CN101437745A - Method and apparatus using radio-location tags to report status for a container handler - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention includes apparatus and methods using a means for wirelessly communicating, preferably a radio location-tag unit, for reporting a sensed state of a container handler. The status reporting device may include: a micro-controller module, a means for wirelessly communicating, which may include means for wirelessly determining container handler location, and a means for sensing the state of the container handler.

Description

Method and apparatus for reporting container handler status using radio location tags

Background of the invention

field of invention

The present invention relates to container handler status reporting devices and methods of constructing these devices. A container handler will be used herein to refer to equipment, typically operated by an operator, that moves containers that are at least 20 feet in length.

Background Information

The container handling area is the transshipment point between sea freight and road freight. These container handling areas must maintain inventory control of an ever-increasing number of containers. The basic unit of transshipment is a container with 5 sizes of 10 feet, 20 feet, 30 feet, 40 feet and 45 feet. These containers can weigh up to 110,000 pounds or 50,000 kilograms when full, making them impossible to move except by machinery.

Over the past few years, there has been an increasing demand for real-time reporting of container activity in all container handling areas.

As will be known below, the point of transfer between ocean transport and land transport is the quayside crane or quay crane. Berthing operations involve transferring containers between a container ship and land transport by one of these quay cranes. Mechanisms for inspecting containers and/or creating a persistent record of the visual condition of the containers are often required while in transit. Personnel involved may intentionally or unintentionally mislead container inventory management systems and dock management. Containers can reach their destination with their contents damaged, leading to the potential for lawsuits and insurance claims against loading bay management. Berthing operations can be considered as loading and unloading of containers onto container ships.

Quay cranes unload the containers onto UTR trucks that sometimes carry the containers on specialized trailers called tank wagons. UTR trucks move containers around the loading area, transferring containers between one or more stacking yards and quay cranes. In a stacking yard, several different cranes may be used to place the containers in stacks, or possibly to load or unload them onto trucks used to move the containers outside the loading and unloading area.

There is a growing need to continuously monitor the status of container handlers around the loading area. If the dock management knows the status and/or location of each container handler, the overall dock efficiency will tend to increase. Illegal use of container handlers can be minimized through the use of operator identification equipment. Container codes may need to be observed and recorded at various points in the loading area transshipment operation. It may be necessary to take photos of the condition of the container when the container leaves the ship, or when it is loaded on the ship.

There's also the issue of scale, however. While millions of containers move in and out of countries such as the United States every year, there are far fewer container handlers. To make matters worse, there are many different kinds of container handlers. Some handlers such as UTR trucks, front end loaders (FEL), and tank wagons handle containers differently than cranes. As used herein, front loaders will refer to top handlers (also known as top loaders) and side handlers (also known as side pickers). The various crane-based container handlers vary widely in construction. Some have centralized control called a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), and some do not. Therefore, these reporting devices that allow container tracking represent small scale production runs. These small production runs involve many changes in the circuitry and coupling for these different types of container handlers, with attendant high setup and manufacturing costs. These reporting devices require a modular manufacturing approach that can easily accommodate container handler changes while minimizing cost and maximizing reliability.

Over the past few years, various radio frequency tag devices have entered the market. These devices are typically capable of providing a mechanism for identifying themselves and reporting their location through a wireless communication protocol, often one or more variants of IEEE 802.11. Some of these devices rely on local wireless networks to assist them in determining location. While these devices are useful, they cannot satisfy all the requirements of a container handler with regard to status reporting. What is needed are mechanisms and methods that use the capabilities of radio frequency tagging devices to provide an integrated solution for various container handling equipment needs, report container handler status, and/or provide visibility into containers being handled.

Brief description of the invention

The present invention relates to status reporting devices for container handlers and methods of constructing these devices. A container handler will be used herein to refer to equipment, typically operated by an operator, that moves containers that are at least 20 feet in length.

The present invention includes an apparatus and method for reporting sensed status of a container handler using a wireless communication device, preferably a radio location tag unit. The status reporting device may include: a microcontroller module; wireless communication means which may include means for wirelessly determining the position of the container handler; and means for sensing the status of the container handler. The present invention includes apparatus and methods of constructing a status reporting device for a container handler. Manufacturing is done in a modular and efficient manner, which enables the use of a relatively small number of different components to meet the needs of various container handlers.

A container handler will herein refer to equipment, typically manned by an operator, that can move containers of at least 20 feet in length. International business primarily uses containers that are approximately 10 feet, 20 feet, 30 feet, 40 feet or 45 feet in length.

A method of constructing these status reporting devices includes the following steps. Set up the microcontroller module. A program system is installed in a memory accessible by the computer to direct the microcontroller module.

The microcontroller module is communicatively coupled with the wireless communication device and the container handler status sensing device.

The program system includes program steps residing in memory. These procedural steps include the following. A sensed state is created using a container handler state sensing device. And a wireless communication device is used to communicate the sensed state of the container handler.

In many preferred applications of the status reporting device, the wireless communication device is linked to a container inventory management system, sometimes referred to as a dock operating system. The sensed status may preferably be communicated to another computer, preferably associated with the loading bay operating system.

Sensing devices may include, but are not limited to, devices for any combination of the following functions:

Sensing operator identity.

A container present on, or coupled to, the container handler is sensed.

Optically senses the container code on the container.

Radio frequency sensing of radio frequency tags on containers.

Sensing the stacking height of containers.

At least one member of the machine status list of the container handler is sensed. The machine status list can include reverse motion, frequent stop counts, collisions, oil level, and compass readings. The machine status list can also include wind speed, equipment uptime and vehicle speed.

At least one member of the crane state list is sensed. The crane state list may include sensed twistlock state, sensed spreader state, sensed landing state, trolley position, and hoist height.

Sensing container size.

Sensing container weight.

Sensing container damage.

The wireless communication means may include means for wirelessly determining the location of the container handler. Alternatively, the microcontroller module may be communicatively coupled to an at least partially separate container handler positioning device. The positioning means may include an interface to a Global Positioning System (GPS). The wireless communication device may include a radio location tag unit.

Container handlers are container handlers that include UTR trucks, tank wagons, rubber-tyred gantry cranes, quay cranes, side pickers, top loaders, top handlers, arm stackers, straddle carriers, and chassis rotators At least one member of the list.

The memory may comprise non-volatile memory, which may further contain at least a part of at least one of the various program steps of the present invention. The installer system may include altering at least a portion of the non-volatile memory, or installing a memory module containing at least a portion of at least one of the program steps in the non-volatile memory, to create at least a portion of the memory accessible by the computer. part. As used herein, a computer may be part of a microcontroller.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows three types of container handlers: rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes and UTR trucks hauling tank frames;

Figure 2 shows another container handler, referred to herein as a quayside crane;

Figure 3A shows another container handler referred to herein as a side picker;

Figure 3B shows a stack of containers defining what is referred to herein as a stack height;

Figure 4A shows another container handler referred to herein as an arm stacker;

Figure 4B shows a list of container handlers;

Figure 4C shows the top handler;

Figure 4D shows a straddle carrier;

Figures 5A and 5B show racks of status reporting equipment and sensors used on various container handlers;

Figure 6A shows a system for constructing a status reporting device for the container handlers of Figures 1, 2, 3A, 4A and 4B;

Figure 6B shows a flow chart of the program system in the status reporting device of Figure 6A;

FIG. 7A shows a modification of the status reporting system of FIG. 6A coupled to a wireless communication device by a network interface circuit (NIC);

Figure 7B shows the detailed flowchart of Figure 6B also using wireless communication means;

FIG. 7C shows another embodiment, which is often the preferred embodiment of the manufacturing system of FIGS. 6A and 7A , including a second computer directing at least in part the means for creating a status reporting device;

8A shows a flow diagram of the program system of FIG. 7C embodying certain aspects of constructing the status reporting device of FIGS. 6A and 7A;

FIG. 8B shows a detail of FIG. 8A also provided with a microcontroller module to the system of FIG. 6A;

Figure 8C shows a list of serial protocols;

Figure 8D shows a list of wireless modem schemes;

Figure 9A shows a modification of a portion of the wireless modem scheme list of Figure 8D;

Fig. 9B shows some improvements of the container handler status sensing device of Figs. 6A and 7A;

Figure 10A shows some refinements of the sensed states of Figures 6A and 7A;

Figure 10B shows a list of container code properties;

Figure 10C shows some preferred alternative embodiments of the optical sensing device for the container code on the container of Figure 9B;

Figure 10D shows another preferred embodiment of a stack height sensing device comprising a stack height sensor interface to a stack height sensor on a container handler;

Figure 10E shows a preferred embodiment of a machine status list;

Figures 11A and 11B show an exemplary view of Figure 10B of the container code optically visible on the side of the container of Figures 1, 3A and 4A;

Figure 11C shows an example of the container code text of Figure 10B;

Figure 12A shows some details of the list of crane sensor devices associated with each member in Figure 9B;

Figure 12B shows some details of the crane status list associated with each member in Figures 9B and 10A;

Figure 12C shows some details of the spinlock status list associated with each member in Figure 12A;

Figure 12D shows some details of the hanger status list associated with the various members in Figure 12A;

Figure 12E shows some details of the landing status list associated with each member in Figure 12A;

Figure 13A shows a modification of the status reporting device 800 of Figures 6A and 7A in which the sensing means includes a coupling to the crane pylon interface;

Figure 13B shows a modification of the status reporting device of Figures 6A and 7A in which the sensing means includes a coupling to a programmable logic controller (PLC);

Figure 14A shows the set-up device of Figures 6A and 7A further comprising means for coupling the microcontroller module to the container handler positioning device;

FIG. 14B shows the detailed flow diagram of FIG. 8A coupled with the container handler state sensing device of FIGS. 6A and 7A also provided for the microcontroller module;

Figure 14C shows a detail of Figure 8A coupled to the container handler positioning device of Figure 14A also provided for a microcontroller module;

Figure 15A shows a wireless communication device including a wireless communication device for determining the position of a container handler;

Figure 15B shows details of the program system of Figures 6A and 6B for determining and communicating the location of the container handler;

Figure 16A shows the memory of Figure 6A including non-volatile memory;

FIG. 16B shows a specific flow chart of FIG. 8A for installing the program system of FIG. 6A;

Figures 17 to 20 illustrate various embodiments of status reporting devices for the rubber-tyred gantry crane of Figure 1 and the quay crane of Figure 2;

Figures 21 to 23 show various embodiments of status reporting devices for the side picker of Figure 3A, the arm stacker of Figure 4A, the top loader of Figure 4C, the straddle carrier of Figure 4D;

24 and 25 illustrate various embodiments of status reporting devices for the UTR truck and/or tank frame/chassis of FIG. 1 .

Description of the preferred embodiment

The present invention includes an apparatus and method for reporting a sensed status of a container handler using a wireless communication device, preferably a radio location tag unit. The status reporting device may include: a microcontroller module; wireless communication means which may include means for wirelessly determining the position of the container handler; and means for sensing the status of the container handler. The present invention includes apparatus and methods for constructing a container handler status reporting device. Manufacturing is done in a modular and efficient manner, which enables the use of a relatively small number of different components to meet the needs of various container handlers.

A container handler 78 will herein refer to equipment, typically operated by an operator, that moves containers 2 having a length of at least 20 feet. International commerce primarily uses containers that are approximately 20 feet to 45 feet in length. Containers can weigh up to 110,000 pounds or 50,000 kilograms when fully loaded. The container 2 may be at least 8 feet wide. The height of the container can be at least 8 feet 6 inches.

As used herein, container handler 78 will refer to at least one member of container handler list 80 shown in FIG. 4B . The container handler list 80 includes, but is not limited to, the following members.

A UTR truck 10 , a tank truck 14 , and a rubber-tyred gantry crane 20 , often abbreviated as an RTG crane, are shown in FIG. 1 .

It should be noted that the tank frame 4 is also called a container chassis when the container 2 is fastened.

In container handling areas, containers are usually not bolted to tank wagon frames.

A quay crane 30 is shown in FIG. 2 .

A side picker 40 is shown in Figure 3A.

Arm stacker 46, shown in Figure 4A.

The top handler 50 is shown in Figure 4C.

The straddle carrier 54 is shown in Figure 4D.

Chassis rotating machine 58 . A chassis rotator is used to rotate the chassis used to haul one or more containers.

Its operation and requirements are similar to other container handlers, except that its linear position is fixed.

More relevant to these container handlers is the use of their position 1900 as an angular measure of their orientation to the container 2 .

The determination device 1500 of the position 1900 may thus use a shaft encoding which may be an optical shaft encoder.

The rubber-tyred gantry crane 20 in FIG. 1 may be referred to as a transfer crane and/or a TRANSTAINER ^™ . The quay crane 30 in Figure 2 is sometimes referred to as a PORTAINER ^™ . The side picker 40 in FIG. 3A is also referred to as a side handler or side hauler. The top loader 50 in FIG. 4C is also known as a top picker or top mover.

Some of these container handlers have the ability to lift and/or place containers 2 . A container handler 78 capable of lifting and/or placing a container is a member of the list of stacker handlers in FIG. 4B , which includes, but is not limited to, each of the following members.

The rubber-tyred gantry 20 in FIG. 1 includes a rubber-tyred gantry hanger 22 .

The quay crane 30 in Figure 2 includes a quay crane spreader which is not shown in the figure.

The side loader 40 of FIG. 3A includes a side picker hanger 42 .

The boom stacker 46 in FIG. 4A includes a boom stacker hanger 48 .

The top handler 50 in FIG. 4C includes a top handler hanger 52 .

The straddle carrier 54 in FIG. 4D includes a straddle carrier hanger 56 .

FIG. 3B shows a container stack comprising a first container 60 to a fourth container 66 defining what is referred to herein as a stack height.

The stack height of the first container 60 is generally indicated as one.

The stacking height of the second container 62 is two.

The stacking height of the third container 64 is three.

And the stacking height of the fourth container 66 is four.

While this is a standard designation, any other designation could be used within the computer, such as numbering zero for the first container 60, one for the second container 62, two for the third container 64, and three for the fourth container 66.

In some cases, the container stack may preferably comprise more than four containers stacked on top of each other, for example up to a height of 8 containers.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show two examples of racks 3000 of status reporting devices 800 used on various members of container handler list 80 .

The frame 3000 of FIG. 5A includes a frame base 3002 by which the frame 3000 can preferably be attached to the rubber-tyred gantry crane 20 of FIG. 1 and/or the quay crane of FIG. 2 . Rack 3000 may preferably contain at least a portion of optical container code sensing device 1230 .

Rack 3000 of FIG. 5B preferably includes display 3010 . The rack 3000 may preferably be attached to any member of the list 30 of container handlers.

Fig. 6A shows the construction system 100 of the status reporting device 800 of the container handler 78 of Figs. 13A and 13B. The container handler 78 is a member of the container handler list 80 . Some preferred embodiments of a status reporting device 800 for a particular member of the container handler list 80 are shown in FIGS. 17 to 25 .

In FIG. 6A , the construction system 100 includes a microcontroller module 1000 setting device 200 .

The status reporting device 800 comprises a first communication coupling 1102 of the microcontroller module 1000 with a wireless communication device 1100 .

The status reporting device 800 comprises a second communicative coupling 1202 of the microcontroller module 1000 to means 1200 for sensing the status of at least one member of the container handler list 80 of FIG. 4B .

In FIG. 6A , the construction system 100 further includes an installation device 300 of the program system 2000 . Program system 2000 is installed 302 in memory 1020 .

Microcontroller module 1000 includes an accessible coupling 1022 of computer 1010 and memory 1020 .

The computer 1010 directs the activities of the microcontroller module 1000 through the program system 2000 . As shown in FIGS. 6A and 16A , program system 2000 includes program steps residing in memory 1020 .

The method of operation of status reporting device 800 will be discussed as implemented by program system 2000 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative implementations, which may include, but are not limited to, finite state machines, neural networks, and/or inference engines are possible, feasible, and in some cases potentially preferable.

A computer as used herein may include, but is not limited to, an instruction processor and/or a finite state machine, and/or an inference engine, and/or a neural network. The instruction processor includes at least one instruction processing unit and at least one data processing unit, wherein each data processing unit is controlled by at least one instruction processing unit.

One embodiment of a computer as used herein may include not only what some consider peripheral circuitry, but also signal protocol interface circuitry, where peripheral circuitry may include, but is not limited to, communications circuitry, memory, memory interface circuitry, clocking, and timing circuit.

These circuits can be fabricated in the same package and sometimes on the same semiconductor substrate as the computer.

While some of these circuits may be discussed separately from the computer, this is done to clarify the operation of the invention and is not meant to limit the scope of the claims to mechanically separate circuit components.

Certain embodiments of computer 1010 may include a finite state machine, which may further include means for creating said sensed state using said means for sensing said state of said container handler and/or use said means for sensing said state of said container handler means for wirelessly communicating said sensed state of said container handler.

At least one field programmable gate array may implement at least a portion of at least one of the list comprising an instruction processor, an inference engine, a neural network, and/or a finite state machine.

As shown in FIG. 6A , an embodiment of a status reporting device 800 may include determining a location 1900 of a container handler.

These aspects will be discussed later in relation to the container handler position 1900 determining device 1500 in FIGS.

As discussed in FIGS. 15A , 19 , 20 , 23 and 25 , other alternatives may include, but are not limited to, using a wireless communication device 1100 including a wireless determination device 1510 to locate the container handler. These aspects of the invention may not require storage location 1900 in computer 1010 of FIG. 6A.

Some of the following figures show flow diagrams with numbered arrows of at least one method of the present invention. These arrows will represent the flow of control and sometimes the flow of data supporting the implementation, including:

at least one program operation or program thread executing on a computer,

at least one inference link in the inference engine,

at least one state transition in a finite state machine, and/or

At least one primary learned response within the neural network.

The action that starts the flowchart is designated by an oval with the text "START" in it, and represents at least one of the following.

Enter a subroutine in a sequence of macro instructions in a computer.

Go to deeper nodes in the inference graph.

It is possible to direct state transitions in a finite state machine while pushing the return state on the stack.

and fire a row of neurons in the neural network.

Terminating actions in a flowchart are designated by ovals with the text "Exit" in them, and represent the completion of those actions, which may result in at least one of the following.

return from the subroutine return point,

Traversing back to higher nodes in the inference graph,

A pop-up of the previously stored state in the finite state machine, and/or

The fired neurons of the neural network go back to sleep.

FIG. 6B shows the program system 2000 of FIG. 6A installed 302 in the memory 1020 by the installation device 200 .

Operation 2012 supports sensing a state of container handler 78 in FIGS. 13A and/or 13B using state sensing device 1200 in FIG. 6A to create sensed state 1800 .

Operation 2022 supports communicating the sensed status 1800 of the container handler 78 using the wireless communication device 1100 .

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the state sensing device 1200 may preferably include specific sensors and interfaces other than those associated with Figures 13A and/or 13B.

Figures 17 to 25 outline some variations of sensors, instrumentation and interfaces preferred for the various types of container handlers 78 that are members of the container handler list 80 of Figure 4B.

Due to the complexity of Figures 17 to 25, label 1200 will not appear in these Figures, but will be referred to in the discussion.

FIG. 7A shows computer 1010 coupled 1032 to network interface circuit (NIC) 1030 . The arrangement means 200 of the microcontroller module 1000 also includes means 210 for coupling 212 1104 the network interface circuit 1032 to the wireless communication means 1100 .

FIG. 7A shows a modification of the status reporting device 800 of FIG. 6A. The microcontroller module 1000 also includes a computer communicative coupling 1032 of the computer 1010 to a network interface circuit 1030, designated (NIC).

FIG. 7A also shows a modification of the setting device 200 of the microcontroller module 1000 . The setting device 200 of the microcontroller module 1000 also includes:

A coupling device 210 that creates a coupling 212 of the network interface circuit 1030 with the network coupling 1104 of the wireless communication device 1100 .

A sensor coupling 220 that creates a sensor coupling 222 that couples 1202 the microcontroller module 1000 to a sensor of the state sensing device 1200 of the container handler. This mechanism and process is similar to the various embodiments of coupling device 210 that create coupling 212 as will be described in more detail.

FIG. 7B shows a detailed flowchart of operation 2022 of FIG. 6B also using wireless communication device 1100 . Operation 2052 interacts with the network interface circuit 1030 via the computer communication coupling 1032 to communicate the sensed state 1800 of the container handler via the network coupling with the wireless communication device 1100 .

FIG. 7C shows another embodiment of the construction system 100 of the status reporting device 800 of FIGS. 6A and 7A which is generally preferred.

Construction system 100 may include second computer 500 that at least partially directs creation of status reporting device 800 .

The second computer 500 may at least partially first direct 502 the setting device 200 of the microcontroller module 1000 .

The second computer 500 can at least partially second guide 504 the installation device 300 of the program system 2000 .

The communicative coupling between the second computer 500 and the setup device 200 and the installation device 300 may be a shared coupling, and the first guide 502 and the second guide 504 may use an addressing scheme for messages or communications addressed to these devices.

In FIG. 7C, the construction system 100 also includes the following items.

A second accessible coupling 512 of the second computer 500 to a second memory 510 .

The second program system 2500 includes program steps residing in the second memory 510 .

The second computer 500 is at least partially controlled by the program steps of the second program system 2500 which are provided via the second accessible coupling 512 of the second memory 510 .

The second program system 2500 may be considered to embody the manufacturing method by directing the setting device 200 and the mounting device 300 to create the status reporting device 800 .

As shown in FIG. 7A , the computer 1010 in FIG. 6A may be coupled 1032 to a network interface circuit 1030 .

FIG. 8A shows a flowchart of the second program system 2500 in FIG. 7C, which embodies certain aspects of the method of constructing the status reporting device 800 of FIGS. 6A and 7A of the present invention, the method includes the following operations.

Operation 2512 directs the setting apparatus 200 to set 202 the microcontroller module 1000 of FIGS. 6A and 7A .

Operation 2522 directs the installation device 300 to install 302 the program system 2000 in FIGS. 6A , 7A and 7B into the memory 1020 .

In FIG. 8A , the guide setting device 200 sets 202 operations 2512 of the microcontroller module 1000 in FIGS. 6A and 7A may involve the following in certain preferred embodiments.

The act of setting up the microcontroller module 1000 may include, but is not limited to, taking the module into an assembly workstation, and/or placing it for easy connection to cables and test instruments.

The microcontroller module 1000 is provided with a first communication coupling 1102 with a wireless communication device 1100 .

The microcontroller module 1000 is also provided with a second communication coupling 1202 with a container handler state sensing device 1200 .

In FIG. 8A , the operation 2522 of instructing the installation device 300 to install the program system 2000 in FIGS. 6A , 7A and 7B into the memory 1020 may involve the following items in some preferred embodiments.

Accessible coupling 1022 of memory 1020 to computer 1010 enables program system 2000 to at least partially direct computer 1010

In some preferred embodiments, the program system 2000 is installed 302 from the program system library 2400 as shown in FIG. 7C .

Program system 2000 may be installed 302 using wired network interface circuit 1030 , and/or using wireless communication 1100 .

Memory 1020 may preferably include at least one non-volatile memory component.

The non-volatile memory component may preferably include a flash memory device.

Installing may preferably include programming a flash memory component to install 302 program system 2000 .

Program system library 2400 may include multiple versions of program system 2000 for use in controlling various embodiments of status reporting device 800 created by the manufacturing process of construction system 100 .

FIG. 8B shows details of operation 2512 of FIG. 8A in which microcontroller module 1000 is also provided. Operation 2552 supports creating coupling 212 of network interface circuit 1030 to 1104 wireless communication device 1100 .

In FIGS. 7A and 8B , the network interface circuit 1030 may preferably support at least one wired communication protocol through the network coupling 1104 with the wireless communication device 1100 .

The wired communication protocol may support a version of at least one member of the serial protocol list 2100 shown in Figure 8C, which list includes the following.

Synchronous Serial Interface Protocol 2101, sometimes abbreviated as SSI.

Ethernet protocol 2102.

Serial Peripheral Interface 2103, sometimes abbreviated as SPI.

RS-232 protocol 2104.

Inter-IC Protocol 2105, sometimes abbreviated as I2C.

Universal Serial Bus Protocol 2106, sometimes abbreviated as USB.

Controller Area Network Protocol 2107, sometimes abbreviated as CAN.

FireWire protocol 2108, which includes the implementation of the IEEE1394 communication standard.

RS-485 protocol 2109.

RS-422 protocol 2111.

In Figures 6A, 7A and 7C, the wireless communication device 1100 may preferably support communication using at least one version of at least one member of the wireless modem scheme list 2110 shown in Figure 8D. The wireless modem scheme list 2110 includes but not limited to the following items.

Time Division Multiple Access Scheme 2112, sometimes abbreviated as TDMA.

Frequency Division Multiple Access scheme 2114, sometimes abbreviated as FDMA.

and a spreading scheme 2115, which may include variations of one or more of the following:

Code Division Multiple Access scheme 2116, sometimes abbreviated as CDMA.

Frequency Hopping Multiple Access Scheme 2118, sometimes abbreviated as FHMA.

Time Hopping Multiple Access Scheme 2120, sometimes abbreviated as THMA.

and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access scheme 2122, sometimes abbreviated as OFDM.

FIG. 9A shows a modification of a portion of the wireless modem scheme list 2110 in FIG. 8D.

In FIG. 9A , at least one version of a time division multiple access scheme (TDMA) 2112 may preferably include a GSM access scheme 2130 . At least one version of a Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) scheme 2114 may preferably include an AMP scheme 2132 .

In FIG. 9A , at least one version of a code division multiple access (CDMA) scheme 2116 may preferably include at least one member of a list 2150 of CDMA schemes. CDMA plan list 2150 may preferably include, but is not limited to, IS-95 access plan 2152 , and Wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA) access plan 2154 .

In FIG. 9A, at least one version of an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDM) access scheme 2122 may preferably include at least one of various IEEE 801.11 access schemes 2134.

FIG. 9A shows a modification of a portion of the wireless modem scheme list 2110 in FIG. 8D, which includes the following items.

At least one version of a Time Division Multiple Access scheme 2112 (TDMA), which may preferably include a GSM access scheme 2130 .

At least one version of a frequency division multiple access (FDMA) scheme 2114, which may preferably include an AMP scheme 2132.

At least one version of a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) scheme 2116 may preferably include at least one member of the list 2150 of CDMA schemes.

The Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDM) access scheme 2122 may preferably include at least one IEEE801.11 access scheme 2134 .

At least one version of the IEEE 802.11 access scheme 2134, which may include the IEEE 802.11b access scheme 2136.

At least one version of the IEEE 802.11 access scheme 2134, which may include the IEEE 802.11g access scheme 2135.

At least one version of the spread spectrum scheme 2115, using ANSI 371.1 scheme 2138 for radio frequency identification and/or location tags.

In FIG. 9A, the CDMA scheme list 2150 may preferably include but not limited to,

IS-95 access scheme 2152, which uses at least one spreading code to modulate and demodulate the access channel.

Wideband CDMA access scheme 2154, sometimes abbreviated as W-CDMA. The W-CDMA scheme uses not only spreading codes but also scattering codes to modulate and demodulate the access channel.

FIG. 9B shows some improvements to the container handler status sensing device 1200 of FIGS. 6A and 7A.

FIG. 10A shows some refinements of the sensed state 1800 in FIGS. 6A and 7A.

In FIG. 9B , container handler state sensing means 1200 may preferably include means 1250 for radio frequency sensing of radio frequency tags on containers, which provide 1252 container radio frequency tags 1254 . In FIG. 1OA, the sensed state 1800 may preferably include a container radio frequency tag 1254 provided 1252 by the device 1250 in FIG. 9B.

In FIG. 9B , the container handler state sensing device 1200 may preferably include a container stack height sensing device 1260 that provides 1262 a container stack height 1264 . In FIG. 10A , sensed state 1800 may preferably include container stack height 1264 provided 1262 by device 1260 in FIG. 9B . Container stack height 1264 may be interpreted as shown in Figure 3B.

Figure 10D shows yet another preferred embodiment of a stack height sensing device 1260 that includes a stack height sensor interface 1266 to a stack height sensor on a container handler.

In FIG. 9B, the container handler state sensing means 1200 may preferably include means 1270 for sensing at least one 1274 of the machine state list 1850 of the container handler shown in FIG. 10E. In FIG. 10A , sensed state 1800 may preferably include at least one instance of at least one member of at least one of machine state list members 1274 provided 1272 by means 1270 in FIG. 9B .

In FIG. 9B , the container handler state sensing device 1200 may preferably include the following. At least one member 1280 of the crane sensor device list shown in FIG. 11A is created 1282 at least one member 1284 of the crane status list shown in FIG. 11B . In FIG. 10A , sensed status 1800 may preferably include at least one instance of at least one of crane status list members 1284 provided 1282 by crane sensor device list member 1280 in FIG. 9B .

FIG. 9B shows some improvements to the container handler status sensing device 1200 of FIGS. 6A and 7A. It should be noted that the preferred status reporting apparatus 800 of the various container handlers 78 may include one or more of the various status sensing devices 1200 shown in this figure. The state sensing device 1200 of the container handler may preferably include at least one of the following items:

An operator identity sensing device 1210 providing 1212 a sensed operator identity 1214 .

A second container presence sensing device 1220 provides 1222 a sensed container presence 1224 .

A third optical container code sensing device 1230 provides 1232 an optical container characteristic 1234 .

The fourth provides 1252 a radio frequency tag sensing device 1250 of a container radio frequency tag 1254 for sensing the radio frequency tag on the container 2 .

Fifthly, a container stack height sensing device 1260 of the container 2 with a container stack height 1264 is provided 1262 . In some embodiments, the container stack height sensing device 1260 may preferably comprise a cam switch.

Sixthly, at least one means 1270 for sensing a machine status list member of a container handler is provided 1272 of a machine status list member 1274 in the machine status list 1850 shown in FIG. 10E .

Seventh provides 1282 at least one crane sensor device list member 1280 of at least one crane status list member 1284 of crane status list 1400 in FIG. 12B. Crane sensor device list member 1280 is a member of crane sensor device list 1300 shown in FIG. 12A.

Seventeenth provides 1218 container size 1226 container size sensing means 1216 .

The container size 1226 may preferably be indicated similarly to the hanger status list 1420 in FIG. 12D.

In some embodiments, such as when used on a UTR truck 10, the container size sensing device 1216 may include an ultrasonic sensor on the rear of the tank frame 14 for estimating the size of the container.

The ultrasonic sensor measures the delay in echoes from the sides of the container 2 to estimate the container size 1226 .

Eighteenth provides 1240 container weight sensing means 1228 for container weight 1242 .

And a nineteenth container damage sensing device 1244 that provides 1246 a container damage estimate 1248 .

In Figure 9B, various combinations of some or all of these provisions may be similarly implemented.

These may share a single communication mechanism with computer 1010, among similarly implemented offers.

These provisions may use a number of communication mechanisms with the computer 1010, among similarly implemented provisions.

In Figure 9B, some or all of these provisions may be implemented separately.

In FIG. 9B, these offers may include at least one instance of the following:

providing 1212 a sensed operator identity 1214,

The second provides 1222 the sensed container presence 1224,

The third provides 1232 optical container characteristics 1234,

The fourth provides 1252 container radio frequency tags 1254,

The fifth provides 1262 container stacking height 1264,

The sixth provides 1272 machine status list member 1274,

seventh providing 1282 at least one crane status list member 1284 of the crane status list 1400 shown in FIG. 12B,

Seventeenth provides 1218 container size 1226,

Eighteenth provides 1240 container weight 1242, and

Nineteenth provided an estimate of 1,248 for 1,246 container damage.

As an example, the seventh provision 1282 for the rubber-tyred gantry crane 20 or the straddle carrier 54 in FIG. At least one of the 485 agreements 2109.

The crane sensor device list member 1280 may preferably include a trolley position sensing device 1360 for a fourteenth provision 1362 of a trolley position 1364 as in FIG. 12A .

The crane sensor device list member 1280 may preferably include a lift height sensing device 1370 for a fifteenth provision 1372 lift height 1374 .

The trolley position sensing device 1360 and/or the lift height sensing device 1370 may preferably comprise a rotary absolute optical encoder with a hollow or standard shaft.

FIG. 10A shows some improvements of the sensed state 1800 of FIGS. 6A and 7A according to the state sensing device 1200 in FIG. 9B . The sensed state 1800 may preferably include at least one of the following.

The sensed operator identity 1214.

The sensed container presence is 1224. The sensed container presence 1224 may preferably be a true or false Boolean value.

Optical Container Properties 1234.

Container radio frequency tag 1254.

Container stacking height 1264. Container stack height 1264 may be interpreted as in the discussion of FIG. 3B.

At least one instance of at least one machine state list member 1274.

At least one of the crane state list members 1284.

Container size 1226.

Container weight 1242.

Container damage estimated at 1248.

Optical container properties 1234 in FIGS. 9B and 10A may preferably include at least one instance of a member of container code property list 1700 shown in FIG. 10B , which may preferably include

container code text 1702,

view 1704 of container code 4 for container 2, and

Compression 1706 of view 1704 of container code 4 for container 2.

11A and 11B show an example of a view 1704 of the container code 4 in FIG. 10B as can be seen optically on the side of the container 2 of FIGS. 1 , 3A and 4A. The view 1704 of the container code 4 can preferably and alternatively be seen on any vertical plane of the container 2 .

Compression 1706 of a view 1704 may include, but is not limited to, still frame compression of the view and/or motion sequence compression of a sequence of frames of the view.

Compression 1706 may be, at least in part, the result of applying a 2D block transform such as a two-dimensional (2D) discrete cosine transform (DCT) and/or a 2D wavelet filterbank.

Alternatively, compression 1706 may be at least in part the result of a fractal compression method.

Figure 11C shows an example of the container code text 1702 in Figure 10B.

Container code text 1702 may be at least in part the result of applying optical character recognition to view 1704 in FIG. 11B .

The optical container code sensing device 1230 in FIG. 9B may include an OCR capability that may be embodied as a separate OCR hardware module or a separate OCR program system.

A separate optical character recognition hardware module may reside within and/or may be coupled to optical container code sensing device 1230 .

A separate OCR system may reside within and/or may be coupled to optical container code sensing device 1230 .

As used herein, video imaging device 1238 may belong to a list including at least video camera, digital video camera, and charge-coupled array. Video imaging device 1238 may also include any of the following: computer, digital storage, image processor, and flash system.

The status reporting device 800 in FIG. 6A may include an optical characteristic system as the optical container code sensing device 1230 in FIG. 9B in the rack 3000 of FIGS. 1 , 2, 5A and 5B.

The optical container code sensing device 1230 may include at least one, preferably two, video imaging devices 1238 of FIG. 10C housed in the first rack 3100 and the second rack 3110 of FIGS. 1 and 2 .

The first frame 3100 and the second frame 3110 may be mechanically coupled to the container handler 20 or 30 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .

The status reporting device 800 may also include at least one and preferably more than one light 3120 . Light 3120 can be controlled through interaction with the present invention.

The mechanical coupling of the optical container code sensing device 1230 to the RTG crane 20 may preferably include mechanical shock absorbers for increased reliability.

Figure 10C illustrates some preferred alternative embodiments of the optical container code sensing device 1230 of Figure 9B. The optical container code sensing means 1230 of the container code 4 on the container 2 may preferably comprise any combination of the following.

A video interface 1236 for receiving at least one optical container characteristic 1234 of the container code 4 .

At least one video imaging device 1238 to create at least one optical container characteristic 1234 of the container code. The video imaging device 1238 may be located in and/or in a separate rack as shown in the first rack 3100 and/or the second rack 3110 in FIGS. 1 , 2 and 5A.

At least one image processor 1239 may process and/or create at least one of optical container characteristics 1234 .

Video imaging device 1238 may belong to a list including at least a video camera, digital video camera, and charge-coupled array.

Video imaging device 1238 may also include any of the following: a computer, digital memory, an image processor 1239, and/or an instance of a flash system.

FIG. 10D shows another preferred embodiment of a container stack height sensing device 1260 that includes a stack height sensor interface 1266 to a stack height sensor on the container handler 78 . A preferred stack height sensor is a wire-drawn encoder.

Wire pull encoders are preferred when the container handler is at least one of the following: rubber-tyred gantry crane 20 , side picker 40 , top loader 50 , arm stacker 46 , and/or straddle carrier 54 .

Alternatively, the stack height sensor can be an absolute/hollow shaft angle encoder.

One preferred embodiment of the machine status list 1850 is shown in FIG. 10E . Machine status list 1850 may include, but is not limited to,

reverse movement 1852,

recurring downtime count 1854,

Collision state 1856,

Oil level 1858,

Compass reading 1860,

Wind speed 1862. In some embodiments, wind speed may also indicate wind direction,

Speed 1864, and

Vehicle braking system status 1866.

In some preferred embodiments, machine state list member sensing means 1270 for sensing machine state list members 1274 including vehicle speed 1864 may preferably include a drive shaft sensor for counting drive shaft rotations.

FIG. 10E shows a preferred embodiment of the machine state list 1850 . Machine status list 1850 may include, but is not limited to, reverse motion 1852 , frequent shutdown count 1854 , crash status 1856 , oil level 1858 , and compass reading 1860 .

Figure 12A shows some details of the crane sensor device list 1300 associated with member 1280 of Figure 9B. Figure 12B shows some details of the crane status list 1400 associated with the member 1284 of Figures 9B and 10A. Figure 12C shows some details of the spinlock list 1410 associated with the member 1314 of Figure 12A. Figure 12D shows some details of hanger state list 1420 associated with member 1324 of Figure 12A. Figure 12E shows some details of the landing status list 1430 associated with member 1334 of Figure 12A.

Figure 12A shows some details of the crane sensor device list 1300 associated with at least one instance of the crane sensor device list member 1280 in Figure 9B. Crane sensor device list 1300 preferably includes at least one of the following devices:

Eighth provides 1312 a twistlock sensing device 1310 of a sensed twistlock state 1314 .

Ninthly provides 1322 the sensed hanger state 1324 of the hanger sensing means 1320 .

A tenth container landing sensing device 1330 provides 1332 a sensed landing state 1334 .

Fourteenth provide 1362 a trolley position sensing device 1360 for a trolley position 1364 .

Fifteenth provides 1372 lift height sensing means 1370 for lift height 1374 .

The trolley position sensing device 1360 and/or the lift height sensing device 1370 may preferably comprise a rotary absolute optical encoder with a hollow or standard shaft.

In FIG. 12A, the sensed twistlock state 1314 is preferably a member of the twistlock state list 1410 shown in FIG. 12C. FIG. 12C shows a twistlock state list 1410 including a twistlock on state 1412 and a twistlock off state 1414 .

In Figure 12A, the sensed hanger state 1324 is preferably a member of the hanger state list 1420 shown in Figure 12D. FIG. 12D shows a hanger status list 1420 including a 10-foot container hanger 1421 , a 20-foot container hanger 1422 , a 30-foot container hanger 1428 , a 40-foot container hanger 1424 , and a 45-foot container hanger 1426 .

Various embodiments may support sensed hanger states 1324 limited to a subset of hanger state lists 1420 .

As an example, in certain preferred embodiments, sensed hanger states 1324 may be limited to a subset of hanger state list 1420 consisting of 20 foot container hangers 1422 and 40 foot container hangers 1424 .

In FIG. 12A, sensed landing state 1334 is preferably a member of landing state list 1430 shown in FIG. 12E. FIG. 12E shows a landed state list 1430 including a landed state 1432 and a not-landed state 1434 .

Figure 12B shows some details of the crane status list 1400 in relation to the crane status list member 1284 in Figures 9B and 10A. Crane status list 1400 preferably includes at least one of the following:

sensed twistlock state 1314,

sensed hanger state 1324,

The sensed landing state 1334.

FIG. 13A shows a modification of the status reporting device 800 of FIGS. 6A and 7A in which the sensing device 1200 includes a coupling 1202 to a crane pylon interface 1340 . The crane spreader interface 1340 preferably provides at least one of the members of the crane status list 1400 as shown in Figure 12B.

FIG. 13B shows a modification of the status reporting device 800 of FIGS. 6A and 7A in which the sensing device 1200 includes a coupling 1202 to a programmable logic controller (PLC) 1350 . PLC 1350 preferably provides at least one of the members of Crane Status List 1400 as shown in Figure 12B.

FIG. 13B also shows the computer 1010 in FIGS. 6A , 7A, and 13A coupled 1352 to a PLC 1350. Coupling 1352 may preferably include a serial communication coupling 1352 . Serial communication coupling 1352 preferably supports a version of at least one member of serial protocol list 2100 in FIG. 8C.

As an example, the crane spreader interface 1340 in FIG. 13A may include the sensed spreader state 1324 in the form of two signals. The two signals are "hanger at least 20 feet" and "hanger at 40 feet". If "hanger is at least 20 feet" is true and "hanger is at 40 feet" is false, then sensed hanger status 1324 indicates that the crane hanger is set for 20 feet. If "hanger at least 20 feet" is true and "hanger at 40 feet" is true, then sensed hanger status 1324 indicates that the crane hanger is set for 40 feet.

FIG. 13A shows a modification of the status reporting device 800 of FIGS. 6A and 7A in which the status sensing device 1200 includes a crane pylon interface connection 1340 .

The crane spreader interface 1340 preferably provides at least one member of the crane status list 1400 as shown in Figure 12B.

The crane spreader interface 1340 eleventh provides 1344 the sensed twistlock state 1314 .

The crane spreader interface 1340 twelfth provides 1346 the sensed spreader state 1324 .

The crane pylon interface 1340 thirteenth provides 1348 the sensed landing state 1334 .

FIG. 13A also shows a status reporting device 800 having a status sensing device 1200 of a container handler 78 including a crane sensor coupling 1342 of the computer 1010 and crane spreader interface 1340 of FIGS. 6A and 7A .

Crane sensor coupling 1342 may preferably include switching circuitry coupled to parallel input and/or output ports of computer 1010 . The switching circuit is connected to the AC line through a relay.

In some embodiments, a crane sensor coupling 1342 may be included in the second communication coupling 1202 of the microcontroller module 1000 to the status sensing device 1200 .

Alternatively, the crane sensor coupling 1342 may not be included in the second communication coupling 1202 of the microcontroller module 1000 to the status sensing device 1200 .

As an example, the crane spreader interface 1340 of FIG. 13A may include the sensed spreader state 1324 in the form of two signals.

The two signals are "hanger at least 20 feet" and "hanger at 40 feet".

If "hanger is at least 20 feet" is true and "hanger is at 40 feet" is false, then sensed hanger status 1324 indicates that the crane hanger is set for 20 feet.

If "hanger at least 20 feet" is true and "hanger at 40 feet" is true, then sensed hanger status 1324 indicates that the crane hanger is set for 40 feet.

As an example, the crane spreader interface 1340 in FIG. 13A may include sensed spreader states 1324 in the form of three signals.

The two signals are "hanger at least 20 feet", "hanger at 40 feet", and "hanger at least 45 feet".

If "hanger is at least 20 feet" is true, "hanger is at 40 feet" is false, and "hanger is at least 45 feet" is false, then sensed hanger status 1324 indicates that the crane hanger is 20 feet And set.

If "hanger is at least 20 feet" is true, "hanger is at 40 feet" is true, and "hanger is at least 45 feet" is false, then the sensed hanger status 1324 indicates that the crane hanger is 40 feet And set.

If "hanger is at least 20 feet" is true, "hanger is at 40 feet" is true, and "hanger is at least 45 feet" is true, then the sensed hanger status 1324 indicates that the crane hanger is 45 feet And set.

In Fig. 13A, some or all of the provisions may be similarly implemented. In these similarly implemented provisioning, they may be provided using the same or different mechanisms. Alternatively, some of the provisions may be implemented differently. The provision of Figure 13A includes:

Eleventh provides 1344 sensed twistlock state 1314 .

Twelfth provides 1346 sensed hanger state 1324 .

A thirteenth provides 1348 the sensed landing state 1334 .

FIG. 13B shows a modification of the status reporting apparatus 800 of FIGS. 6A and 7A with the status sensing device 1200 of the container handler 78 comprising a programmable controller, sometimes denoted a PLC. logic controller 1350 .

The programmable logic controller 1350 preferably provides at least one member of the crane status list 1400 as shown in Figure 12B.

Preferably, the programmable logic controller 1350 can fourteenth provide 1354 the sensed twistlock state 1314 .

Preferably, the programmable logic controller 1350 can fifteenth provide 1356 the sensed hanger state 1324 .

Preferably, programmable logic controller 1350 can sixteenth provide 1358 sensed landing state 1334 .

Figure 13B also shows a status reporting device 800 comprising a second crane sensor coupling 1352 of the computer 1010 and programmable logic controller 1350 of Figures 6A, 7A and 13A.

The second crane sensor coupling 1352 may preferably include a serial communication coupling 1352 .

Serial communication coupling 1352 preferably supports a version of at least one member of serial protocol list 2100 in Figure 8C.

In Figure 13B, some or all of the provisions may be implemented similarly. In these similarly implemented provisioning, they may be provided using the same or different mechanisms. Alternatively, some of the provisions may be implemented differently. The provision of Figure 13B includes:

Fourteenth provides 1354 sensed twistlock state 1314 .

Fifteenth provides 1356 sensed hanger state 1324 .

Sixteenth provides 1358 sensed landing status 1334 .

In Figures 13A and 13B, container handler 78 may preferably be a version of a member of container handler list 80 in Figure 4B. The container handler 78 may also be a combination of two or more members of the container handler list 80 . As an example, the container handler 78 may include the URT truck 10 of FIG. 1 coupled to the tank car frame 14 . In some cases, UTR truck 10 may be attached to an overhaul chassis.

FIG. 14A shows the provision device 200 of FIGS. 6A and 7A further comprising a position coupling device 230 . The position coupling device 230 assembles 232 the microcontroller module 1000 with the container handler position determination device 1500 .

In FIG. 14A, the determining means 1500 may include one or more of the following:

Interface to the Global Positioning System (GPS).

Interface to Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS).

A device that determines location wirelessly, such as by using a local area wireless network that provides bursts of timing signals from multiple antenna sites within it.

Radio location tag unit.

As an example, GPS is a satellite communication system that supports determining the location of a receiver. DGPS is an improvement of GPS that uses ground-based reference stations to support position accuracy to within 1 meter.

FIG. 14B shows a detailed flowchart of operation 2512 in FIG. 8A that also provides the microcontroller module 1000 with the coupled container handler state sensing device 1200 in FIGS. 6A and 7A . Operation 2562 supports providing the microcontroller module 1000 with the second communicative coupling 1202 with the container handler state sensing device 1200 .

FIG. 14C shows details of operation 2512 in FIG. 8A that also provides microcontroller module 1000 with coupled container handler position determining means 1500 in FIG. 14A . Operation 2572 supports providing the microcontroller module 1000 communicatively coupled 1502 with the container handler position determining device 1500 .

FIG. 15A shows a wireless communication device 1100 including a wireless communication device 1510 for determining the position of a container handler. The wireless determining means 1510 may include one or more of the following:

Interface to the Global Positioning System (GPS).

Interface to Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS).

Alternatively, wireless determining means 1510 may provide timing signal bursts to multiple antenna sites within a local area wireless network to support its own wireless network location determination. The wireless determining means 1510 may not need to use or store the estimate of the location 1900 in the memory 1020 accessed 1022 by the computer 1010 shown in FIG. 6A .

FIG. 15B shows details of the program system 2000 of FIGS. 6A and 6B for determining and communicating the location of the container handler 78 .

Operation 2072 supports determining, at least in part, the location 1900 of the container handler 78 using the container handler 78 positioning device 1500 of FIG. 14A . .

Operation 2082 transmits location 1900 using wireless communication device 1100 .

In FIG. 15A, the wireless communication device 1100 may also include a radio location tag unit.

In certain preferred embodiments, a radio location tag unit may function as the wireless determination device 1510 of the container handler 78 location 1900 .

The radio location tag unit may also support national and/or international standards which may include, but are not limited to, an edition of ANSI 371.1 for radio location tags.

In such embodiments, local computer 1010 may not require location 1900 to exist in memory 1020 as shown in FIG. 6A.

In such embodiments, there may be no need for the location-determining program system 2000, thereby eliminating the existence of the operations in FIG. 15B.

FIG. 16A shows memory 1020 in FIG. 6A including non-volatile memory 1024 . Similar to the discussion of FIG. 6A , the computer 1010 can preferably access 1022 non-volatile memory 1024 . Non-volatile memory 1024 may include at least a portion of program system 2000 .

FIG. 16B shows a specific flowchart of operation 2522 of FIG. 8A that also installs the program system 2000 in FIG. 6A.

Operation 2592 supports altering at least a portion of non-volatile memory 1024 in FIG. 16A to install at least a portion of at least one program step of program system 2000 .

Operation 2602 supports installing a memory module including at least a portion of at least one of the program steps residing in non-volatile memory 1024 to create at least a portion of memory 1020 that is accessed 1022 by computer 1010 .

17 to 20 illustrate various status reporting devices 800 for the rubber-tyred gantry crane 20 of FIG. 1 . A similar embodiment is also useful for the quay crane 30 of FIG. 2 . In FIGS. 17 to 20 , the state sensing device 1200 is disclosed in the form of details of its contents and communications.

Figure 17 shows that the status reporting device 800 communicates with the following devices via coupling

wireless communication device 1100,

Display 3010, which may preferably be a liquid crystal display, and

The state sensing device 1200 includes the following devices:

operator identity sensing means 1210,

container stack height sensing device 1260,

machine state list membership sensing means 1270,

Crane hanger interface connection 1340,

The location determination device 1500 further includes a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS), and

The second position determining device 1500-B may preferably include a laser sensing device for the position of the trolley.

Alternatively pull wires and/or rotary encoders may be included.

In FIG. 17 , member sensing device 1270 of machine status list provides frequent shutdown count 1854 , crash status 1856 , oil level 1858 , wind speed 1862 , and vehicle speed 1864 .

In Figures 17 and 20, the status sensing device 1200 also provides the following status to the computer 1010 via the crane sensor coupling 1342:

sensed twistlock state 1314,

The sensed hanger state 1324 may preferably further include:

Sensing state 1324-20 of the hanger at 20 feet, and

Sensing state 1324-40 for the hanger at 40 feet, and

The sensed landing state 1334.

Figure 18 shows that the status reporting device 800 communicates with the following means via coupling,

The wireless communication device 1100 preferably includes a wireless modem that preferably supports a version of the IEEE 802.11 access scheme 2134, preferably the IEEE 802.11b access scheme 2136. Alternatively, the wireless modem may support radio frequency identification (RF ID) protocols.

Display 3010, and

The state sensing device 1200 may preferably include the following devices:

operator identity sensing means 1210,

container stack height sensing device 1260,

Machine status list member sensing device 1270 , which can provide recurring shutdown count 1854 , crash status 1856 , oil level 1858 , and wind speed 1862 .

programmable logic controller 1350, and

The location determining means 1500, preferably uses a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) in FIG. 14A.

In FIG. 18, a computer 1010 is coupled through a programmable logic controller 1350 to:

at least one container stack height sensing device 1260, and

The second position determination device 1500-B preferably includes a laser sensing device for the position of the trolley.

Figure 17 shows a status reporting device 800 coupled to the crane pylon interface connection 1340 of Figure 13A and using a differential global positioning system (DGPS) device 1500 of Figure 14A.

Figure 18 shows a status reporting device 800 coupled to the PLC 1350 in Figure 13B and using the Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) device 1500 in Figure 14A.

Figure 19 shows that the status reporting device 800 is in communication with the following means via coupling:

The wireless communication device 1100 further includes the wireless location determining device 1510 in FIG. 15A . The wireless determining means 1510 may preferably include a radio frequency tag device.

Display 3010.

And the state sensing device 1200, which includes:

container stack height sensing device 1260,

Programmable Logic Controller 1350 .

Machine status list member sensing device 1270, which preferably provides frequent shutdown count 1854, crash status 1856, oil level 1858, and wind speed 1862.

Operator identity sensing device 1210 similar to 1210 in FIGS. 17 and 18 .

Figure 20 shows a status reporting device 800 coupled to the crane pylon interface 1340 of Figure 13A and using the location and data radio frequency tag device 1510 of Figure 15A.

FIG. 20 shows that the status reporting device 800 communicates with the following means by coupling

The wireless communication device 1100 may preferably include the wireless position determining device 1510 in FIG. 15A , and the wireless determining device 1510 may preferably include a radio frequency tag device.

Display 3010.

And the state sensing device 1200, which includes:

operator identity sensing means 1210,

container stack height sensing device 1260,

Crane hanger interface connection 1340,

second position determining means 1500-B, and

Machine status list member sensing device 1270, which preferably provides frequent shutdown count 1854, crash status 1856, oil level 1858, wind speed 1862, and vehicle speed 1864.

In Figures 17 to 19, a second container handler position determination device 1500-B is used. The second device 1500-B may preferably be a laser-based cart position sensor.

In Figures 17 to 20, a wheeled gantry camshaft and a lift position encoder are shown. These devices interact with the lift-stack position cam switch to provide a means 1260 to sense the stack height of the RTG crane 20 .

In Figures 17 to 20, the stack height sensing device 1260 may involve up to 8 individual sensor states which may indicate whether their respective stack positions are occupied or not.

17 to 23 illustrate a container stack height sensing device 1260 .

Preferably, the container stack height sensing device 1260 may include at least one camshaft and/or at least one lift position encoder when used with the rubber-tyred gantry crane 20 of FIG. 1 .

Preferably, the container stack height sensing device 1260 may comprise at least one camshaft and/or at least one lift position encoder when used with the quay crane 30 of FIG. 2 .

These devices interact with one or more of the lift-stacking position sensors to sense the stacking height of the RTG 20 or quay crane 30 .

The stack height sensing device 1260 can involve up to 8 individual sensor states that can indicate whether their respective stack positions are occupied or not. The containers may preferably be stacked to a height of 7 containers.

21 to 23 illustrate various status reporting devices 800 for use with some or all of the following container handlers 78 that are members of the container handler list 80 of FIG. 4B:

The side picker 40 is shown in FIG. 3A.

An arm stacker 46 is shown in FIG. 4A.

The top handler 50 is shown in Figure 4C.

The straddle carrier 54 is shown in Figure 4D.

In FIGS. 21 to 23 , the state sensing device 1200 is disclosed in the form of details of its contents and communications.

In certain preferred embodiments, the status reporting device 800 of FIGS. The status reporting device 800 used with the gantry crane 20 can sense the following.

The length of time the car has been running since it was started.

Compass reading 1860.

As a sensed landing state 1334, when the hanger lands on the container 2.

When the hanger locks the container.

The container size 1226 is preferably one of the members of the hanger status list 1420 of FIG. 12D. Additionally, the container size may preferably be one of 20 foot container hangers 1422 , 40 foot container hangers 1424 , and 45 foot container hangers 1426 .

The container stack height 1264 may preferably be in the range of 1 to 7 container heights. This can preferably be measured in feet.

Inverse movement 1852.

Oil level 1858, optionally available.

And sensed operator identity 1214, optionally provided.

In some embodiments, the status reporting device 800 may use the wireless communication device 1100 instead of the location 1900 determining device 1500 . The wireless communication device 1100 may be sensed by an external radio system to determine the container handler position. This is preferable from the standpoint of production cost of the status reporting device.

In certain preferred embodiments, the status reporting device 800 used with the side picker 40, the top handler 50, and/or the straddle carrier 54 in FIGS. The status reporting device 800 for use with the crane 20 may be implemented to include the following.

Pendant sensing device 1320 may include a magnetic proximity switch on and/or near status reporting device 800 .

The reverse motion sensor can be communicatively coupled to the reverse motion buzzer on the vehicle.

The sixth provision 1272 of compass readings 1860 may use the RS-422 protocol 2111.

The container landing sensing device 1330 may include a magnetic proximity switch on and/or near the status reporting device 800 .

The wireless communication device 1100 may be used to provide the location of the vehicle. More preferably there are a plurality of wireless communication devices, which more preferably embody radio frequency tag technology comprising a version of ANSI 371.1 scheme 2138.

The radio frequency tag technology is preferably compatible with WHERENET ^™ products.

The first communication coupling 1102 of the wireless communication device 1100 to the microcontroller module 1000 may use the RS-485 protocol 2109 .

In certain preferred embodiments, the status reporting apparatus 800 of FIGS. 21 to 23 for use with side pickers 40 and/or top handlers 50 may be implemented to further include the following.

The container stacking height sensing device 1260 may include a wire-pull encoder. The fifth provision 1262 of container stack height 1264 may preferably use the RS-42 protocol 2111.

In certain preferred embodiments, the status reporting device 800 of FIGS. 21 to 23 for use with the straddle carrier 54, and the status reporting device 800 of FIGS. 17 to 20 for use with the rubber-tyred gantry crane 20 may be implemented To include the following.

Lift height sensing device 1370 may comprise a hollow shaft or shaft angle optical absolute encoder. The fifteenth provision 1372 of lift height 1374 may preferably use the RS-422 protocol 2111 and/or the synchronous serial interface protocol 2101 .

The carriage position sensing device 1360 may comprise a hollow shaft or an optical absolute encoder for shaft angle. The fourteenth provision 1362 of the cart position 1364 may preferably use the RS-422 protocol 2111 and/or the synchronous serial interface protocol 2101 .

In certain preferred embodiments, the status reporting device 800 used with the side picker 40, the top handler 50, and/or the straddle carrier 54 in FIGS. The status reporting device 800 used with the crane 20 may be implemented using a programmable logic controller 1350 as in Figure 13B. In such cases the following may be preferred.

The sixth setting 1272 of compass reading 1860 may use the RS-422 protocol 2111.

The first communication coupling 1102 of the wireless communication device 1100 to the microcontroller module 1000 may use the RS-485 protocol 2109 .

In certain preferred embodiments, the status reporting device 800 used with the side picker 40, the top handler 50, and/or the straddle carrier 54 in FIGS. The status reporting device 800 used with the crane 20 may use the second display 3020 .

A message displayed on the second display may preferably be sent to the operator. These messages may include instructions to pick up the container 2 from a communication location in the loading bay yard.

Preferably, the wireless communication device 1100 supports a two-way communication protocol. The two-way communication protocol may preferably support a version of IEEE 802.11 access scheme 2134.

The two-way communication protocol may also support reprogramming of the non-volatile memory 1024 .

A location tag associated with a car may be commanded to blink.

Figure 21 shows that the status reporting device 800 communicates with the following means via coupling:

Wireless communication device 1100 .

Display 3010.

The second display 3020.

And the state sensing device 1200 .

In FIG. 21, the state sensing device 1200 preferably includes:

operator identity sensing means 1210,

container presence sensing device 1220,

optical container code sensing device 1230,

machine status list member sensing device 1270, which provides reverse motion 1852, recurring stop count 1854, crash status 1856, oil level 1858, compass reading 1860, and vehicle speed 1864,

programmable logic controller 1350, and

Location determining means 1500 .

In FIGS. 18, 19 and 21, the programmable logic controller 1350 also provides the computer 1010 via a second crane sensor coupling 1352 with the following:

sensed twistlock state 1314,

As an example, the sensed hanger state 1324 may also preferably include a sensed state of the hanger at 20 feet 1324-20, and a sensed state of the hanger at 40 feet 1324-40, and

The sensed landing state 1334.

The sensed hanger status 1324 may include other sizes, examples of which are shown in the hanger status list 1420 of FIG. 12D .

In FIGS. 18 , 19 and 21 , PLC 1350 also provides container stack height sensing means 1260 to computer 1010 via second crane sensor coupling 1352 . The programmable logic controller 1350 may also at times preferably provide a sensed hanger state 1324 .

In FIG. 22, the status reporting device 800 supports the Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) device 1500 of FIG. 14A.

Figure 22 shows that the status reporting device 800 is in communication with the following means via coupling:

Wireless communication device 1100 .

Display 3010.

The second display 3020.

And the state sensing device 1200 .

In FIG. 22, the state sensing device 1200 preferably includes:

operator identity sensing means 1210,

container presence sensing device 1220,

optical container code sensing device 1230,

container stack height sensing device 1260,

machine status list member sensing device 1270, which provides reverse motion 1852, recurring stop count 1854, crash status 1856, oil level 1858, and compass reading 1860, and

The sensed twistlock state 1314, may further preferably include a sensed hanger state 1324 of a hanger at 20 feet sensed state 1324-20 and a hanger at 40 feet sensed state 1324-40, and The sensed landing state 1334. The sensed hanger state 1324 may include other sizes, examples of which are shown in the hanger state list 1420 of FIG. 12D .

Location determining means 1500 .

Figure 23 shows that the status reporting device 800 is in communication with the following means via coupling:

Wireless communication device 1100 .

Display 3010.

The second display 3020.

And the state sensing device 1200 .

In FIG. 23, the status reporting device 800 supports the location and data radio frequency tag device 1510 of FIG. 15A. In FIG. 23, the state sensing device 1200 preferably includes:

operator identity sensing means 1210,

container presence sensing device 1220,

optical container code sensing device 1230,

container stack height sensing device 1260,

machine status list member sensing device 1270, which provides reverse motion 1852, recurring stop count 1854, crash status 1856, oil level 1858, compass reading 1860, and vehicle speed 1864, and

The sensed twistlock state 1314, may further preferably include a sensed hanger state 1324 of a hanger at 20 feet sensed state 1324-20 and a hanger at 40 feet sensed state 1324-40, and The sensed landing state 1334.

The sensed hanger state 1324 may include other sizes, examples of which are shown in the hanger state list 1420 of FIG. 12D .

24 and 25 illustrate various embodiments of a status reporting device 800 for the UTR truck 10 of FIG. 1 . In these figures, details of the content and communication of the status sensing device 1200 are disclosed. UTR trucks can be attached to the tank frame 14 or chassis 14 of the tie-down container 2 .

In FIG. 24, the status reporting device 800 supports the Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) device 1500 of FIG. 14A.

Figure 24 shows that the status reporting device 800 is in communication with the following means via coupling:

Wireless communication device 1100 .

Display 3010.

And the state sensing device 1200 .

In FIG. 24, the state sensing device 1200 preferably includes:

Operator identity sensing means 1210.

Container size sensing device 1216.

Container presence sensing device 1220 .

Optical container code sensing device 1230 .

Machine state list member sensing device 1270 that provides reverse motion 1852 , recurring stop count 1854 , crash status 1856 , oil level 1858 , wind speed 1862 , and vehicle speed 1864 .

And the fifth wheel engagement/disengagement proximity sensor.

Figure 25 shows that the status reporting device 800 is in communication with the following means via coupling:

The wireless communication device 1100 is preferably implemented using a wireless determination device 1510 .

Display 3010.

And the state sensing device 1200 .

In FIG. 25, the status reporting device 800 supports the location and data radio frequency tag device 1510 of FIG. 15A.

In FIG. 25, the state sensing device 1200 preferably includes:

Operator identity sensing means 1210.

Container presence sensing device 1220 .

Machine state list member sensing device 1270 that provides reverse motion 1852 , recurring stop count 1854 , crash status 1856 , oil level 1858 , wind speed 1862 , and vehicle speed 1864 .

And the fifth wheel engagement/disengagement proximity sensor.

A status reporting device 800 for use on tank wagon frame 14 and/or chassis 14 may preferably be similar to FIG. and the status reporting device 800 of the UTR truck 10 shown in 25. Status reporting device 800 may also be without optical container code sensing device 1230 .

The status reporting device 800 for the UTR truck 10 of FIGS. 4 and/or 25 may preferably operate as follows:

The microcontroller module 1000 can sense how long the UTR truck 10 has been running.

The microcontroller module 1000 can sense when the fifth wheel is engaged.

The microcontroller module 1000 can sense when braking is applied.

The microcontroller module 1000 can sense when container 2 is a 40 foot container.

The microcontroller module 1000 can sense when the container 2 is a 20 foot container and is placed in front or behind the tank wagon frame 14 .

The microcontroller module 1000 can sense when the container 2 is on the chassis.

Microcontroller module 1000 can sense compass reading 1860 .

Optionally, microcontroller module 1000 may sense oil level 1858.

Optionally, microcontroller module 1000 may receive sensed operator identity 1214 .

The wireless communication device 1100 can interface with the WHERENET ^™ radio tag system.

Wireless communication device 1100 may also be a WHERENET tag.

Communication via the wireless communication device 1100 may preferably occur when a container is engaged, when a container is acquired, or when a container leaves the tank wagon 14, and/or when the UTR truck 10 begins to move.

In some embodiments, the status reporting device 800 may use the wireless communication device 1100 instead of the location 1900 determining device 1500 . The wireless communication device 1100 may be sensed by an external radio system to determine the container handler position. This is preferable from the standpoint of production cost of the status reporting device.

The status reporting device 800 for the UTR truck 10 of FIGS. 24 and/or 25 may preferably include the following sensor interfaces.

Fifth wheel engagement-disengagement can be sensed by a magnetic proximity switch.

Vehicle speed 1864 and/or movement may be sensed by the number of revolutions of the drive shaft.

The compass reading 1860 can be interfaced using the RS-422 protocol 2111.

Container presence may preferably use an ultrasonic sonar with a 4 to 20 milliamp (mA) analog output. It is measured by the microcontroller module 1000 to determine the distance.

Alternatively, container presence can use lasers to determine distance.

The wireless communication device 1100 may be coupled to the microcontroller module 1000 using the RS-422 protocol 2111.

Determination of location may be accomplished by wireless communication device 1100, in particular wireless communication device 1100 implementing a WHERENET ^™ radio tag.

The radio tag can also be commanded to blink.

The reverse motion sensor may be based on the reverse motion buzzer of the UTR truck 10 .

In Figures 5B, and 21 to 25, a status display 3010 is shown.

Display 3010 may communicate with computer 1010 directly, or through one of various network interface circuits (NICs).

The display 3010 may preferably be a liquid crystal display. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that there are many alternative means for presenting the status display.

A display 3010 may preferably be used to display status.

In FIGS. 21 to 23, the second display 3020 is shown.

The second display 3020 can communicate with the computer 1010 directly, or through one of various network interface circuits (NICs).

The second display 3020 may preferably be a liquid crystal display. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that there are many alternative means for presenting the status display.

The second display 3020 may preferably be used to display command options available to the operator of the container handler 78 .

The second display 3020 may also be used in the status reporting device 800 of the UTR truck 10 .

In this case, the status reporting device 800 also includes network interface circuitry supporting a version of the IEEE 802.11 access scheme 2134 when the second display 3020 is present.

The operator is able to receive a message as to where to go in the loading bay yard to pick up the container 2 .

Network interface circuit support for this version of IEEE 802.11 access scheme 2134 enables remote reprogramming of status reporting device 800 .

17 , 18 , 21 , 22 and 24 show the status reporting device 800 including the second network interface circuit 1034 .

The second network interface coupling 1036 enables the computer 1010 to communicate through the second network interface circuit 1034 .

The network interface circuit 1030 and the second network interface circuit 1034 may preferably support different serial communication protocols.

As an example, the network interface circuit 1030 may support RS-232, while the second network interface circuit 1034 may support Ethernet.

Both network interface circuit 1030 and second network interface circuit 1034 are preferably implemented as components within a microcontroller that also includes computer 1010 .

The status reporting device 800 and its communication protocol(s) may support the use of the TCP/IP stack, HTTP, java, and possibly XML.

The above-described embodiments have been given as examples and are not meant to limit the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (43)

1. method for reporting that is used for container handler may further comprise the steps:

Use the state sensing device of described container handler to create the state that senses;

Use radio communication device to transmit the state of the described described container handler that senses;

Wherein said container handler movable length is at least 20 feet freight container.

2. the method for claim 1 is characterized in that, uses the step of described radio communication device further comprising the steps of:

With the network interface circuit that is coupled to described radio communication device alternately to transmit the state of the described described container handler that senses.

3. method as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, described network interface circuit with the situation of the coupling of described radio communication device under support wired communication protocol.

4. method as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that, described wired communication protocol is supported at least one member's of serial protocol tabulation a version, and described serial protocol tabulation comprises:

Ethernet protocol,

The RS-232 agreement,

The RS-422 agreement,

The RS-485 agreement,

USB (USB) agreement,

The live wire agreement,

Synchronous serial interface (SSI) agreement,

Serial peripheral interface (SPI),

(I2C) agreement between IC, and

Controller territory network (CAN).

5. the method for claim 1 is characterized in that, the communication of at least one version of at least one member of described radio communication device support use wireless modulation-demodulation scheme tabulation;

Wherein said wireless modulation-demodulation scheme tabulation comprises time division multiple access scheme, frequency division multiple access scheme, CDMA scheme, Frequency Hopping Multiple Access FHMA scheme, multiple access scheme and ofdma scheme when jumping.

6. method as claimed in claim 5 is characterized in that,

Described at least one version of described time division multiple access scheme comprises the GSM access scheme;

Described at least one version of described frequency division multiple access scheme comprises the AMP access scheme;

Described at least one version of described CDMA scheme comprises at least one member of CDMA scheme tabulation; Wherein said CDMA tabulation comprises IS-95 access scheme and wideband CDMA access scheme;

Described at least one version of described ofdma scheme comprises IEEE 801.11 access schemes.

7. the method for claim 1 is characterized in that, described sensing device comprises in order to operator's identity sensing device of the operator's identity that senses to be provided.

8. method as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that, the described state that senses comprises the described operator's identity that senses.

9. the method for claim 1 is characterized in that, described sensing device comprises that there is sensing device in the freight container of the freight container existence that senses in order to establishment.

10. method as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that, the described state that senses comprises that the described freight container that senses exists.

11. the method for claim 1 is characterized in that, described sensing device comprises in order to the optical sensing apparatus of the container code optical container characteristic, on the freight container to be provided.

12. method as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, the described state that senses comprises described optical container characteristic.

13. method as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, described optical container characteristic comprises at least one example of a member of container code characteristic tabulation;

The tabulation of wherein said container code characteristic comprises the compression of the described view of the view of container code text, described container code and described container code.

14. method as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that, described container code optical sensing apparatus comprises at least one pick up camera at least one example with the described view of creating described container code.

15. method as claimed in claim 14 is characterized in that, described pick up camera is created at least one example of described compression of the described view of described container code.

16. the method for claim 1 is characterized in that, described sensing device comprises in order to the radio frequency sensor device of the radio-frequency (RF) tag freight container radio-frequency (RF) tag, on the freight container to be provided.

17. method as claimed in claim 16 is characterized in that, the described state that senses comprises described freight container radio-frequency (RF) tag.

18. the method for claim 1 is characterized in that, described container handler is to comprise that tire type gantry crane, wharf crane, side pick up at least one member of the stacker handling machine tabulation of machine and top carrying implement.

19. method as claimed in claim 18 is characterized in that, described sensing device comprises in order to the freight container stacking height sensing device of freight container stacking height to be provided.

20. method as claimed in claim 19 is characterized in that, the described state that senses comprises described freight container stacking height.

21. method as claimed in claim 19 is characterized in that, described stacking sensing device is included in the stacking height sensor interface of the stacking height sensor on the described container handler.

22. the method for claim 1 is characterized in that, described sensing device comprises at least one member's of the machine state tabulation that is used for the described container handler of sensing device;

The described member of wherein said machine state tabulation comprises reserve motion, regular shutdown counting, collision status, oil level, compass reading, wind speed and the speed of a motor vehicle.

23. method as claimed in claim 22 is characterized in that, the described state that senses comprises at least one member's of described machine state tabulation a example.

24. method as claimed in claim 18 is characterized in that, described sensing device comprises at least one member in order at least one member's who creates the tabulation of hoisting crane sensor states described hoisting crane sensor device tabulation;

The described member of wherein said hoisting crane sensor device tabulation comprises:

Revolve the lock sensing device, belong to the lock state that revolves that senses that revolves the lock status list in order to establishment;

The suspension bracket sensing device belongs to the suspension bracket state that senses of suspension bracket status list in order to establishment;

The landing sensing device belongs to the landing state that senses that landing state is tabulated in order to establishment;

The wherein said lock status list that revolves comprises and revolves lock on state and revolve lock off state;

The described member of described suspension bracket status list comprises 10 forty equivalent unit 40 suspension brackets, 20 forty equivalent unit 40 suspension brackets, 30 forty equivalent unit 40 suspension brackets, 40 forty equivalent unit 40 suspension brackets and 45 forty equivalent unit 40 suspension brackets;

Described landing state tabulation comprises landing state and not landing state;

The described member of described hoisting crane sensor states tabulation comprises the described lock state that revolves that senses, the described suspension bracket state that senses and the described landing state that senses.

25. method as claimed in claim 24 is characterized in that, the described state that senses comprises at least one member of the tabulation that comprises the described lock state that revolves that senses, the described suspension bracket state that senses and the described landing state that senses.

26. method as claimed in claim 24 is characterized in that, described sensing device comprises and crane boom interface bonded assembly coupling, in order among the described member that described hoisting crane status list is provided at least in part at least one.

27. method as claimed in claim 26 is characterized in that, described and described crane boom interface bonded assembly coupling comprises and the described computing machine coupling of described crane boom interface bonded assembly.

28. method as claimed in claim 24 is characterized in that, described sensing device comprises the coupling with programmable logic controller (PLC) (PLC), in order among the described member that described hoisting crane status list is provided at least in part at least one.

29. method as claimed in claim 28 is characterized in that, comprises serial communication coupling with described computing machine with the coupling of described PLC.

30. method as claimed in claim 29, it is characterized in that, at least one member's of serial protocol tabulation a version is supported in described serial communication coupling, and described serial protocol tabulation comprises Ethernet protocol, RS-232 agreement, USB (USB) agreement and live wire agreement.

31. the method for claim 1 is characterized in that, at least one in further comprising the steps of:

Use described radio communication device to determine the position of described container handler at least in part; And

Use the wireless definite device in described container handler position to determine the described position of described container handler at least in part.

32. method as claimed in claim 31 is characterized in that, and is further comprising the steps of:

Use the wireless definite device in described position to transmit the described position of described container handler.

33. method as claimed in claim 31 is characterized in that, the interface of described position is wireless definite device is included in global positioning system (GPS).

34. method as claimed in claim 33 is characterized in that, the interface of described position is wireless definite device is included in differencial global positioning system (DGPS).

35. method as claimed in claim 31 is characterized in that, described position is wireless, and definite device comprises the radio-location tags unit.

36. the method for claim 1 is characterized in that, described radio communication device comprises the radio-location tags unit.

37. the method for claim 1 is characterized in that, described container handler is to comprise that UTR truck, groove tank car frame, tire type gantry crane, wharf crane, side pick up at least one member of the container handler tabulation of machine and top carrying implement..

38. the described state that senses as the product of process as claimed in claim 1.

39. a device that is used to realize the method for claim 1 comprises: first is coupled to the micro controller module of described state sensing device with being coupled to described radio communication device and second communication communicatedly.

40., it is characterized in that described micro controller module comprises computing machine as device as described in the claim 39;

Wherein said computing machine comprises at least one member of the tabulation that comprises instruction processing unit, inference engine, neural network and finite state machine;

Described instruction processing unit comprises at least one instruction process unit and at least one data processing unit; In the described data processing unit each is controlled by in the described instruction process unit at least one.

41. device as claimed in claim 40 is characterized in that, but described computing machine is coupled to memory device by access ground, and described instruction processing unit is by comprising the programmed system guide that resides in the program step in the described memory device.

42. the device shown in claim 40 is characterized in that, described finite state machine comprises with in the lower device at least one:

Be used to use described container handler state sensing device to create the device of the described state that senses;

Be used to use described radio communication device to transmit the device of the state of the described described container handler that senses;

43. device as claimed in claim 40, it is characterized in that at least one field programmable gate array realizes comprising at least one at least a portion in the tabulation of described instruction processing unit, described inference engine, described neural network and described finite state machine.

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