Container transport monitoring and analysis

• US 8,798,963 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2011
• Issued: 08/05/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Carpenter, Michael D., Delianski, Svetlozar, Krause, Matthias
• Primary Examiner(s): COSIMANO, EDWARD R
• Application Number:
  US13/075,281
• Publication Number:
  US 20110231158A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,224 Days
• Field of Search: 73/52, 734/321, 738/658, 738/663, 250/306, 250/307, 250/336.1, 250/358.1, 378/1, 378/51, 378/57, 378/62, 378/63, 702/1, 702/127, 702/187, 702/188, 702/189, 705/1.1, 705/16, 705/28, 705/330, 705/333, 705/341, 709/201, 709/217, 709/218, 709/219
• US Class Current: 702/187
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/04 and forming images of the material
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/271 using a network, e.g. a remote expert, accessing remote data or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/40 Data acquisition and logging for input to computer G06F3/00

Abstract

Systems and methods for container analysis and tracking. A method includes scanning a plurality of items by a first data processing system to generate x-ray image data of the items, each of the plurality of items having a unique identifier. The method includes performing a computer implemented image recognition process on the x-ray image data to identify the items. The method includes interactively reviewing the x-ray image data with a human operator by a second data processing system, including displaying the x-ray image data to the human operator. The method includes recording the result of the human operator'"'"'s review. The method includes determining, for each item, if the results from the computer implemented image recognition process and interactive review meet criteria for items that are exceptions that should not be shipped, and storing an exception indicator for each item using the respective unique identifier.

Claims

1. A method performed by a plurality of interconnected data processing systems, comprising:

scanning a plurality of hems by a first data processing system to generate x-ray image data of the items, each of the plurality of items having a unique identifier;

performing a computer implemented image recognition process on the x-ray image data to identify the items;

interactively reviewing the x-ray image data with a human operator by a second data processing system, including displaying the x-ray image data to the human operator;

recording the result of the human operator'"'"'s review;

determining, for each item, if the results from the computer implemented image recognition process and interactive review meet criteria for items that are exceptions that should not be shipped; and

storing an exception indicator for each item using the respective unique identifier.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

photographing the plurality of items in human-visible light by the first data processing system to generate photographic image data of the item; and

interactively reviewing the x-ray image data and photographic image data with a human operator by a second data processing system, including displaying the x-ray image data and photographic image data to the human operator.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein only items that are not exceptions are loaded into a vehicle or shipping container.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second data processing system is geographically remote from the first data processing system.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of items has a machine-readable tag with the unique identifier.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of items is associated with a container, the container having a unique container identifier.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein unique identifier for each item is associated with the container unique identifier of the container.

8. A system configured to interact with a decentralized container checking device which is provided for local checking of a container, comprising:

a central data processing system remote from the container checking device;

a first interface configured to provide a data communication between the central data processing system and the decentralized container checking device, wherein the central data processing system processes in at least a first operating mode a data record captured by the decentralized container checking device corresponding to a transport procedure of the container; and

at least one second interface configured to make the data record processed by the central data processing system available for calling-up by a decentralized organization, wherein a security measure is initiated according to the data record.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the data communication for transfer of the data record, the processing of the data record are performed as substantially real-time processes.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the central data processing system is configured to analyze the data record for determining a security-related event which affects the transport procedure.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the first interface is configured to create a data communication between the central data (processing system and the decentralized container checking device, which is operated in connection with an investigation of the container for the presence of non-permitted contents, and

wherein the investigation takes place in a security area protected according to security provisions preparatory to the transport procedures, and

wherein the central data processing system, when operating in the first one operating mode, processes the data record with relation to a security-related event occurring during the investigation.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the central data processing system processes the data record with relation to an event affecting the security area.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the central data processing system processes the data record with relation to the contents of the container.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the central data processing system is configured to make the data record available for calling-up during the presence of the container within the security area.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the first interface is configured to communicate between the central data processing system and the decentralized container checking device, and wherein the decentralized container checking device is embodied as a mobile device accompanying the container during transit of the same.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the central data processing system is configured in at least one operating mode to make the data record available to the decentralized organization during transit of the container.

17. A method, comprising:

checking a container using a decentralized container checking device to produce a data record;

transmitting the data record to a central check data processing device via an interface unit of the container checking device;

processing the data record from the check data processing device with regard to a transport procedure of the container; and

making the data record available for retrieval by a decentralized organization, wherein a security measure is initiated according to the data record.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the container is checked for the presence of non-permitted contents using an investigation device of the decentralized container checking device in a security area protected according to security provisions, the security area is monitored using a monitoring device, and data records from the investigation device and the monitoring device are transmitted to the central check data processing device.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the container is checked using a mobile checking device accompanying the container during transit, and a data record of the checking device is transmitted to the central check data processing device.