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, comprising:
- receiving a container code of the container handled by the container handler from an optical character recognition (OCR) component configured to sense the container code to provide an optical container characteristic including at least one instance of a member of a container code characteristic list, wherein the container code characteristic list includes a container code text, a view of the container code, and a compression of the view of the container code;
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 with respect to a twistlock state, spreader state, landing state, trolley position, or hoist height of the container handler to generate a sensed state of the container handler; and
wirelessly transmitting the sensed state for the container handler to a computer of a terminal operating system for determination of a state of the container handler as part of a container inventory management system.
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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
15 Claims
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1. A method for determining a status of a container handler configured to move a container, comprising:
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receiving a container code of the container handled by the container handler from an optical character recognition (OCR) component configured to sense the container code to provide an optical container characteristic including at least one instance of a member of a container code characteristic list, wherein the container code characteristic list includes a container code text, a view of the container code, and a compression of the view of the container code; 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 with respect to a twistlock state, spreader state, landing state, trolley position, or hoist height of the container handler to generate a sensed state of the container handler; and wirelessly transmitting the sensed state for the container handler to a computer of a terminal operating system for determination of a state of the container handler as part of a container inventory management system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus determining a status of a container handler configured to move a container, comprising:
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a computer receiving a container code of the container handled by the container handler from a separate optical character recognition (OCR) component configured to sense the container code to provide an optical container characteristic including at least one instance of a member of a container code characteristic list, wherein the container code characteristic list includes a container code text, a view of the container code, and a compression of the view of the container code; an interface receiving data from a plurality of sensors deployed proximate the container handler to determine one or more states of the container handler, and 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 with respect to a twistlock state, spreader state, landing state, trolley position, or hoist height of the container handler to generate a sensed state of the container handler; and a transmitter wirelessly transmitting from a microcontroller module the sensed state for the container handler to a computer of a terminal operating system for determination of a state of the container handler as part of a container inventory management system. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification