Digital Twin System for Terminal

Abstract

The present invention relates to a digital twin system for a port terminal for effectively verifying the operation of a port terminal, comprising: a data receiving unit that receives location information as time-series data from equipment for unloading and loading containers and receives data about containers from a terminal operating system; a virtual terminal operating unit that receives data from the data receiving unit and virtually generates a virtual work schedule for containers; a rendering unit that renders equipment and ports using previously stored data about equipment and ports; and a simulation unit that receives the virtual work schedule from the virtual terminal operating unit and performs the virtual work schedule in a virtual reality implemented by the rendering unit.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a digital twin system for a port terminal for effectively verifying the operation of a port terminal. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, container terminals used in port logistics not only serve as logistics bases for cargo consolidation and loading / unloading, but also manage port logistics-related information to monitor collection and inventory status.

[0003] In other words, container terminals serve as hubs for the collection and movement of containers across the globe using various modes of transport, as starting points for tracking and managing container movements, and as functions to improve the productivity of maritime and land transportation.

[0004] An operational control system is implemented to establish work execution plans for container handling and transport equipment and to issue work instructions to individual handling equipment for the unloading of containers at such container terminals.

[0005] The operation control system consists of a centralized operation control system structure in which a central server manages all crane operation managers, vessel managers, transfer vehicle operation managers, yard space managers, hinterland managers, and yard crane operation managers.

[0006] Therefore, the process manager generates work processes from unloading / loading / inflow / outflow work information received from the vessel manager and hinterland manager, distributes them to the equipment work management subsystem, and updates them whenever changes occur in the work process information.

[0007] In addition, the process manager mediates the exchange of information between different subsystems and synchronizes the operation of these equipment by managing the reservation and occupation of Transfer Points (TPs) for container exchange between quay cranes, transfer vehicles, and yard cranes.

[0008] However, container terminal operation control systems used in such port logistics face a problem in that, when computational processing demands increase due to factors such as increased container handling volume and the number of operating equipment, the system manages the entire computational load; consequently, when processes are modified due to improvements in field operations or information regarding port logistics operations is updated, not only must additional operational programs be developed at the level of changing separate equipment and source code, but significant costs are also incurred for system maintenance.

[0009] To address these issues, technologies have been proposed to collect sensor-based data using digital twins and enhance models by expanding the data, but they are limited to virtualizing container terminals. The problem to be solved

[0010] The present invention provides a digital twin system for a port terminal to effectively verify the operation of the port terminal.

[0011] The scope of the present invention is not limited by this. means of solving the problem

[0012] One aspect of the present invention provides a digital twin system of a port terminal comprising: a data receiving unit that receives location information as time-series data from equipment for unloading and loading containers and receives data about containers from a terminal operating system; a virtual terminal operating unit that receives data from the data receiving unit and virtually generates a virtual work schedule for containers; a rendering unit that renders equipment and ports using previously stored data about equipment and ports; and a simulation unit that receives the virtual work schedule from the virtual terminal operating unit and performs the virtual work schedule in a virtual reality implemented by the rendering unit.

[0013] The simulation unit can measure and compare the time taken to transfer containers from a ship to a yard by performing the placement of the equipment, the movement path of the equipment, and the usage plan of the equipment according to a plurality of virtual work schedules.

[0014] The above data receiving unit may further include a monitoring unit that applies the received data to a virtual environment implemented in the above rendering unit.

[0015] Other aspects, features, and advantages other than those described above will become clear from the following specific details, claims, and drawings for implementing the invention. Effects of the invention

[0016] A digital twin system of a port terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention can verify and optimize operational strategies by experimenting with various operational strategies in a virtual environment.

[0017] Of course, the scope of the present invention is not limited by these effects. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a digital twin system of a port terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a digital twin of a port terminal digital twin system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0019] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure are described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. As various embodiments of the present disclosure may be subject to various modifications and may have various embodiments, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail. However, this is not intended to limit the various embodiments of the present disclosure to specific forms, and it should be understood that they include all modifications and / or equivalents and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. In relation to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals have been used for similar components.

[0020] Expressions such as “comprising” or “may compose,” which may be used in various embodiments of the present disclosure, indicate the presence of the disclosed corresponding function, operation, or component, and do not limit one or more additional functions, operations, or components. Furthermore, in various embodiments of the present disclosure, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to specify the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0021] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, expressions such as “or” include any and all combinations of the words listed together. For example, “A or B” may include A, may include B, or may include both A and B.

[0022] Expressions such as "first," "second," "first," or "second" used in various embodiments of the present disclosure may modify various components of the various embodiments, but do not limit such components. For example, such expressions do not limit the order and / or importance of such components. Such expressions may be used to distinguish one component from another. For example, the first user device and the second user device are both user devices and represent different user devices. For example, without departing from the scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may be named the first component.

[0023] When it is stated that a component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but that a new component may exist between the component and the other component. On the other hand, when it is stated that a component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that no new component exists between the component and the other component.

[0024] The terms used in the various embodiments of this disclosure are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the various embodiments of this disclosure. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the various embodiments of this disclosure pertain.

[0026] Additionally, terms such as "...part," "...unit," and "...module" refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and this can be classified as hardware, software, or a combination of both.

[0027] Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in the various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] Furthermore, in this specification, 'cargo,' 'container,' and 'volume,' which are the objects of transport, may be interpreted as having the same meaning. Additionally, expressions such as 'transport,' 'delivery,' 'transfer,' 'carrying,' and 'shipping,' which refer to the action of transporting the objects to a destination, may also be interpreted as having the same meaning.

[0029] More specifically, it can be defined as follows.

[0030] A 'block' refers to a unit area where containers are placed and managed in a designated space. Since there are multiple blocks in a terminal yard, each container placed there has detailed location information (Block-Bay-Row-Tier) including the block.

[0031] A 'Yard Truck (YT)' is a piece of transport equipment responsible for transporting containers within a terminal by loading and unloading them with cargo handling equipment.

[0032] An 'External Truck (RT: Road Truck)' is an external truck that visits the terminal to bring containers into the terminal or to take them out of the terminal.

[0033] A 'yard crane' is equipment that performs the task of loading and unloading containers installed in a block onto a truck or moving containers to a different location within the same block.

[0034] 'Loading' is the process of loading a container onto a truck chassis.

[0035] 'Unloading' is the process of taking off containers loaded on a truck chassis.

[0036] 'Yard Job' refers to work information for handling containers within the yard using crane equipment, and is classified into the following various types of work.

[0037] (1) Unloading: The process of unloading a container loaded on a ship into a designated block after it has been loaded onto a yard truck.

[0038] (2) Loading: The operation of loading containers mounted on blocks onto yard trucks for loading onto ships.

[0039] (3) Rescue: The task of loading a specific container onto a yard truck to transfer it to another block.

[0040] (4) Purchase: The task of unloading a container that has been transported from another block by loading it onto a yard truck for installation.

[0041] (5) Removal: The process of loading containers to be taken out of the terminal onto an external truck.

[0042] (6) Incoming: The process of unloading containers that have entered the terminal for installation.

[0043] (7) Transfer: The operation of moving a specific container installed within the same block to another location without a yard truck.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a digital twin system of a port terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a digital twin of a digital twin system of a port terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Before explaining the system, I will describe the containers, equipment, and Terminal Operation System (TOS) operated at the port terminal.

[0047] The equipment is used for unloading containers and includes STS cranes, ARMGs, empty handlers, reach stackers, etc. These devices can unload containers from ships and load them onto a storage yard. Of course, the reverse is also possible.

[0048] Such equipment can organize location information into time-series data and transmit it to a digital twin system. For example, a reach stacker includes a GPS module to generate location information as time-series data and transmit it to a digital twin system.

[0049] Of course, this is not limited to this, and various equipment, including IoT modules, can transmit various data related to the equipment to the digital twin system.

[0050] A container is a device for storing items, etc., and is roughly shaped like a rectangular box. Such a container can transmit information to a digital twin system. Here, the information may include a container identification code and a location. Since such a container is identical or similar to a known container, a detailed description is omitted.

[0051] The Terminal Operation System (TOS) is a system for the overall operation of a container terminal, including establishing plans for vessel operations and yard operations necessary for container terminal operations, reporting work instructions and completion of terminal equipment, and work control and management.

[0052] The terminal operating system can perform the most efficient work scheduling for various types of yard operations in a container terminal block according to business processes, taking into account the terminal's operational status, priority, overall productivity of the block, and even waiting time. Since this terminal operating system is identical or similar to known terminal operating systems, a detailed description is omitted.

[0053] The aforementioned digital twin system includes a data receiving unit, a virtual terminal operating unit (virtual TOS), a rendering unit, and a simulation unit.

[0054] The data receiving unit can receive information from the equipment and the Terminal Operation System (TOS). More specifically, the data receiving unit can receive location information as time-series data from the equipment that unloads and loads containers.

[0055] For example, as described above, the reach stacker among the equipment includes a GPS module and generates real-time location information as time-series data. The data receiver can receive the equipment's real-time location information from the equipment.

[0056] In addition, the data receiving unit can receive information about containers from the terminal operating system. Here, the information about the containers may include the container's identifier, location, etc. Additionally, the data receiving unit may receive information about job scheduling from the terminal operating system.

[0057] The virtual terminal operations department performs substantially the same role as the aforementioned terminal operations system (TOS). That is, the virtual terminal operations department can establish plans for vessel operations and yard operations required for container terminal operations, report work instructions and completion of terminal equipment, and perform overall container terminal operations, such as work control and management, in a virtual reality implemented by the rendering department described later.

[0058] In particular, the virtual terminal operation unit can receive data from the data receiving unit and virtually generate a task schedule for the container. At this time, the virtual task schedule can be executed in virtual reality.

[0059] The rendering unit can render equipment and ports as 3D objects using data about equipment received from the data receiving unit and data about equipment and ports that have been stored.

[0060] More specifically, the rendering unit performs actual measurements of structures corresponding to the blueprints of port buildings / facilities / roads / bridges, and attribute information for each port building / facility / road / bridge; 3D modeling to form characters through objects similar to the actual appearance of port buildings / facilities / roads / bridges using a 3D-VR engine and facility visualization base technology; visual synchronization to adjust the shape and size of each character, and in the implementation stage, performs virtualization modeling to positionally arrange the visuals of each virtualized character according to the structure of the port building / facility / road / bridge, and outputs them to the display unit.

[0061] The simulation unit receives a virtual work schedule from the virtual terminal operation unit and can execute the virtual work schedule in the virtual reality implemented by the rendering unit. In particular, the simulation unit can verify the virtual work schedule.

[0062] For example, the simulation unit can measure and compare the time taken to transfer containers from a ship to a yard by performing equipment placement, movement paths, and usage plans according to multiple virtual work schedules. Additionally, the simulation unit can select an efficient virtual work schedule by comparing the multiple virtual work schedules. Here, "efficient" may refer to the container processing speed.

[0063] Meanwhile, the digital twin system of a port terminal may further include a monitoring unit.

[0064] The monitoring unit can apply the data received by the data receiving unit to the virtual environment implemented by the rendering unit.

[0065] For example, the monitoring unit can apply the locations of yard trucks, external trucks, and yard cranes to a virtual environment based on data including real-time location information of yard trucks, external trucks, and yard cranes.

[0066] In addition, the monitoring unit receives a work schedule from the terminal operating system and can change the location of equipment or containers according to the work schedule.

[0068] As such, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, but this is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible therefrom. Accordingly, the true technical scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

Claim 1 A digital twin system of a port terminal comprising: a data receiving unit that receives location information as time-series data from equipment for unloading and loading containers and receives data about containers from a terminal operating system; a virtual terminal operating unit that receives data from the data receiving unit and virtually generates a virtual work schedule for containers; a rendering unit that renders equipment and ports using previously stored data about equipment and ports; and a simulation unit that receives the virtual work schedule from the virtual terminal operating unit and performs the virtual work schedule in a virtual reality implemented by the rendering unit. Claim 2 A digital twin system of a port terminal according to claim 1, wherein the simulation unit performs the placement of the equipment, the movement path of the equipment, and the usage plan of the equipment according to a plurality of virtual work schedules, and measures and compares the time for transferring containers from a ship to a yard. Claim 3 A digital twin system of a port terminal, further comprising: a monitoring unit that applies data received by the data receiving unit to a virtual environment implemented in the rendering unit in the first claim.

Images