Virtual Yard Mapping for Real-Time Trailer Space Occupancy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Managing trailer yards efficiently is challenging due to the difficulty in accurately identifying and associating assets, such as trailers, with specific parking spaces, especially when they are partially or fully positioned between boundaries, and determining their occupancy status in real-time.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing a controller to create a virtual map of the yard, correlating image data from sensors with GPS coordinates, and determining asset positions and identities, allowing for the association of assets with bounded regions and issuing move commands based on occupancy thresholds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual methods are used to identify and track trailers in the yard, then operational simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision and real-time tracking accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveasset position identification accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical tracking methods with an automated vision-based system using cameras, image processing algorithms, and computer vision techniques to detect, identify, and track trailer positions and orientations automatically, significantly improving measurement precision while maintaining manageable system complexity through software-based solutions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates virtual copies of the physical yard environment through photogrammetry and image processing, generating 2D images and 3D models that represent the actual trailer positions and yard layout, enabling accurate tracking and management without direct physical measurement intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If the yard operates without automated asset tracking, then system complexity is low, but productivity and real-time management capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveyard operation efficiencyVSAvoidcontroller and sensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller system performs multiple functions including image acquisition, image processing, asset identification, position calculation, and virtual map generation within a single integrated platform, improving productivity while managing complexity through multi-functional design rather than separate dedicated systems for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service operation where the automated vision system independently performs asset tracking, position determination, and virtual map updates without requiring constant human intervention, thereby improving productivity while the standardized algorithms keep system complexity manageable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If traditional methods are used to determine asset occupancy status, then ease of operation is maintained, but measurement precision and real-time detection capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoccupancy status detection accuracyVSAvoidasset position and orientation detection difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces difficult manual detection methods with automated image processing and computer vision algorithms that analyze camera images to precisely determine asset positions, orientations, and occupancy status, improving measurement precision while the automation reduces the practical difficulty of detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces image data as an intermediary between the physical asset and the detection system, using processed images and virtual representations to mediate the measurement process, thereby improving occupancy detection accuracy while simplifying the overall measurement task through intermediate digital representations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240361778A1System and method for managing a yard

Publication Date: 2024.10.31 ISEE

AI summary

A method of associating at least one asset with a bounded region in a yard is presented, the method including determining a virtual map of the yard including one or more bounded regions, bounded regions of the one or more bounded regions being regions in the yard where the at least one asset may be placed; determining a correspondence between points on the virtual map and coordinates in the yard; receiving an image from an image sensor positioned in the yard, the image including one or more assets; based on a pose of the image sensor, the correspondence, and positions of the one or more bounded regions, determining, the positions of the one or more bounded regions in the image; updating the virtual map to indicate that at least one asset is present within the first bounded region.