Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7898415?dq=6,460,050
Timestamp: 2014-03-17 11:29:37
Document Index: 19150069

Matched Legal Cases: ['application No. 60', 'application No. 60', 'art 14', 'art 14', 'art 14', 'art 14', 'art 14', 'art 14']

Patent US7898415 - Method and apparatus using radio-location tags to report status for a ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsThe invention includes apparatus and methods using a means for wirelessly communicating, preferably a radio location-tag unit, for reporting a sensed state of a container handler. The status reporting device may include: a micro-controller module, a means for wirelessly communicating, which may include...http://www.google.com/patents/US7898415?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7898415 - Method and apparatus using radio-location tags to report status for a container handlerAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7898415 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/261,447Publication dateMar 1, 2011Filing dateOct 27, 2005Priority dateMay 14, 2004Also published asUS7679513, US7916027, US20060158338, US20080143545, US20080150746Publication number11261447, 261447, US 7898415 B2, US 7898415B2, US-B2-7898415, US7898415 B2, US7898415B2InventorsHenry S. King, Toru TakeharaOriginal AssigneePaceco Corp.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (8), Classifications (21), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMethod and apparatus using radio-location tags to report status for a container handlerUS 7898415 B2Abstract The invention includes apparatus and methods using a means for wirelessly communicating, preferably a radio location-tag unit, for reporting a sensed state of a container handler. The status reporting device may include: a micro-controller module, a means for wirelessly communicating, which may include means for wirelessly determining container handler location, and a means for sensing the state of the container handler.
1. A computerized method of reporting a location and a status for a container handler, comprising the step of operating a micro-controller module further comprising the steps of:
using a means for sensing said state of said container handler to create a sensed state;
using a means for wireless determining location to communicate said sensed state of said container handler, with said means for wirelessly determining implementing means for providing timed signal bursts to multiple antenna sites to support determining said location and a radio location-tag unit;
wherein said container handler moves a container at least twenty feet in length.
2. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein said sensed state includes at least one of a sensed operator identity, a sensed container present, an optical container characteristic, a container radio frequency tag, a container stack height, and an instance of at least one member of a machine state list;
wherein said members of said machine state list include a reverse motion, a frequent stops count, a collision state, a fuel level, a compass reading, a wind speed, and a vehicle speed.
3. The computerized method of claim 2, wherein said optical container characteristic includes at least one instance of a member of a container code characteristic list;
4. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein said container handler is at least one member of a stacking handler list comprising a rubber tire gantry crane, a quay crane, a side picker and a top handler.
5. The computerized method of claim 1,
wherein a twistlock state list includes a twistlock-on state and a twistlock-off state;
wherein members of a spreader state list include a ten foot container spread, a twenty foot container spread, a thirty foot container spread, a forty foot container spread, and a forty five feet container spread;
wherein a landing state list includes a landed state and a not-landed state;
wherein said sensed state includes at least one member of the list comprising said twistlock sensed state, said spread sensed state, and said sensed landing state.
6. The computerized method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of the steps:
using a means for wirelessly communicating to at least partly determine a location of said container handler; and
using a means for wirelessly determining location of said container handler to at least partly determine said location of said container handler.
7. The computerized method of claim 6, wherein said means for wirelessly determining location includes an interface to a Global Positioning System (GPS).
8. The computerized method of claim 7, wherein said means for wirelessly determining location includes an interface to a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS).
9. The computerized method of claim 6, wherein said means for wirelessly determining location includes a radio location-tag unit.
10. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein said means for wirelessly communicating includes a radio location-tag unit.
11. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein said container handler is at least one member of a container handler list comprising an UTR truck, a bomb cart, a rubber tire gantry crane, a quay crane, a side picker and a top handler.
12. Said sensed state as a product of the process of claim 1.
13. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein said means for wirelessly determining implements an interface to a Differential GPS.
14. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein said means for wirelessly determining implements an interface to a Global Positioning System (GPS).
means for sensing a state of a container handler to create a sensed state;
means for wirelessly determining location to communicate said sensed state of said container handler, with said means for wirelessly determining implementing means for providing timed signal bursts to multiple antenna sites to support determining said location and a radio location-tag unit; and
a micro-controller module first communicatively coupled to said means for wirelessly determining location and second communicatively coupled to said means for sensing said state, whereby said micro-controller module uses said means for sensing to create said sensed state, and said micro-controller modules uses said means for wirelessly determining location to communicate said sensed state.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said means for wirelessly determining further comprises:
a network interface circuit coupled to a means for wirelessly communicating to communicate said sensed state for said container handler.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said network interface circuit supports a wireline communications protocol in coupling with said means for wirelessly communicating.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said wireline communications protocol supports a version of at least one member of a serial protocol list, including
an Inter-IC (I2C) protocol, and
a Controller Area Network (CAN).
19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said means for wirelessly communicating supports communicating using at least one version of at least one member of a wireless modulation-demodulation scheme list;
wherein said wireless modulation-demodulation scheme list comprises a time division multiple access scheme, a frequency division multiple access scheme, a code division multiple access scheme, a frequency hopping multiple access scheme, a time hopping multiple access scheme, and an orthogonal frequency division multiple access scheme.
wherein at least one said versions of said code division multiple access scheme includes at least one member of the CDMA scheme list; wherein said CDMA list includes an IS-95 access scheme, and a Wideband CDMA access scheme;
wherein at least one said versions of said orthogonal frequency division multiple access scheme includes an IEEE 801.11 access scheme.
21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said means for sensing includes a means for sensing an operator identity providing a sensed operator identity.
22. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said means for sensing includes a means for sensing a container presence to create a sensed container present.
23. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said means for sensing includes a means for optically sensing a container code on a container providing an optical container characteristic.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said means for optically sensing said container code includes at least one video camera to create at least one instance of a view of said container code.
25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said video camera create at least one instance of a compression of said view of said container code.
26. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said means for sensing includes a means for radio frequency sensing a radio frequency tag on a container providing a container radio frequency tag.
27. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said means for sensing includes a means for sensing a stack height for a container providing a container stack height.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said means for sensing said stacking height includes a stacking height sensor interface to a stacking height sensor on said container handler.
29. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said means for sensing includes a means for sensing at least one member of a machine state list of said container handler;
30. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said means for sensing includes at least one member of the crane sensor means list creating at least one member of a crane sensor state list;
wherein said members of said crane sensor means list, include:
means for sensing a twistlock to create a twistlock sensed state belonging to a twistlock state list;
means for sensing a spreader to create a spreader sensed state belonging to a spreader state list; and
means for sensing a landing to create a sensed landing state belonging to a landing state list;
wherein said twistlock state list includes a twistlock-on state and a twistlock-off state;
wherein said members of said spreader state list include a ten foot container spread, a twenty foot container spread, a thirty foot container spread, a forty foot container spread, and a forty five feet container spread;
wherein said landing state list includes a landed state and a not-landed state;
wherein said members of said crane sensor state list include said twistlock sensed state, said spreader sensed state, and said sensed landing state.
31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said means for sensing includes coupling to a crane spreader interface connection to at least partly provide at least one of said members of said crane state list.
32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said coupling to said crane spreader interface connection includes said computer coupling to said crane spreader interface connection.
33. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said means for sensing includes coupling to a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) to at least partly provide at least one of said members of said crane state list.
34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein coupling to said PLC includes a serial communications coupling to said computer.
35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein said serial communications coupling supports a version of at least one member of a serial protocol list, including an Ethernet protocol, an RS-232 protocol, an Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol, and a Firewire protocol.
36. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said micro-controller module includes a computer;
wherein said computer includes at least one member of a list comprising an instruction processor, an inferential engine, a neural network, and a finite state machine;
wherein said instruction processor includes at least one instruction processing element and at least one data processing element; wherein each of said data processing elements is controlled by at least one of said instruction processing elements.
37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said computer is accessibly coupled to a memory and said instruction processor is directed by a program system including program steps residing in said memory.
38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said finite state machine includes at least one of:
means for using said means for sensing said state of said container handler to create said sensed state;
means for using said means for wireless communicating to communicate said sensed state of said container handler.
39. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein at least one Field Programmable Gate Array implements at least part of at least one of the list comprising said instruction processor, said inferential engine, said neural network, and said finite state machine.
40. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said container handler is at least one member of a container handler list comprising an UTR truck, a bomb cart, a rubber tire gantry crane, a quay crane, a side picker and a top handler.
41. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said means for wirelessly determining implements an interface to a Differential GPS.
42. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said means for wirelessly determining implements an interface to a Global Positioning System (GPS). Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO PRIORITY DOCUMENTS This application claims the benefit of the priority date of provisional patent application No. 60/622,980, filed Oct. 27, 2004. Furthermore, this application is a continuation-in-part application of patent application Ser. No. 11/130,822, filed May 16, 2005 (and now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,598,863), which claims the benefit of the priority date of provisional application No. 60/571,009, filed May 14, 2004. Each of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
The quay cranes deliver the containers onto UTR trucks, which sometimes carry the containers on specialized trailers known as bomb carts. The UTR trucks move containers around a terminal, transferring the containers between one or more stacking yards and the Quay cranes. In the stacking yards, a number of different cranes may be used to place the container in stacks, or possibly load them onto or unload them from trucks used for container movement outside the terminal.
There is an ever growing need to continuously monitor the status of the container handlers around a terminal. Overall terminal efficiency tends to be improved if the terminal management knows the status and/or location of each container handler. Illicit use of container handlers may be minimized by use of operator identification devices. The container codes may need to be observed and recorded at various points in the terminal transfer operations. Photographs may need to be taken of the container conditions as it is leaving a ship, or being put on a ship.
In the last few years, a variety of radio frequency tagging devices have entered the marketplace. These devices can often provide a mechanism for identifying themselves, as well as reporting their location via a wireless communication protocol, often one or more variants IEEE 802.11. Some of these devices rely on a local wireless network to aid them in location determination. While these devices have uses, they do not satisfy all the needs that container handlers have for status reporting. What is needed are mechanisms and methods for using the capabilities of radio frequency tagging devices to provide an integrated solution to the needs of the various container handling devices, to report on the container handler status, and/or provide observations of the container being handled.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to status reporting devices for container handlers and methods of making these devices. A container handler will refer herein to a device, usually operated by a human operator, which moves a container of at least twenty feet in length.
The invention includes apparatus and methods using a means for wirelessly communicating, preferably a radio location-tag unit, for reporting a sensed state of a container handler. The status reporting device may include: a micro-controller module, a means for wirelessly communicating, which may include means for wirelessly determining container handler location, and a means for sensing the state of the container handler. The invention includes an apparatus and a method of making the status reporting devices for container handlers. The manufacturing proceeds in a modular, highly efficient manner, which is able to use a relatively small number of different parts to serve the needs of a wide variety of container handlers.
Sensing an operator identity. Sensing a container presence on, or coupled to, the container handler. Optically sensing a container code on a container. Radio frequency sensing a radio frequency tag on the container. Sensing a stack height for the container. Sensing at least one member of a machine state list of the container handler. The machine state list may include reverse motion, frequent stops count, collisions, fuel level, and compass readings. The machine state list may further include a wind speed, an equipment up-time and a vehicle speed. Sensing at least one member of a crane state list. The crane state list may include a twistlock sensed state, a spreader sensed state, a sensed landing state, a trolley position, and a hoist height. Sensing the container size. Sensing the container weight. Sensing container damage. The means for wirelessly communicating may include a means for wirelessly determining the location of the container handler. Alternatively, the micro-controller module may be communicatively coupled to an at least partially separate means for locating the container handler. The means for locating may include an interface to a Global Positioning System (GPS). The means for wirelessly communicating may include a radio location-tag unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows three container handlers: a rubber tire gantry (RTG) crane and a UTR truck hauling a bomb cart;
FIG. 10D shows a further preferred embodiment of the means for sensing the stacking height, including, a stacking height sensor interface to a stacking height sensor on the container handler;
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention includes apparatus and methods using a means for wirelessly communicating, preferably a radio location-tag unit, for reporting a sensed state of a container handler. The status reporting device may include: a micro-controller module, a means for wirelessly communicating, which may include means for wirelessly determining container handler location, and a means for sensing the state of the container handler. The invention includes an apparatus and a method of making status reporting devices for container handlers. The manufacturing proceeds in a modular, highly efficient manner, which is able to use a relatively small number of different parts to serve the needs of a wide variety of container handlers.
The UTR truck 10, the bomb cart 14, and the Rubber Tire Gantry crane 20, often abbreviated RTG crane are shown in FIG. 1.
Note that the bomb cart 14 is also known as a container chassis, when the container 2 is tied down. Within container terminals, containers are not typically tied down to bomb carts. The quay crane 30 is shown in FIG. 2. The side picker 40 is shown in FIG. 3A. The reach stacker 46 is shown in FIG. 4A. The top handler 50 is shown in FIG. 4C. The straddle carrier 54 is shown in FIG. 4D. The chassis rotator 58. The chassis rotator is used to rotate the chassis used to haul one or more containers.
It operations and requirements are similar to other contain handlers, except that its rectilinear position is fixed. More relevant for these container handlers is the use of its location 1900 as an angular measure of its orientation of the container 2. The means for determining 1500 the location 1900 consequently may use a shaft encoding, possibly an optical shaft encoder. The rubber tire gantry crane 20 of FIG. 1 may be called a transfer crane and/or a TRANSTAINER�. The quay crane 30 of FIG. 2 is sometimes referred to as a PORTAINER�. The side picker 40 of FIG. 3A is also referred to as a side handler or a side hauler. The top loader 50 of FIG. 4C is also referred to as a top picker or top handler.
The stacking height of the first container 60 is usually denoted as one. The stacking height of the second container 62 is two. The stacking height of the third container 64 is three. And the stacking height of the fourth container 66 is four. While this is a standard designation, any other designation may be used within a computer, such as numbering as follows, first container 60 as zero, second container 62 as one, third container 64 as two, and fourth container 66 as three. In some situations, container stacks may preferably include more than four container stacked on top of each other, for example, up to eight containers high. FIGS. 5A and 5B show two examples of a housing 3000 of the status reporting device 800 for use on various members of the container handler list 80.
The status reporting device 800 includes a first communicative coupling 1102 of the micro-controller module 1000 with a means for wirelessly communicating 1100 and The status reporting device 800 includes a second communicative coupling 1202 of the micro-controller module 1000 with a means for sensing state 1200 of at least one member of the container handler list 80 of FIG. 4B. In FIG. 6A, the system for making 100 also includes means for installing 300 a program system 2000. The program system 2000 is installed into 302 a memory 1020.
These circuits may be fabricated in the same package as the computer, sometimes on the same semiconductor substrate as the computer. While some of these circuits may be discussed separately from the computer, this is done to clarify the operation of the invention and is not meant to limit the scope of the claims to mechanically distinct circuit components. Certain embodiments of the computer 1010 may include a finite state machine, which may further include a means for using said means for sensing said state of said container handler to create said sensed state and/or a means for using said means for wireless communicating to communicate said sensed state of said container handler.
At least one Field Programmable Gate Array may implement at least part of at least one of the list comprising the instruction processor, the inferential engine, the neural network, and/or the finite state machine.
Embodiments of the status reporting device 800 may include determining the location 1900 of a container handler as shown in FIG. 6A.
return from a subroutine return, traversal of a higher node in an inferential graph, popping of a previously stored state in a finite state machine, and/or return to dormancy of the firing neurons of the neural network. FIG. 6B shows the program system 2000 of FIG. 6A, which the means for installing 300 installed into 302, the memory 1020.
FIGS. 17 to 25 outline some variations of sensors, instrumentation and interfaces which may be preferred for various types of the container handler 78, which are members of the container handler list 80 of FIG. 4B. Because of the complexity of FIGS. 17 to 25, the label 1200 will not be found in the drawings, but will be called out in their discussion. FIG. 7A shows the computer 1010 coupled 1032 with a Network Interface Circuit (NIC) 1030. The means for providing 200 the micro-controller module 1000 further includes a means 210 for coupling 212 the network interface circuit 1032 to 1104 the means for wirelessly communicating 1100.
FIG. 7A shows a refinement of the status reporting device 800 of FIG. 6A. The micro-controller module 1000 further includes a computer communicative coupling 1032 of the computer 1010 with a Network Interface Circuit 1030, denoted as (NIC).
A second accessible coupling 512 of the second computer 500 with a second memory 510. A second program system 2500 includes program steps residing in the second memory 510. The second computer 500 is at least partly controlled by the program steps of the second program system 2500, which are provided through the second accessible coupling 512 of the second memory 510. The second program system 2500 may be considered to embody the method of manufacture, by directing the means for providing 200 and the means for installing 300 to create the status reporting device 800. The computer 1010 of FIG. 6A may be coupled 1032 with a network interface circuit 1030 as shown in FIG. 7A.
FIG. 8A shows a flowchart of the second program system 2500 of FIG. 7C, embodying certain aspects of the invention's method of making the status reporting device 800 of FIGS. 6A and 7A, which includes the following operations.
An accessible coupling 1022 of the memory 1020 and the computer 1010 supports the program system 2000 at least partly directing the computer 1010. In certain preferred embodiments, the program system 2000 is installed 302 from a program system library 2400, as shown in FIG. 7C.
The program system 2000 may be installed 302 using a wireline network interface circuit 1030, and/or using the means for wirelessly communicating 1100. The memory 1020 may preferably include at least one non-volatile memory component. The non-volatile memory component may preferably include a flash memory device. The installation may preferably include programming the flash memory component to install 302 the program system 2000. The program system library 2400 may include multiple versions of the program system 2000, for use in controlling various embodiments of the status reporting device 800 created by the manufacturing process of the system for making 100. FIG. 8B shows a detail of operation 2512 of FIG. 8A further providing the micro-controller module 1000. Operation 2552 supports creating the coupling 212 of the network interface circuit 1030 to 1104 the means for wirelessly communicating 1100.
A Synchronous Serial Interface protocol 2101, sometimes abbreviated SSI. An Ethernet protocol 2102. A Serial Peripheral Interface 2103, sometimes abbreviated SPI. An RS-232 protocol 2104. An Inter-IC protocol 2105, sometimes abbreviated 12C. An Universal Serial Bus protocol 2106, sometimes abbreviated USB. A Controller Area Network protocol 2107, sometimes abbreviated CAN. A Firewire protocol 2108, which includes implementations the IEEE 1394 communications standard. An RS-485 protocol 2109. An RS-422 protocol 2111.
In FIGS. 6A, 7A and 7C, the means for wirelessly communicating 1100 may preferably support communicating using at least one version of at least one member of a wireless modulation-demodulation scheme list 2110 shown in FIG. 8D. The wireless modulation-demodulation scheme list 2110 includes, but is not limited to, the following.
A Time Division Multiple Access scheme 2112, sometimes abbreviated TDMA. A Frequency Division Multiple Access scheme 2114, sometimes abbreviated FDMA. And a Spread Spectrum Scheme 2115, which may include variations on one or more of the following:
A Code Division Multiple Access scheme 2116, sometimes abbreviated CDMA. A Frequency Hopping Multiple Access scheme 2118, sometimes abbreviated FHMA. A Time Hopping Multiple Access scheme 2120, sometimes abbreviated THMA. And an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple access scheme 2122, sometimes abbreviated OFDM. FIG. 9A shows a refinement of part of the wireless modulation-demodulation scheme list 2110 of FIG. 8D.
In FIG. 9A, at least one version of the Time Division Multiple Access schemes (TDMA) 2112 may preferably include a GSM access scheme 2130. At least one version of the Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) scheme 2114 may preferably include an AMPs scheme 2132.
In FIG. 9A, at least one version of the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) scheme 2116 may preferably include at least one member of the CDMA scheme list 2150. The CDMA scheme list 2150 may preferably include, but is not limited to, an IS-95 access scheme 2152, and a Wideband CDMA (W-CDMA) access scheme 2154.
In FIG. 9A, at least one version of the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple (OFDM) access scheme 2122 may preferably include at least one of the IEEE 801.11 access schemes 2134.
FIG. 9A shows a refinement of part of the wireless modulation-demodulation scheme list 2110 of FIG. 8D, which includes the following.
At least one version of the Time Division Multiple Access scheme 2112 (TDMA) may preferably include a GSM access scheme 2130. At least one version of the Frequency Division Multiple Access scheme 2114 (FDMA) may preferably include an AMPs scheme 2132. At least one version of the Code Division Multiple Access scheme 2116 (CDMA) may preferably include at least one member of the CDMA scheme list 2150. At least one version of the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple access scheme 2122 (OFDM) may preferably include at least one IEEE 802.11 access scheme 2134.
At least one version of the IEEE 802.11 access scheme 2134 may include the IEEE 801.11b access scheme 2136. At least one version of the IEEE 802.11 access scheme 2134 may include the IEEE 801.11g access scheme 2135. At least one version of the Spread Spectrum Scheme 2115 uses the ANSI 371.1 scheme 2138 for radio frequency identification and/or location tags. In FIG. 9A, the CDMA scheme list 2150 may preferably include, but is not limited to,
An IS-95 access scheme 2152, which uses at least one spreading code to in modulating and demodulating an access channel. A Wideband CDMA access scheme 2154, sometimes abbreviated W-CDMA. W-CDMA schemes use not only a spreading code, but also a scattering code to modulate and demodulate an access channel. FIG. 9B shows some refinements of the means 1200 of FIGS. 6A and 7A for sensing the state of the container handler.
FIG. 10A shows some refinements of the sensed state 1800 of FIGS. 6A and 7A.
In FIG. 9B, the means 1200 for sensing the state of the container handler may preferably include a means 1250 for radio frequency sensing a radio frequency tag on a container providing 1252 a container radio frequency tag 1254. In FIG. 10A, the sensed state 1800 may preferably include the container radio frequency tag 1254 provided 1252 by the means 1250 of FIG. 9B.
In FIG. 9B, the means 1200 for sensing the state of the container handler may preferably include a means 1260 for sensing a stack height for a container providing 1262 a container stack height 1264. In FIG. 10A, the sensed state 1800 may preferably include the container stack height 1264 provided 1262 by the means 1260 of FIG. 9B. The container stack height 1264 may be interpreted as shown in FIG. 3B.
FIG. 10D shows a further preferred embodiment of the means 1260 for sensing the stacking height, including a stacking height sensor interface 1266 to a stacking height sensor on the container handler.
In FIG. 9B, the means 1200 for sensing the container handler state may preferably include a means 1270 for sensing at least one member 1274 of a machine state list 1850, of the container handler, shown in FIG. 10E. In FIG. 10A, the sensed state 1800 may preferably include at least one instance of at least one of the machine state list members 1274 provided 1272 by the means 1270 of FIG. 9B.
In FIG. 9B, the means 1200 for sensing the container handler state may preferably include the following. At least one member 1280 of the crane sensor means list shown in FIG. 11A creating 1282 at least one member 1284 of a crane state list, shown in FIG. 11B. In FIG. 10A, the sensed state 1800 may preferably include at least one instance of at least one of the crane state list members 1284 provided 1282 by the crane sensor means list member 1280 of FIG. 9B.
FIG. 9B shows some refinements of the means for sensing state 1200 of the container handler of FIGS. 6A and 7A. Note that the preferred status reporting device 800 for various of the container handler 78 may include one or more of the means for sensing state 1200 shown in this Figure. The means for sensing state 1200 of the container handler may preferably include at least one of the following
A means for sensing operator identity 1210, which provides 1212 a sensed operator identity 1214. A means for sensing container presence 1220, which second provides 1222 a sensed container present 1224. A means for optical container code sensing 1230, which third provides 1232 an optical container characteristic 1234. A means for radio frequency tag sensing 1250 of a radio frequency tag on the container 2 fourth providing 1252 a container radio frequency tag 1254. A means for container stack height sensing 1260 of the container 2 fifth providing 1262 a container stack height 1264. In certain embodiments the means for container stack height sensing 1260 may preferably include a cam switch. At least one means for sensing a machine state list member 1270 of the container handler, sixth providing 1272 a machine state list member 1274 of the machine state list 1850, shown in FIG. 10E. At least one crane sensor means list member 1280 seventh providing 1282 at least one crane state list member 1284 of a crane state list 1400 of FIG. 12B. The crane sensor means list member 1280 is a member of the crane sensor means list 1300 shown in FIG. 12A. A means for sensing container size 1216 seventeenth providing 1218 a container size 1226.
The container size 1226 may preferably be denoted similarly to the spreader state list 1420 of FIG. 12D. In certain embodiments, for example for use on a UTR truck 10, the means for sensing container size 1216 may include an ultrasonic sensor to estimate the container size on the back of a bomb cart 14. The ultrasonic sensors measures the delay in an echo from the side of the container 2 to estimate its container size 1226. A means for sensing container weight 1228 eighteenth providing 1240 a container weight 1242. And a means for sensing container damage 1244 nineteenth providing 1246 a container damage estimate 1248. In FIG. 9B, the various combinations of some or all of the providings may be similarly implemented.
The compression 1706 of the view 1704 may include, but is not limited to, a still frame compression and/or a motion sequence compression of a succession of frames of views. The compression 1706 may be at least partly the result of applying a two dimensional (2-D) block transform, such as the 2-D Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) and/or a 2-D wavelet filter bank. Alternatively, the compression 1706 may be at least partly the result of a fractal compression method. FIG. 11C shows an example of the container code text 1702 of FIG. 10B.
The container code text 1702 may be at least partly the result of optical character recognition applied to the view 1704 of FIG. 11B. The means for optical container code sensing 1230 of FIG. 9B may include optical character recognition capabilities, which may be embodied as a separate optical character recognition hardware module or as a separate optical character recognition program system. The separate optical character recognition hardware module may reside within the means for optical container code sensing 1230 and/or may be coupled to the means for optical container code sensing 1230. The separate optical character recognition program system may reside within the means for optical container code sensing 1230 and/or may be coupled to the means for optical container code sensing 1230. As used herein, a video imaging device 1238 may belong to a list including at least a video camera, a digital video camera, and a charged coupled array. A video imaging device 1238 may further include any of the following: a computer, a digital memory, an image processor and a flash lighting system.
The status reporting device 800 of FIG. 6A may include an optical characteristic system as the means for optical container code sensing 1230 of FIG. 9B, in housing 3000 of FIGS. 1, 2, 5A and 5B.
a reverse motion 1852, a frequent stops count 1854, a collision state 1856, a fuel level 1858, a compass reading 1860, a wind speed 1862. In certain embodiments, the wind speed may further indicate a wind direction, a vehicle speed 1864, and a vehicle braking system state 1866. In some preferred embodiments, the means for sensing a machine state list member 1270, the machine state list member 1274 includes the vehicle speed 1864, may preferably include a drive shaft sensor counting the drive shaft revolutions. FIG. 10E shows a preferred embodiment of the machine state list 1850. The machine state list 1850 may include, but is not limited to, a reverse motion 1852, a frequent stops count 1854, a collision state 1856, a fuel level 1858, and a compass reading 1860.
FIG. 12A shows some details of the crane sensor means list 1300 related to members 1280 of FIG. 9B. FIG. 12B shows some details of the crane state list 1400 related to members 1284 of FIGS. 9B and 10A. FIG. 12C shows some details of a twistlock list 1410 related to members 1314 of FIG. 12A. FIG. 12D shows some details of the spreader state list 1420 related to members 1324 of FIG. 12A. FIG. 12E shows some details of the landing state list 1430 related to members 1334 of FIG. 12A.
FIG. 12A shows some details of the crane sensor means list 1300 related to at least one instance of the crane sensor means list member 1280 of FIG. 9B. The crane sensor means list 1300 preferably includes at least one of the following
The twistlock sensed state 1314, The spreader sensed state 1324, The sensed landing state 1334. FIG. 13A shows a refinement of the status reporting device 800 of FIGS. 6A and 7A where the sensing means 1200 includes coupling 1202 to a crane spreader interface connection 1340. The crane spreader interface connection 1340 preferably provides at least one of the crane state list 1400 members as shown in FIG. 12B.
FIG. 13B shows a refinement of the status reporting device 800 of FIGS. 6A and 7A where the sensing means 1200 includes coupling 1202 to a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) 1350. The PLC 1350 preferably provides at least one of the crane state list 1400 members as shown in FIG. 12B.
FIG. 13B also shows the computer 1010 of FIGS. 6A, 7A and 13A, coupled 1352 to the PLC 1350. The coupling 1352 may preferably include a serial communications coupling 1352. The serial communications coupling 1352 preferably supports a version of at least one member of a serial protocol list 2100 of FIG. 8C.
By way of example, the crane spreader interface connection 1340 of FIG. 13A may contain the spreader sensed state 1324 as two signals. The two signals are the �spreader is at least at twenty feet�, and the �spreader is at forty feet�. If the �spreader is at least at twenty feet� is true and the �spreader is at forty feet� is false, then the sensed spreader state 1324 indicates the crane spreader is set for twenty feet. If the �spreader is at least at twenty feet� is true and the �spreader is at forty feet� is true, then the sensed spreader state 1324 indicates the crane spreader set for forty feet.
FIG. 13A shows a refinement of the status reporting device 800 of FIGS. 6A and 7A where the means for sensing state 1200 includes a crane spreader interface connection 1340.
The two signals are the �spreader is at least twenty foot�, and the �spreader is at forty foot�. If the �spreader is at least at twenty foot� is true and the �spreader is at forty foot� is false, then the sensed spreader state 1324 indicates the crane spreader is set for twenty foot. If the �spreader is at least at twenty foot� is true and the �spreader is at forty foot� is true, then the sensed spreader state 1324 indicates the crane spreader set for forty foot. By way of example, the crane spreader interface connection 1340 of FIG. 13A may contain the spreader sensed state 1324 as three signals.
The two signals are the �spreader is at least at twenty foot�, the �spreader is at forty foot�, and the �spreader is at least forty-five foot�. If the �spreader is at least at twenty foot� is true, the �spreader is at forty foot� is false, and the �spreader is at least forty-five foot� is false, then the sensed spreader state 1324 indicates the crane spreader is set for twenty foot. If the �spreader is at least at twenty foot� is true, the �spreader is at forty foot� is true, and the �spreader is at least forty-five foot� is false then the sensed spreader state 1324 indicates the crane spreader set for forty foot. If the �spreader is at least at twenty foot� is true, the �spreader is at forty foot� is true, and the �spreader is at least forty-five foot� is true then the sensed spreader state 1324 indicates the crane spreader set for forty-five foot. In FIG. 13A, some or all of the providings may be similarly implemented. Among those providings similarly implemented, they may use the same of different mechanisms to provide. Alternatively, some of the providings may be distinctly implemented. The providings of FIG. 13A include
An interface to a Global Positioning System (GPS). An interface to a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS). A means for wirelessly determining location, such as by use of a local wireless network providing timed signal bursts from multiple antenna sites within the local wireless network. A radio location-tag unit. By way of example, GPS is a satellite communications system which supports determining the location of a receiver. DGPS is a refinement of the GPS using an earth-based reference station to support positional accuracy to within a meter.
In certain preferred embodiments, the radio location-tag unit may act as the means for wirelessly determining 1510 the location 1900 of the container handler 78. The radio location-tag unit may further support a national and/or international standard, which may include, but is not limited to, a version of ANSI 371.1 standard for radio location tags.
In such embodiments, the local computer 1010 may not require the location 1900 present in memory 1020, as shown in FIG. 6A. In such embodiments, the need for the program system 2000 to determine location may be non-existent, removing the presence of the operation of FIG. 15B. FIG. 16A shows the memory 1020 of FIG. 6A including a non-volatile memory 1024. The computer 1010 may preferably access 1022 the non-volatile memory 1024, similarly to the discussion of FIG. 6A. The non-volatile memory 1024 may include at least part of the program system 2000.
The means for wirelessly communicating 1100, The display 3010, may preferably be a Liquid Crystal Display, and The means for sensing state 1200 includes the following:
The means for sensing operator identity 1210, The means for container stack height sensing 1260, The means for sensing a machine state list member 1270, The crane spreader interface connection 1340, The means for determining 1500 location, further including a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS), and A second means for determining 1500-B location, which preferably includes a means for sensing laser trolley position Alternatively, this may incorporate a drawwire and/or rotary encoder. In FIG. 17, the means for sensing a machine state list member 1270 provides the frequent stops count 1854, the collision state 1856, the fuel level 1858, the wind speed 1862, and the vehicle speed 1864.
The twistlock sensed state 1314, The spreader sensed state 1324, which may further preferably include
the spreader sense state at twenty foot 1324-20, and the spread sense state at forty foot 1324-40, and the sensed landing state 1334. FIG. 18 shows the status reporting device 800 communicates via couplings with
The means for wirelessly communicating 1100, which preferably includes a wireless modem preferably supporting a version of the IEEE 802.11 access scheme 2134, preferably the IEEE 801.11b access scheme 2136. Alternatively, the wireless modem may support an Radio Frequency IDentification (RF ID) protocol. The display 3010, and The means for sensing state 1200, which preferably includes the following
The means for sensing operator identity 1210, The means for container stack height sensing 1260, The means for sensing a machine state list member 1270, which provides the frequent stops count 1854, the collision state 1856, the fuel level 1858 and the wind speed 1862. The Programmable Logic Controller 1350, and The means for determining 1500 location, preferably using the Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) of FIG. 14A, In FIG. 18, the computer 1010 couples through the Programmable Logic Controller 1350 with the following:
at least one means for container stack height sensing 1260, and a second means for determining 1500-B location, which preferably includes a means for sensing laser trolley position. FIG. 17 shows the status reporting device 800 coupling with the crane spreader interface connection 1340 of FIG. 13A, and using a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) means 1500 of FIG. 14A.
FIG. 18 shows the status reporting device 800 coupling with the PLC 1350 of FIG. 13B, and using the Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) means 1500 of FIG. 14A.
FIG. 19 shows the status reporting device 800 communicating via couplings with
The means for wirelessly communicating 1100, which further includes the means for wirelessly determining 1510 location of FIG. 15A. The means for wirelessly determining 1510 may preferably include a radio frequency tag device. The display 3010. And the means for sensing state 1200 which includes
The means for container stack height sensing 1260, The Programmable Logic Controller 1350. The means for sensing a machine state list member 1270, which preferably provides the frequent stops count 1854, the collision state 1856, the fuel level 1858, and the wind speed 1862. The means for sensing operator identity 1210, similar to 1210 of FIGS. 17 and 18. FIG. 20 shows the status reporting device 800 coupling with the crane spreader interface connection 1340 of FIG. 13A, and using the location and data radio frequency tag device 1510 of FIG. 15A.
FIG. 20 shows the status reporting device 800 communicating via couplings with
The means for wirelessly communicating 1100 may preferably include the means for wirelessly determining 1510 location of FIG. 15A, which may preferably include a radio frequency tag device. The display 3010. And the means for sensing state 1200 which includes
The means for sensing operator identity 1210, The means for container stack height sensing 1260, The crane spreader interface connection 1340, The second means for determining 1500-B location, and The means for sensing a machine state list member 1270, which provides the frequent stops count 1854, the collision state 1856, the fuel level 1858, the wind speed 1862, and vehicle speed 1864. In FIGS. 17 to 19, a second means 1500-B for determining the location of the container handler is used. The second means 1500-B may preferably be a trolley position sensor, which may be laser based.
In FIGS. 17 to 20, rubber tire gantry cam shafts and hoist position encoders are shown. These interact with the cam switch for the hoist-stack position to provide the means 1260 to sense the stack height for RTG cranes 20.
In FIGS. 17 to 20, the means 1260 for sensing the stack height may involve as many as eight separate sensor states, which may indicate whether their respective stack location is occupied.
The side picker 40 shown in FIG. 3A. The reach stacker 46 shown in FIG. 4A. The top handler 50 shown in FIG. 4C. The straddle carrier 54 shown in FIG. 4D. In FIGS. 21 to 23, the means for sensing state 1200 is disclosed in terms of the details of its contents and communications.
The means for spreader sensing 1320 may include a magnetic proximity switch on and/or near the status reporting device 800. The reverse sensor may be communicatively coupled with the reverse buzzer on the vehicle. The sixth providing 1272 of the compass reading 1860 may use the RS-422 protocol 2111. The means for sensing container landing 1330 may include a proximity switch on and/or near the status reporting device 800. The means for wirelessly communicating 1100 may be used to provide location of the vehicle. It may be further preferred that there are multiple means for wirelessly communicating, which may further preferably embody a radio frequency tag technology, including a version of the ANSI 371.1 scheme 2138. The radio frequency tag technology may preferably be compatible with the WHERENET� products. The first communicative coupling 1102 of the means for wirelessly communicating 1100 and the micro-controller module 1000 may use the RS-485 protocol 2109. In certain preferred embodiments, the status reporting device 800 of FIGS. 21 to 23, for use with the side picker 40 and/or the top handler 50, may implemented to further include the following.
It may be preferred to send the human operator messages that are displayed on the second display. These messages may include directions to pickup a container 2 from a communicated location in the terminal yard. Preferably, the means for wirelessly communicating 1100 supports a bi-directional communications protocol. The bi-directional communications protocol may preferably support a version of the IEEE 802.11 access scheme 2134. The bi-directional communications protocol may further support the reprogramming of non-volatile memory 1024. A location tag associated with the vehicle may be commanded to blink. FIG. 21 shows the status reporting device 800 communicating via couplings with
The twistlock sensed state 1314, By way of example, the spreader sensed state 1324, b may further preferably include the spreader sense state at twenty foot 1324-20, and the spread sense state at forty foot 1324-40, and the sensed landing state 1334. The spreader sensed state 1324 may include other sizes, examples of which are shown in the spreader state list 1420 of FIG. 12D. In FIGS. 18, 19, and 21, the Programmable Logic Controller 1350 further provides the computer 1010, via the second crane sensor coupling 1352, with the states of the means for container stack height sensing 1260. The Programmable Logic Controller 1350 may also sometimes preferably provide the spreader sensed state 1324.
In FIG. 22, the status reporting device 800 supports the Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) means 1500 of FIG. 14A.
The means for wirelessly communicating 1100. The display 3010. The second display 3020. And the means for sensing state 1200. In FIG. 23, the status reporting device 800 supports the location and data radio frequency tag device 1510 of FIG. 15A.
In FIG. 23, the means for sensing state 1200 preferably includes
In FIG. 24, the status reporting device 800 supports the Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) means 1500 of FIG. 14A.
The means for sensing operator identity 1210. The means for sensing container size 1216. The means for sensing container presence 1220. The means for optical container code sensing 1230. The means for sensing a machine state list member 1270, which provides the reverse motion 1852, the frequent stops count 1854, the collision state 1856, the fuel level 1858, the wind speed 1862, and the vehicle speed 1864. And a fifth wheel engage/disengage proximity sensor. FIG. 25 shows the status reporting device 800 communicating via couplings with
The means for wirelessly communicating 1100, preferably implemented using the means for wirelessly determining 1510. The display 3010. And the means for sensing state 1200. In FIG. 25, the status reporting device 800 supports the location and data radio frequency tag device 1510 of FIG. 15A.
In FIG. 25, the means for sensing state 1200 preferably includes
The means for sensing operator identity 1210. The means for sensing container presence 1220. The means for sensing a machine state list member 1270, which provides the reverse motion 1852, the frequent stops count 1854, the collision state 1856, the fuel level 1858, the wind speed 1862, and the vehicle speed 1864. And a fifth wheel engage/disengage proximity sensor. The status reporting device 800 used on the bomb cart 14 and/or the chassis 14 may preferably resemble the status reporting device 800 for the UTR truck 10 shown in FIG. 24 and 25 without those features which sense an engine and/or its fuel, as well as, sense the presence and/or identity of an operator. The status reporting device 800 may also lack the means for optical container code sensing 1230.
The status reporting device 800 of FIGS. 24 and/or 25, for the UTR truck 10 may preferably operate as follows.
The micro-controller module 1000 may sense how long the UTR truck 10 has been running. The micro-controller module 1000 may sense when the fifth wheel is engaged. The micro-controller module 1000 may sense when the brakes are applied. The micro-controller module 1000 may sense when the container 2 is a forty foot container. The micro-controller module 1000 may sense when the container 2 is a twenty foot container and positioned in the front or back of a bomb cart 14. The micro-controller module 1000 may sense when the container 2 is on a chassis. The micro-controller module 1000 may sense the compass reading 1860. Optionally, the micro-controller module 1000 may sense the fuel level 1858. Optionally, the micro-controller module 1000 may receive the sensed operator identity 1214. The means for wirelessly communicating 1100 may interface with the WHERENET� radio tag system. The means for wirelessly communicating 1100 may further be a WHERENET tag. Communication through the means for wirelessly communicating 1100 may preferably occur when a container is engaged, a container is gained or leaves a bomb cart 14, and/or when the UTR truck 10 starts to move. In certain embodiments, the status reporting device 800 may use the means for wirelessly communicating 1100 instead of the means for determining 1500 the location 1900. The means for wirelessly communicating 1100 may sensed by an external radio system to determine the container handler location. This may be preferred in terms of the cost of production of the status reporting device. The status reporting device 800 of FIG. 24 and/or 25, for the UTR truck 10 may preferably include the following sensor interfaces.
The fifth wheel engage-disengage may be sensed by a magnetic proximity switch. The vehicle speed 1864 and/or movement may be sensed by the number of revolutions of the driveshaft. The compass reading 1860 may interface using the RS-422 protocol 2111. The container presence may preferably use an ultrasonic sonar with a four to twenty milliAmp (mA) analog output. This is measured by the micro-controller module 1000 to determine the distance.
Alternatively, the container presence may use a laser to determine distance. The means for wirelessly communicating 1100 may be coupled to the micro-controller module 1000 using the RS-422 protocol 2111. The determination of location may be achieved by the means for wirelessly communicating 1100, particularly implementing the WHERENET� radio tag. The radio tag may further be commanded to blink. The reverse motion sensor may be based upon the reverse motion buzzer of the UTR truck 10. In FIGS. 5B, and 21 to 25, the status display 3010 is shown.
A second network interface coupling 1036 supports the computer 1010 communicating via the second network interface circuit 1034. The network interface circuit 1030 and the second network interface circuit 1034 may preferably support distinct serial communications protocols. By way of example, the network interface circuit 1030 may support RS-232, while the second network interface circuit 1034 may support Ethernet. Both the network interface circuit 1030 and the second network interface circuit 1034 may preferably be implemented as components within a micro-controller, which also contains the computer 1010. The status reporting device 800 and its one or more communications protocols may support use of a TCP/IP stack, HTTP, java, and possibly the use of XML.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS4820101 *Oct 9, 1986Apr 11, 1989Fenn Ronald LAutomated in-process pipe storage and retrieval systemUS5511923 *Apr 9, 1993Apr 30, 1996The Robotic Container Handling Co.Container terminal apparatus and methodUS5780826 *Mar 27, 1995Jul 14, 1998Toyo Umpanki Co., Ltd.Container handling apparatus and management systemUS6577921 *Nov 27, 2000Jun 10, 2003Robert M. CarsonContainer tracking systemUS7034683 *Dec 5, 2001Apr 25, 2006Loran Technologies, Inc.Electronic vehicle product and personnel monitoringUS7138913 *Apr 29, 2004Nov 21, 2006Transport International Pool, Inc.Selective reporting of events in asset tracking systemUS20030132855 *Sep 24, 2002Jul 17, 2003Swan Richard J.Data communication and coherence in a distributed item tracking systemUS20040126015 *Apr 17, 2003Jul 1, 2004Hadell Per AndersContainer identification and tracking system* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification340/572.1, 340/539.13, 340/539.25, 340/988, 340/539.16, 235/385, 340/8.1, 700/214International ClassificationG08B13/14Cooperative ClassificationB66C13/16, B66F9/186, B66C19/007, B66F9/0755, B66C13/18, B66C19/002European ClassificationB66C19/00F, B66C13/18, B66F9/18H, B66F9/075F, B66C19/00B, B66C13/16Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionOct 3, 2013ASAssignmentOwner name: HKI SYSTEMS AND SERVICE LLC, CALIFORNIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PACECO CORP.;REEL/FRAME:031339/0295Effective date: 20131001Mar 14, 2006ASAssignmentOwner name: PACECO CORP., CALIFORNIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KING, HENRY;TAKEHARA, TORU;REEL/FRAME:017634/0247Effective date: 20060310RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google