transmitted directly or indirectly (such as via a server) to a portable device (for example an iOS or Android type mobile communication device) for viewing and/or storage thereon. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0018]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are generalized drawings of conventional material handling devices, such as specialty trucks. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrates a system including a camera and material handling equipment having the camera deployed thereon according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3A ,  3 B and  3 C illustrates an example of components and configuration thereof with respect to material handling equipment for implementing methodology and functionality in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  illustrates a system and components utilizing wireless configuration deployed with respect to material handling equipment according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a generalized diagram illustrating an example of signal paths and system components according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, non-limiting examples of implementations of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in schematic detail to aid in the description of technology associated therewith. Any specific or relative dimensions or measurements provided in the drawings are exemplary and not intended to limit the scope or content of the inventive design or methodology as understood by artisans skilled in the relevant field of invention. 
         [0024]    The matters defined in the description such as a detailed construction and elements are nothing but the ones provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Also, well-known functions or constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness. Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below in the context of commercial applications, or with reference to drawings containing certain numerical values for illustrating examples of dimensional relationships between parts shown therein. Such exemplary implementations are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined in the appended claims. 
         [0025]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a device and method, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A through 5 , which can assist drivers and operators of material handling equipment by providing real time images and/or video from a specific work location, thereby reducing or eliminating conventionally required manual intervention or additional personnel. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , an HD camera  200  can be placed on an arm  110  which can be, or form a part of, a fully retractable material handling apparatus for grasping and releasing containers or objects as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . As in the example of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , arm  110  has a grasping device  120  with a pair of spaced, opposed hands  130  pivotally connected at a central support axis  230 . Hands  130  can be shaped to fit around containers or objects of different shapes. For example, hands  130  can be configured to pivot between an open or retracted position and a closed or grasping position by operating actuators, which may be controlled by controllers disposed for example in a driver&#39;s cabin. 
         [0027]    According to further exemplary implementation of the present invention as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , a camera  200  is positioned on an arm  110  of the material handling equipment to provide the highest visibility of a specific work location. An example of such positioning of camera  200  is at a point proximal to a central support axis  230  of the opposed hands  130  to facilitate viewing of a container while the hands  130  are pivoted between an open and a closed position to grasp or release the container. Camera  200  can be an HD-type camera. 
         [0028]    According to yet further exemplary implementation of the present invention as further illustrated in  FIG. 2A and 2B , a wireless encoder/transmitter  220  associated with camera  200  is positioned on an arm  110  of the material handling equipment to provide the best interference-free transmission of images and/or video captured by camera  200 , which are provided to encoder/transmitter  220  from camera  200  via a link  240 , which illustrates a wired or wireless communication between encoder/transmitter  220  and camera  200 . 
         [0029]    According to en exemplary implementation of embodiments of the present invention, camera  200  may include video capture capability, and provide video transmission and/or recording capability. According to yet another exemplary implementation, audio recording and/or transmission capability may be provided integrally in camera  200  or as an additional components disposed, for example, in proximity to camera  200 . 
         [0030]    According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, non-transitory computer readable medium and associated computer implemented processing can be provided to selectively store and retrieve images and/or video obtained during a work process, whereby valuable information can be available for subsequent review, analysis and/or any record-keeping purposes. 
         [0031]    According to an exemplary implementation of the embodiments of the present invention, images can be transmitted wireles sly from a vehicle&#39;s exterior equipment to a receiver located in a driver&#39;s cabin of the vehicle. 
         [0032]    According to another exemplary implementation of the embodiments of the present invention, transmitted images and/or video can be stored, for example, on a local non-transitory storage medium associated with a receiver, on a designated server, or on a cloud server. In yet another exemplary implementation, a streaming video can be transmitted directly or indirectly (such as via a server) to a portable device (for example an iOS or Android type mobile communication device) for viewing and/or storage thereon. 
         [0033]    According to another exemplary implementation of the embodiments of the present invention, transmitted images and/or video can be retrieved via internet, for example, through a secure (such as a password protected) website. 
         [0034]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a system can include the following exemplary, non-limiting components:
       High Definition (HD) Camera   Encoder/Transmitter (Wireless)   Receiver (Wireless)   Router   Software/Hardware: monitoring analytics, iOS and Android apps, QR code reading applications for the purpose of identifying a customer&#39;s location &amp; status of handled material/equipment as well as the status of that customer&#39;s account. By using Convoy application, Customers will be able to opt-in for live alerts and mobile bill pay when service has been completed or account balance needs to be addressed before continuing with service.       
 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  3 C, camera  200  is positioned at an essentially central point of grasping device  120  with respect to hands  130 , as shown in the detail of  FIG. 3C . Camera  200  can advantageously travel along the arm  110  with the grasping device  120  through the grasping and releasing operation of device  120 . In the example of  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  3 C, communication link between camera  200  and encoder/transmitter  300  can be, for example, wireless provided that camera  200  has wireless communication capability. According to exeplary implementation of certain embodiments of the present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 3B , encoder/transmitter  300  can be disposed in an alternative position, which may facilitate a better communication link for transmitting images, video, and/or sound from camera  200 , and/or for transmitting commands to camera  200 . 
         [0041]    According to yet another exemplary implementation of the embodiments of the present invention as further illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a wireless encoder/transmitter  220  associated with camera  200  can transmit images, video, and/or audio data received from camera  200  to a receiver  400  positioned inside the driver&#39;s cabin  140  for storage and/or viewing thereon selectively and/or in real time. 
         [0042]    According to a yet further exemplary implementation of the embodiments of the present invention as diagrammatically shown in  FIG. 5 , wireless communication capability can be provided by appropriately configured wireless transceiver(s) such as  510 . In an exemplary implementation, images from camera  200  can be transmitted wirelessly  500  via encoder/transmitter  220  from a vehicle&#39;s exterior equipment  110  to a mobile communication device  400  located in a driver&#39;s cabin  140  of the vehicle  100 . According to a further exemplary implementation of the embodiments of the present invention, transmitted images and/or video from camera  200  can be stored, for example, locally on a non-transitory storage medium provided in device  400  or removable storage in camera  200  itself, and/or remotely on a designated server  520  and/or on a cloud server  530 . 
         [0043]    In yet another exemplary implementation, a streaming video can be transmitted directly or indirectly (such as via a server) to a portable or a desktop device  550  (for example an iOS or Android type mobile communication device, or a personal computer) for viewing and/or storage thereon. According to yet another exemplary implementation of the embodiments of the present invention, transmitted images and/or video can be retrieved via internet  540 , for example, through a secure (such as a password protected) website. 
         [0044]    In an exemplary implementation of the present invention, a camera can comprise the following non-limiting characteristics: 
       Optics 
       [0045]    Custom Hyperion Lens 
         [0046]    T2.8/f/2.7 Natural Wide Angle 
         [0047]    145 Degrees @1080P, 960P, 720P 
         [0048]    145 Degrees @Still Photos 
         [0049]    2× Better Lowlight Sensitivity 
         [0050]    In an exemplary implementation of the present invention, image and video quality provided by the camera and associated equipment can comprise the following non-limiting characteristics:
   File Type   
 
         [0052]    H.264.MP4
   Resolution Options   
 
         [0054]    1080P 60/50/48/30/25/24 fps 
         [0055]    960p 60/50/48/30/25/24 fps 
         [0056]    720p 120/60/50/48/30/25/24 fps
   Still Picture Resolution   
 
         [0058]    16 MP
   Format Options   
 
         [0060]    NTSC 
         [0061]    PAL 
         [0062]    According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, audio equipment can be provided, for example, as part of camera equipment or independent thereof. A non-limiting example of audio characteristics includes:
   Audio   
 
         [0064]    AAC &amp; AC3 2 Channel Mono 
         [0065]    48 kHz, 16 bit, Auto Gain 
         [0066]    Internal Mic Omnidirectional 
         [0067]    3.5 mm Aux Line-In with Adapter 
         [0068]    According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a removable non-transitory memory, such as, for example, a microSDXC of 128 GB, can be provided for integration with camera, transmitter, receiver, or any other system equipment, for storage of image, video and/or audio data. 
         [0069]    According to yet other exemplary implementations of the embodiments of the present invention camera features can include the following non-limiting characteristics:
   Power   
 
         [0071]    5V-30V 
         [0072]    3.5 Hour Rechargeable Battery
   Other Features   
 
         [0074]    WiFi, or other suitable near-field radio frequency communication 
         [0075]    360 Degree Mountable Design for camera 
         [0076]    Aluminum Housing for camera 
         [0077]    IP69K environmental rating 
         [0078]    Ultra-Lightweight and Compact camera design 
         [0079]    Remotely Adjustable Camera Settings 
         [0080]    Capable of Integrating with SSV iOS/Android App 
         [0081]    According to yet other exemplary implementations of the embodiments of the present invention encoder/transmitter features can include the following non-limiting characteristics:
   Micro HDMI   Streaming Resolution Support:   
 
         [0084]    1080i 50/59.94/60 
         [0085]    1080p 23.98/24/25/30 
         [0086]    1080p 23.98/24/25 
         [0087]    720p 50/59.94/60 
         [0088]    576p 
         [0089]    480p
   H.264 Compression: Main &amp; Baseline   Video Bit Rate: 150 kbps to 5 mbps   Built-in scaler &amp; deinterlacer   2.4/5 GHz a/b/g/n MIMO WiFi   Radio Output Power: 40 mW   Audio Compression: AAC-LC, MPEG Layer 2   Embedded Audio (2 channel) (micro HDMI)   Audio Bit Rate: 16 kbps to 256 kbps   6-18V DC input barrel connector   Nominal power consumption: 3.5W   Dimensions: 66×49×17 mm   Weight: &lt;2 Oz   
 
         [0102]    The above-described exemplary embodiments may be recorded in computer-readable media including program instructions to implement various operations embodied by a computer. The media may also include, alone or in combination with the program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like. The media and program instructions may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or they may be of the kind well known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts. Examples of computer-readable media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD ROM disks and DVD; magneto-optical media such as optical disks; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and perform program instructions, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, and the like. The media may also be a transmission medium such as optical or metallic lines, wave guides, and so on, including a carrier wave transmitting signals specifying the program instructions, data structures, and so on. Examples of program instructions include both machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher level code that may be executed by the computer using an interpreter. The described hardware devices may be configured to act as one or more software modules in order to perform the operations of the above-described embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0103]    While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended representative claims.