Stacked Container Tracking With AI-Guided Yard Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems for inventory management facilities face challenges in accurately tracking and updating the location of containers, especially when they are stacked, leading to inefficiencies and increased risks due to manual data recording, which results in stale inventory data and unproductive movements.

Innovation Solution

A control system utilizing container handlers equipped with sensors, geolocation devices, wireless transceivers, and controllers, coupled with servers and machine learning models, to generate and process image and geolocation data for real-time tracking and optimization of container locations within inventory management facilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual data recording by yard checkers is used to track container locations, then the system is simple to operate, but the inventory data becomes stale and accuracy decreases over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory data accuracyVSAvoiddata staleness

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical recording systems with automated electronic tracking systems including sensors, GPS devices, and machine learning models that continuously monitor container locations and update inventory databases in real-time, eliminating data staleness and improving accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service tracking where containers are automatically monitored by embedded sensors and transceivers that continuously report their own location and status data without requiring manual intervention from yard checkers, ensuring continuous up-to-date inventory information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If conventional manual tracking methods are used, then the device complexity is low, but productivity and operational efficiency deteriorate due to unproductive movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multi-functional container handlers that perform both container manipulation and data collection functions simultaneously, integrating sensors, geolocation devices, and control systems into single units that track multiple containers across different locations without requiring separate tracking infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates continuous feedback loops where sensor data from container handlers is transmitted to central servers, processed by machine learning models, and used to optimize container stacking arrangements in real-time, enabling proactive decision-making that prevents unproductive movements before they occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If real-time tracking with sensors and machine learning models is implemented, then inventory data accuracy and productivity improve, but device complexity and initial costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation tracking accuracyVSAvoidtracking system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the tracking system into modular segments where individual container handlers are equipped with specific sensor packages and communication devices, allowing the system to scale incrementally and reducing the complexity burden on any single component while maintaining overall system accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces wireless transceivers and communication networks as intermediaries that bridge the gap between physical container handlers and central processing servers, enabling real-time data exchange without requiring complex direct connections or physical infrastructure modifications at each handling location

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250376327A1System for Identifying, Tracking, Controlling, and/or Optimizing Stacked Shipping Assets in an Inventory Management Facility and Related Methods

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 ALL TERMINAL SERVICES LLC (D B A CONGLOBAL TECH)

AI summary

A control system is provided for inventory management facility with a plurality of containers. The control system includes a server, and a container handler operable within the inventory management facility. The container handler tractor comprises onboard sensors configured to generate sensor data of at least one container of the plurality of containers, a geolocation device configured to generate a geolocation value for the at least one container, a wireless transceiver, and a controller coupled to the onboard sensors, the geolocation device, and the wireless transceiver. The controller is configured to transmit the sensor data and the geolocation value for the at least one container to the server. The server is in communication with the container handler and is configured to generate a database associated with the sensor data, the database comprising, for each container, a container logo image and the geolocation value. The geolocation value includes a latitude value, a longitude value, and an altitude value.