Method and apparatus for making status reporting devices for container handlers
First Claim
1. A method for determining a status of a container handler configured to move a container of at least 20 feet in length, comprising:
- receiving data from a plurality of sensors deployed proximate the container handler to determine one or more states of the container handler;
receiving data of the one or more states from the plurality of sensors in a microcontroller module configured to provide at least one member of a crane state list specifying a configuration of a structure element of the container handler to generate a sensed state of the container handler;
receiving at least one of global positioning system (GPS) data or radio location tag data for the container handler to determine a location of the container handler;
wirelessly transmitting from the microcontroller module the sensed state and the GPS data for the container handler to a computer of a terminal operating system for determination of a location and state of the container handler.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mechanism and method for making status reporting devices for container handlers, including: providing a micro-controller module, and installing a program system into memory accessed by a computer directing the micro-controller module. The micro-controller module communicatively couples with means for wirelessly communicating and for sensing a state of the container handler. Means for wirelessly communicating may include means for wirelessly determining container handler location. The micro-controller module may be communicatively coupled to a separate means for determining location. An apparatus making the devices may include a second program system directing the invention'"'"'s method through a second computer, which may control an assembly device in creating the micro-controller, coupled with the means for sensing and for wirelessly communicating.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for determining a status of a container handler configured to move a container of at least 20 feet in length, comprising:
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receiving data from a plurality of sensors deployed proximate the container handler to determine one or more states of the container handler; receiving data of the one or more states from the plurality of sensors in a microcontroller module configured to provide at least one member of a crane state list specifying a configuration of a structure element of the container handler to generate a sensed state of the container handler; receiving at least one of global positioning system (GPS) data or radio location tag data for the container handler to determine a location of the container handler; wirelessly transmitting from the microcontroller module the sensed state and the GPS data for the container handler to a computer of a terminal operating system for determination of a location and state of the container handler. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for determining the status of a container handler, comprising:
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receiving data from a microcontroller controlled by a processor executing program instructions; receiving data from a sensing component coupled to the microcontroller and configured to sense a state of the container handler and to provide at least one member of a crane state list specifying a configuration of a structure element of the container handler to create a sensed state of the container handler with respect to a characteristic of at least one of a container handler operator and a container manipulated by the container handler, wherein the characteristic of the container manipulated by the container handler comprises a location of the container relative to the container handler as derived from the sensed state of the container handler; providing a wireless communication component coupled to the microcontroller and configured to transmit the sensed state of the container handler, the wireless communication module using a serial wireless communications protocol and a wireless modulation-demodulation scheme; and accessing a memory coupled to the microcontroller and storing the program instructions to control the sensing component and the wireless communication component. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification