CONTAINER INSPECTION SYSTEM

• US 20070276619A1
• Filed: 12/28/2004
• Published: 11/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amsted Rail Company Incorporated (Amsted Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Great American Lines Incorporated (Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chester, John, Haygood, Hal, Poole, Stephen, Stout, Robert, Freelund, Avrum, Sugahara, Byron, Goertz, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,324,921 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/82
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 1/101 for containers B66C1/223 and B66C1/663 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 13/16 Applications of indicating, registering, or weighing devices in crane hooks B66C1/40; in safety gear B66C15/00; weighing-apparatus G01G; remote indicating in general G08
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 13/46 Position indicators for suspended loads or for crane elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 7/00 Details of radiation-measuring instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/271 using a network, e.g. a remote expert, accessing remote data or the like

Abstract

The container inspection system operates globally at container handling facilities around the world and includes at least one transport apparatus located at a container handling facility having a spreader or other framework for connecting and handling cargo containers of all shapes and sizes. The transport apparatus is in communication with a computer network including several computing devices that provide to the transport apparatus comparison data including load models, load signatures, weight profile, and sensory limits related to a particular container. Sensors can be located on the spreader, inside the container, and invasively through the container and provide scanned characteristic data that is compared to the comparison data to determine a pass status or a fail status for the container. Ancillary data and authority input may be provided to the system by outside sources, such as other inspection systems and governmental entities. The transport apparatuses then move the connected container to a first location if a pass status is determined and a second location if a fail status is determined. The computer network may include a global host computer, a local host computer, and a local transport computer and employs expert system methodology.

Claims

1. A global container inspection system for inspecting at least one container during the handling of said at least one container at an at least one container handling facility including at least one transport apparatus in communication with a computer network, comprising:

means, located on said at least one transport apparatus, for receiving at least one comparison data selected from the group consisting of load model, load signature, weight profile, and sensory limits for said at least one container;

means, responsive to connecting said at least one transport apparatus to said at least one container, for scanning said at least one container to produce at least one scanned characteristic data;

means, responsive to said at least one scanned characteristic data, for determining a pass status for said at least one container when said at least one scanned characteristic data substantially matches said at least one comparison data related to said at least one scanned characteristic data and a fail status for said at least one container when at least one of said scanned characteristic data does not substantially match said at least one comparison data related to said at least one scanned characteristic data; and

means, responsive to the receipt of at least one of said pass status and said fail status, for selecting a first location to move said at least one container by said transport apparatus based on said pass status and a second location to move said at least one container by said transport apparatus based on said fail status and transporting said at least one container with said at least one transport apparatus to said selected location.

2. The global container inspection system of claim 1 wherein said computer network comprises:

means for receiving said at least one scanned characteristic data from said means for scanning.

3. The global container inspection system of claim 2 wherein said computer network further comprises:

means for producing at least one of said load model, said weight profile, said load signature, and said sensory limits for said at least one container from said received at least one scanned characteristic data.

4. The global container inspection system of claim 1 wherein said means for scanning further comprises:

means for identifying said at least one container for receiving said comparison data for determining said pass status and said fail status based on said at least one scanned characteristic data for said at least one container.

5. The global container inspection system of claim 1 wherein said computer network comprises:

global host computing means for providing at least one of said load model, load signature, weight profile, and sensory limits.

6. The global container inspection system of claim 5 wherein said computer network further comprises:

local host computing means for receiving said comparison data from said global host computing means.

7. The global container inspection system of claim 1 wherein said computer network further comprises:

transport apparatus computing means for receiving a least one of said at least one scanned characteristic data and said comparison data.

8. The global container inspection system of claim 1 wherein said at least one scanned characteristic data is selected from the group consisting of x-ray data, gamma ray data, infrared data, acoustic data, chemical data, biological data, ultraviolet data, weight data, motion data, light data, sonic data, radiation data, neutron data, identification indicia, tamper data, electronic seal data, temperature data, intrusion data, vibration data, density data, manifest data, bill of lading data, container condition data, transport type data, transport type data, transport identification data, carrier type data, event type data, date, time, location, relinquished and received by data, comments, source of data, manufacturer data, consolidator data, sensor data, routing information shipper data, consignee data, and transport history.

9. The global container inspection system of claim 1 wherein said at least one comparison data is selected from the group consisting of x-ray data, gamma ray data, infrared data, acoustic data, chemical data, biological data, ultraviolet data, weight data, motion data, light data, sonic data, radiation data, neutron data, identification indicia, tamper data, electronic seal data, temperature data, intrusion data, vibration data, density data, manifest data, bill of lading data, container condition data, transport type data, transport type data, transport identification data, carrier type data, event type data, date, time, location, relinquished and received by data, comments, source of data, manufacturer data, consolidator data, sensor data, routing information shipper data, consignee data, and transport history.

10. The global container inspection system of claim 1 wherein said means for storing further comprises:

means for receiving at least one comparison data for said at least one container not provided by said means for scanning.

11. The global container inspection system of claim 5 wherein said global host computing means for providing further comprises:

means for archiving said scanned at least one characteristic data related to said at least one container.

12. The global container inspection system of claim 11 wherein said means for archiving comprises:

means for updating said at least one comparison data based on the received said at least one scanned characteristic data.

13. The global container inspection system of claim 1 wherein said means for scanning comprises:

at least one means for scanning located outside of said at least one container.

14. The global container inspection system of claim 1 wherein said means for scanning comprises:

at least one means for scanning located inside of said at least one container.

15. The global container inspection system of claim 1 wherein said means for scanning comprises:

means for adjusting said means for scanning relative to said at least one container for optimizing the effectiveness of said means for scanning.

16. The global container inspection system of claim 1 wherein said means for scanning comprises:

means for protecting said scanning means during non-operation of said means for scanning.

17. The global container inspection system of claim 1 further comprises:

means for calibrating said means for scanning.

18. The global container inspection system of claim 1 wherein said at least one container further comprises:

means for accepting an at least one invasive sensor for scanning the interior of said container.

19. The global container inspection system of claim 18 wherein said means for accepting further comprises;

means for covering said means for accepting for preventing unauthorized entry into said means for accepting.

20. The global container inspection system of claim 19 wherein said means for covering further comprises:

means for operating said means for covering.

21. The global container inspection system of claim 18 wherein said means for accepting is captive with said at least one container.

22. The global container inspection system of claim 20 wherein said means for operating further comprises:

means for communicating between said means for scanning and said means for operating for enabling access to said means for accepting.

23. The global container inspection system of claim 22 wherein said means for communicating comprises a secure network.

24. The global container inspection system of claim 1 wherein said means for determining further comprises:

means for adjusting said sensory limit based on conditions experienced by said at least one container.

25. A global container inspection system for inspecting at least one container during handling of said at least one container at an at least one container handling facility including at least one transport apparatus for moving said at least one container, comprising:

at least one spreader connected to said at least one transport apparatus located in said at least one container handling facility for connecting to said at least one container;

at least one sensor connected to said at least one spreader to scan said at least one container to produce at least one scanned characteristic data;

at least one local transport computer, located on at least one of said at least one transport apparatus and said at least one spreader in communication with said at least one sensor, for receiving an at least one comparison data selected from the group consisting of load model, load signature, weight profile, and sensory limits related to said at least one container;

at least one local host computer in communication with said at least one local transport computer for receiving from said at least one local transport computer said at least one scanned characteristic data and transmitting to said at least one transport computer said at least one comparison data; and

a global host computer in communication with said at least one local host computer for receiving from said at least one local host computer said at least one scanned characteristic data and transmitting to said at least at least one local host computer said at least one comparison data.

26. The global container inspection system of claim 25 wherein said at least one transport apparatus determines a pass status for said at least one container when all of said at least one scanned characteristic data substantially matches all of said at least on comparison data related to said at least one scanned characteristic data and a fail status for said at least one container when at least one of said scanned characteristic data is does not substantially match said sensory limit of all of said at least one comparison data related to said at least one scanned characteristic data.

27. The global container inspection system of claim 26 wherein said at least one transport apparatus, responsive to the receipt of at least one of said pass status and said fail status, selects a first location to move said at least one container by said transport apparatus based on said pass status and a second location to move said at least one container by said transport apparatus based on said fail status and transporting said at least one container with said at least one transport apparatus to said selected location.

28. The global container inspection system of claim 25 wherein said at least one scanned characteristic is selected from the group consisting of x-ray data, gamma ray data, infrared data, acoustic data, chemical data, biological data, ultraviolet data, weight data, motion data, light data, sonic data, radiation data, neutron data, identification indicia, tamper data, electronic seal data, temperature data, intrusion data, vibration data, density data, manifest data, bill of lading data, container condition data, transport type data, transport type data, transport identification data, carrier type data, event type data, date, time, location, relinquished and received by data, comments, source of data, manufacturer data, consolidator data, sensor data, routing information shipper data, consignee data, and transport history.

29. The global container inspection system of claim 25 wherein said at least one comparison data are selected from the group consisting of x-ray data, gamma ray data, infrared data, acoustic data, chemical data, biological data, ultraviolet data, weight data, motion data, light data, sonic data, radiation data, neutron data, identification indicia, tamper data, electronic seal data, temperature data, intrusion data, vibration data, density data, manifest data, bill of lading data, container condition data, transport type data, transport type data, transport identification data, carrier type data, event type data, date, time, location, relinquished and received by data, comments, source of data, manufacturer data, consolidator data, sensor data, routing information shipper data, consignee data, and transport history.

30. The global container inspection system of claim 25 wherein said at least one local host computer stores said at least one comparison data for each of said at least one scanned characteristic data.

31. The global container inspection system of claim 25 wherein said global host computer includes a database of stored said at least one scanned characteristic data.

32. The global container inspection system of claim 25 wherein said at least one local transport computer compares said at least one comparison data with said at least one scanned characteristic data.

33. The global container inspection system of claim 25 wherein said at least one spreader is adjustable to said at least one container.

34. The global container inspection system of claim 25 wherein said communication is via a secure link.

35. The global container inspection system of claim 25 wherein said at least one sensor is selected from the group of consisting of x-ray sensors, gamma ray sensors, infrared sensors, acoustic sensors, chemical sensors, biological sensors, ultraviolet sensors, weight sensors, motion sensors, light sensors, sonic sensors, radiation sensors, neutron sensors, identification sensors, radio frequency identification sensors, intrusion sensors, electronic tamper sensors, electronic seal sensors, temperature sensors, intrusion sensors, vibration sensors, container condition sensors, and density sensors.

36. The global container inspection system of claim 25 wherein said at least one transport apparatus is selected from the group consisting of cranes, gantry cranes, rubber tire gantries, stackers top-loaders, straddle cranes, fork trucks and side-loaders.

37. The global container inspection system of claim 25 wherein said communication is performed in accordance with standards selected from the group consisting of governmental, industrial, and international standards.

38. The global container inspection system of claim 25 wherein said at least one container includes an at least one sensory portal for accepting an at least one invasive sensor located on said at least one spreader, said at least one sensory portal located on said at container according to established interlock position standards.

39. The global container inspection system of claim 25 wherein said at least one spreader includes a cover for said at least one sensor for providing protection for said at least one sensor during non-operation of said at least one sensor.

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57. A method for inspecting a container during the handling of said container located within a container handling facility including at least one transport apparatus connected to a spreader having at least one sensor attached to said spreader, said at least one sensor in communication with a local transport computer located on said at least one transport apparatus comprising:

storing on said local transport computer an at least one comparison data for said container;

identifying said container by said at least one sensor;

engaging said spreader to said container;

scanning said container with said at least one sensor to produce at least one scanned characteristic data;

transmitting said at least one scanned characteristic data to said local transport computer;

comparing said at least one scanned characteristic data with said at least one comparison data; and

moving said container with said spreader based on said comparison.

58. The method for inspecting a container of claim 57 wherein said moving includes moving said container to a first location if all of said at least one scanned characteristic data substantially matches said at least one comparison data.

59. The method for inspecting a container of claim 57 wherein said moving includes moving said container to a second location if any one of said at least one scanned characteristic data does not substantially match said at least one comparison data.

60. The method for inspecting a container of claim 57 wherein said at least one comparison data is selected from the group consisting of load model, load signature, weight profile, and sensory limits.

61. The method for inspecting a container of claim 57 wherein said at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of x-ray sensors, gamma ray sensors, infrared sensors, acoustic sensors, chemical sensors, biological sensors, ultraviolet sensors, weight sensors, motion sensors, light sensors, sonic sensors, radiation sensors, neutron sensors, identification sensors, radio frequency identification sensors, electronic tamper sensors, electronic seal sensors, temperature sensors, intrusion sensors, vibration sensors, container condition sensors, and density sensors.

62. The method for inspecting a container of claim 57 wherein said at least one scanned characteristic data is selected from the group consisting of x-ray data, gamma ray data, infrared data, acoustic data, chemical data, biological data, ultraviolet data, weight data, motion data, light data, sonic data, radiation data, neutron data, identification indicia, tamper data, electronic deal data, temperature data, intrusion data, vibration data, density data, manifest data, bill of lading data, container condition data, transport type data, transport identification data, carrier type data, event type data, date, time, location, relinquished and received by data, comments, source of data, manufacturer data, consolidator data, sensor data, routing information, shipper data, consignee data, and transport history.

63. The method for inspecting a container of claim 57 wherein said at least one comparison data are selected from the group consisting of x-ray data, gamma ray data, infrared data, acoustic data, chemical data, biological data, ultraviolet data, weight data, motion data, light data, sonic data, radiation data, neutron data, identification indicia, tamper data, electronic deal data, temperature data, intrusion data, vibration data, density data, manifest data, bill of lading data, container condition data, transport type data, transport identification data, carrier type data, event type data, date, time, location, relinquished and received by data, comments, source of data, manufacturer data, consolidator data, sensor data, routing information, shipper data, consignee data, and transport history.

64. The method for inspecting a container of claim 57 wherein said engaging said to spreader to said container further includes repositioning said at least one sensors into a scanning position relative to said container.

65. The method for inspecting a container of claim 57 further comprising calibrating said at least one sensor for correcting any sensor drift resulting from use of said at least one sensor.

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