Optical Characteristic System Management for Container Handlers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical characteristic systems on container handlers face operational management challenges, including power cycling, diagnostics, maintenance notification, and interfacing with container inventory management systems, which are not efficiently addressed, especially in coordinating multiple instances and handling poorly readable container numbers.
Innovation Solution
A Supervisory & Remote Diagnostic System (SRDS) control module, management circuit, and server interface are implemented to initiate operational processes, select and communicate optical characteristic system operations based on schedules, and transmit container code estimates to inventory management systems, using processors and imaging hardware to capture and enhance container images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple optical characteristic systems are deployed on container handlers, then container code recognition coverage is improved, but operational management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A central management system acts as an intermediary between multiple optical characteristic systems and the container inventory management system. This intermediary coordinates power cycling, schedules diagnostics, manages updates, and aggregates data from all optical systems, thereby maintaining high recognition coverage while centralizing and simplifying operational management.
Solution Approach 2:
The management system performs multiple functions including power cycle coordination, diagnostic scheduling, maintenance notification, update management, and data aggregation. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional system, the patent reduces the number of separate management components needed while improving overall system coordination and reliability.
2Reliability
If diagnostic procedures are frequently run to ensure system readiness, then system reliability is improved, but loss of operational time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring, the system implements periodic diagnostic actions scheduled in advance. The management system coordinates diagnostic runs at specific intervals or before anticipated operational periods, ensuring systems are verified to be ready without continuously interrupting operations. This periodic approach maintains reliability while minimizing operational time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
Diagnostic procedures are scheduled and executed in advance of anticipated operational needs. The management system proactively initiates diagnostics before containers require handling, ensuring systems are verified ready beforehand rather than causing interruptions during actual operations. This preliminary action approach maintains system readiness while preserving operational continuity.
3Speed
If optical characteristic systems are continuously operated to maintain readiness, then response time is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The management system implements periodic power cycling of optical characteristic systems rather than continuous operation. Systems are powered on and verified through scheduled diagnostics, then powered down during non-operational periods. This periodic operation maintains the ability to respond to container handling needs while dramatically reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The management system automatically coordinates power cycling and diagnostic scheduling without requiring manual intervention. It monitors operational needs, schedules appropriate power-on/diagnostic periods, and manages system states autonomously. This self-service approach ensures systems are ready when needed while minimizing energy consumption, without requiring continuous human oversight or manual system activation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables efficient operational management of optical characteristic systems, ensuring reliable container code recognition and maintenance coordination, improving the accuracy and efficiency of container handling operations across multiple systems and inventory management.
Implementation Method 1
at least one camera to create an image of a container by an apparatus on a container handler
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and several apparatus embodiments are disclosed operating Optical Characteristic Systems (OCS) in a container storage and/or transfer yard supporting the automated recognition of container codes displayed on various sides of the containers being stored and/or transferred. At least one processor may initiate an operational process by an OCS mounted on a container handler to create an operational result, select the operational process based upon an operational schedule and communicate with at least one OCS to receive an image of a container being handled by the container handler to at least partly create a container code estimate for a container inventory management system. A program system directing at least one computer implementing these operations, and may reside in computer readable memory, an installation package and/or a download server. The computer readable memory may or may not be accessibly coupled to the computer.