Abstract: It is provided a container crane including: a spreader configured to controllably attach to a container; a container trolley to which the spreader is attached via cables, the container trolley being provided on an upper part of the container crane and being horizontally movable along a first direction; a first sensor arrangement mounted on the container trolley, the first sensor arrangement being usable to determine a position of the container; a second sensor arrangement being usable to determine a position of a target; and at least one reference marker provided fixed, in at least two dimensions, to a horizontal support provided along the first direction between vertical structures of the container crane, the at least one reference marker being provided vertically lower than the first sensor arrangement and the at least one reference marker being detectable by the first sensor arrangement.

Abstract: It is provided a sensor trolley for use in a container crane. The sensor trolley includes: a sensor arrangement being usable to determine a position of a target for landing or picking up a container; and the sensor trolley is configured to be movable along a horizontal trolley support of the container crane for the sensor arrangement to cover a plurality of vehicle lanes under the container crane.

Abstract: A container crane control system including: a camera configured to be fixedly mounted to a crane to obtain a series of captured images, a video output configured to provide a video signal including a series of cropped image based on the series of captured images; and a control device configured to, for at least part of the captured images and the respective cropped image, receive an input signal indicating a current height of a load of the crane, wherein the control device is configured to control a position of the respective cropped image within the captured image based on the current height of the load.

Abstract: It is provided a container crane including: a spreader configured to controllably attach to a container; a container trolley to which the spreader is attached via cables, the container trolley being provided on an upper part of the container crane and being horizontally movable along a first direction; a first sensor arrangement mounted on the container trolley, the first sensor arrangement being usable to determine a position of the container; a second sensor arrangement being usable to determine a position of a target; and at least one reference marker provided fixed, in at least two dimensions, to a horizontal support provided along the first direction between vertical structures of the container crane, the at least one reference marker being provided vertically lower than the first sensor arrangement and the at least one reference marker being detectable by the first sensor arrangement.

Abstract: It is provided a sensor trolley for use in a container crane. The sensor trolley includes: a sensor arrangement being usable to determine a position of a target for landing or picking up a container; and the sensor trolley is configured to be movable along a horizontal trolley support of the container crane for the sensor arrangement to cover a plurality of vehicle lanes under the container crane.

Abstract: A container crane control system including: a camera configured to be fixedly mounted to a crane to obtain a series of captured images, a video output configured to provide a video signal including a series of cropped image based on the series of captured images; and a control device configured to, for at least part of the captured images and the respective cropped image, receive an input signal indicating a current height of a load of the crane, wherein the control device is configured to control a position of the respective cropped image within the captured image based on the current height of the load.

Abstract: A device, method and system for automatic calibration of a container crane, the container crane being controlled by a system including a first sensor (LPS) and/or a second sensor (TPS), are provided. A calibration rig is arranged in a fixed position and includes a plurality of markers, each arranged at a known and fixed position and distance relative to one another. The markers may include a first marker with a first visual appearance, or active marker and/or a second marker with a second visual appearance, or passive marker. The active marker is preferably an illumination source, such as an IR source. A method for calibrating a container crane using the calibration device and a container control system including the calibration device and one or more computer programs are also described.

Abstract: A device, method and system for automatic calibration of a container crane, the container crane being controlled by a system including a first sensor (LPS) and/or a second sensor (TPS), are provided. A calibration rig is arranged in a fixed position and includes a plurality of markers, each arranged at a known and fixed position and distance relative to one another. The markers may include a first marker with a first visual appearance, or active marker and/or a second marker with a second visual appearance, or passive marker. The active marker is preferably an illumination source, such as an IR source. A method for calibrating a container crane using the calibration device and a container control system including the calibration device and one or more computer programs are also described.

Abstract: A method for handling containers in which containers are stacked using a moveable crane with a travelling part such as a trolley (8) arranged to lift, move and land a container (7) on a stacking target (15) in a stack comprising a least one ground container (1). The method is characterised by the steps of measuring the horizontal position of the stacking target (15), determining the horizontal position of the ground container (1), and comparing the relative positions of stacking target (15) and ground container (1). An overlap is developed from the relative positions of the stacking target (15) and the ground container (1), and compared to predetermined limits. If the overlap is within limits a desired landing position (25) on the stacking target (15) is selected for the container (7). Advantages include automatic stacking, faster stacking, safer stacks and dense packing of stacks in a container terminal.

Abstract: A horizontal reference marker and method of using the horizontal reference marker to determine the exact position on the ground of a ground slot for a standard freight container. At least two horizontal reference markers are fixed to the ground or any substantially horizontal stacking surface and arranged in a known position relative to a ground slot on the ground. The horizontal reference markers are shaped suitable for detection by laser means mounted on container cranes. The advantage is precise and parallel positioning of a container placed on the ground, which ensures that container stacks have sufficient clearance between them and simplifies container handling.